Elk DO! Bugle in July....

FishlakeElkHunter · Jul 9, 2011

So...I remember a lot of discussion on here about whether or not Elk bugle year round. I tried to do a search but came up empty.

Well...A good friend of mine and I went out and tested my new Rzr 4 this weekend and looking for some elk for a tag that my Dad has this year. We left the cabin at 5am with high hopes to find a few bulls. To make a long story short...by 8am we had seen 60 branch antlered bulls. 4 bulls that were probably going to be 1st day shooters..and one bull that was a TOAD!!! All in all we had probably seen 350-400 elk total!!!! WHAT A MORNING!

The crazy thing was....was that we had pulled into a little honey hole area that we know of and started to glass. There was probably 200 elk down below us...and what do we start to hear....BUGLES!!!! that is right...BUGLES!!!! Not just a little whistle or two, but for about 15 minutes or so right as the sun was coming up there were at least 4 different bulls screaming!! One was a big GROWLING bugle that sounded like Mid September! We sat on that ridge and just laughed at each other saying that NO ONE will believe us! In fact my buddy said "you should go back and put this on Monster Muleys and see how many people call us Liars"....well here you go man...I put it up.

Now the question is....how many of you out there have heard FULL ON bugles in early July??? And how many of you are going to call us liars? hahaha

B_BOP_A_LU_LU · Jul 9, 2011

The Thread I remember was about Bugles in June & I called BS!

As I said once before,Animals are gonna Talk,Ya on rare occasions you might hear a Bull Bugle even in June,but for the 99.9% part of the time it's TARDS out blowin their Horns 3 months before they should be doing nothing but Educating the Bulls!

Did you see how many TARDS were out in the Tree's tryin their new Calls FLEH?

(((RAZZIN YA!)))

For GAWDS Sakes Guys,We Got Kids on this Site,Some of them are 65 years Old!

I don't care if they're big or small!
If they throw lead I like em all!

B_BOP_A_LU_LU · Jul 9, 2011

It's Early July,maybe We've got enough action for a 'Pre-Rut' Hunt in July?

Maybe the DWR could start a July TOMAHAWK/FLIPPER Season?

For GAWDS Sakes Guys,We Got Kids on this Site,Some of them are 65 years Old!

I don't care if they're big or small!
If they throw lead I like em all!

Blanding_Boy · Jul 10, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Jul-10-11 AT 08:13AM (MST)[p]The questions I have for you Jason are why would they not bugle in July..or for any other month of the year? Is it strictly a rut vocalization or do they do it throughout the year and the reason we don't hear it is simply because we are not out there watching them during other months of the year like we are in September? Obviously the decibel level is higher and frequency is more with the rut but do they do it other times of the year?

I have heard them as early as June and wondered at the time why they wouldn't bugle throughout the year obviously not as loud and proud as they would during the 'rut' but why not? I have heard them as late as December. They can do it, its part of their normal vocalization. Interestingly enough I have also on 2 different occasions heard/watched a cows bugle (at least try) as well.

Todd Black

Visit our YouTube page
http://www.youtube.com/user/bulls4bto?feature=mhum

Elkhunter96 · Jul 10, 2011

I did some scouting just before 4th of July weekend on an any bull unit. Found plenty of cows and there were a few full bugles by some rag horn bulls. I wouldn't say they were hot or bugling a lot, but they did let out 5-10 or so bugles over an hour or two.

That being said, I did call in some smaller bulls in the middle of July last year in Wyoming. I was up there with the scouts and just dinking around one evening to show them some animals. They were also letting out a few bugles, but not too many.

I have also heard bulls bugle in November on a late season Colorado hunt.

My personal experience is that bulls will bugle most of the year. My guess is that is just communication But the bugles are not the same as during the rut, no trees were being destroyed or fights started.

HuntinFool · Jul 10, 2011

I have heard them bugling on memorial day weekend before. It sure surprised me.

mntnguide · Jul 10, 2011

I have had bulls bugling outside my door every night for the past 2 weeks. And I am well informed to know that they were bulls. As one night i got up to about 40 yards and watched 4 bulls scream back and forth just as riled up as the rut. I had never seen it before until this year, and have enjoyed it thoroughly. It did get somewhat annoying a couple nights, where they were within about 100 yards of my porch and it was about impossible to sleep... I guess getting annoyed by something like that though i dont mind to much. Also, these bulls are with a group of about 60+ cows and calves and the cows talk non-stop also. The times i have been close to the group, along with the bulls screaming, the cows never stop chirping. Its been pretty cool to see, and I am still surprised each night at about 8:15 when i hear the first bugle.

one_dryboot · Jul 10, 2011

Bulls breed cows in september. But bulls breed bulls year round! There is no estres cycle.

1FastGambler · Jul 10, 2011

Yes bulls bugle year around! I've watched and heard them do it pretty much every month of the year.

The misconception is that a Bugle is only related to breeding type communication. That is wrong! Elk are very gregarious and very vocal 365 days a year. During the rut, the sense of urgency is thru the roof, that's why we hear more bugles during daylight hours in late August, September, & early October.

