Non Verbal Elk Communication

[WapitiTalk1]

Boy do I love verbal elk! Location bugles rising out of deep dark draws or banging off alder choked hillsides. Casual herd chatter between the cows/calves in an undisturbed mountain meadow, a squeaky small bull or spike squeal, or thundering grunts with a menacing, throaty scream from a PO'ed, dominant herd bull are all some of my favorite vocal noises to encounter while in the elk woods. I also love to make these noises while hunting as much as possible or as needed. This said, I think many of us may miss the boat when it comes to understanding non verbal elk communication, how to react when we hear/see them, or perhaps how to use these non verbal displays to our advantage. Although not quite as glamorous as the classic bugling bull, these non verbal sounds/gestures can assist us as hunters to get close to our prey. Let's work the thread this way. Post up a form of non verbal elk communication, what you feel it means when seen/heard, and how one could/should react as a hunter. Is there a way to use this form of non verbal communication on the hunters part (mimic it) to cover your approach and get closer? .

Let's hear them

[elkmtngear]

Well I will go with the obvious here when it comes to bulls...raking!

I used to think it was just a dominant bull thing, but I've observed 2 year old bulls doing it as well. I think it has multiple meanings. It could simply mean a bull rubbing velvet early on. In the case of a roaming bull hearing your cow call, it could be a way of trying to check for the presence of a herd bull. Or it could mean "get away from me and my cows"!

You can certainly use this to your advantage...a raking bull can be approached if the wind and angle is right. I've used it to get close, but never sealed the deal. I actually saw one bull stop raking and open his eyes as I approached to about 15 yards from behind a bunch of small spruces...busted!

It can leave a bull vulnerable, especially in team hunting, with the caller mimicking the bull while you put the sneak on

[Wapiti]

The sound I listen for the most when out bowhunting elk is the sound of antler's clunking on bigger Aspen/poplar tree's ( not rubbing but hitting to make noise). The elk up here in Alberta do it a lot instead of bugling. You have to know what you are listening for and then you find elk all the time.

When I hear that sound all I will do is a low volume chuckle.......works every time !!

Many elk will not answer to a bugle, but they will answer a chuckle every time !!

[Swede]

I have read about knuckle cracking by elk as a nonverbal way of elk reassuring each other as they move around?
What I have a hard time with is figuring out if a bull is communicating something or just being a bull. I say that because often when I see or hear the a bull raking or thrashing something I can find no other elk around.

[WapitiTalk1]

More please. Elk use a lot of non verbal communication to demonstrate their mood, intent, wants, displeasure with the current situation, etc. . Think about it and chime in.

[>>>---WW---->]

You can read a bull just like you read a horse to tell his mood. I particular, if you see the white in his eyes and he has his ears laid back you should know he is really pi$$ed off. Also a bull can raise the hackles on his back when he gets in a nasty mood.

Also, I've seen cows foot stomp when they are curious or alarmed.

[WapitiTalk1]

1. elkmtgear offered one of the most obvious, explained it well, and recommended how a hunter may use it go get close; raking.
2. Wapiti offered antlers clunking on larger aspen/poplars (not raking) as a form of advertising/communication. I don't believe I've experienced this (WA, ID, or MT) but it sounds logical. Perhaps I have heard it but thought it was merely raking on a larger tree.
3. Swede talked briefly about something I have read about also; knuckle cracking. This is a very interesting phenomenon. Here's a snippet from a RMEF elk fact brochure I just dug up; it's interesting to say the least. "Elk make slight cracking noises when they walk. Those noises help them keep in touch with each other, especially when the herd spreads out in thick brush. When elk hear knucklecracking, they know it's another elk nearby and not a predator lurking around." So I think Swede is saying old guys like me should be able to walk right up on elk with knees a crackling
4. WW jumped into some forms of non verbal communication that we as hunters must be aware of, body posture! Ears flat, eyes wide as tea cups, ears erect pointing forward, eyes wide or wild looking, stiff legs/body ridgid as if ready to launch, etc.

How about non verbal signals that perhaps, even the elk do not know are speaking/sending smoke signals to other elk, or, hunters? How about this one in the picture below. Seems like something we can use when sitting at a wallow, yes?

flat,550x550,075,f.jpg (45.38 KiB) Viewed 3071 times

What other forms of non verbal commo can you elknuts come up with?

[elkmtngear]

How about "posturing" when it comes to a rutting bull. Head down, antlers back and lips curled...usually right on the tail of a hot cow.

This bull is getting a face full of estrus scent, and the posture usually means the cow is getting very close to ready to breed.

Call this cow in, and the bull will probably be right behind her...and his focus will be only on one thing, leaving him vulnerable.