early sept. calling

[231nontypicalmuledeer]

does anyone have any tatics they use during the first few weeks of sept. for calling elk. where I hunt I have a good population of elk but not alot of activity during the early part of the season. it is ususally dry and hot. any suggestions would be great.
231

 

[BlackTimber]

cow/calf calls with spike squeals. Locator bugles. Some estrus whines but not realy agressive yet.

 

[nbjbhunterman]

I only use cow calls. No bugling.

NBJB

 

[Lv2hnt]

Although I don't know your type of terrain, do some bugling between midnight and 3 a.m. to locate bulls; then be there an hour before daylight. Give out one lone immature locator bugle at that time --- then shut up and get closer (say about 150 yards, if possible)! Sporatic cow calls until things get juicy ...

Lv2hnt

P.S. If you don't have them already, invest in some Baer's Feet!

 

[wmidbrook]

LAST EDITED ON Aug-11-04 AT 08:15AM (MST)[p]Might actually have some real good, aggressive bugling this year around last weekend of August and Sept. 1 with the full moon. It could be a very good early season hunt with hot bulls for a short spell around that time and aggressive bugling techniques might pay off.

Last year in mid sept when the moon rise was around 2-3 a.m. the early first light morning bugling was real good and were getting hot around the 10th - 13th of Sept where I was in New Mexico but still not as hot as some bulls I was watching in Utah around the last week of Sept.

If it's no moon like it will be this year the last week of the season in NM (mid sept.), I don't know what to think other than it might be real good with a cold shot of weather coming thru.

If they aren't hot, non-aggressive calls are what I'll be using.

 

[IdahoBugler]

My best advice for early season hunting/calling is to be patient. I have noticed that more than half the time the bulls will come in silently. When you finally get that response or see the elk get as close as possible. Then start sounding like a small heard of cows. Call for 30 secs. to 1 min. then stop and listen for 10 min. I throw in all types of cow sounds, I mostly like calf sounds, because they seem more vocal early in the season, with just a few estrus cow sounds thrown in. I do this for 3 to 4 sequences with a total time of around 35 to 45 minutes. Be on your toes because they can come in quietly. Try and make slow steady movements and be ready.

Good luck this hunting season. I hope you stick the big-one your after.

P.S. Nice article in the Muley Crazy magazine.

Later,
IB

 

[TCR1]

Well, what would a good cow sequence sound like. I figured a few spaced mews, but that would only take 15 seconds or so. I guess if I did so with a mouth call and a hand call it would take a bit longer and be more interesting to a bull. Any where on the net I can hear natural cow elk vocalization sequences?

 

[231nontypicalmuledeer]

idahobugler,
thanks for the help, and the comment on the story! are you from the treasure valley area?
231

 

[BlackTimber]

There are a lot of different cow sounds to use. Social sounds, along with a few estrous sounds, a couple calf sounds, a soft spike sqeal. You could do a few Lost cow sounds, but don't use other cow sounds with the lost cow, otherwise the cow is not lost and the calling is unatural. Don't forget distress sounds too. They will bring cows more often but you could get a bull to follow.

I know it's getting close to the hunt but look at this website.
www.elknut.com

 

[IdahoBugler]

231,

I live in Nampa. I do most of my elk hunting on the SE portion of the state though. I grew up there and know the area I hunt very well. Do you live in Oregon or Idaho?

To answer the question about what cow sounds. I just bought a very good CD from Sportsmans Warehouse. It was made by Steve Chappell(???). Anyway it is just an awesome cd with tons of natural elk calling. If you get this you will know what sounds you need to make.

LAter,
IB

 

[231nontypicalmuledeer]

idahobugler,
I live in the great town of ontario! by the way is that steve chappel? guy going to have a demonstration at idaho outfitters this weekend? I ran into a guy up town a few days ago and said there was a guy having a seminar this weekend, but he wasnt sure when. do you know anything about it????
231

 

[IdahoBugler]

Yes it is Steve Chappel that I was referring to about the CD. I looked at it this morning and it is called Extreme calling. I also have the dvd, he does a great job.

I do almost all my shopping at Idaho Outdoor Outfitters. They are a great bunch of guys and treat you right. The show I think you are referring to is on Monday and it is Jim Horn not Steve. I have gone to a couple of Jim's shows and he does a great job so if you can make it you should. It's a free show and the sign up sheet has about 150 people on it. Bad thing is the place probably only holds 100. So get there early.

I was in Sportsmen's Warehouse last weekend and saw that they have a seminar scheduled sometime in the near future. I can't remember who or when though.

Later,
IB

 

[Hondoarcher]

Great words of wisdom Lv2hnt. I think your tactics are very good for units that tend to be quite the first part of the rut. I hunt the Unitas find that the bulls are mostly quite except very early in the morning and sometimes never call at all. While down in the LE units they are calling up a storm. I just might try the 3 a.m. call to see what is going on. I apreaciate people like you sharing great tips for the less experienced.

Hondoarcher