first solo elk hunt tonight- I think I'm hooked

[Dave Smith]

Well here we are toward the end of the season already I have been doing nothing but prep work and scouting so far. I had been lucky enough to go along with Stewart Monroe, but I forgot to tell him that I am a major jinx and I can shut down any good hunting or fishing simply by being there at times. I finally found the perfect area on my own and decided to put up a treestand since I know zip about calling and ground huntng strategies. Tonight I sat in that treestand for the first time, but didn't really expect to see anything my first time in a stand after an animal that is totally unkown to me.
I started to nod-off a little, which you usually only do once in a treestand- he he, and woke up to the sound of a bull ripping off an awesome bugle! For the next hour I would get a glimpse here and there of elk and got to hear all kinds of herd talk and the big guy bugling seven more times. The were out of range and I didn't want to press them or start forcing the issue by bugling, especially when he had his cows, but I did cow call that seemed to make him to bugle. Going back tomorrow and if they move along the same ridge (about 100 yards from my stand), I will move the stand or put up another one during the day on Thursday.
Never really have got to hear elk before and it's the coolest thing! Heard all kinds of horror stories about combat rifle hunting- this was very fun. Any advice on what to do is greatly appreciated! ANY! My typical hunting style is to kill them with patience and planning, but if I need to force the issue and get agressive, let me know. I set out with the idea of being happy as could be with a cow, and I would be, but my focus is on that bull right now.
Dave

[beardbuster]

If the bull responds to your calls, that means that he accepts you as an elk until he either see's or smells you. If he was bugling, I would have poured on the cow talk to seem like a dumb cow that can't find the herd. You have a 50% chance of him trying to round you into the herd.

The best thing is, you have a spot. Spend enough time there and you'll kill one. Best of luck!

[DRUNK COWBOY]

The first thing I would do is mark my territory on each tree that he tore upp ...But, that usually does not work.

If there was another Bull in the area making him go nuts, then doing some bugles could bring him crashing in. If he is a lone bull with his cows, then I would stick with cow calling at first. Get a feel for him. If he seems like he is getting more hot tempered , then it is time to engage him for the fight.

Make sure you pay special attention to the wind if you are on the ground. And always wash your hunting clothes in baking soda or some scentless/UV wash. I would also go as far as to storing all your hunting clother in tree limbs and dirt to mask my scent.

[DRUNK COWBOY]

Beardbuster, you beat me to it

[sliverpicker]

Put on your waders and jump in feet first Dave! You're hooked and will only get pulled in deeper.

Was your arrow doing a little tap dance on the riser? If not, then you still have time to get out while you can.

[QH's Paw]

Definately you made the right choice not bugling from a tree stand. You won't be able to jocky around or work a setup from above. You also did the right thing by cow calling and should stick to that but, don't over do it. I would consider hyper hot call but before he is too close. Elk will pinpoint your call to the blade of grass(in your case tree bark) that you're standing on. Elk fall for decoys similar to birds. If you have a montana cow decoy he may be more comfortable as he nears your stand. Sounds like you've found the "spot". The elk "X" to put it in terms you understand. Remember elk usually have a rotational pattern of between 4-7 days and may not be close to where you contacted them for a few days. You know kinda like when geese move to a new field the day you decide to hunt them. The main difference is the elk's food source is still there for them to return to.
If you have a friend that can bugle you may consider trying a bugling setup on the ground in the morning or evening. The thing you'll have to consider is are you willing to risk running this bull off, if he hooks his cows and leaves the county you may never see or hear him again this season.
Good luck whatever you decide and don't forget the camera.

[Rauly]

Hmmmm.......I wonder if he knows anyone that can call for him.Cause when the Bull comes in I want a picture of Dave's face. I'm sure it will look something like this.:bigs hock:Then the arrow flies and you hear the CRACK. Then approx 30 minutes later. assout:Then

[fishlipper]

Nice Dave! Good luck, I hope you arrow a big one. Get your goose calls out, that is sure to confuse the heck out of him, and you might even get lucky. There is nothing a Bull hates more than a goose in his territory. he he he

[sprigkiller09]

Dave.

Congrats on finding what at lease for me is my second obsession behind waterfowl. When you see somthing like you did last night you are hooked. I would only add one thing if he is coming at you dont make a peep. When it really counted (Big Bull) i said to myself well if he is coming a little calling will only feed the fire. Well he just stopped stared and never presented a shot then parralleled me and stayed at 40 yards all the way around me. I sweat he know my border line range. I told myself nothing further than 35 yards. I was 14 at the time. I hope everything falls into place and i expect a report asap

[Dave Smith]

Thanks for the great coaching, guys! Rauly: I'm trying to find the icon for wetting one's drawers??? that might be more accurate if the bull get's close. So I will give the stand hunting at least a few more days and maybe go for the all-or-nothing approach toward the end of the season. Steeeewwaaaarrt......I need heeeeeeeelp .......................

[stlhdrgrn]

Different bulls react diferently. It's hard to tell someone new at it what to do. So many variables. I've retreated from them, chased them, challenged them and talked to them for hours waiting for the right setup.
Sometimes you just need to jump in there and mix it up with them.
You've done enough research now go get him. # One, the wind. Never forget it.
Good Luck

[Rauly]

How bout an update.

[The Overfishin Condition]

Some guys bugle and call too much, some guys are too scared to call when it counts. I bumped a big herd yesterday, but sat down and started bugling and immediately got a weenie little scream from where the herd had headed. The cows in the herd chirped a little, so I bugled again- no bull response, but a few more cows. I continued to bugle and cow call on and off for ten minutes then with no response. I was about ready to creep towards the herd when I saw the bull flanking me at 40 yards. He had close several hundred yards on me without so much as snapping a twig or grunting. Once he got at that distance and couldn't quite pin the 'Bulls" location he let out his own bugle and chuckle combo. I interrupted him and he was not excited about that.

He must've been within forty yards pacing and raking trees for most of 15 minutes... Great fun. Too bad I'm a modern hunter just scouting my territory!

Anyway, if you're within 100 yards of him and you let out a little bull squeal- he'll come and run you off if he knows what's good for him. I couldn't get a bull to talk all day, but once I was that up close and in his business, I left him no choice. TOC.

[1rippinlips]

Let me give you some advise.I bow hunt alot by my self.When you bugle at a bull by your self after you bugle always move toward him 50-70 yards and wait and dont say a thing.Elk are really good at pinpointing where that bugle came from.Most of the time they will only come in far enough to see the other bull.Then by you moving toward him when he hangs up that 50-100 yard your already in bow range.This method has work really well for me.Ive killed 8 branch bulls in 11 years doing this.Good luck I hope you try this it works well.But not every time.

[Hunt'nFish]

That there sounds like some very good advice.
Hunt'nFish