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Guys, thank You for your comments! Here's a few more thoughts to consider on ones elk hunt during "Rutting" phases. Hopefully you'll be able to grasp a point or two that will aid you in this years elk hunts! I did share this info a while back but felt some here on this thread may not have seen it?
First off, if you're hunting elk in "the rut" or during rutting time then they'll be bugling! It may be early or late in the day or both. Midday can be as chaotic at times as well, especially cloudy drizzly days. In heavier hunted areas closer to human activity look for the elk to turn nocturnal at times especially during full moon phases. Elk will become quite vocal at night, this gives away their position as well as their feeding, bedding, night time watering areas. If un-harassed at these times there's a good chance of their return. Many times just listening when dark is the key, much more so than calling at these times!
Never be a one dimensional hunter for best results. By being versatile you'll be able to handle just about any encounter that comes your way. Adapting to present encounters & situations is the key to yearly success instead of one bull every 5 years. This is especially true when hunting OTC public land hunts. The only bull you come across may be the one you have to take!
Be willing to glass a ton if the country allows it. Lots of States warrant this Spot & Stalk method of use. Others you can't see out anywhere so other avenues must be sought out. These areas can require calling! Then there's treestanding over water sources, wallows, escape routes, general trail use from bedding to feeding & vice versa, feeding areas themselves. At times being patient & putting in ones time will be enough, other times calling to create excitement is key.
Adjust your way of thinking to fit the time frame you're hunting.
When hunting very thick country I personally rely on calling in every OTC unit I've ever hunted. I use sounds that require response from other elk, if I feel cow sounds are best, so be it, but that's rare for us. Bull sounds top the list for receiving location from other bulls. Selective sounds are key, this is no time for the yodeling type bugles, be realistic in your delivery & you'll see a huge difference in response. Always know what you are saying first, this way when response is received it's easier to evaluate what you just heard & now you can form a strategy to give yourself the best odds to take that bull or at least have a shot opportunity.
Even glassing & spot & stalk adventures will turn into calling situations as the encounter unfolds, in most cases a cow call will not get it done on the bull you're after, many times this bull will try to call you over & if this bull has cows & you don't show you'd better have an eye out for that Sentry cow because she'll flank you trying to find this stubborn cow & spot you & you'll be none the wiser! Off the herd goes & leaves you scratching your head as to what you did wrong, this happens every year leaving hunters wondering what happened!
I've found over the years when in tight to a herd & you can't get close enough stealthily to kill the bull & you're detected by a cow, spike, calf or several cows you'd better know how to turn it into a favorable encounter & still have an opportunity at the bull you want. From my experience a cow call here is very low odds for success unless interested in shooting a cow! You must get the bull to react to this situation, the way this is done & is a high percentage opportunity in killing him is to "pose a threat" within his herd, this will get his full attention on the spot!
You must be close, if you can scatter the cows without him seeing you do it fast then scream a bugle where you are calling those cows to you, this is a selective sound, this is a slap in his face to come right under his nose & try to take his cows. You've questioned his manhood & his right to keep & breed those cows. Too, once he here's the commotion he knows why???? If he hangs-up even for a 2nd I hit him with hot & heavy distressed cow sounds with guttural growls & chuckling as if I'm trying to force this cow away with me. If 2 hunters I will retreat as if leaving thrashing on my way out leaving the shooter up front.
This has caused many a herd bulls their lives over the years for us. Aggressiveness kills elk, period!
As I mentioned above, be a versatile hunter, not all encounters require aggressive action, but be prepared mentally to do so when needed because it's needed more times than not during most OTC hunts. Never go against the wind either, you must have it in your favor 100% of the time regardless your type of scent control.
Be a complete elk hunter, it takes desire & is worth all your efforts, the rewards are endless! Good Luck!
ElkNut1
