Cow tactics

[freedivr2]

On Elk, I've been kind of learning as I go, watching elk as I hunt deer in Colorado, and trying to put a couple sneaks on them over the past couple years with a cow tag in my back pocket. So far, close, but no cigar.

This year I'd really like to get close enough to take a cow with my Muzzleloader. I'll be hunting early Sept (pre rut), and am a little concerned about using the hoochie momma call too much or too little, or maybe calling in a bull instead of a cow, etc.

Are there any specific tricks of the trade that any of you have used successfully when you were hunting cows that you wouldn't mind sharing?

 

[Bambistew]

Spot, stalk, shoot, pack... Works best in that order. Get out your bino's find one or a herd in an easy spot to stalk and go kill it.

 

[HuntElk4Fun]

Sorry, but when hunting cows, I like the drag to the truck tactic! If you can't... don't shoot! LOL If your packing out a cow, you drew the wrong unit! My best tactic, draw an easy unit and enjoy it. Cow hunting should be fun, nothing less. I usually get tags for the juicy calf meat, chance to take my wife and not "walk her butt off", let me kids tag along and relax. Just my 2 cents-

 

[DanD]

I have been hunting them for about 10 years now, you can't ask for a better eating animal. I usually hunt them late in the year after the rut. From what I have noticed cows tend to be quite talkative, but I have never called one in or seen anybody call in a cow.

As mentioned already spot and stalk has been my most successful method. They tend to be in herds between 6 to 50 head later in the year, which makes getting real close kind of tough.

Good luck!

Dan

 

[smokepolejohnson]

After days of preseason scouting and countless hours behind the ole swarovskis I was able to harvest this mamoth of a cow with the help of a .338 wsm handloads. Public lands,d.i.y., no fences. LONG LIVE KIRT DARNER

 

[freedivr2]

I'm hunting the muzzleloader season, so I won't be doing any "drive-bys", looking for cows by roads. I'll be hunting for elk. The objective is not only nailing a cow elk, but learning more and more about bulls and cows in the field.

Raceguy, that's exactly what I was fishing for too, a little help with understanding about calling cows, etc. Done deal, and thank you very much.

Smokepole, that is a great picture, beautiful background. Except someone wore way too much lampblack for face camo.......

 

[no_draws]

Try to use the Hoockie Mamma as a cover sound. If you get made by an elk you can pop a couple of toots on the HM and as long as you don't move or otherwise give yourself away they should return to eating or whatever they were doing. Be a hunter, keep the wind in your face and watch your shadows and you should be just fine.

JG >>-------->

 

[257Tony]

1. Go to mountains where the Elk live
2. Shoot one.
No, seriously, it should be a peice of cake with your MZ, you really shoiuldnt need to call much if any. Maybe just a little to help mask your sound.

 

[freedivr2]

LAST EDITED ON May-17-06 AT 04:33PM (MST)[p]Thanks again, fellas. I just ordered a CD and a DVD called "Calling all Elk" that was recommended in one of the posts, above.

I first used the Hoochie momma last year after a lead cow elk and two bulls were about 200 yards walking away from me and just entering the timber. In hindsight, maybe I should've probably gone after them but the wind and thermals were all wrong (late morning). I blew on the hoochie momma and it stopped the cow for about 5 seconds, then she went into the timber. Gave a couple more squeeks and one bull stopped for another maybe 5 seconds, looking back at me. It was cool to see that it definitely got their attention. Now just to learn to use it correctly and maybe this year I won't be chewing on my tag........

P.S. 257Tony; I don't know if anyone's commented on your bouncing icon, but I think it's cool as can be.......

 

[HuntElk4Fun]

Alright.. fine.. if your going to hunt and not pull the driveby... geez...

Anyway... learn to speak elk. All those sounds mean something. They might all sound the same, but they aren't and they are saying something. Cows have well over 6 unique sounds that all say something different. Elknut's videos will help you speak Elk. It's alot funner to hunt elk if you know what they are saying. It cracks me up how some people call Elk. I wish I knew how to make an Elk laugh call, because I think the Elk are doing that alot!!

Personally, I think a diaphram call(s) is the only way to go. The Hoochie your Mama is fine, but only gives you a couple of calls. A diaphram is soooo versitale. Learn to call cows, bulls, spikes, anything and everything and you can save alot of money, plus always have your hands free. You can become an elk with a reed in your mouth and learning to speak their language.

 

[supersider34]

One thing I havent seen posted is try using a calf call. This works good for calling in a big ol surrogate cow. The hoochie if you pull the top of the barrell off and push it. Makes a calf call. But a calf call will call in cows.

