Big Bull Tactics

[Huntrgathr]

Hey Guys, long time no see. Looking for tips on closing the deal on BIG bulls. We finally found a canyon that has not only, un-pressured elk but also BIG ones. One bull in particular is exceptionally large (380+). We've been close to him, had him talking, but haven't got him in bow range yet. Nearly all the vocalizations we have heard this week have just been bulls talking to cows. No bull on bull action... The herd bulls are tolerating smaller bulls in the herd and even leaving the herd (harem) at times to go after water or feed...

We've been successful calling in small bulls and one herd bull, (mainly with the "Breeding sequence") but that's part of the problem. We set up close to the big bull and the smaller elk come running in first and blow things up. We're able to call more elk in after they spook but it seems like elk running into an area, barking and running out is not helping our odds. We can't even come close to sounding like a bull of his size so challenging seems iffy, also with close to 60 elk in the same patch of timber it's almost impossible to get "right in his face"...

Heading back to the woods tonight. What are your tips for closing the deal on the biggest of bulls ? Thanks in advance !

[Huntrgathr]

Really ? No advice ? Guess we'll just wing it !

[flystrait]

In my experience using more mid tones in your bugle could be more effective. The larger you sound the bigger the threat IMO. We very rarely call in younger "smaller" bulls in using all mid tones in our bugles. Hope this helps you seal the deal and will post your pictures up once you get him.

Craig

[ElkNut1]

Chris, way too many elk in one spot to be successful in calling in the biggest bull, it would be more of luck of the draw. As the rut increases (cows coming into estrus) the numbers will drop in herd size dramatically, when this happens you will now have a solid opportunity in killing the big guy! The breeding sequence is for calling in bulls, it's not specific to herd bulls only. You've proved it works well for you doing that!

p.s. big bull sounds when in close can pose a threat directly to the herd bull or his harem, in your case you will need some luck to get in to 75yds or closer before hitting him with everything you've got. You must be a true opponent or you will not get his undivided attention.

On another note if you can get in to his cows without him seeing you & scatter them then scream for the cows to come back with a lip bawl & chuckles this can infuriate the herd bull & bring him in to a physical appearance!

Too, I would not discount leaving a caller back a few hundred yards keeping the herd bull vocal as a shooter slips in silently awaiting his opportunity, this is a call & stalk technique that can happen in a few minutes or two hours, patience is key in the last 100yds for the shooter. Wish I was there as things unfolded, we'd have a solid chance in killing him! Many times you have to readjust your thinking & game plan as things develop! Good Luck!

ElkNut1

[Huntrgathr]

Thanks guys ! We ended up " winging it" for the most part. 5 of the 6 big bulls, including THE Big Bull were MIA the last two days. Wednesday afternoon we got into the bulls pretty good. We spent all morning hiking up over the top of the mountain to beat the wind and glassed up a nice herd bull bedded mid slope with about 35 in the herd. We dropped into the head of the canyon and worked our way downstream calling a bit as we went. We started getting multiple responses so we moved to the closest bugles and set up with my partner doing the calling. After about 10 min of level 1 herd talk and breeding sounds I saw legs through the trees. I repositioned as I knew the bull was swinging wife to get in the wind. I locked into the bull for about 15 seconds and then looked back to my shooting lane and a big mature 5x6 magically appeared 12 yards from me. It wasn't there, then it was. He pinned me for about 20 seconds and then spun out if there. The first bull flinched and then froze for long enough for me to get a shot but I obviuosly didn't have a clear lane because my arrow deflected down into the dirt at his feet.

We moved down canyon again and approached the herd bull that had been screaming nonstop all day. Because of his location, the closest we could set up without being in the open was about 200-250 yds away from the bull. After about 15 minutes of " level 2 " excited cow calling, raking and thrashing around. He still hadnt moved but was answering my calls with interest. I challged him multiple times, cut him off, everything i could think of...Then the cows started to talk and I managed to bring one down. I put on the "elk hat" and walked around behind a little rise and called to the cow. She came down and brought about 1/2 the herd with her, 10 yards past the shooter. I thought for sure we had him at that point. I moved toward the cows and screamed at them , bringing them in even close and trying to give the bull the idea I was making off with half his harem. But he still hung tight ! After a few minutes the cows either decided to listen to the herd bull screaming at them or the got in our wind but the went back up and the whole herd went out the top...

The next day we got split up and hunted solo which felt like being handicapped all day. I managed to set up an ambush on a herd that came down to water. Over 80 head filed past me as I waited for the herd bull to come out. Every single elk walked by me at 50-55 yds but when that bull came down he angled off at the last second and I had to speed stalk him as he moved down and away. Long story short, I missed him. It was a long shot and I watched him take 1 1/2 steps ( think he saw my bow drop) and My arrow smacked the rock where his lung used to be...

My partner ended up having almost the same exact experience with the previous day's setup with another herd bull that evening. Tons if challenges back and forth but ultimately the bull didn't come in. What was crazy is that he didn't even move off with the rest if the herd when they left. I watched from the ridge above and that big bull just let a 5 point walk away with his herd....??

Hopefully things will get easier as the rut progresses. We've called in bulls everyday. Just have to get bigger ones in !

[Huntrgathr]

One other thing - We're using the Bugling Bull Challenge reed (blue) and the Orange "estrous" reed with the BB Bully Bull tube but I think , even though we're blowing with everything we've got, we still don't sound big enough. Any suggestions in that area would be appreciated also.

[ctdad]

You are having one of the most exciting elk hunts ever. My advice is to enjoy it!

[SilverDollars]

Yeehaw. Man ya'll are having some fun! I'm wishing I was there but I'm awaiting my hunting time. All this early activity is killing me. I'm driving my wife crazy and she is ready for me to go now and get the heck out of here, leaving her in peace.

[Huntrgathr]

You are having one of the most exciting elk hunts ever. My advice is to enjoy it!

You can bet we are ! Feels like being in a draw unit. We've been on more elk and gotten more experience than in many previous years combined. Even if i eat my tag, this will go down as my best September ever ( so far). Sadly, a lot of hunters showed up in the area last week as we were leaving. My partner called a hunter and a herd bull simultaneously. He walked in in plain sight squeeking the dreaded Hoochie...

In light of that and the fact that I'll be solo for the rest of the week, I'm out for meat at this point. Unless I can find " the big one" again......Stay tuned...

[Screaming_btf]

Get a Big one if possible :>, if not maybe next week we can get back at it and seal the deal on some of those herd bulls were after!