Pop Quiz: last weekend's hunt.

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

Target:
a big 6pt bull with a mega(30+ cow) harem that you just glassed up.

Situation:
The target and his harem fed from a knob into the timber along a saddle. Due to cliffs in the area, you know they didn't go much further. Satellite bulls are in the area, but nothing vocal, no heavy rut activity, just a bull with a harem, 10am.
Wind in your favor, you sneak into the timber, get within suspected 100-150 yards undetected. Wind is inconsistent, but not going in the direction of the elk. Two hunters, Big boss gran-daddy bull is the target, what's your move?

[Wyo67]

I'm thinking there are a couple of scenarios that could play out. The inconsistent wind concerns me, must be careful. If you know where he's at and the herd (satellites) don't show any indication of getting vocal and hounding the big boss gran-daddy for cows, I think I'd stay quiet and not call at all.
Scenario 1 - It's 10am the herd should be bedding soon. Once they bed, determine if you can you get above them (between the herd and the cliff). If you can, you should have a couple of hours to silently move in while the thermals are heading upslope in the afternoon. Get close and see if the big boy makes a afternoon round to check on his ladies.
Scenario 2 - Back out and position yourself along that saddle where they were feeding. If they are not pressured, they may very well come back that evening. Think I'd setup on the side of the saddle to keep the wind/thermals from putting my scent out towards the herd and knob area.

Just my two cents... Too bad they're not being vocal. Would be a hell-a-lot of fun to slip in there and challenge him once the rut starts!

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

Wyo, you pretty much summed up my thoughts. We tried a cold calling setup, hoping to draw a cow off the herd. But with no real hopes of bringing the bull in. That failed, and my grandpa and I actually differed in opinions for once! He wanted to get closer and try again. Being that he is generally the lead when we hunt...

Anyways, they didn't spook too badly (only heard, never saw/smelled us), and hopefully they will be back this coming weekend. I learned that Grandpa, for all his elk killing prowess, isn't always right, and sometimes you gotta back out and let the situation mature.

[Wyo67]

Good luck bud... Let us know how things work out. I'm headed out to the hills myself Friday. Last few days at work before elk hunting trip suuuuuuuck!

[mandrroofing]

what scenario did you try to create with your calling set up?Id say backing out and trying to intercept them to feeding would be the safe way buuuuut the fun way maybe get into that 100-150 yard area and start off with some cow calls to simulate a cow or two got up and feed a lil to far follow up with some immature/ satlight bull squeel then up the calling with cow in distress calls imitating a younger bull trying to steal a few of his cows kinda like the threat that elknut talks about.

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

Tried to paint a "three cows are a little lost" scenario. Last thing I wanted to do was blow the big boy out before the rut heated up. I bounced around between calf, cow, and slightly more nasally cow talk. Like I said, I was really hoping to fill a cow tag, and come back later for the bull. Had I been thinking about going for broke, I would have closed another 30-40 yards, then gone straight to a THREAT II or even the level 3.

[ferris bugler]

Wait till the evening when the wind becomes consistent then either sit and wait for them to feed out or try calling for me.

[Gselkhunter]

Bull + 30 cows + not talking + early in the season = not the big bull. This isn't uncommon. If you cow call you are expected to come to the herd not the other way around. I can get him to bugle but 99% of the time he will round up cows and leave.
By not talking he will get to keep the cows a little longer. If you go after him don't call but understand he will be in the middle of 30 cows. That is a lot of eyes and noses to get around.
Best plan is to let them get up and catch them moving.

[Lefty]

Redid the scenario

big 6pt bull with a mega(30+ cow) harem that you just glassed up. Situation:
The target and his harem fed from one basin into another. Due to rocky riffs in the area, you know they didn't go much further. Satellite bulls are in the area, but nothing vocal, no heavy rut activity, just a bull with a harem, 10am.
Wind in your favor, you, get within suspected 100-150 yards undetected. Wind is inconsistent, but not going in the direction of the elk. Two hunters, Big boss gran-daddy bull is the target, what's your move??

split up and both guy stalk in keeping the wind in their favor; got all day
or
The forward hunter continues to move forward along cattle trails setting up on the downwind side
Back hunter is the caller. Starting with cow and calf calls. Occasional raising a cow elk decoy from behind sage or rocks
With no response a squeaky spike bugle. You have time. If possible the shooter keeps moving forward.
Change to the spike bugle and a bit of raking and stomping.
After an hour or more stay quiet for 15 minutes.
A bull bugle and more raking and stomping

Or wait them out till they get up and get in front and pick him off as he walks by ( done that )

[Rizzy]

That's too many ladies to handle, I doubt he will miss a few of them if they get lost or stolen .......Unless it's one of the ones that are in estrus.
Getting close enough to directly challenge that bull will be difficult between the swirling wind and all those cows surrounding him. Maybe get him if/when he sneaks over to his wallow.

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

Bull + 30 cows + not talking + early in the season = not the big bull.

Oh trust me... this is the big guy. We know this area and it's caliber of bulls.

One of the reasons I posted this... Elk act in the darndest ways sometimes, and we need to be able to adapt. This was the boss, but none of the elk were talking. It isn't "normal", but I figured ya'll would appreciate another bit of elk data for later perusal.

I also put this up to see what the experts thought, as I already know what I would have done differently. That said, our cow calling was not intended to draw the bull out. I was trying to kill the seemingly unavoidable "curious cow" that tends to bust ya when you are working a bull.