Thoughts on an "out of the box" elk hunting tactic

[Olydog09]

My partner and I spend alot of time hunting ridges or using them to access areas to hunt. When we can we hunt into the wind along the ridges. We occasionally cow call or bugle as we are moving. I often wondered if sometimes elk come in behind us on the ridge to investigate, wind us and leave without us ever being the wiser. We have tried a few times to have one guy about 100 yards ahead moving and calling fairly frequently while the other followed silently in case something came in to investigate. We have not had any luck yet but have only done it a few times. Has anyone done this with any success?

Another variation we have tried when moving into an area that we think has elk is to have the lead guy occasional let out cow sounds with some calf chirps thrown in on occasion while the following guy would locate bugle on occasion. We are trying to present ourselves as a herd moving into an area with the cows in front and a bull following up in the rear. We have also done the same thing only have the guy in front do cow, calf and dominant bull sounds and the guy following doing less aggressive bull sounds to mimic a satellite bull following a herd. As of yet we have been unsuccessful with these tactics.

Has anybody used these tactics with success? Any tips on when to do something like this or what I may be doing wrong would be appreciated. Thanks,

-Oly-

[JohnFitzgerald]

Great that you're thinking this way. Keep it up and you'll be bagging/tagging before you know it.

I've done something very simular to the first tactic you described. But only call when you are stationary and give it plenty of time after. I've met a couple bulls face-to-face because I was impatient. Great communication is also needed between each party when working this tactic.

Apprehensive but interested elk will at times circle down wind before they come in. Remember this with every and any cold call setup.

Just my 2-cents.
jf

[Swede]

It is my observation that elk will often come in on the down wind side of you, but you will normally see and or hear them. I have successfully used the tactic you describe on Mule deer, but have had no success on elk. As John mentioned, you are better to set up and be patient on a cold calling routine. Wait 45-60 minutes before moving. I would stay off of the ridges. I go higher (3/4th of the way up or more) on the mountain side during the heat of the day when the thermals are carrying my scent up, and I stay low when the diurnal winds are going down during the cooler morning hours and late evening.

[Indian Summer]

I'll let others answer the question... while I sidetrack your thread

Get off of the ridge tops! That's right. For several reasons. The wind is unpredictable. It's easy to get skylined and spotted. But most of all... it's not really the money spot. The place where elk really spend their time. Yeah you can locate from up there. But there's a big difference between locating and hunting. I may sit up there to listen or glass. I might throw out a call from a stationary position and listen for a response. But if I'm an elk and hear calling along the top I'm saying hmm, I think I'll pass on suicide. Seriously.

Tops and bottoms are human and predator travel corridors. Often there are even man made trails along them

You'd will be pleasantly surprised at what you find if you commit... big word (and why so many are ridgerunners), and get down to the place where the hill first levels out: A bench.

You'll also be happier with the results from your calling and setups. If I'm an elk and hear a call from down in he zone I say hmmm, people are too lazy to come down here. I think I may just go have a look.

That makes two wrinkly old dudes saying get off of the top. hint hint

OK carry on......

[otcWill]

Sounds like you guys are cruising through the woods bugling and cow calling? If that's the case, I believe this is a mistake. I like to go to where I either know the elk are or think its a VERY good chance they're there and then start my calling. Not to say I never "cold" call but when I do I make a well educated "guess" on where the elk will come from, fully commit, and set up accordingly. I think your idea may well have worked already, only its a bit of a settup for failure IMO to be moving away from the place the elk is likely coming to check out. Set ups with a mobile caller and a stationary shooter make for most of our call-ins.

[kevin_t]

I go on the ridges all the time, but I do so for a couple reasons, first I check crossing into other drainages, second I prefer coming down from above if possible. Granted, I'm not super successful so take it for what it is worth. I just feel, if I am coming up on elk from below, I'm not going to win the race to get into any position. From the top, I can close much faster. I don't call from ridges though, unless it is just to stop an elk.

[SilverDollars]

Howdy. Let us never forget the beautiful strategy that uses the element of surprise. If they don't know you are there, they aren't alarmed! I was watching another elk hunting video the other day and the hunter let out a very nice and soft cow mew. The whole herd turned their heads in that direction. He got responses. They didn't spook or leave out quickly, but they all knew which way the sound came from(his direction). And when they decided to leave the area, they went the opposite direction from his call. I just love the hunting strategy that relies on "SURPRISE", now you are dead!

[JohnFitzgerald]

Howdy. Let us never forget the beautiful strategy that uses the element of surprise. If they don't know you are there, they aren't alarmed! I was watching another elk hunting video the other day and the hunter let out a very nice and soft cow mew. The whole herd turned their heads in that direction. He got responses. They didn't spook or leave out quickly, but they all knew which way the sound came from(his direction). And when they decided to leave the area, they went the opposite direction from his call. I just love the hunting strategy that relies on "SURPRISE", now you are dead!

If he could see the elk, then the elk could see his position. Never call at elk you have eyes on. When you do they'll know exactly where the sound came from and get alarmed when they don't see another elk standing there. Doesn't surprise me the elk walked off in a different direction.

Just my 2-cents.

[elkmtngear]

If he could see the elk, then the elk could see his position. Never call at elk you have eyes on. When you do they'll know exactly where the sound came from and get alarmed when they don't see another elk standing there. Doesn't surprise me the elk walked off in a different direction.

Just my 2-cents.

Or, let them see another elk standing there

[Olydog09]

The slip system will be in my pack next season.