Bugling bull in a hole... what to do?

[ID_Paul]

Yesterday was my last day of my solo backpack hunt. It was far warmer than I expected so I knew I'd have to cut my hunt short.

At the last place I planned to go, I cow called and heard a bull squeal in response. He was way down in a thick, steep hole. After a while I heard cow sounds from there too.

I talked to him for almost an hour. After a little bit he was responding to my calls with full bugles, and evidently had turned to face me because they were much louder than at first - but still from the same location. He seemed to respond more aggressively to a long squeal on my cow call than a short chirp.

Besides being surprised to have a bull bugling so hard this late in the season, I was stumped as to what to do to draw him up the hill. I eventually had to leave and he was still in the same spot.

What would you have done in that situation?

Thanks.
Paul

 

[BeanMan]

To get him you would have to go down the hill to him. He's not going to come up after a bugle or cow call this time of year.

 

[ID_Paul]

I sort of was thinking the same thing... but it was so crazy thick with brush and burned timber. I don't think I could have gone in without making all sorts of noise, not sure if I could pass myself off as an elk while doing that or not. I guess I'll never really know now, but it was sure cool to hear him.

 

[elkhunterUT]

That exact situation is why I generally like to hunt elk with a partner. You could have had your partner call to the bull occasionally from a distance to keep him talking a little, while you go stealth mode and try to sneak in on the bull for a shot.

 

[Bullelk1]

Making noise is not a big deal. He would just think its another elk. Watch the wind and stalk in on him,especially with a firearm. I agree that he won't leave a real cow to come check you out. If he is bugling from one location he is probably bedded.

 

[bigthree]

Get the wind right and go into him once you're in close give some cow calls and spike bugle

 

[apollosmith]

The elk usually go through a second rut about a month after the main rut. They were chasing the cows and bugling like crazy at us in Northern Utah during the deer hunt. But that was a few weeks ago. You'd be lucky to draw a bull too far with cow calls this time of year - especially if it's a good bull that has already done his job for the year.

 

[Midnight2]

Ever heard an elk walk through the woods? Its noisy and can be loud. YouR walking won't spook the elk unless he see you as a human.While calling in elk, you can even roll rocks, snap tree limbs and make a ruckuss. It's worked for me. I have helped take several bulls while acting like moving elk. If you stay stationery and keep calling I believe your chances go down. But if you move and are making elk noise as you move... slight noise. Not crazy... I have had success.

Once you come in... definitely go quieter. suttle calls.

Buddy behind is always good.

Best of luck. You got go after them.

Midnight

 

[THEBUGLER]

I would get the wind, go fast, and go quiet. Just when you are the last hundred yards or so, slow down and slip up on them. Watch for cows, as they will blow it for you. I would be reluctant to call. That bull is going to want to keep that hot cow to himself. If you bust the herd, scream a chalenge bugle and run in on them ready to shoot. The thick cover may cover you outline until its to late. Youve got nothing to lose by jumping them, I mean you aready walked away from a bugling bull.

www.elk101.com

"Winners make commitment, Losers make excuses"

 

[Califelkslayer]

Hindsight, the biggest, most common mistake I've made over the years is not bein aggressive enough. Relived situations like yours over and over. Go for it!!! It works and what do you have to loose??? You were done anyways.