Another bedding ? #2

[ishy]

When you hunt a bedding area are you guys #1 dogging a herd till they stop, #2 watching from a vantage point, #3 going into a known bedding area blind, or #4 going after bugles that are heard between 10 and 3 and just figuring that they are bedded?

[Swede]

If there is any sign or other reason to think elk are in a bedding area, I am as careful as possible not to be detected by them. I have tree stands in and next to bedding areas. At other times I like to go in or next to a bedding area and call. Almost always during the daytime, when elk are present, the calls will be short two note sounds, to cause nearby elk to wander over and check my out. Elknut has described a call sounding like a lonesome juvenile just wailing away. The small bugle sound goes repeatedly, on and on for 10-15 minutes, with short breaks. Just inside or next to a bedding area, where you have a good setup, with the wind in your favor, and the elk has to get close to see you, might be a great choice here.

[Toby]

Ishy, for me, most frequently a #4. I really like the way you worded you question and am looking forward to the responses from others.

Swede, enjoyed your response, a lot to learn from it.

[Trophyhill]

all good reasons to hunt the bedding areas. all of the above.

[BrentLaBere]

I have dogged a herd once and it was at night after they were pushed from their beds. So, that one is out for me. Watching from a vantage point, for me, usually means you didnt/dont have a game plan. Most of the time when spotting game they are a long ways off and unless you have a plan for the thermals that opportunity is for the future. But, yes it has worked for me just how I described. Getting up high and glassing and listening to bugles almost putting the elk to bed will help you find the general bedding area. They can and will travel far distances to beds from feed but in the areas I have hunted they seem to be into the timber at sun up and dont travel far after that. Making it easier on me to plan for the afternoon. I like to go in with cow calls. Start slow and build you way up, moving across from the area you think he is bedding in. Painting a picture that a group of cows are walking within earshot of his bedroom. Adding in one or two small estrus whines seems to peak their interest. Depending on the bull, but I would like to try bugling in close, something I havent done yet. Maybe start by raking and slowly going into an advertising sequence like a restless bull mid day. Going into them blind.....yup, I have and will again. I dont get to scout much at all, and my hunt consist of 9 to 10 days. When I dont see elk or hear them, I look for like areas on a map that they are known to bed. (brought up in the other thread) that way I can explore new grounds and possibly get on some elk. Working my way and doing cold calling setups....have yet to have one work though! I know those dang elk can hear me .....
I look at #4 as where an elk was bedded. Not where he is going to be. From my experience if you hear bugles mid day, its a bull advertising himself and looking for cows or announcing he is on the move. From there, they could be heading to where they heard cows that morning, heading to water, heading to feed are a few examples. I ran into both last year. First one was an advertising bugle and it was awesome to listen to. Big problem....it was the night before the season! We listened to this bull cover almost a mile midday on a ridge line from where we originally heard him. He was in that 'like' bedding area I talked about. It has an X on my map. Glassing that night, listened to bugles and watched as a bull off in the distance harassed cows. This bull was prime for working and calling too.
Others have been lazy type bugles with not much emotion. Havent worked a situation where I played the right cards so I am not sure yet! Sat back and tried to head them off from their beds is an option but I dont like waiting for bad winds or other hunters to take my opportunities.

End of morning rant on my limited experience....

[Indian Summer]

It all depends no how much I really know about the bedding area. The more I know the more comfortable I am being aggressive and moving in as close as possible before attempting to get a herd bull to come over and defend his turf. The last thing I want to do is start a long distance calling contest with him. So if it's mid day and I don't now the area very well I'll either back off and go try to locate other elk and come back later... or simply take a mid day nap and be ready to get more aggressive when I think the elk are done with their mid day siesta and more likely to cooperate.

[ElkNut1]

Bryan, for us it's # 1 dogging the herd to their bedding area! We kill more bulls by a longshot when they are vocal when en route! Vocal bulls translate hot cows!

ElkNut1