Rookie question... please help

[IDAbowhunter]

Today was opening day in the general archery season that I am hunting. I have never killed an elk with my bow so I am new at this. This morning I hiked into this canyon and a bull responded to my cow calls. I thought there were two bulls that sounded pretty young, but they shut up as soon as the more mature bull started bugling. I closed the gap between me and the big bull, cow calling every once in a while. I got a little excited (just a little) and ended up in a patch of bushes when I met the bull instead of in a good setup. I got out of the bushes and the bull busted me at about 30 yards. I cow called a few times and he stopped, then continued to high-tail it out of there. He was a really nice bull I would say 330 from what I saw. My question is do you guys think he will still be in that canyon this weekend or do elk tend to leave a drainage for good if they get spooked?
Thanks.

 

[Elkhunter96]

Hard one to answer, elk can bust out of there and be 10 miles away or he may come back and be in that same drainage in a few days. All I know is they are not like mule deer, elk tend to move around a lot...

 

[Montana18]

He will be in there for sure. That's his rutting spot and he wont leave it. He will be more quiet and smarter from now on. Bring in a friend and have him set up behind you 50-100 yard's and have him do the calling. The bull will come in way closer and you will have a better chance of taking him. This year i shot my first bow bull and having a back up caller seem's to help a lot.

 

[jhartwell]

I agree with Elkhunter96 Elk can and will move all the time. Elk can easily cover a few miles in just over night and during the rut they will constantly be moving around. The good thing is if they are bugling you will have an easier time finding more bulls. Just don't be afraid to use your feet.