Elk Tactics 101- Scenario #5

[WapitiTalk1]

Date/Time: 20 SEPT/8:40 AM
Location: Somewhere in the elk woods
Hunt Pressure Status: Who cares, you’re 100 yards from a screaming wapiti
Terrain: Steep, thick, steep and thick
Tag: Archery season; branched bull only

After locating the night before, you park the rig and head back on an old, half grown over, gated road that you know takes you to the head end of a long, steep draw with thick alder patches, some wet benches, some wallows that are hit hard through mid-September, and a few natural meadows. You heard no less than 3 different bulls calling back when you located from the ridge above them the night before. After a bit less than an hour of headlamp hiking, dawn (shooting light) is nearing and you figure you’re getting very close to where you heard the bulls the night before. The lamp goes off and after stopping, listening, and taking in the unmistakable pleasure that is arguably the best time in the world for a few minutes (the pre-dawn elk hunt moment), you get eyes on a “bull” standing in the old road around 150 yards ahead. Now you hear them, a bull above you in the alder sounds off advertising his prowess and the bull on the road immediately hits backs with his own “I’m the man” answer and moves up into the alder field.

That’s it, that’s all you get. What’s your next move to maximize an opportunity to bring an elk home for dinner?

[Swede]

I would like to move closer. I want to get in as close as possible without being detected. About 20 yards before I run out of cover, I think I would try a few cow calls and quickly move in those last twenty. or just move to the side where I could get a shot at something brown. Raking and pouring out a quart of water on the ground could be an option to try to get a bull to check me out, but it could leave me exposed if things are not just right.
RJ, isn't this the scenario where you got your bull last year? Maybe I should just go along as a packer.

[bald9eagle]

I'm going to say that I'd give them my own advertising bugle. The Bulls went to bed obviously knowing about each other so they won't be scared off. You located the night before so they won't be surprised hearing another nearby bull. Since the first bull is heading up for the challenge you know he's not going to back down. Convince him you are the threat.

Cow call? Maybe give him the impression that a cow has responded to your calling. I'm thinking keep it to just guy talk though. Show those other two you want to fight , BAD.

[Luckyman]

Close in 70 more on intercept path, then stomp n thrash a tree, side sneak 20 for a shot... ?

[Dr. Rx]

I get the feeling this may be a trick question, but here goes my attempt..

Given the fact that there were two seperate sound off by bulls...It would depend where I can place myself to the sound off in two key locations

Option one.. Challenge bugle
Option two..use gentle cow calls

now here is the trick..what sounds would I use and where?

if I can only get to one location, and I'm within 100 yards, I would go with a Challenge bugle towards the one nearest me...

if I could get in between the two key locations.. I would probably go with Option two one of them is going to come to my cow sound as long as wind is in my favor..

Please feel free to correct my thinking...


Kris

[good2eat]

Work in closer silently - I already know where they are so I'm not thinking there is any need to call. Continue to let the situation play itself out and work ever closer.

[welka]

Watch for cows and satellites and sneak in as close as I can silently. Then judge the situation. If close, definitely a challenge bugle blown behind me or if with buddy, have him challenge from behind. Can't beat these mornings!

[Lefty]

Im moving to the side of the road and waiting ,.. maybe a few minutes, waiting for the bull on the road to make a move. Keeping the early morning air flow is sinking in mind, I moving quietly towards the bull, Is the bull walking my direction? Maybe a shot without making any elk /animal of my stalking sound.

(plan #1) If hes just hanging out maybe I tuck into the road growth and throw a cow call the opposite direction down the road

Plan #2If I get to the bulls road location I'll stay silent for a minute or two.Looking, Listening,
Then a gentle cow estrus call .
Still nothing; a louder cow estrus and gallop down the road 30 40 yards and a quick sneak back 20 yards. If I havent blown it and still no bull,...Then I pull out the bugle and a few little bull squeals , and cow calf sounds
Sitll nothing,.. Ill start hiking up hill but hopefully Im pulling the bull onto the road and some fellow shows up on his horses and the horse needs some training to pack out an elk ( thanks to the DDS and his young horses from Billings )

[Indian Summer]

150 yards is a chip shot for my new arrow gun. I'll let it get a little lighter and let him have it.

[Brendan]

I'll try.

Get as close a possible keeping cover and wind in mind. Start with a couple soft, pleading cow calls. As soon as I get a response - immediately cut off the responder with a big challenge bugle. If no response I'll keep working the cow calls for a little while before throwing in some bugling with chuckles trying to portray another bull coming into the area.

[twinkieman]

I'm going to move in to 100 yds., from the closest of the two bulls, keeping the wind right, is a given here. I'm then going to answer the bulls advertising bugles, with cow calls. As soon as he responds, to my cow calls, I'm going to cow call my way to the bull, and now he will be bugling non-stop, since I have accepted his advertising bugles, and I have told him I would like to join up with him. Once I'm in tight, 35 to 40 yds., given the cover has allowed me this, I'll knock my arrow, call back intermittently, and wait for him to finish closing the distance to me. If he rakes, I'll be moving looking for my shot.

[ishy]

For now I'm staying quiet and heading up while closing the distance to see what happens as the lower bull approaches the upper bull. I'm thinking the upper bull is the herd bull, so I will probably aim higher than lower as he will determine my next move as this plays out. Since I want to aim for the upper bull, I'll have to keep close tabs on the lower bull trying not to get too far above with a morning downdraft still falling. Good chance right at first light I can get close before they head to bed as the bulls have been in close proximity to each other all night and tons of feed in the alder patch.