Bed time story

[under H2O hunter]

So this one afternoon I put a nice size herd to bed. I was able to get the wind in my favor. I snuck in and was able to get in the middle of the herd. Being my first time in this situation I didn't know what to do? So I decided to bugle. The next thing I know my herd took off and I was left chasing the hurd. I keep replaying that moment over and over and over again in my mind. I so wish I could get that moment back. I feel like I missed such an amazing time to watch and learn so much more by observing rather then rushing. Its one of my most regrettable moments in the woods.

[Gypsumreaper]

Well this way you learn.... That's what I always tell my buddies when something doesn't go quite right, it's always a learning experience

[easeup]

more like a nightmare

[Indian Summer]

Once upon a time we all screwed up. But you never know when things could have gone the other way. But as a rule I don't give up my location if I think I can get a shot without doing so. The end.

[Lefty]

I was in a herd, somewhat similar situation
I had been following the heard for a couple hours. most of the bulls bedded down while the cows and calves ate and played 200-280 yards out. A stiff wind and they just were not hearing a cow call,,.. I bugled once, the biggest bull jumped up and drove the girls away. Two miles later they settled down.

Now last year similar situation and a 5x6 charged in after they had ignored a 1/2 hour of cow calling

[nippip]

I would love to hear what others would do in underwater's situation

[under H2O hunter]

I feel the appropriate action should have been to sit tight and be patient. Be silent and see if the bull comes around checking things out and take a silent shot. This is what I have thought about for many years. Most of the time now I just back out and wait till later in the day and try and work some cow calls. I hunt public land with small to medium size bulls. Aggressive calling pushes most of the herds and doesn't seem to get much positive results. Perhaps with much larger bulls it would get a more aggressive response.

[Gselkhunter]

I feel the appropriate action should have been to sit tight and be patient. Be silent and see if the bull comes around checking things out and take a silent shot. This is what I have thought about for many years. Most of the time now I just back out and wait till later in the day and try and work some cow calls. I hunt public land with small to medium size bulls. Aggressive calling pushes most of the herds and doesn't seem to get much positive results. Perhaps with much larger bulls it would get a more aggressive response.

I am sure Paul will weigh in on this but I have been preaching for years that people get out and follow herds all day all year. This is how you learn what elk do in different situations. The herd you were in was settling for the day, all were accounted for and there was no pressure from other bulls. They were at peace and you upset that peace. So the bulls reaction was to move his herd to get a feel for who this new threat was and how he would defend. Running away is a defense mode for elk. It is easier to regroup than loose a herd to an unknown bull that is presumed to be bigger or unidentified.
Not being there to see first hand what happened[how you bugled or where you were in relation to the bulls vs cows] I can't comment on what I would have done for sure. In similar situations I have lightly raked trees to raise curiosity or backed out and bugled from a distance to see how the bull would react. In most cases I won't throw the sink at them to start but escalate as needed. If the old boy starts to leave give his cows a reason to stay.

[JPD350]

I am sure Paul will weigh in on this but I have been preaching for years that people get out and follow herds all day all year. This is how you learn what elk do in different situations. The herd you were in was settling for the day, all were accounted for and there was no pressure from other bulls. They were at peace and you upset that peace. So the bulls reaction was to move his herd to get a feel for who this new threat was and how he would defend. Running away is a defense mode for elk. It is easier to regroup than loose a herd to an unknown bull that is presumed to be bigger or unidentified.
Not being there to see first hand what happened[how you bugled or where you were in relation to the bulls vs cows] I can't comment on what I would have done for sure. In similar situations I have lightly raked trees to raise curiosity or backed out and bugled from a distance to see how the bull would react. In most cases I won't throw the sink at them to start but escalate as needed. If the old boy starts to leave give his cows a reason to stay.

+1 I completely agree, The more you know what they are doing and why they are doing it the more efficient you will be in deciding what you need to do at any given moment, eventually you will mesh their actions with their sounds and be able to work them either way.

[Swede]

Since you were in the middle of the herd it seems likely one of them either saw or smelled you. If you could see that you were into the middle of them, they could see you, or knew they should be able to see you when you bugled. If the elk can see you or see where you are, stay quiet. Even in a tree stand I don't want to be in the middle of a herd. I can't keep track of all of them and can move at the wrong time and be spotted. I can get away with things in a tree stand that you can't do on the ground, but a tree stand hunter needs to be careful.
I have had bulls come to a small bull bugle in situations similar to what you describe, when I was 40-50 yards away. I just try to peak their curiosity and get then to come to investigate. This is where a good setup and patience are critical.