To grunt or not to grunt, that is the question

[WapitiTalk1]

Grunts are confrontational and intimidating in nature. Are there times that grunts should be used in a situation that would increase the odds for a shot? What do you cats think?

[Swede]

My wife definitely does not want me to be grunting. She thinks it is rude and considers it very totally inappropriate when we have company. I try to refrain even when I am out camping alone.

[Indian Summer]

Same here Swede. She says it shows that guys are crude. She also says in case I don't realize it's anything but romantic. I wonder if we answered his question?

[cnelk]

Grunting is so easy even a cave man can do it.
Many of the grunts were probably mis-interpreted
I guess thats why they are no longer in existence

[Still Hunter]

I grunt at my dog sometimes. He seems to know what i'm saying.

[Indian Summer]

I grunt at my dog sometimes. He seems to know what i'm saying.

Still I think you grunt half the time when you read my posts buddy!

[elkmtngear]

Grunting can be dangerous...just ask Elvis!

[Still Hunter]

I grunt at my dog sometimes. He seems to know what i'm saying.

Still I think you grunt half the time when you read my posts buddy!

I do, but my dog knows what I mean.

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

Well, there's your answer from the forum experts RJ. Somehow I don't think that is quite the response you were looking for.

[cnelk]

They may or may not the the answers that RJ was looking for, but at least they were consistent

[Swede]

Of coarse we answered RJ's question. It was obvious he wanted to improve relations with his wife. I think RJ is getting a little old and he just wants a nice hug and kiss from his beloved. I am sure he will soon come back and thank us.

[Swede]

Oh my goodness! Ya don't think RJ is looking at some other gal and asking advise on how to get a shot at her do ya? No, RJ is not that kind of guy. He may not always be clear on what he is talking about, but he is not the type and this is not that kind of forum. I see there is an eharmony.com for farmers, Christians, old folks and others now. Maybe Indian Summer can start one for single elk hunters when he finishes school. Of coarse with all of the good advise RJ has received here he will not be needing any more of I.S's help, or any from the rest of us for that matter.

[WapitiTalk1]

Hmm, perhaps I should have typed "in an elk hunting situation" in the original post. Very good comments and discussion though. We've learned that Still Hunter grunts at his dog (why doesn't that surprise me ), elkmtngear is a classic rock and roll trivia fan , cnelk has some definite opinions about the demise of the indigenous inhabitants of the Paleolithic Era , Indian Summer may (on Swede's recommendation) launch the elk-harmony site , and Swede and others believe grunting in certain settings can cause relationship strife . Just to clarify my opinion on this topic (as it were), one should probably never grunt at your wife, girlfriend, (or for the ladies) husband/boyfriend when communicating. I highly recommend and prefer non verbal communication in many situations. Brush raking and pawing of the ground can get your message across . You rats were on this like a lawyer at the scene of a rear end collision

[Still Hunter]

I'll even post an example. I wake up in the middle of the night, and my dog is snoring next to me. Being to sleepy to say anything I give a good grunt. My dog wakes up, and rolls over.

Grunts bring on peace and quiet.

[Swede]

Rory: We do everything we can to help. After all that is what pals do. Just keep on smiling.

[ORelksniper]

Looks like the inmates have taken over the asylum...again.

[Trophyhill]

I'll give it a try based on my experience Rory. For me grunts work best when a true herd bull has cows and I'm in close. 75 yards or closer. Mostly later in the rut but will work early in September if you find the right bull that has cows. An aggressive challenge bugle followed with grunts. A big branch for some raking goes well in this situation to add a little more realism.

[Still Hunter]

You mean this thread had something to do with elk??

[JohnFitzgerald]

Guys, I'm ashamed of the way you are picking on poor RJ. You all know better than to...................do this without me!

Grunts - Define what they mean! Threat or warning to another bull. Can they be used towards a cow, yes but rarely. So ignore the exception.

Everyone ask themselves this, would you threaten a satellite bull that was alone and just wanted company? Would you expect to hear grunts during a battling bull sequence? What about a breeding sequence? Like Trophyhill suggested, do you threatend herd bulls? What situations really make sense to use grunts.

p.s. Trophyhill, I like how you included distance with your answer. In my experience, challenging a bull from too far away can give a bull the oppertunity to leave.

Just my 2 cents.

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

I can just see it now! RJ's next post will probably be something like how to teach your wife the proper technique for hurling a rolling pin when you grunt too much.

[WapitiTalk1]

Wait.. what? Have we regained our footing on this slippery hillside I believe there are specific times and places to offer some hard hitting grunts either alone or with as Trophy mentioned, following/preceding a nasty challenge bugle. Further, I believe grunts (elk grunts mind you) are perhaps, a last resort to dislodge a herd bull from the invisible ground glue that's keeping him tight to his cows. After all, bulls, particular cowed up bulls, are lovers/hoarders first and fighters last IMO. Just my thoughts. Anybody else?

[Still Hunter]

Save the grunts for your dog. Leave the bulls alone.

Sneak up, and blast them!

[JohnFitzgerald]

Wait.. what? Have we regained our footing on this slippery hillside I believe there are specific times and places to offer some hard hitting grunts either alone or with as Trophy mentioned, following/preceding a nasty challenge bugle. Further, I believe grunts (elk grunts mind you) are perhaps, a last resort to dislodge a herd bull from the invisible ground glue that's keeping him tight to his cows. After all, bulls, particular cowed up bulls, are lovers/hoarders first and fighters last IMO. Just my thoughts. Anybody else?

Yes bulls are lovers first then fighters. Threatening their dominance over the herd is not a last resort option, it's just a tactic. Every bull is different so get a feel on his temperament. If he has an estrus cow, aggressive challenging tactics might be the first choice.

Just my 2-cents!

[Trophyhill]

Wait.. what? Have we regained our footing on this slippery hillside I believe there are specific times and places to offer some hard hitting grunts either alone or with as Trophy mentioned, following/preceding a nasty challenge bugle. Further, I believe grunts (elk grunts mind you) are perhaps, a last resort to dislodge a herd bull from the invisible ground glue that's keeping him tight to his cows. After all, bulls, particular cowed up bulls, are lovers/hoarders first and fighters last IMO. Just my thoughts. Anybody else?

Yes bulls are lovers first then fighters. Threatening their dominance over the herd is not a last resort option, it's just a tactic. Every bull is different so get a feel on his temperament. If he has an estrus cow, aggressive challenging tactics might be the first choice.

Just my 2-cents!

I have to agree with this when dealing with dominant bulls with cows. (I haven't killed a true herd bull yet) but I've put myself into some good positions to do so by going right at them and getting aggressive these last couple years knowing they have cows. Now if I could just kick the tunnel vision habit and stop getting busted by cows........

[WapitiTalk1]

Interesting. Anyone else with an opinion on the use of grunts in their elk encounter arsenal?

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

Well it looks like I missed out on the fun part of this thread! That said, I don't trust myself to make an accurate grunt under pressure yet. So I leave it at home when I'm chasing elk. I do like torturing cats with a series of grunts sometimes.

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

OK on a more serious note, I have enraged many bulls with challenge bugles and hard thumping grunts. You can really crank a distant bull up that way. But when it comes to close encounters, it usually turns into a game of chicken. For the close in stuff what has worked best for me is to give only a couple of cow mews followed by chuckles, not grunts. Make him think you have peeled a cow away from his harem. A little raking adds to the reality as well.