Calling Situation - Scenario 2

[WapitiTalk1]

Tale of the tape: Day 4 of your 10 day hunt in (insert state here); archery season; 10 September 2013; 8:25 AM; bull only area/tag; the cows are 32 yards from the shooter (yellow down arrow) and the bull, probably close to 40 yards from the shooter. Both the caller and shooter possess an unpunched tag, and, both can call (make appropriate elk noises when needed as the situation dictates). Thermals are flowing from right to left, downhill, pretty much from the caller towards the shooter.

You and your partner had set up on this tiny meadow 20 minutes ago to do a cold calling set up. After a series of herd talk (cow/calf calls) with some brush raking thrown in, two cows come out of timbered draw into the small meadow. They came from the direction of the blowdown you see right above and to the left of the bull's butt. Both the caller and shooter saw the cows enter the meadow and start to feed. The shooter sees the bull's antlers coming down the trail through the blowdown a few minutes after the cows enter the meadow but the caller is unaware of bullwinkles approach. During the entire event, none of the elk make a peep. Right before the bull enters the meadow (8:25 AM), the caller decides to let out a scream in case a bull is in the area. As the bull enters the meadow, and, the caller let's out a bull scream, all eyes and attention of the elk go directly towards the caller. The bull starts moving behind the cow (from the shooters point of view) towards the caller who is about 40 yards in the direction of the yellow arrow pointing to the right.

I know, lots going on. What are your options at this point in time to get one of your team a shot at that bull?

elk_3313np - Copy.jpg (73.59 KiB) Viewed 4907 times

[Fridaythe13th]

Arrow should all ready be in flight by the shooter he had warning this guy was coming and been ready to shoot.

[elk.addict]

Unless I missed something here, looks like I have a broadside shot at 40 yards? If he's not stopped already I would have stopped him with my cow call, and let an arrow fly

[Washington Wapiti]

The caller has done his/her job of pulling the bull right by the shooter and within range. It isn't necessary (or wise in this situation) for the caller to see the bull. The shooter could stop the bull with a nervous/popping grunt, so that he doesn't get too far behind the cow. Then zip that arrow into the pump house!

[Washington Wapiti]

P.S. Hopefully, the communication between shooter and caller is such, that the caller knows to stop calling when he/she hears that grunt!

[Wyo67]

Agree with all of the above. With the thermals going from the caller towards the elk, your time is limited. Cow call or nervous grunt if you have to stop him, but that arrow needs to be in flight as soon as he stops.

[WapitiTalk1]

It's not that easy guys. You don't think I'd type all this for a slam dunk, right off the bat, stationary shot do you .

"As the bull enters the meadow, and, the caller let's out a bull scream, all eyes and attention of the elk go directly towards the caller. The bull starts moving behind the cow (from the shooters point of view) towards the caller who is about 40 yards in the direction of the yellow arrow pointing to the right." He's moving as he enters the small meadow and continues to move towards the caller, behind the cow.

Now, what's your game plan to make the best of this situation?

[elk.addict]

I decided not to shoot because he has a goofy rack

[jmez]

How concealed is the caller? If the bull can see right where he screamed from he isn't going to walk far and probably stop right behind the cow. If the caller is concealed I would give a coupe glunks get the bull to keep coming to see what is going on. As soon as he clears the cow then shooter gives a popping grunt and lets it fly. If the caller is not well concealed so the bull doesn't have to go looking to see him then shooter should give a single cow call hoping the bull turns to look at him giving the caller a shot.

[otcWill]

If I'm reading this right, this situation is a "now or never" IMO. I would get my self in position for the shot, QUICK, and take it. There is no time for second guessing. If he's moving behind the cow that fast he'll clear her shortly at which point he can be stopped with any noise.

[Wyo67]

Lots of variables if the bull continues moving towards the caller.
- Hopefully the caller has cover and has put down his bugle tube from his scream and picked up his bow when he saw the cows come into the meadow.
- With the wind going right to left, eventually the caller is going to get winded. Depending on how close the bull comes and angle of the shot will determine whether or not the caller gets and takes a shot.
- The bull hasn't made a noise, even in response to a nearby scream. I don't think he's looking for a fight and may be positioning himself between his cows and the caller in order to hustle them off, which should give the caller a shot when he turns. Or the shooter a shot when (if) they turn to leave the meadow.

