hikenhunt-
Another little "tactic" i have used very successfully while guiding (this may sound korny) is to be one with the animal.
In other words, turn yourself into a cow elk, or better yet, sound like a multiple of cows........and hang on!!
Elk are very noisy animals by nature, and quite clumbsy in the woods. They trip over things, snap logs, kick logs, ect;ect.
They are also pretty vocal when they are relaxed.
In these situations, i try to act and sound just like they do.
Keeping the wind in your face, approach the herd by making a few noises, step on a few twigs yourself, but also make sure you are cow calling your way into them and keep them calm, but don't let them see you...only hear you.
If you try to approach in stealth mode and make even one mistake, your busted. Elk know by nature that when something is "sneaking" in on them, it's trying to eat them for dinner.
You come in semi noisy, and they think your JOINING them for dinner.....but do NOT bugle!!
The last thing you want your target bull to think is that he has a challenger and that there's a chance he could lose his hard earned cows to the "new guy in town".
I keep at least two different brands of cow calls in my hands when doing this technique, that way i sound like a small herd approaching. Don't come in TOO agressive, take your time, snap a few sticks, make a few cow calls and keep that herd relaxed.
Remember, do NOT let them actually see you and don't get in TOO close, their eye sight will kill you. Just get in close enough that you think you can sucker in your bull the rest of the way for your shot.
They are much like humans.....we could have the hottest wife in town, but when a new one comes along, we just GOTTA go see!! Lol
Good luck, we're all expecting pictures.
Sounds like you have found what your looking for, 350" is one hell of a bull.....now go get him!!! ;-)
