A
alwaysruttin
Guest
How would you hunt elk in early October? Spot and stalk, calling, or sitting water. What works for you.
AWHOLELOTTABULL
Long Time Member
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All of the above depending on what a particular bull is doing. Early October is one of those tricky times that could put you in the rut and post rut at the same time. Most of the cows have definately run their cycle for the first time by the second week of October but not all of them. Play it by ear is my best advice.
It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com
It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com
http:www.elknut.com
Most definitely all the above! I would treat the hunt & all strategies the same as if it were the end of Sept. Bulls are still interested & focused on one thing. They're very callable & easily located once away from most hunting pressure! If hunting a newer area & have difficulty locating elk in daytime, then pick out vantage areas where sound will carry & cover decent ground & call at night between 10:00pm & 3:00am. Bulls are bravest at night & will respond to Location calls. (where are you?) No cow calling!!! For much more info & tons of strategies & techniques on bulls even in Oct. Check out our DVDs, they're Instructional on the very question you ask.
You can get them right here on Monster Muleys! They're the ElkNut Outdoor Series.
ElkNut1
Most definitely all the above! I would treat the hunt & all strategies the same as if it were the end of Sept. Bulls are still interested & focused on one thing. They're very callable & easily located once away from most hunting pressure! If hunting a newer area & have difficulty locating elk in daytime, then pick out vantage areas where sound will carry & cover decent ground & call at night between 10:00pm & 3:00am. Bulls are bravest at night & will respond to Location calls. (where are you?) No cow calling!!! For much more info & tons of strategies & techniques on bulls even in Oct. Check out our DVDs, they're Instructional on the very question you ask.
You can get them right here on Monster Muleys! They're the ElkNut Outdoor Series.
ElkNut1
C
coloradoelkhunter
Guest
Why wouldn't you use a cow call?
LAST EDITED ON Aug-17-07 AT 04:20PM (MST)[p]http:www.elknut.com
No Cow Calling because there's a good chance other elk will come your way to check you out, you don't want that at night. A location bugle is asking for a response but not aid. There's always that chance an elk may come your way, but in the many years I've done this rare is the case. I also never recommend a challenging bugle. (bugles with grunts) At night, as this can signify a bull that has cows & is being harassed, this can attract other elk to your position. Elk have an uncanny way of picking within a few feet of where a particular sound is coming from even at long distances.
Sure these other sounds can get a response in night bugling, but they may attract unwanted attention while you're still there or after you leave. Thus they show & are spooked off by you or the scent you left from calling! Other sounds can also be a detriment in night bugling, location sounds are your best bet, it's low percentage anything will come your way!
ElkNut1
No Cow Calling because there's a good chance other elk will come your way to check you out, you don't want that at night. A location bugle is asking for a response but not aid. There's always that chance an elk may come your way, but in the many years I've done this rare is the case. I also never recommend a challenging bugle. (bugles with grunts) At night, as this can signify a bull that has cows & is being harassed, this can attract other elk to your position. Elk have an uncanny way of picking within a few feet of where a particular sound is coming from even at long distances.
Sure these other sounds can get a response in night bugling, but they may attract unwanted attention while you're still there or after you leave. Thus they show & are spooked off by you or the scent you left from calling! Other sounds can also be a detriment in night bugling, location sounds are your best bet, it's low percentage anything will come your way!
ElkNut1
slamdunk
Moderator
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- 10,389
I totally agree with AWHOLELOTTABULL on this one, you do what the bulls are responding too, don't be afraid to try any othe the tactics you mentioned.
I doubt they'll respond to very much calling, but maybe a "deprived" bull might seek out a cow call, it's definately worth the try.
If it's hot and dry, definately search out the active water holes, elk need a ton of water every day.
And the good old "spot & stalk" always works if done right.
Good luck, we expect some pix!!!
SLAMDUNK
I doubt they'll respond to very much calling, but maybe a "deprived" bull might seek out a cow call, it's definately worth the try.
If it's hot and dry, definately search out the active water holes, elk need a ton of water every day.
And the good old "spot & stalk" always works if done right.
Good luck, we expect some pix!!!
SLAMDUNK
mozey
Long Time Member
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- 3,056
FWIW, I killed a 6X7 bull last year on Oct. 22 at 10,100 foot elevation public land, rattling two sheds together and then raking them against a small fur, while mixing in a hoochie mama. I was also wearing scent locks and three cow elk urine wafers; bull actually approached from down wind. Probably was about three to four weeks after the rut peak. I was also between him and his water source...
Wish I could better tell you exactly which strategy turned the tables in my favor, but what the heck, at least I didn't scare him off. ;-)
Wish I could better tell you exactly which strategy turned the tables in my favor, but what the heck, at least I didn't scare him off. ;-)
DonVathome
Very Active Member
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- 1,717
Northern NM first week of Oct muzzy season was great rut hunting for me one year, bugling, cow chasing etc. hut up quickly and was off on after opening day but overall great.
J
JohnnyLegend
Guest
I agree with the rest of the boys and be prepared to do it all. I have had bulls really fired up in both NM and MT in early October. Last year, I killed my bull on October 4 and they were fiiired up big time. On day four after all else had failed, I cranked up my bugle, yes my bugle and the response was unbelievable, talking 80's again unbelievable, didn't kill that morning, but had two fired up bulls on top of me and if I would not have moved, would have probably gotten one. Not sure what I was thinking moving, but a big weakness I have, pressing to hard at times. Killed my bull the next day Ulmer style, after being in on top of them some guys came under me and cut loose on a spike and I had to follow the herd for couple miles before catching up. Earlier in the hunt, cow calls were working pretty good too. My bro cracked his bull using cow calls along with slipping in on the trail way out of some nearby parks. Water was a factor as it always seems to be. Be prepared to respond depending on the situation and good luck man, I mean good luck, wish I was going in with you!
Have a great hunt.
Johnny
Have a great hunt.
Johnny
good advice from the other die-hard elk hunters out there!!! I'm going to add smell, smell, and smell! I don't care what tactic your using they smell you and your done in that honey hole! Go up to your nearest elk farm and let a cow elk pee all over you, then jump in your redneck 4x4 and head for the hills!! It will be love at first smell.....
Califelkslayer
Long Time Member
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Opener of 1st rifle in Colorado last year, Oct 13th I think, heard 5 different bulls just riding in. Heard a dozen others throughout the day. Heard several others the next day while riding in pack out our elk. In 01, I actually stalked and killed a bugling bull on the second day of the season, Oct 13th or 14th.
I'd rather hunt the first week of Oct than the 3rd week of Sept in most areas.
I'd rather hunt the first week of Oct than the 3rd week of Sept in most areas.
AWHOLELOTTABULL
Long Time Member
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- 4,357
One of my favorite ways to kill elk is to sneek in on a bugling bull. If he's really going you can get really close. I like to get in really close and bugle. Now that gets things rolling. I'm getting all excited just typing this post. It's time boys (and girls for Mrs ktc). Nothing better than kneeling over a musty crusty urine soaked pelt while you make that first cut. Now that's what I'm talkin about!
It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com
It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com
