Who Bugles?

[Rooster1981]

I use a bugle as a locator call and to figure out where the bulls are located. Once I can do that, then I like to move in closer and try to cow call them in. I have found that if you bugle too much, you can actually push bulls away. It depends on the situation and time of the season but in general, bugle to locate and cow call to close.

 

I do a lot more cow calling than bugling. I hunt the early muzzy hunt and in my experience the bulls respond better to cow calls in post rut activity. JMHO

[D-Rock425]

That's very nice.

[snarkybull]

i pretend to be a hole in space.  i don't want to draw attention to myself in any way, shape, or form.

[JPhelps]

I bugle to locate, bugle when in close and sometimes bugle just to hear myself bugle  (just kidding on that last one....well kind of).

When unable to locate through optics or bugling on their own there are only a few tools we have to locate elk.  Besides still hunting, location bugling is the best option in my opinion.  We have had great results using bugles for locating elk here in SW Washington.

The other bugle I use on every setup is a challenge bugle.  When trying to get a herd bull with cows to commit you need to create a threat. A challenge bugle is about the biggest slap in the face you can deliver.  This call should be used when in tight otherwise the probability of the bull gathering his cows and leaving is very likely.

[boneaddict]

just to hear myself bugle  (just kidding on that last one....well kind of).

You know you aren't kidding

[WSU]

The other bugle I use on every setup is a challenge bugle.  When trying to get a herd bull with cows to commit you need to create a threat. A challenge bugle is about the biggest slap in the face you can deliver.  This call should be used when in tight otherwise the probability of the bull gathering his cows and leaving is very likely.

  I'm relatively new to bow hunting, but getting in tight and getting a bull screaming mad is about the funnest thing you can do with your pants on.

[JLS]

I really think most people would be better off not using a bugle.  I hardly ever use one.

Maybe by how often or when they use them.  I don't think it matters how good your bugles sound.  Some of the worst ones I've ever heard came from elk.  I heard a bugle last year, followed by chuckles that gave me visions of a hunter swallowing his reed in the middle of it and gagging it back up.  Two minutes later I watched a 6 point bull come out of the coulee where I'd heard the "worst chuckle of my life"

[washelkhunter]

I use a bugle. Hear-em then zero-in on em.

[CedarPants]

I'm relatively new to elk hunting during the muzzy season, but from what I've experienced it reminds me a lot of spring turkey hunting (aside from the obvious 800 - 1000 pound difference in the 2 animals of course  )

Each situation seems unique and requires it's own course of action.  2 seasons ago bugling did nothing for the first 2 days of the season, then I was lucky enough to witness an early morning bugle on the 3rd day fire up a herd with multiple bulls that proceeded to bugle nonstop for the next several hours.

Last season - same thing.  Bugling didn't produce much the first couple days, but on the 3rd day of the season I witnessed a bugle bring in a big 6X6 screaming at 4:30pm.

Reminds me a lot of running and gunning for turkeys.  Sometimes they respond, sometimes they don't.  Sometimes you need to shut up once they respond and let them come to you, sometimes you need to challenge them to bring them in.  I'm far from having anywhere enough experience to know which situation dictates what option to take with elk - but I just wanted to share my observations thus far

[boneaddict]

[Pilot_Hunter]

Thanks for all the replies! I'd still like to hear more! I'll probably be heading into the mountains with some cow calls and just practice talking to them and see how they respond and act. I know it'll be a different time of year when the season starts but it should be good practice.

[blackveltbowhunter]

   If your hunting during early archery you are on the right track to start practicing ASAP.  and keep in mind, knowledge of the area and elk your hunting will refine any advice given here, so use what you can and file away whatever doesnt work for you, cuz it very well may down the road. Nothing is a hard fast rule, so adapt to the situation, dont try to force the situation to adapt to your level of comfort.

 That said heres a couple things that come to mind,

   1) If you dont need to call, dont. Having said that, very few successful hunters I know NEVER call during the rut.
   
   2) Become as profficient as possible with whatever calls you can, ( I prefer mouth reeds, but plenty of other calls will do the job and may be better for the individual. ), and dont become discouraged if you dont sound like a world class caller. Most elk dont care.... especially with the bugle imo.

   3) To go along with number two, dont be afraid to bugle! Unless you are in a poor setup or are planning to deploy a different strategy. Again opinion.... But with the exceptions of a truly terrible caller, or complete disregard to basic hunting fundementals, watching wind etc...  I have lost more opportunities by not calling, than calling to much.

   4) learn how to setup. Jphelps posted a good article on this some time ago. I am sure a search would turn it up.

    5) This one is complete opinion and I am sure many will adamently disagree. But when in close consider using a bugle, before the cow call. especially on heavily ( human ) pressured elk. I blew many gorgeous setups and it took many failed attempts to realize that opening with cow calls was killing me more often than not.

    Congrats on the tag and have fun!!

[WSU]

    5) This one is complete opinion and I am sure many will adamently disagree. But when in close consider using a bugle, before the cow call. especially on heavily ( human ) pressured elk. I blew many gorgeous setups and it took many failed attempts to realize that opening with cow calls was killing me more often than not.

    Congrats on the tag and have fun!!

IMO, a herd bull WILL react to a challenge if you bugle in close to his heard.  If you didn't get a reaction, you most likely weren't close enough or it wasn't a herd bull.  But, you need to be close or he likely will just shut up, leave, or both.

[JPhelps]

I agree with your #5 completely, but I haven't been able to figure out which one works better (of course it depends on each individual situation).

In my experience, when leading with a bugle most of the time the cows scatter but the bull usually holds his ground.  I usually use this tactic when I know it is herd bull and i am very close.

Even with how effective it has proven to be i always find myself painting the picture "there is a cow In estrous over here and another bull is challenging for her" and forcing him to "come and get it or leave it".

[blackveltbowhunter]

Agreed! The overall scenario should always be the first consideration

 My experience has been very similar to yours. I have found the cows may scatter, but are not "spooked" I look at it as they are just getting out of the way for the boys. Often times the cows wont even pay attention to the bugles, which is one reason I think it works so well. Your only getting on the "radar" of one elk ( bull) not the entire herd.