 

[HuntElk4Fun]

Elk are very social animals... they like company. The lost cow call is the best out there for "rounding up each other". They will usually always mew back or answer a lost cow call. You are basically telling the other elk... yo.. I fed off a bit.. where ya at?

 

[HuntElk4Fun]

I can't believe I've replied this many times to "cow tactics"... but another thought:

You mention "putting a sneak on them". Elk, especially in numbers, can't be tricky to sneak in on. Don't get me wrong, you can do it. Just remember, they move fast, even when browsing and all those eyes are a killer on sneaks. Plus, they have everything in their favor, usually, wind, eyes, ears and you moving and having to do so a little quicker than you should to "catch up".

They are very easy to pattern in regards of habitat, time of day, etc. You should be able to pattern the general areas where they are headed in the a.m., mid morning, daytime, then back in the evening. Knowing this you can be waiting for them as they move in and out of these areas. All these areas are great to set up in... except bedding areas. Want to ruin a canyon? Set up shop in their beds.

Again, learn to think Elk, be an Elk, talk Elk and you will find yourself putting some tasty meat in the freezer year after year.

Good luck!

 

[rutnbuck]

The Secret of Elk.
The elk asked me not to tell. I should write a book. The secret of Elk. But then it wouldn't be a secret now would it? That and I would have to kill ya if I told ya. For helkssake. This is not what ya wanted to hear. If ya kill an cow elk to eat for elksake always kill her when she is putting on weight. Never when she is losing weight. Try to always pick a dry cow. 1 1/2 yr old most of time. You don't want to kill a wet cow. Or one packing a calf. It ain't worth it to see a 3-4 month old calf in the womb. Or for that matter a calf that lost its mother when it was 4-5 months old. Forgive me I watched Bambi last night.
Sorry but that is a fact and there is a trick. Carry on

Rut


Women love me!! Fish shudder at the mention of my name!!
It's not the quack but the flight of the wild duck that leads the flock to destiny!!
Quack Away!!

 

[raceguy]

Glad to see you ordered Paul's (Elknut) video. It's not a hunting video so don't expect to see elk. It's totally educational as he goes through all the sounds, how to do them and what they mean. He then goes through setups and situations of when and how to use the different calls.

Once you understand them you will get the idea of when/how to use them. Lost cows calls are awesome, especially when you can throw in a lost/distressed calf call in with it. Adds to the realism and other cows can't help responding to a distressed calf call due to the maternal instincts.

I had great success using the "demanding" call as a locater call in areas where spotting elk were tough. I would not get responses from big heards, but a small group of 2-4 elk or even singles that wandered off from the main heard would zero in on me and come running and mewing.

I like to bring a small aresnal of calls, from diaphrams to reeds. You just never know what tones the elk want to hear on any given day. Good luck!

 

[freedivr2]

LAST EDITED ON May-19-06 AT 10:32PM (MST)[p]To those of you who have posted some actual advice on this subject, I (and I'm sure many others) sincerely appreciate your tips and thoughts. Many good, solid comments and tips make a whole bunch of good sense to me. I've got to check out those diaphram calls.........

Those of you who take cow elk or bull elk on a yearly basis, without question, I hope you appreciate how extremely blessed you are to have done so. Even after hunting deer every year for the past for 20 years, Elk are animals that are only in my dreams to date, and they are truly a majestic critter to see up close and in-person. My only regret is that I wish all of you could be with me when I take my first elk......talk about party time..............

Thanks to all of you.........

P.S. Hey Bobcatbess...........whoa...chill, dude..............

 

[bobcatbess]

HEY SMOKEPOLE!!!

THAT IN UTAH???

SURE LOOKS FAMILIAR???

THE ONLY bobcat!!!

 

[elknut1]

LAST EDITED ON May-20-06 AT 09:07AM (MST)[p]http:www.elknut.com


As you mentioned in your post, your hunt will take place in early Sept. Cows "carrying" at this time will be of no concern to you. But your methods are different at this time as oppossed to a Janurary hunt! The DVDs will give you many thoughts, ideas & sounds to use that will defenitely attract cows & ways to find them!

At this time of Sept. Bugling is a very effective way to locate cows. Use a high pitch note with a light to no growl at the end, no chuckles at all should follow this sound. This is the sound a bull will use when looking for cows, many times you will have cows respond to this call, when you do, they are inviting you over to join them. If terrain allows, do just that, once closer, give one or two quick mews followed by a very short high pitch bugle, about a 1/2 sec. in length. A bull will make these sounds once close where he feels the cows should be, he will also use 3-4 pants or huffs to try & call the cows to him. Yes, bulls mew!

