Elk Bugle

[Daved270]

I am new to elk hunting and I was wanting to know if elk bugle all year or just during the rut. I will be making a scouting trip up to Colorado in July or August to check out an area. Would I have a chance to hear one bugle at this time?

[Swede]

The vast majority of bugling is done from mid August-mid October. There is always a chance you could hear one bugle on your scouting trip, but it is unlikely unless you wait until near the end of your time slot.

[Elkduds]

Elk hunters bugle all year long

[ElkNut1]

A bugle tone is a way of communication by both bulls & cows, elk can & do bugle all year. It's that during rutting phases it becomes much more prominent.

ElkNut1

[ishy]

Just to give you a relative number I worked in the Tetons surrounded by elk and spent every evening after work near elk from June till mid August. All summer I herd 1 bugle. In 2012 during Septmeber one day I heard 250-300 bugles.

[Daved270]

Thanks everyone, i guess i wont get my hopes up to hear one on my scouting trip. I would love to hear 250-300 bugles in one day!!!!

[ElkNut1]

Elk communicate many times through the use of what we think of as cow calling, both genders can & do this as needed. The same applies to alarm barks no matter the time of year.

I fed aprox 70 elk through 5 winters in years passed & heard various bugles every week from Nov to April. After that the elk left the area as snows lessened. Too, many years we are at elk camp in June, July & Aug it's very common for the elk to get quite vocal at night during our stays. I've done quite a bit of research in years past & have heard elk bugle & cow talk I believe in every month of the year so a lot depends on the mood of the herds at that time when we humans are present. You want to hear a lot of elk talk get those youngsters together as these nursery groups meet up in large meadows, it can sound like a bunch of kids in a playground having a ball. (grin)

ElkNut1

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

Pay attention to what ishy said. He has the best answer for you yet. Personally, I have heard elk bugle so few times in July that I could easily count them on one hand.

[Swede]

I agree with WW on this. Just let us know how listening to the bugling elk goes in July.

[ElkNut1]

The answer to the thread starters question is yes. He's asking if he'll have a chance to hear an elk bugle in July or Aug, not do elk bugle at these non rutting times as in Sept & Oct. If he's around elk his chances increase, if he's not around elk then most likely not. Elk during July & earlier in Aug are generally heard at night or near night-fall & rarely during middle of the day. Keep your fingers crossed bud, I hope you hear a few. (grin)

WW, have you experienced the vocal nursery groups which include bugling by cows & younger bulls still in velvet hanging amongst these dominant cow herds in the larger meadows in June, July or Aug.?

ElkNut1