Calling A Cow

[Still Hunter]

Ok, since joining this forum you guys have me curious on calling. I've avoided calling all my hunting career, and have done ok with my style of hunting. I'd like to try something new though.

I used up my points last year, so I have to go for a cow next year, because hunting an OTC unit for a bull is not an option for me.

So, is it possible to call in a cow? I'll be hunting the muzzleloader season, so hopefully the rut will be in progress. I'll probably gag on a call in my mouth. What do you guys recommend for a call if a call will even work on bringing in a cow?

Thanks in advance.

[cnelk]

Pete
We call in cows quite often early in the season and I'm sure during ML season it works very good too.
Using an excited calling session typically brings cows (and bulls) in, and they can come in running!

I carry and use 2-3 calls so it sounds like several elk.

The two calls I mentioned in the other post would work good for you.

[Still Hunter]

Thanks Brad. Are you calling in bulls, and the cows come with them, or are you specifically calling in a cow?

[Still Hunter]

I seem to remember ElkNut using a bull call to bring in a cow. I'm still learning the calling thing. It seems to make sense that a cow call brings in bulls, and a bull would be bringing in cows. Yes-no?

[ishy]

Cows come a lot they just don't show it on all the horn crazed hunting shows.

[elkmtngear]

As Brad mentioned, I've had many cows come running in to an estrus (excited) type cow call over the years (in September).

[Still Hunter]

How about a calf call?

[WapitiTalk1]

Still Hunter, since you may be taking the plunge into a bit of calling, why not add a few to your arsenal before your cow hunt in 2014? A locater bugle goes a long way (pun intended) during the rut period to locate animals (where theres a bull there are probably cows around); cow/calf calls are money to coax both cows and bulls in, and, to calm them when you're close to a herd (I'm not a predator, I'm an elk); and finally, a nervous or popping grunt is invaluable to "stop" an elk in their tracks for a shot. Just saying

[Swede]

Elknut has a DVD called "Calling All Cows".. There is a lot there that could help broaden your opportunities to effectively call cows. I would check out that DVD as knowledge is the greatest asset we can take with us out hunting.

[easeup]

and to add a little....
using a cow call has worked for me even as late as 4th rifle season to turn a feeding herd my way just by talking to the lead cow.

[Still Hunter]

Ok, thanks guys. I'm pretty comfortable getting elk in the timber, but i'd like to try some more open areas. Calling seems like the way to do it.

At my age, and a solo hunter. I may have to stay with hunting cows for the lighter pack out. Not a bad thing, because i'm a meat hunter anyway.

I'll get the DVD, and go from there. I have 9 months to figure this out.

[Still Hunter]

and to add a little....
using a cow call has worked for me even as late as 4th rifle season to turn a feeding herd my way just by talking to the lead cow.

That old crow! She's the one that always busts me.

[Still Hunter]

Is this a bow hunting forum?

[ElkNut1]

Pete, yes it's a bowhunting, rifle, muzzleloader, longbow, recurve & slingshot Forum if needed! (grin) Elk hunting is elk hunting no worries on ones weapon of choice!

Putting a weapon restriction in place would be like having an age restriction, heck I'd be one of the first to go!! (grin)

ElkNut1

[Harmy]

During the regular OTC season last year in Utah I called in a cow. I was sitting on a ridge after a long day in the woods and had about 20 minutes of light left. Was blowing a regathering sound on my mellow yellow and another calf call on a different reed occasionally. I discovered the cow circling around at about 100 yards trying to get down wind of my position. When I moved she busted and ran off (I shot and missed as I had to wait a long time for her to clear my firing line away from my partner). During my actual cow season in November I ended up shooting a calf who was looking for me as I was calling. I think she was lost and was coming to join up with the noise I was making.

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

Silent calling method

Postby >>>---WW----> » 08 29, 2012 • [Post 1]

(( On my previous post I mentioned I was successful this year using my version of the silent calling method. ctdad responded, asking, "What is the silent calling method"? So for those that may not know, I'll try to explain.

Silent calling is just another name for what Elknut calls cold calling. I refer to it as silent calling because most of the time, the elk come in to the calls without making a sound. Many times, they actually sneek in for a peek at what or who is making the sounds. So, you need to be on your toes all the time. Many times the silent calling sequence/setup can go on for as long as an hour. So I might add here that a good comfortable position is desireable. I like to find something like a log or rock to sit on as I plan on being there for awhile.

I'll try to explain the sequence as best I can. And then I'll show how you can switch things around to your advantage if need be.

First of all you need some good background cover so what ever you call in has to look for you. I'm sure we all understand what that means. Once you have your setup established, the normal way would be to start out with some general herd talk. This would be normal cow/calf talk. Then toward the end of the cow/calf stuff you would throw in either a hyper cow call or an estrus buzz and follow that with one short hi pitched young bull bugle. The whole sequence should last maybe 30 seconds. Don't over do it! Then after that you can wait for at least 5 minutes and go throught the whole sequence again. Keep this up for at least an hour at each setup location.

My version of it is to think outside the box and don't be afraid to switch things around. For instance, start out with a location bugle from a small bull. Wait about 30 seconds or so before you go with the herd talk sequence. This serves a dual purpose. #1, you may get lucky and have a bull answer and you can scrap the whole deal and go after him. And #2, you can continue with the the whole silent calling routine and stay put right where you are at.

The whole idea is to not go with the very same sequence every time. Sometimes I only do the herd talk with no hyper or buzz stuff. And sometimes no bugle at all. And if I do bugle, I never do it more than once. Remember, no chuckles or grunts and try to sound like a small bull when you do it. Nothing fancy or intimidating.

