Beginner question

[Elkliver]

first post so let me introduce myself. I have lurked here some and soak up everything i can and would love to hear some suggestions from those with much more experience. i am fairly experienced elk huntermostly rifle but somewhat new to bow hunting and calling (actually have bow hunted for several years but have only recently gotten any success with the calling (thank you elk nut:-)). I have had some success in the past but ran into a couple of scenarios last week that i would love someones take on.

1st. hiked to a canyon rim first thing in the morning and bugled. I received answers from towards the head of the canyon(at least two in bottom or on other side and possibly one on my side) I worked my way towards the head and bugled again. the two on the other side answer. I glass for awhile, take my sweatshirt off and start stuffing in pack. Probably 15 minutes or so since last bugle, i hear a bull scream at me from about 30 yards away inthe thick brush. (i cant see him). Scream was somewhat hi pitched and agressive and not what i would have described as a "show me" call. What should i have done? I couldn't see him or effectively go to him so i was hoping i could get him to step around the brush. I cow called softly and waited...nothing I next growl bugled at him...nothing. waited a few more and snuck around the bush (which wasn't a quiet thing to do) nothing. bull is gone and i never heard him go out. Wind was always in my favor.

2nd 9:30 or so in the morning. I spot a 4x5 on the other side of the canyon where it would be a pain in the .. to get to him. he has a handful of cows. I watch him and start bugling a lot and frequently to see if i can get him to respond to me. He ignores me but eventually gathers his calls and heads down to the bottom out of sight. Soon after a bull starts answering me from the bottom of the canyon(not sure if same bull or different one) We exchange bugles as i head towards him and he comes up clear from bottom. I set up on a trail and wait... He screams fro about 70 yards out a bit to my left. similar to the first scenario. fairly high pitched and agressive. I scream back, I hear what i think is the cows passing below in front of me about 70 yards downhill (mews and brush popping) I never heard from the bull again and he dissapeared. Slight chance wind may have swirled and he got a smell.... So the questions is... how should i respond to that scream? Any thoughts? Help a beginner learn?

[elkflunky]

I am not the one to give advice but I also have been in this type of situation.....looking forward to some advice here. Wish I could help!

[ST52V]

First, let me say I have never killed an elk but I would like to see if I have learned any thing from this wonderful place. In the first encounter I probably would have made the nervous grount sound. I hope I called it by the correct name. By doing so you would have asked that bull to show him self. In the secound encounter you probably could have cutt the distance some and tried the same call. Maybe adding in some raking. My other thought would be to cutt the distance and use soft cow calls to simulate a cow between 2 bulls. Maybe your bulges are to aggressive for the bulls. Try some spike squeals. I will watch this thread to see how the more experienced folks answer.

[Indian Summer]

I'll keep it short and look forward to other replies as well.

On the 1st one: You're hunting alone or that bull could very well be dead. If I'm moving toward a bull alone and planning to call I'll get an idea of where I want to stop... which is as close as I think I can get.... and stop short of that, make the call and then hurry up & get to where I planned to stop and sit. Kind of like having a caller behind me. Since I'm alone I like that plan because elk, like turkeys, can pinpoint your location after only 1 call and sneak in silent.

[Elkliver]

Btt. Thank you for the suggestions. Anyone else have any insight into how to answer that last bugle?