Recording Elk Bugles

idhikker · Feb 14, 2017

Hi all,

Maybe you could help me with this. I want to record elk bugles for a couple weeks in September prior to my elk hunt. I hunt big country and it would be really useful to know which ridges/basins they are using. I would like to have 3 set up.

I would like something cheaper than a trail camera and perhaps with better audio capability to capture bugles up to 1/2 mile to a 1 mile off.

I would like to have a way of knowing when it happened, either a time stamp or just from guessing when it is during the recording.

I could use a simple recorder but I'm not sure it would be able to capture far-away sounds or handle a few weeks of data.

It seems like there has to be a product for this, but I haven't found one.

Thank you!

kimbersig · Feb 14, 2017

never heard of anything that does what you're wanting.

idhikker · Feb 14, 2017

Even if there isn't an ideal product, I'm interested in a work-around.

I've talked to a couple buddies that are techy and they're thinking I could possibly make it work with a niceish microphone/recorder.

OLDHORNHUNTER · Feb 15, 2017

my suggestion to you would be go Scout put some miles on your boots some time in the country your planning too hunt !! Find out 1st hand where the elk are traveling bedding & rutting !! 2 key resources EVERY animal needs #1 food #2 water Sept is rut time IF your there & they are talking you will locate them . Keep in mind Not every area is the same I have hunted unit 31 for over 30 years there have been years that I never heard a bull bugle where I was hunting. But had buddies hunting the same unit a few miles away & the bulls were screaming !! I also have never heard of anything even remotely close to what your talking about.

Weiserbucks · Feb 16, 2017

I agree , whatever you come up with to record bugling bulls , I hope it fails. Go scout it out . It's good exercise and you'll learn more about the area than you ever will with a MacGyver elk recorder . We have all the advantages we need with good glass and rifles .

idhikker · Feb 16, 2017

No need to assume that this is to be used in place of scouting/hunting. Just like a trail camera, it's to increase knowledge of the area. Sound instead of pictures. I'd spend months in the field hunting if I could.

As far as whether it's too much of an advantage, I'd say to each his own. I think it's reasonable.

Weiserbucks · Feb 16, 2017

It wouldn't bother me if all the trail cam companies refused to ship west of the Mississippi

OLDHORNHUNTER · Feb 20, 2017

Not assuming anything but a DAMN strange Question !!! IF you are familiar with the area you hunt then you will know about where the elk are ? doesn't sound to me like you put much time into where your hunting !! I know that it doesn't matter IF I hear a bull bugling in the same canyon 2 days in a row. There is NO guarantee he is gonna be in that same canyon on day 3 !! If a HOT cow comes by OR he has some cows & a another bull tries taking his cows he WILL move !! have seen it many many times !!

idhikker · Feb 20, 2017

I think it's helpful information, even though they obviously can move. I am a former college runner--I'm not afraid of hiking or scouting. As a younger guy, sometimes I don't get all the days I want to hunt so the more information the better.

OLDHORNHUNTER · Feb 20, 2017

get a good call learn to use it Well learn your area & I sure as Hell would NOT waste anymore time on this voice recorder ?

Weiserbucks · Feb 20, 2017

In the area I archery hunt you can listen to bugles 24 hrs a day from August 1st until the close of the rifle bull season. Of course, only 1 in 50 is an elk .