Anyone that claims bulls don't bugle year around simply need to get out & into elk more often!

Cheers!

BIGJOHNT · Jul 10, 2011

I heard some up there last weekend to. I just thought no ....must be some utard. Maybe it was a bull ?

Sniper1 · Jul 10, 2011

Me and a buddy was right in the middle of bulls and cows going crazy this weekend all weekend it was pretty crazy and loved every minute of it now just can't wait till August

B_BOP_A_LU_LU · Jul 10, 2011

T'was a TARD BIGJOHN!

For GAWDS Sakes Guys,We Got Kids on this Site,Some of them are 65 years Old!

I don't care if they're big or small!
If they throw lead I like em all!

Zeke · Jul 11, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Jul-11-11 AT 09:13AM (MST)[p]Ok. Now I'm ready to be joked about.... so here goes.

I sneaked into a herd of cows, a couple years ago, and watch a COW throw out a pretty good bugle. Ya that's right, a bugle!

She sounded like a small bull.....not a big belly bugle but it was a "bugle" sound none the less.

Zeke

antlerrick · Jul 11, 2011

:LIAR: lol
and yea John, that was me screwing with ya!

FishlakeElkHunter · Jul 11, 2011

I have been waiting Rick....so thanks!

Bbop...you need to come down south and look around down here once in a while! If you ever want to come down...look me up.

It is cool listening to them bugle this time of year for SURE! It sure got our blood pumping. We sat on that ridge and LAUGHED every time they would let one go!

I have also heard cows bugle. It really threw me off the first time I heard it.

Todd...I am learning....I am just a SLOW learner!

antlerrick · Jul 11, 2011

I could see nobody else was going to say it, so I did! Figured that would make your day. hah.. ;-)
Sounds like you are seeing a few more bulls this year..
I'll have to come go for a ride with you one of these mornings.
Gonna try and hit the lake a few times before summer is over, but would love to go with ya.

Extrema1 · Jul 11, 2011

Just walked in the door from up on Monroe and the bulls are bugling up there too. But with all the rain and cooler temps it sure felt like September .

BIGJOHNT · Jul 11, 2011

With the late snow and all ,I thought we would have a late rut for the archery hunt ? Is this a sign of a early rut ?
Rick you need to leave your bugle at home this time of year ! It's just tempting you to much to mess with the city slickers

theox · Jul 11, 2011

i actually heard a bugle on july 3rd this year earliest ever for me i have hearrd them in august before and sounded like young bulls tootin there horn this one by no means sounded mature but it didnt sound as weak and scraggily as the spikes i have seen do it never did get to see which elk was doding it but there were no peope around and a herd of elk down off the ridge from me

HorseCreek · Jul 11, 2011

Wait til you SEE a cow lay her head back and let one fly!... It's almost comical.

Traditional >>>------->

COLOelkman · Jul 11, 2011

The most bugling I've ever witnesses was Fathers Day here in CO. We had maybe 200 elk and they were bugling like crazy!!!

kicker · Jul 11, 2011

May 15th for me this year sitting in a ground blind watching my bear bait and a bull ripped off a deep bugle. Funny thing is I was watching some cows out in front of me and they looked at each other like, "you gotta be kidding me! already!!!!"

2lumpy · Jul 11, 2011

I don't think either you or your buddy would know a hereford from an elk. Hope your father's not counting on you two to find a bull for him.

DC

FishlakeElkHunter · Jul 12, 2011

HAHAHA...well....You taught my buddy every thing he knows...So you are right...we are probably in real trouble!

Maybe you better look for me too...

Cam@strawberry · Jul 12, 2011

alright i'm gonna be the first to do it, your all liars elk never have nor ever will bugle before August 20th and they will finish october 15. Those are the bugle season dates, they are determined by the state and will never change! ;-)

Bugling is not necessarily 'rut' activity. Now for all you elk junkies whats the earliest you have ever seen a bugling bull herded up and cleaned off??

A few years ago, i came across a rutting bull at the end of july with 25 cows. he had them bunched up and wouldn't let them move was screaming and pushed all other bulls away.

Zeke · Jul 12, 2011

Not possible!
It's not within the bugle season dates set forth by State law! LOL
Zeke

Cam@strawberry · Jul 12, 2011

Correct Zeke I, like any responsible sportsman, promptly reported the activity to the authorities and the bull was ticketed, fined, and had his bugling privileges revoked for life.

Bugle poachers are not to be tolerated they have no place in the 'wild'!

TheDuke38 · Jul 18, 2023

FishlakeElkHunter said:
So...I remember a lot of discussion on here about whether or not Elk bugle year round. I tried to do a search but came up empty.

Well...A good friend of mine and I went out and tested my new Rzr 4 this weekend and looking for some elk for a tag that my Dad has this year. We left the cabin at 5am with high hopes to find a few bulls. To make a long story short...by 8am we had seen 60 branch antlered bulls. 4 bulls that were probably going to be 1st day shooters..and one bull that was a TOAD!!! All in all we had probably seen 350-400 elk total!!!! WHAT A MORNING!