If just using this selective bugle looking for cows, be persistent, bugle 5-6 times a minute for 2-3 minutes from one spot, don't move around, do this in the same spot for 30 min. Make sure you're setup in such a spot that the cows must come within your range before they can see the area the sounds are coming from!

A method like this works well in semi to low visibility hunting country! Too, this not only brings cows in close, it's an exciting way to fill your tag.

Things to be careful of! Don't call cows standing just out of range with any cow call where they can look in your direction & see nothing. If you spot elk 150-200 yds out or so move from your position where you can't be seen & you can't see them. (unless there's 2 of you) Then use my favorite call of all, the "Lost Cow" sound! When using this sound stay put for 20-30 min. do not go to the elk while calling! Rarely will cows answer this sound, they just show-up! Be ready & be patient, they'll come!

Too, when looking for cows to come to you with the use of calls in Sept. use cow calling & calf calling, mix it up! Rustle brush, stmp around, break branches tenderly, create the illussion that there's elk milling around along with your calls. This can be done between feeding & bedding areas ealy or late, this is when you can catch them on the move, get in thier way so to speak. Glassing from a distance is a great way to locate bedding areas so you have an aprox. idea where the elk will be coming out of!

Too, waterholes are another hotspot to setup & create a little excitement with your calling. In any event when cow calling as mentioned, don't add any bull sounds of any sort to your cow-calf calling, this will only incite bulls of all sorts to show first, & that can ruin it for you if you're only hunting cows! The videos will aid you further!

Good Luck! ElkNut

 

[freedivr2]

LAST EDITED ON May-21-06 AT 10:31AM (MST)[p]Wow..........

Of all the threads I've posted over the years, I sure am glad I posted this one.....

I received Pauls (aka Elknut1) DVD and cassettes yesterday and didn't waste any time playing the DVD. Incredible what I learned from it, and will watch it again and again until I get down these sounds. But I get the general idea about the different calls, and when to make them or when NOT to make certain calls, and making it so that the elk come to YOU vs. you chasing them around the woods. I bet my fellow commuters out here in L.A. will be scratching their head this summer when they see me practicing with the diaphram call on the way home from work, heheheheheheheheh............Great, great DVD and I'm sure the cassettes will be equally as helpful. Paul, thank you.

Any of you guys who are calling elk without any "training" can sure cut into that steep learning curve by checking out Elknut's site and his DVDs. I'm sure the DVDs on Bull elk are equally as good as "calling all cows" was.

And to the rest of you, thanks again for all your good words, I will try to return the favor someway in future posts. Or, if you Mountain dudes need any advice about spearfishing (hey, you never know, and it IS a lot like archery hunting.....) I might be of some more immediate help

 

[smokepolejohnson]

Bobcat, that monster cow was indeed shot in utah. East of Tabby, just a 5 iron from Altamont, home of LongHorns. Beautiful country you got out there.

 

[Pre64]

Kinda of a late reply, but, for most areas I'd rather forget my calls than my binos. This isn't always true, for some areas we archery hunt the binos don't help much. But, for rifle hunting or muzzleloader hunting the key to success can be lots of glassing and some pre-season scouting. Like someone wrote earlier; go where the elk are.

 

[BCHunter]

>Word of caution don't get it caught
>in your throat like I
>did with my girlfriends diaphragm.
>She likes it and it
>works well for her.

Alright, I realize I'm a sick puppy, but that was fun.

 

[utahheadgear]

All these replies and only one that even briefly mentioned WATER!

In early fall, late summer, pre rut, or whatever you want to call it, the weather is generally still pretty hot, and elk need water when it's hot! Period! End of story!

Do your best to locate a relatively secluded water hole that is being frequented by elk (which is generally the hardest part), bring a book to pass the time, setup (whether at a short distance on the ground or, even better, in a tree stand) and wait for the elk to come. They will come! Be patient, and you will bag your cow.

I've had much better success this way during the early season than trampling around and trying to sneak up on whole herds of elk. I don't see as many elk as most guys, but when I see one I bring it home with me.

Good luck!

 

[freedivr2]

Right on, Utahheadgear.......

A little bit of common sense sure goes a long way.

Basic survival and comfort needs like water and the cool side of the mountain certainly come into play with Deer and Elk that time of year......Thanks for the reminder

P.S. I just drew my cow elk tag, so the plan is coming together. Hope the rest of you drew what you were hoping for as well!