1st bugle of the year

WesternSky · Aug 20, 2007

While out scouting one of CO trophy units that I have a muzz tag for, I spooked a small herd of elk. They moved off and after running a way they slowed to a walk. They were about a thousand yards away and all of the sudden I heard the first bugle of the year come from the bull pulling up the rear.

The bull didnt put much into it but it may be a sign that the rut may start soon. I was not expecting it since it is still early, 6500 ft elevation,and pretty warm out.

I cant wait to finally chase around good bulls and I get more and more excited as we get closer. I have high standards for the first half of the season (350+) and I am going to need them to bugle to make that happen.

Justin

cmbbulldog · Aug 20, 2007

Good luck and please post pics of the hunt. Hope they are starting for next weekend!

Bowtecher · Aug 20, 2007

Don't get to excited about the bugle, bulls bugle year round.
It's their way of communication.
In the area I hunt they've been bugling since June and around
this time of year they'll bugle as they rub their antlers to
try out their voice.
Last year mountain lion hunting in December we saw a herd of elk and the bull was bugle after the cows left him behind.
It's just his way of saying "where you gals at" not that he's still in the rut.

CouesSniper · Aug 20, 2007

>Don't get to excited about the
>bugle, bulls bugle year round.
>
>It's their way of communication.
>In the area I hunt they've
>been bugling since June and
>around
>this time of year they'll bugle
>as they rub their antlers
>to
>try out their voice.
>Last year mountain lion hunting in
>December we saw a herd
>of elk and the bull
>was bugle after the cows
>left him behind.
>It's just his way of saying
>"where you gals at" not
>that he's still in the
>rut.

Yep. I've heard them as late as January, and as early as July. Good luck on your hunt, hope they're going crazy for you then.

Jbozahunter · Aug 20, 2007

When I was out scouting on Saturday, the bulls were all mostly rubbed, or still rubbing. I cow talked a little, and was able to get quite a response from both bulls and cows. Definately takes the excitement to another level for the upcoming bow season, only 11 days left!!

It was a nice cool morning, and I have to believe the elk are as wound up for cool weather as the rest of us...

My wife and I saw no less than 130 head of elk, of which about 80% were bulls.

WesternSky · Aug 20, 2007

I know that there not rutty yet but it sure got me excited for what is soon to come.

I just need a cold front to come through on opening weekend to get them in the mood.

Bozeman · Aug 20, 2007

80% were bulls? That is an incredible ratio. Over 100 bulls that must of been something.

Bowtecher · Aug 21, 2007

Don't get me wrong it's exciting to hear
but it just hits me more with my bow in hand and I hear
the bugle just a couple hundred yards away in the dark timber.
That makes my sticker peck out.

Jbozahunter · Aug 21, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Aug-21-07 AT 11:46AM (MST)[p]>80% were bulls? That is
>an incredible ratio. Over
>100 bulls that must of
>been something.

That's what I was thinking too. My only hope is that they don't get too broken up, as I've seen that happen in another area here locally. There are "too many" bulls, and they fight alot. Therefore it's hard to find a good bull that's not all broken up.

Also, out of that 100 bulls, only 15 or 20 were above 300. The rest were 2-4 year olds. Still very incredible for the size of the area we saw them in.