The crazy thing was....was that we had pulled into a little honey hole area that we know of and started to glass. There was probably 200 elk down below us...and what do we start to hear....BUGLES!!!! that is right...BUGLES!!!! Not just a little whistle or two, but for about 15 minutes or so right as the sun was coming up there were at least 4 different bulls screaming!! One was a big GROWLING bugle that sounded like Mid September! We sat on that ridge and just laughed at each other saying that NO ONE will believe us! In fact my buddy said "you should go back and put this on Monster Muleys and see how many people call us Liars"....well here you go man...I put it up.

Now the question is....how many of you out there have heard FULL ON bugles in early July??? And how many of you are going to call us liars? hahaha

I myself have heard elk burlesque in july

FishlakeElkHunter said:
So...I remember a lot of discussion on here about whether or not Elk bugle year round. I tried to do a search but came up empty.

Well...A good friend of mine and I went out and tested my new Rzr 4 this weekend and looking for some elk for a tag that my Dad has this year. We left the cabin at 5am with high hopes to find a few bulls. To make a long story short...by 8am we had seen 60 branch antlered bulls. 4 bulls that were probably going to be 1st day shooters..and one bull that was a TOAD!!! All in all we had probably seen 350-400 elk total!!!! WHAT A MORNING!

The crazy thing was....was that we had pulled into a little honey hole area that we know of and started to glass. There was probably 200 elk down below us...and what do we start to hear....BUGLES!!!! that is right...BUGLES!!!! Not just a little whistle or two, but for about 15 minutes or so right as the sun was coming up there were at least 4 different bulls screaming!! One was a big GROWLING bugle that sounded like Mid September! We sat on that ridge and just laughed at each other saying that NO ONE will believe us! In fact my buddy said "you should go back and put this on Monster Muleys and see how many people call us Liars"....well here you go man...I put it up.

Now the question is....how many of you out there have heard FULL ON bugles in early July??? And how many of you are going to call us liars? hahaha

I myself have heard elk bugle in july I live In Idanha Oregon it's quite an interesting experience.
This is the bull I will be chasing down this season

Bookhead · Jul 18, 2023

Bulls bugle year round that's how they communicate with each other

Weiserbucks · Jul 18, 2023

Another 12 year old thread has been resurrected.

Wapiti · Jul 18, 2023

FishlakeElkHunter said:
So...I remember a lot of discussion on here about whether or not Elk bugle year round. I tried to do a search but came up empty.

Well...A good friend of mine and I went out and tested my new Rzr 4 this weekend and looking for some elk for a tag that my Dad has this year. We left the cabin at 5am with high hopes to find a few bulls. To make a long story short...by 8am we had seen 60 branch antlered bulls. 4 bulls that were probably going to be 1st day shooters..and one bull that was a TOAD!!! All in all we had probably seen 350-400 elk total!!!! WHAT A MORNING!

The crazy thing was....was that we had pulled into a little honey hole area that we know of and started to glass. There was probably 200 elk down below us...and what do we start to hear....BUGLES!!!! that is right...BUGLES!!!! Not just a little whistle or two, but for about 15 minutes or so right as the sun was coming up there were at least 4 different bulls screaming!! One was a big GROWLING bugle that sounded like Mid September! We sat on that ridge and just laughed at each other saying that NO ONE will believe us! In fact my buddy said "you should go back and put this on Monster Muleys and see how many people call us Liars"....well here you go man...I put it up.

Now the question is....how many of you out there have heard FULL ON bugles in early July??? And how many of you are going to call us liars? hahaha

Cows bugle. I'm 50 and hunted elk my entire life, I never knew that cows bugle until about 5 years ago. I saw first hand a cow walking across a meadow looking back at some other elk following her a couple hundred yards behind she would stop looking back at them and bugle. She repeated this probably 6 times. Heard it again last year opening morning of the archery hunt, had a herd of cows and calfs walk out across and open hillside above me, the lead cow bugled at the herd several time. So what you hear may be a from a cow and not necessarily a bull. A few weeks ago I was hiking up a canyon and herd a bull chuckle from across the other side.

elkassassin · Jul 18, 2023

Somebody Let The Elk Herd Know It Was OK To Pick Their Gender!

Then It Happened In Humans!

JB1975 · Jul 18, 2023

Wapiti said:
Cows bugle. I'm 50 and hunted elk my entire life, I never knew that cows bugle until about 5 years ago. I saw first hand a cow walking across a meadow looking back at some other elk following her a couple hundred yards behind she would stop looking back at them and bugle. She repeated this probably 6 times. Heard it again last year opening morning of the archery hunt, had a herd of cows and calfs walk out across and open hillside above me, the lead cow bugled at the herd several time. So what you hear may be a from a cow and not necessarily a bull. A few weeks ago I was hiking up a canyon and herd a bull chuckle from across the other side.

Must have heard Bess recite his 50 Hell Right Revelations to get that bull to laugh.