Moving in Right at a Bull (can it get any more aggressive?)

[Trophyhill]

For the guys that haven't done this, you have to try it. It may change your hunting style forever. Whether calling your way in or sneaking in, the aggression is second to none and exciting and very deadly. For the guys who have and do this regularly, please chime in. I know it has changed me from a passive hunter to an aggressive one.

[CurlyTail]

After so much time and energy locating the Elk, I have never been brave enough to try this tactic. But I think I should.

[twinkieman]

Our crew uses this, far more than we don't. If we are moving in on a bull we are cow calling to, the shooter has continued to move in, with the caller following, sometimes with multiple setups. If we hear a bull, and we are going to bugle him, we move in silently, and setup before we bugle, most times inside of 100 yds.

[BRazz]

I hope to try this out. Let me just ask a stupid question... A bull is bugling to your cow call and you interpret him telling you to come here. So you do... You don't worry about breaking sticks or making a little noise, you maybe make another call here or there, but at some point you have to get quiet and sneak in for a shot (right?) - when do you do that? If you have two hunters I suppose it's easier since the shooter can move ahead quietly. But won't the bull be staring right at you, waiting for his new cow(s) to join him? Just trying to work through the logistics in my head.

Thanks guys!

[Mike_Parson]

Im with CurlyTail.

i am really hesitant to call once i have them located. I guess its the newbie in me that is so worried about messing up the calling that it would run them off.

[WapitiTalk1]

Depends . Aggression can be interpreted/employed in many ways. OK, you get a bull to "hit" back to your cow calls. First things first, is he a satellite or herd bull which dictates your next move? How do you tell? If he moves towards your calling, chances are nearly 100% that he's a satellite that is not cowed up. Ensure you're set up properly, work him in, and take the shot when it materializes. If the response comes from a static bull, chances are very high that's he's a herd bull cowed up. Now, since he responded to your cow calls... you are now a cow and will remain so until it's time to not be a cow any more. The aggressive factor now comes into play..... you are going to let the bull call you in. Being a cow, you are not required to be quiet but also, you're not gonna purposely be ridiculously loud either. After all, cows choose their partners and you don't want to seem too anxious . Oftentimes, you only need to make a few whiny cow sounds on the way to the bull to keep him calling you in.. remember, he can also hear you moving so he knows your location anyway. Once in close to the herd, it's time to see what is what. Oftentimes, in these situations, a satellite who is lurking around the herd will suddenly appear to your calling. I like to get in close and do a few pretty soft, whiny cow calls and then wait 2-3 minutes to see what materializes... As mentioned, oftentimes a lonely satellite will show his ugly mug (this can happen very quickly so ensure your shooter is set up, off to one side, 20-30 yards ahead, downwind where the satellite is likely to come in). No go on a satellite and big stinky screams at you to "come here now"? Well, it's time to light him up with a high level of the threat. Get as close as you can (when in close, I purposely try to move my calling location a few times to simulate realism), throw some really whiny/pitchy cow sounds over your shoulder or into the ground and immediately throw a loud scream/calling cows to him bugle "directly" at the herd bull. Hold on to your hat cause this tactic, more often than not, produces and immediate and swift response from the herd bull. With a partner, set up as mentioned above each time.... If hunting solo, you'll need to do one of two things. 1. Call then move to a "pre-determined" location that you think the bull may move to/hang up at to scan for you. 2. Set up where you think the bull may move to/hang up at to scan for you and make your calls over your shoulder/into the ground to simulate they're "behind" your location. Sorry so long winded, hope this makes sense? RJ

[T.B.]

Great explanation RJ. With inexperience and excitement of the moment comes forgetting what to do and when to do it. Sure is fun trying to figure it out though

[bald9eagle]

Can you explain the part about "throw a loud scream/calling cows to him bugle directly at the herd bull." I don't know if I'm reading it right. Are you saying get in there and give him a "hey these are my cows" bugle?

What kind of distance we talking about? I gotta say that this tactic plays right into the way I turkey hunt. I get a gobble and then work my way in with a few clucks and scratching leaves. Most often you can get close enough and get a satellite tom to come in. The hard part is getting a tom from his hens. Sometimes a gobble works. If he's really fired up you get close enough that he comes to you to bring you into the harem.

It sounds like elk will behave exactly like turkeys. The bull asks you to come to him, not the other way around (just like turkeys). The bull gets competitive and will fight his rivals (just like turkeys). If the cows get jealous of a new cow they will drag the bull off ( just like turkeys). This is what has me confident in hunting elk. I already have the base of knowledge I just need to apply it to large turkeys with noses.

[WapitiTalk1]

Can you explain the part about "throw a loud scream/calling cows to him bugle directly at the herd bull." I don't know if I'm reading it right. Are you saying get in there and give him a "hey these are my cows" bugle?

What kind of distance we talking about? I gotta say that this tactic plays right into the way I turkey hunt. I get a gobble and then work my way in with a few clucks and scratching leaves. Most often you can get close enough and get a satellite tom to come in. The hard part is getting a tom from his hens. Sometimes a gobble works. If he's really fired up you get close enough that he comes to you to bring you into the harem.

It sounds like elk will behave exactly like turkeys. The bull asks you to come to him, not the other way around (just like turkeys). The bull gets competitive and will fight his rivals (just like turkeys). If the cows get jealous of a new cow they will drag the bull off ( just like turkeys). This is what has me confident in hunting elk. I already have the base of knowledge I just need to apply it to large turkeys with noses.

A: Once you've simulated that you've hooked one of the herd bull cows (throwing the cow sound behind you), now, you're insulting the bull a bit more by trying to call "more" of his cows your way by screaming directly at him. The calling cows to him bugle is a short scream with just your last breath at the end making a final, short, and a bit higher, note.

B: How close do you need to get to have a chance at dislodging a herd bull? It depends on the terrain/vegetation, but, in the alder/huckleberry stuff I normally hunt, you need to be in real close..... 70 yards or even tighter, and your chances go way up to accomplish the mission.

C: Don't know brother, I've done very little turkey hunting . It does sound they seem to have some of the same mannerisms though. I've taken guys out that were of the same mind set (turkey hunting is a lot like elk hunting) but after they had that first snot nosed, mud caked, red eyed bull come crashing in (and they had gotten control of their knocking knees), they changed their thoughts on the comparison a bit

[bald9eagle]

Haha...yeah if I get one in range I'm not sure my nerves will handle it. For the most part it sounds like you can use the same manners that I use turkey hunting. That's how I'm going to approach it. I use to think that elk hunting was sitting on a hill with a spotting scope looking for a 300 yard shot. Archery hunting seemed insane because I never thought you could get in range of one. When I started researching it I found out that archery elk hunting was often a very close and personal experience that wasn't for the feint of heart.

[ElkNut1]

Dave, yes sir, have used that tactic many times over, with the right wind ^ cover going at bulls is a true adrenaline rush! (grin

ElkNut1