The reason for the small bull sounds is because I usually use this method in the early part of the season. At that time, as a general rule, 9 times out of 10, there will be only smaller spikes and raghorns hanging with the herd.

Well, ctdad there you have it. Hope this helps to explain it for you and others. Don't be afraid to think outside the box once in awhile and switch things up. I forgot to mention that sometimes I'll wait as long as 15 minutes or so in between sequences. Just don't go hog wild and over do it. Make it sound real! ))

A copied the above information that I wrote back in August of 2012. It is dynamite for cows as well as bulls!

[Still Hunter]

Very good info. Thank you.

Thank all of you.

[Trophyhill]

I set out to call bulls in first but the cows seem to come runnin love cow elk steaks

[Elkduds]

Thanks for a valuable thread for us meat hunters. Stillhunter, you previously wrote that you spend a lot of time scouting. You can spend that time honing cow/calf calling skills. Elk are talking all the time, so summer is great for practicing cow talk. If you have ever strolled through a patch of aspens and thought you heard a flock of seagulls in the trees, that was a herd. As noted above, cow/calf calling while scouting/stillhunting gives the impression that you are other elk. It can elicit replies you can locate to find elk, even attract them to check you out. Calling could be a perfect compliment to your hunting style. Hope I can cow call with you next summer. it is easy to learn from recordings.

You can be Dr. F*ing Doolittle

Enjoy your holidays, Stillhunter and all forum members!

[Still Hunter]

I'll be practicing all summer. I know enough aspen groves to satisfy everybody on this forum.

[cnelk]

Pete
I would have to look at our exact notes regarding cows/bulls from this past fall, but I remember we encountered 64 elk in a week.
I hunt very similar to your style except with a bow.
We do a lot of calling like WW described above.
I know that if you incorporated a few cow calls into your arsenal, you would be just tickled with the results.

[Still Hunter]

I'm convinced Brad. I ordered a couple of calls, and watched some videos. I'll probably order more calls, and settle on the ones that sound best, or maybe I should say the ones I can make sound best.

I'll be scouting about 150 days or so between now and muzzy season. The calls will be with me on all of those, and i'll be calling. With my luck i'll probable call in a grumpy bear.

[cnelk]

I'll be scouting about 150 days or so between now and muzzy season. The calls will be with me on all of those, and i'll be calling. With my luck i'll probable call in a grumpy bear.

I have done that too! They come in fast. Fun stuff

[Still Hunter]

Really? So, a bear will come in to a cow call? I know predictor calls work, but I didn't know elk calls worked?

[elkmtngear]

Really? So, a bear will come in to a cow call? I know predictor calls work, but I didn't know elk calls worked?

They work well on the occasional Mountain Lion, too. I found that out first hand.

One of my hunting partners had to throw a stick at a bear this season.

He was about to draw on a 5 point bull (that was with a small group of cows and calves)...when this stupid bear came charging at them. When Kenny called to try to stop the bull after they busted, the bear turned and ran straight at the sound...to about 5 yards from Kenny's position (behind the camo SLIP blind).

He got it on video

[Still Hunter]

Maybe i'll get a bear tag afterall.

[JohnFitzgerald]

I'll be scouting about 150 days or so between now and muzzy season. The calls will be with me on all of those, and i'll be calling. With my luck i'll probable call in a grumpy bear.

I have done that too! They come in fast. Fun stuff

Young cougars like to come into cow sounds as well. Never called in a bear though.

[ChukarNUT]

JohnF and I, had multiple encounters calling in cows using the breeding sequence, excited estrus, etc. One of which resulted in a bust on a nice bull--she kept coming in to us and blowing our cover!! silly lonely cow. also in terms of predators-- cow calls will attract predators of all varieties, more so than bugles IMO. i think lost cow and estrus cow calls are similiar enough in pitch to distress calls and obviously elk are a staple on cougar-bear-wolfs dinner plate. I speak from mutliple experiences--i have killed 2 mature toms with my bow---both while set up cold calling using cow calls. the 2nd cat i killed was in 2012, and we spotted him stalking us at about 200 yards, coming right into the calling. after a forehead buzzcut miss shooting at him head on at 20 yards through a small fir, he jumped 10 yards closer and hesitated, so i put a 100 gr slick trick through both lungs and heart at close to 5 yards, (left my pistol in camp--duhhh!) he didnt like that and we had elk tenderloin and cat tenderloin for dinner that night! we have also called in multiple bears, passed on all (smaller bears) and missed one i chose to take b/c he was a very old/mature/20"+ blonde phase, misjudged range and shot over him--that one still stings and im pretty sure he is still running away from that close call--probably in New York by now;) in 2005 we called in 2 collared wolfs in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. ODFW swore there were no wolves in Oregon at that time, even had a biologist tell us that the day after as he was driving two tracks around the wilderness with all the radar gear to track them told him must have been big yotes with collars and we will take them next time as there must be a big bounty for coyotes with fancy collars--he didnt laugh. i did. since that time i have called in about 10 wolves in the Caps and see them and sign on a regular basis. wish that biologist was right at that time

[Still Hunter]

Lots of good info guys. I'm so used to sneaking up on the game. This will be different having them come to me. Whole new hunting style for me.

I wasn't sure I was going to hunt for bear next year, but concentrate on the calling elk hunt in ML season. Then muley bucks in Oct. I'm going to go ahead and get the bear tag. I'll have the whole month of Sept to hunt for bear, and 9 days in the middle of Sept for elk. I'll concentrate on the elk for that season, but if I call in a bear i'll have a tag for it.

I'm not a fan of cats, so I prefer to not call one in, but my hunting areas have a bunch of them. So, who knows? I won't kill one unless i'm being attacked, but I only have one shot. I value my skin more than the cats.