Sage Brush Elk Tactics?

[soupcreek]

This year I hope to be doing some bow hunting for elk in a new area that does not have much timber. It's in a foothills area that is covered in a lot of sagebrush and some juniper. I have taken elk with my bow, but it has always been by using traditional bugling tactics in the timber. I will still be bugling some of the time, but the cover will obviously be limited in this new area.

The hunt dates cover all of September, so I will have some pre-rut opportunity prior to much bugling.

I plan on looking for water and sitting it if possible. I also really enjoy hunting via the spot and stalk method.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for bowhunting elk in the open foothills and sagebrush? Any tactics to avoid? Any tactics that have been successful for you?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Soup

 

[Elkduds]

A decoy. Kneepads, maybe elbow pads. Buddy calling tactics.

 

[bigcreekmetal]

That's all I hunt is sagebrush with a smattering of pines (very few) and some aspens here and there in some draws. The creek bottoms are full of cottonwoods and brush and other crap. Mostly sage brush though on the hills. I love hunting this way because I can glass and locate animals then get where I want in relation to them. There is still a lot of cover in the sagebrush, you just have to be on your knees or something some of the time. Some places there is no cover but grass or rocks or literally none at all. Last year I called In a 6 point bull and my cover was knee high grass. He came in to 20 yards. He was down hill and I shot right over his back. Probably clipped his hairs because I could see the arrow in the morning sun light and it flew barely over him. I didn't take into account the difference in elevation. Ended up getting a 7 point a week later so it turned out all right. I shot the 7 point in waist high sage brush. He came in to a bugle all mad because I got in close to his cows. Spot and stalk is awesome in the sagebrush country and is a blast. I bugle to locate and get them fired up when close and cow call a lot. I used a decoy once but it didn't really do anything for us but I think in a lot of cases it could really help. I have called in elk from a thousand yards away before and it is neat to see them nearly the whole time making their way over to you. Its cool. I love it. Im pumped to hit the brush again in only 2 more months.. Good luck soupcreek.

 

[elkohalic]

Hunting elk in the brush is sweet. It is a different experience then hunting them in the mountains but I am beginning to prefer the sage flats. For me having a good spotting scope and binoculars is huge. A good spotter(Vortex Razor) is invaluable when spending a lot of time behind the glass. I have located elk from 4-6 miles out and moved on them.

As for tactics spot and stalk is a big part of my sage game but if there is enough brush or topography calling works as well. 2 yrs ago I called a bull into 7 yrds from my buddy. A decoy works as well but set up is crucial just like in mountain hunting. Being set up so the bull has to come in close to see the source is the biggest key.