Timing and Calling, How Important is this Really?

[Trophyhill]

Do you call randomly, wrecklessly and aimlessly? After hunting with GS a couple years ago I noticed something about his style. Now I didn't pick up on everything he did nor did I ask him why but did notice that he chose his locations to call from carefully and synced his calling in conjunction with select locations. Is there more to his method to the elk madness or am I overthinking again? I don't think I am. Since that hunt I've killed 2 bulls and only cows up to then. Tell us about your method to the "elk madness".

[ElkNut1]

Can you be more specific when asking about where ones would call from? Are you referring to where you're standing so as not sky lining yourself or calling from an open meadow or anywhere where an elk can look your direction & see anything but an elk or possibly even the caller? If so then yes I pick my areas carefully as I would a good setup spot.

ElkNut1

[Wyo67]

I'm also confused as to what you're looking for. When sending out a locator bugle, I'll pick a spot where the sound will carry into the draw and I'll have concealment so I can move as necessary towards a response, or even better if the response up close and I have to set up for an opportunity. Not sure how to "sync" it up. I get there when I get there. Other than that, my responses to the elk depend on the situation...

[twinkieman]

I don't know exactly what you are looking for a response from, I never ever call( during daylight) any animal without a setup. You never know where a response may come from.

[Trophyhill]

I'll do my best to clarify. You're in search mode and choosing "likely" locations to call from. There are variables that go into this such as you both have mentioned. I know what I'm looking for now when choosing my calling spots and curious to what variables others look for as well. Of course this does not mean that guys shouldn't call from random locations because we all know that elk can be anywhere but certain types of spots to call from seem to work better for me. Terrain can dictate pitch as well. For instance, do higher pitches carry further in dense black timber? Or do deeper pitches carry better in dense black timber? How about open areas. Higher or lower pitches? Do your sounds carry more effective when calling from the bottom of a drainage vs mid mountain vs the top of a ridge? When calling from the top of a ridge do your sounds reach a drainage on either side of the ridge? How about calling near a bedding area vs calling to moving elk? Lots to consider.

[Gselkhunter]

Do you call randomly, wrecklessly and aimlessly? After hunting with GS a couple years ago I noticed something about his style. Now I didn't pick up on everything he did nor did I ask him why but did notice that he chose his locations to call from carefully and synced his calling in conjunction with select locations. Is there more to his method to the elk madness or am I overthinking again? I don't think I am. Since that hunt I've killed 2 bulls and only cows up to then. Tell us about your method to the "elk madness".

Colorado is an interesting animal. The changes in elevation, which are unique to my home state, cause me to change up tactics in the way I hunt and call. The lower less steep slopes tend to be densely covered where it is pines and open when aspens and meadows. As slopes steepen and gain altitude quickly the cover changes. By the time you hit 11,500'[timberline] the timbers growth is stunted and the loss of canape cover is significant. Points of the compass change the forest structure also.
Knowing how the elk use these different forest structures for comfort and security changes how and where I will call from. The time of day will also determine how and where I call from. As does temperature.
Do I call aimlessly, no. Reckless, there are some that would say yes but it isn't. All my calls are pointed at the situation at hand. I evaluate terrain for bedding and escape routes. Also for the most likely avenues that elk will approach to gain wind to identify this unknown intruder.
If the elk are talking, things are easy. If I have to play timber rat calling is subdued but only made from places where I can react right now. I have gotten good at reading the area and how the elk use it. Then the chess match is on.

[a3dhunter]

I try to find likely areas that elk will be using at the time of day I am calling.
I always evaluate the area and choose my location wisely before letting out a call, just in case an elk is close and comes in right away. My theory is if I don't move, can I shoot from here and do I have cover and multiple shooting lanes.
I have started calling more often in the last two years with better results than the first six years. I attribute that to hunting less pressured elk.
I will locate the down wind side and see what possible angles there are for an elk to approach, as well as trying to find an area that channels the elk to me.

[Trophyhill]

I try to find likely areas that elk will be using at the time of day I am calling.
I always evaluate the area and choose my location wisely before letting out a call, just in case an elk is close and comes in right away. My theory is if I don't move, can I shoot from here and do I have cover and multiple shooting lanes.
I have started calling more often in the last two years with better results than the first six years. I attribute that to hunting less pressured elk.
I will locate the down wind side and see what possible angles there are for an elk to approach, as well as trying to find an area that channels the elk to me.

Define "likely areas" as it relates to phase of rut, time of day, weather conditions, thermals, terrain, elevation etc etc.