A Bull in the Hand is Worth.......

[WapitiTalk1]

Scenario: 22 September. The day before yesterday, you got into a very nice bull with a handful of cows and two satellites. You worked in close, had the wind after you stalled and waited for it to switch so your shooter would have the advantage, and used OTC Will's ninja method (I'm serious about this ) to make a play at the herd bull. I sent my partner down and across the last 120 yards of the steep little ID alder draw to try to shoot this honker. I moved down after a bit and commenced to really make a scene. My buddy drew back several times on the big 6 point but due to alder hell, he didn't touch off an arrow. The bull dislodged from his cows several times and my partner was set up as best he could in the jungle, had some close calls, but again, no shot. You decide to let this area rest a few days as you have others to hunt but this morning, you're back after the big boy.

Back to today, you head out across, near the top, of a very large, very steep draw to try and meet up with the big guy once again. After 1/4 mile on the trail (orange lines) you hear and see a smaller 4 point screaming his head off and pawing the ground at the spot I put the yellow X (little bull). I have called these little bare ridge, benchy spots "bugle points" over the years as I've heard and seen many satellites singing their guts out trying to locate other elk from them. Thermals are still going down (it's barely daylight).. and your scent is obviously too far above the small bull for him to detect. Here's my question. Do you break off from your original plan to go another 1 1/2 on the side hill pack trail and try your hand at the big guy, or, is this "bull in the hand" too tempting to not go after? No right or wrong answers here folks, just stimulating some elky conversation. What would you do (true story by the way)....?

Additional information: Bull only area.

[JJ Overkill]

the terrain looks relatively open. I looked at it a few times trying to figure out how to move in or where to hide to call this bull to me. that's what im finding to be the hard part.

if I am hunting with my son, we would be making a move on this bull with him as the shooter.

I see two ways of calling in this bull.
1) make some pleading cow calls possibly some estrus buzzes to this lonely bull and if you have a decoy deploy it to draw the bulls attention.
2) uses a breeding sequence setup. the bull will think there are hot cows and the bull is busy fending off other satellites.

either one should pull this bull within bow range.

[Swede]

If that little bull is easy, he will be dead. If my hunting friend does not want him, I will be pleased to hang my tag on him. If we have time, we will leave him for a while after the shot and go after the big boy too. We always have enough arrows for two.
One evening, years several years ago my son and I got two 5x5 bulls. They kept us up late, but the remainder of the season was real easy. We were tagged out on elk.

[Puttncut]

If I had several more days to hunt, I'd drop down and run that little bull off then side-hill towards the herd bull pretending to be the little bull and once I got in close I'd probably add some excited cow-in-distress calling with spike squeels.

With less time to hunt I'd try to fill the freezer a bit.

Thank you.

[easeup]

A bull in the hand is everything. Many years I hunt miles and miles just to get that one chance. It is too rare to have a hunt where one would get multiple chances at a bull in one trip; or at least the places I have been hunting.
So yes sir: lets go get the one we are at >>>--------> right now............for tomorrow may never come.

[otcWill]

Well my first thought was the guy who "almost" got him the day before blew it! Not like that hasn't happened to me 100 times

I'd probably still go right after the big boy since niether of these bulls is "in hand". Its hard to resist going after a gnarly bugle over a wimpy one!

[elkmtngear]

By passing up the smaller bull, you are assuming the big boy will be in the same location as he was two days ago, and will be vocal enough to give himself away.

I'm going after the first vocal bull I hear.

[Lefty]

In this case Im going after the 4 pointer first becase hes looking for action, I would drop down the draw , work my way in at the same elevation keeping some of those trees between us, 100-140 yards out I would sound like a lost girlfriend If he doesn come in like some lonesome 19-yearold I would mimic his raking and foot stooping.
I figure the big bull may not hear the cow calling and just wants to keep the cows that are with him
As soon as I mess up Ill go after the big bull,.. and mess up on him too

[Fridaythe13th]

rookie here nothing is easy. If there is one talking to me, I'm talking back no mater what size.

[stringunner]

I too am going after the first legal bull.

[razorback]

My answer won't count for much, haven't got to work an elk yet but I would go with my southeastern Missouri turkey tactics. Do my best to get in between the bulls and make a lot of cow calls trying to sound like multiple cows. If neither bull moves, I'll move toward one of them or away from both and throw a bugle in to sound like a third bull. Please tell me why I'm going to walk out of the woods heartbroken.

[elkmtngear]

My answer won't count for much, haven't got to work an elk yet but I would go with my southeastern Missouri turkey tactics. Do my best to get in between the bulls and make a lot of cow calls trying to sound like multiple cows. If neither bull moves, I'll move toward one of them or away from both and throw a bugle in to sound like a third bull. Please tell me why I'm going to walk out of the woods heartbroken.

Well for one thing, if you got right between those two bulls, you would be trying to call 3/4 of a mile in either direction. Even if they could hear you, they probably wouldn't care.

Best tactic is to get as close as possible to a vocal bull IMHO without letting him know you are there

[razorback]

Gotcha. I've got a lot to learn about these critters. How close you talking? Just let terrain and cover dictate?

