Strategy for elk

UtahMountainMan

Active Member
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Hey guys - being a few days away from leaving for my archery elk hunt, and having been skunked the last 2 years, just wanted to start a thread to get some feedback.

When you guys are elk hunting the rut (mid september) what is your go to strategy? I would love to see all the different ways guys get it done.

This is what I generally did 2 years ago when I had a good archery elk tag in the rut (keep in mind where i am hunting is really thick and spot and stalk isnt really an option):

1 - Either listen for a bugle or throw out a locator bugle.
2 - Once I heard a bull, I would use the wind to get within 100 to 200 yards and cow call. I got into this scenario probably a good 7 or 8 times.d I would never bugle once I moved into a few hundred yards of the bull.
3 - The bull would USUALLY make his way towards me. Sometimes a 2nd bull from a different direction would move towards me.

Doing this, a couple raghorns came into view, but the bigger bulls that were bugling would come into 80 to 120 yards and then move off. I never had any come in.

This year I think I am going to focus more on locating a bull, through a locator bugle or just listening, and then I am just going to go stealth mode. Use the wind, move in on the bull, and try to get a shot without him ever knowing I was there.

I also think I am going to try following the bull more often if he starts to wander off and try to piss them off with more bugling.

Any feedback or thoughts on my strategy? What have you guys found to work? What would you do differently?

"You sure you know how to skin grizz,
pilgrim?"
 
I like your strategy of cutting out the cow call and going pure stealth mode. In many of the units in Utah, the elk get called to repeatedly and I have seen many bulls (especially the bigger herd bulls) head the opposite direction when they hear a call outside of their herd.

My dad has a muzzy LE tag this year and that is our plan - listen for bugles if we can't spot a bull in the open and move in as close as possible in stealth mode for a shot.

Good luck - I hope you stick a good one!
 
I get way aggressive! When I get one to respond I go towards him on a run! Even if I am only 200-300 yards away I run, with no worries of busting branches, or making noise. He knows I am coming for him and/or his cows. I stop every 75 or 100 yards to cow call or bugle (what ever is working to keep him located and to let him know I am coming fast). Once I get to within 100 yards (I hunt thick stuff) I slow down a little and locate him via calling again. Usually once I get to this point I start looking for some place to set up with some openings to shoot.

-----(this whole time I am keeping the wind in my favor and keeping the elevation in his favor or equal) What I mean by elevation is I seem to have better luck with bulls coming in when they are higher or equal elevation. They don't seem to come in as often if they have to go "up" to meet the other bull. ----

If he is coming towards me at this point I just sit still, maybe breaking a branch on purpose to simulate I am still moving towards him. If he doesn't commit, then it is time to start sneaking in.
There are some calling sequence you can use from "elknut.com" that can help if he has cows or if he is alone. Too much to explain here.
In my experience though once I get to under 100 yards, he is most likely coming.
Also, forgot, when I make my last cow call or bugle, I attempt to move closer to the bull silently by 15-25 yards. Reason is he will likely stop at 50-65 yards (about) and I want him looking for me behind of where I am actually at, also he will be well in my range of under 50 yards.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"


>wah wah wah......
a certain individuals response on 8/12/2014 to anyone that commits suicide.
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID11/19864.html
There are many things that would be nice to wish for or say but then I would be just like him.
 
I like mntman's strategy. If the bull is vocal you can go stealth and get on him, otherwise I believe close the distance as close as possible (if its thick then that is going to be far less than 100 yards, more like 20), get into his comfort zone and either cow call or bugle and I believe you'll have a more favorable response.
 

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