[Washington Wapiti]

It's not that easy guys. You don't think I'd type all this for a slam dunk, right off the bat, stationary shot do you .

Well . . . actually yeah! Just thought you were bored at work.
Maybe I'm not reading this the way you are seeing it . . . from the photo it looks like you could still sneak one over the cows back even if the bull does get behind her. I wouldn't shoot if the bull does pull ahead of the cow because then you are shooting to close to the vicinity of the caller, at least to make me comfortable. If the caller is completely concealed (either with the Slip or brush), he could do a switch-a-roo and potenially grab his bow, draw, and hold for one of those controversial frontal shots when the bull gets closer. Although, with all eyes in that direction that may be tough. Other than that, I'm out of ideas!

[Washington Wapiti]

Acutally, that wouldn't work either because the caller doesn't know the bull is there. *Shrug* ya got me RJ . . .

[WapitiTalk1]

You're some smart cats!

Washing Wapiti wrote: P.S. Hopefully, the communication between shooter and caller is such, that the caller knows to stop calling when he/she hears that grunt! Shawn was referring to his previous post where the shooter became the caller.

Jmez: How concealed is the caller? If the bull can see right where he screamed from he isn't going to walk far and probably stop right behind the cow. If the caller is concealed I would give a coupe glunks get the bull to keep coming to see what is going on. As soon as he clears the cow then shooter gives a popping grunt and lets it fly. If the caller is not well concealed so the bull doesn't have to go looking to see him then shooter should give a single cow call hoping the bull turns to look at him giving the caller a shot.

Otcwill: If I'm reading this right, this situation is a "now or never" IMO. I would get my self in position for the shot, QUICK, and take it. There is no time for second guessing. If he's moving behind the cow that fast he'll clear her shortly at which point he can be stopped with any noise.
Wyo67: Lots of variables if the bull continues moving towards the caller.
- Hopefully the caller has cover and has put down his bugle tube from his scream and picked up his bow when he saw the cows come into the meadow.
- With the wind going right to left, eventually the caller is going to get winded. Depending on how close the bull comes and angle of the shot will determine whether or not the caller gets and takes a shot.
- The bull hasn't made a noise, even in response to a nearby scream. I don't think he's looking for a fight and may be positioning himself between his cows and the caller in order to hustle them off, which should give the caller a shot when he turns. Or the shooter a shot when (if) they turn to leave the meadow.

I was basically seeing how many folks would say the caller/shooter need to be in tune with each other and know when to switch caller/shooter roles, and, react appropriately. Bullwinkle is gonna be 40+ yards from the original shooter in a matter of seconds, in a precarious position behind a cow from original shooter's angle, and, heading towards the caller. Caller can't see the bull and the shooter may wish to react to the situation and prepare himself to grab the bulls attention (and his partner's) for a shot opportunity. If the original shooter starts making "any" elk noises, perhaps even some non verbal advertising raking, the original caller should know something's up and he needs to ready himself for possible company. You guys brought up some considerations I hadn't thought of also.. good discussion.. Thanks!

[Swede]

RJ: You make a good point about having had a conversation with the other person(s) on your team. That has messed up some of my situations. To me it still looks like the designated shooter has the best chance to make a killing shot. The shooter needs to be ready, but if he/she starts becoming the caller, then the designated caller should know there is company. As the caller who can not see what is happening, it is difficult to know just how to react. I would understand a nervous bark, but what would a cow call tell me? I might think the shooter was just trying to get something going and start raking.

[Wyo67]

If I described the shot opportunity pictured in the original post to my partner, he would have been asking "Why the &#@ didn't you shoot?"

[Washington Wapiti]

Oh thank God, I was starting to form little beads of sweat trying to figure this out! LOL
I think most of us really appreciate these calling/shooting scenarios, as they are a great way to start thinking about approaching different situations . . . thanks RJ!