[WapitiTalk1]

Additional information: Yes, the area you pass through and above you on the pack trail is pretty darn open. Below you however, is mostly 10-15 foot alder and chest high huckleberry brush. The few openings you see on the SAT mat are some tore up dirt nobs and rock outcroppings. The area is very steep (see magnified 40' contours on map below). Are you still giving up the pre-planned hunt for the big bull (remember, with a few satellites hanging around) to bust down and chase this youngster? Just checking

[Triplebhunters]

I'm up for a challenge today, four more days to hunt let go after the big boy.

[Olydog09]

I would weigh the odds on which elk I had a better chance at with thermals, wind, terrain to animals etc. If I was not certain that the big boy was there at that point I am going after the 4 point or spike or flat top, calf, you get my drift.

[Toby]

Whichever one I think gives me the best opportunity to get within bow range

[Broken arrow]

Unless it was a draw unit and I was purposely after the biggest bull. I'm going after meat.

[JJ Overkill]

its hard to tell where and how I would move by the pictures. I would do as I stated above but would try to use the terrain and cover to my advantage and get with a distance that I feel the bull would cover and make my move/ force the bulls hoove

[Washington Wapiti]

For me, I would be happy with either bull and am open to changing up a plan. However, I think if this bull is one of those ones that has gotten into your blood, and have been chasing for a season or two or more . . . you have to make a play on him. But that's just me. The terrain sounds a little gnarley, but I'm used to that. And since I wouldn't be solo there is someone else to share in the misery/elation of the pack-out with lol

[WapitiTalk1]

For me, I would be happy with either bull and am open to changing up a plan. However, I think if this bull is one of those ones that has gotten into your blood, and have been chasing for a season or two or more . . . you have to make a play on him. But that's just me. The terrain sounds a little gnarley, but I'm used to that. And since I wouldn't be solo there is someone else to share in the misery/elation of the pack-out with lol

Yes sir. Saddle up Shawn, we're heading after you know who

I did not hunt the smaller bull when this situation occurred two years ago in ID. He was quite handsome though and was really singing his heart out. Lots of pawing, singing, and really just being the "king of the dirt knob" that chilly September morning. We decided to not drop into steep, alder hell after the "bull in the hand" but to press on to where we had gotten into the big fella two days ago. We picked up almost where we left off with the big 6 point and he once again, played us like a cheap fiddle. Got close but no shot. The big guy was there again last year (survived the 2012 season) and hopefully, he'll be there again this fall. I have a hate/love affair going on with that big stinker. Didn't see the smaller, dirt knob bull again but heard him serenading for anybody who'd listen deep down in that alder draw a few times as the season wound down. Man, he sure was proud of himself

[MLayden]

I'm guessing the big bull has a bunch of cows...and the satellite knows that and will/is trying to pull a few, so he would eventually start following the big bull. I'd make my move towards the big bull, and try and also anticipate which way the satellite would end up coming from and get ready. Then botch the whole thing up.

[Lefty]

With that much cover Im going after the little guy first, Only 2 eyes
If the wind changes enough as I move in Ill stay on the high side and drop in ,.. if he sticks around
Or stay with the side hill, appears to be a easy stalk , A slight breeze or updraft should keep my feet quiet

[elk-n-walleye]

For me, I would be happy with either bull and am open to changing up a plan. However, I think if this bull is one of those ones that has gotten into your blood, and have been chasing for a season or two or more . . . you have to make a play on him.

I hope this isn't me this coming season. I think about "that bull" frequently... hoping he didn't get taken during rifle season. I would love to get him in range for longer than a few seconds this season if he's still out there However, since I have yet to take an elk with my bow I like to think I would happily go after the closer, albeit, smaller bull.

[Washington Wapiti]

For me, I would be happy with either bull and am open to changing up a plan. However, I think if this bull is one of those ones that has gotten into your blood, and have been chasing for a season or two or more . . . you have to make a play on him. But that's just me. The terrain sounds a little gnarley, but I'm used to that. And since I wouldn't be solo there is someone else to share in the misery/elation of the pack-out with lol

Yes sir. Saddle up Shawn, we're heading after you know who

I did not hunt the smaller bull when this situation occurred two years ago in ID. He was quite handsome though and was really singing his heart out. Lots of pawing, singing, and really just being the "king of the dirt knob" that chilly September morning. We decided to not drop into steep, alder hell after the "bull in the hand" but to press on to where we had gotten into the big fella two days ago. We picked up almost where we left off with the big 6 point and he once again, played us like a cheap fiddle. Got close but no shot. The big guy was there again last year (survived the 2012 season) and hopefully, he'll be there again this fall. I have a hate/love affair going on with that big stinker. Didn't see the smaller, dirt knob bull again but heard him serenading for anybody who'd listen deep down in that alder draw a few times as the season wound down. Man, he sure was proud of himself

Haha, I'll have my spurs, bump cap, and saddle pad ready!

"The big guy was there again last year (survived the 2012 season) and hopefully, he'll be there again this fall. I have a hate/love affair going on with that big stinker."

Yep, that's the stuff dreams are made of. The wake up in the middle of the night, cold sweat kind . . . Still think about that drop-tined bull I got on my trail cam 2 years ago. If he's survived I bet he's a dandy by now. Gotta give the smaller guy props for puffing up his chest, and holding his own on his dirt knob.