Calling elk in Late October

[Bean Counter]

I've been doing some reading and learned that the younger bulls will bugle into late October. Since the E/wa season opens up on Oct 25th, is that too late to call for some of these bulls? Will the bigger ones think it is a smaller one and respond?

[bow4elk]

Not sure what you read but yes, bulls will bugle into October for sure.  That late is possible too.  Worst thing WA did was change the bow opener to September.  Much of the public access is restricted due to fire danger, and the bulls were usually really cranked up Oct. 1.  Great way to hunt two states (or more) and not miss WA.

Way back when i hunted with a rifle I heard elk bugle around Bumping Lake in early November.  Rare but they are vocal when they want to be.  It wasn't a hunter unless he was camped out at midnight up there in the trees.  Not sure about calling elk in, but I'd just stick with cow calling.  Any receptive bull will be more interested in cows than bulls.  Bulls will start to reconnect again for winter, but that won't typically happen until later, after the seasons close.

[Curly]

I heard a bull bugle in late November near Cle-Elum; he was less than 100yds away.  That was about 18 years ago.

[Intruder]

They'll respond in late Oct.  Not great but a few will still be vocal.  Cow calling can still be effective then too.

[Bean Counter]

Thanks gentlemen. I think I'm going to ditch the Hoochie Mama this year and go for something a bit more, well, realistic.  Something I actually have to blow on. Any tips?

[DeKuma]

 

[New England Native]

would a cow call be helpful during modern firearm also? I still have yet to harvest an elk and looking for something to possibly increase my odds.

[300rum]

I still have yet to harvest an elk and looking for something to possibly increase my odds.

Colorado?  Montana? High Fence? 

[DeKuma]

Sorry Bean, just something about ditching the hootchie momma and looking for something you have to blow on struck me as pretty damn funny.

Anyways, I realy like the Primos Sonic Dome diaphram calls.  They are not too hard to use, and with very little practice seem to sound pretty good.  I have them for both elk and turkey, and to tell the truth, you could use the same elk call for the birds too.  They sound the same, it is just how much pressure you apply.  It is pretty easy with this call to make both cow and calf sounds of all sorts, plus as an added bonus, you can bugle like mad whenever you want, with the tube or without.

[Bean Counter]

Sorry Bean, just something about ditching the hootchie momma and looking for something you have to blow on struck me as pretty damn funny.

Who the heck thought up that name anyway? 

[New England Native]

I still have yet to harvest an elk and looking for something to possibly increase my odds.

Colorado?  Montana? High Fence? 

thanks I was planning on going to Northwest trek they got some nice bulls.

[bow4elk]

Thanks gentlemen. I think I'm going to ditch the Hoochie Mama this year and go for something a bit more, well, realistic.  Something I actually have to blow on. Any tips?

Get cozy with a diaphragm call and master the basic cow sounds.  Nothing beats the realism you can create.  Soft mews and nasally pleas are the name of the game.  These highly repetitive and predictable squeeze calls and even open reed calls are WAY over-used.  And don't get me started on those dang Primos Terminators...jeeez!!  I've never heard a bull sound quite as flutey and repetitive as that call.

[bankwalker]

they are always vocal in oct during modern firearm deer season. at least the last couple years they have been in the cle elum area.

[300rum]

I still have yet to harvest an elk and looking for something to possibly increase my odds.

Colorado?  Montana? High Fence? 

thanks I was planning on going to Northwest trek they got some nice bulls.

I was being sarcastic but I hear your frustration.  I quite hunting elk in the general season because of way way too many people and I am not really excited if a spike does pop out of a bush with his tounge hanging out and looking like swiss cheese.    

I draw the line when I see more hunters than animals, and that includes rigs parked/camped.

At the rate at which I am getting drawn for a special permit though, which fyi is never, I am not going to be doing a lot of elk hunting in this state.

[New England Native]

No worries My biggest complaint of this state is when I lived in Maine if you want to bow hunt buy a bow hunting license no luck then buy a rifle tag or muzzleloader. This state you need a special permit for that. But I am thinking I need to go back to bow hunting or muzzleloader in order to get an elk.