Has anyone tried this?

[CedarPants]

I've always done that for turkey hunting and it worked great, so I just naturally started doing it when I picked up elk hunting a few years ago.  Seems to work 

[turkeyfeather]

So you guys prefer to use a cow call over a doe even during deer season?

[billythekidrock]

Deer aren't as vocal as elk so if I want to mask any noise I make I use a cow chirp.

[Fl0und3rz]

I always moved slower then usual when hunting for elk until a year ago. I got the chance to hunt with a couple guys that I will experts and they changed my opinion. They cruised through the woods at a pace I could barely keep up with walking and were cow calling every 30 seconds and bugling every few minutes. They would stop every five minutes or so to listen then push forward at a hard pace. What I learned that day is that we covered more ground then I had ever done berfore, we were in more elk then I have ever seen in one day, and two guys in their mid 40's could still smoke me in my mid 20's in the woods. This was for Sept. archery hunting, in Nov. for rifle hunting I do slow things down a bit.

i would think that calling or bugling to much would bring some suspicion to the elk.  But it sounded like it worked of for ya... i just dont want to be ripping bugles or calling to much if i am on some sort of stalk especailly early into the season.  Usually dont start stalking or going after elk until like day 4 if i havent seen any.... just worried that if i do this i will push them farther away then where i want to.... i have had more  success sitting in my blind bugling or cow calling.  But im always game for trying something new if it works

Understandable.  Last season (opening weekend) in the Little Naches I staked out a nice meadow (about two acres) early one morning.   After the sun came up, and I had a late breakfast, I began to stalk around.  It was like pumpkin patch pinball as I bounced off at least four different hunters looking for a place to explore.  So I decided to head into this 1/2 acre or so strip of timber that I had heard some crunching earlier, and I made no attempt to keep quiet, when I jumped a cow at about 15 yards holding tight. 

If I had not been walking briskly, I probably would not have jumped her.  There were probably three or more hunters within 200 yards of her. 

[boneaddict]

So you guys prefer to use a cow call over a doe even during deer season?

If there are elk in the neighborhood.    If I am in moose woods, I sound like a moose.   Of course that time of year you might end up with Bullwinkle trying to mount you.....

[6x6in6]

Best thing to do while elk hunting is sound like an elk. A 600-800 lb animal is anything but quiet while walking in the woods. They are also a very vocal animal. I always call a bit while walking through and break some sticks and such. Not bugle as much while walking but always cow and calf call. Hell, I have called elk in without making a cow call or bugle... just by breaking sticks and hitting things on trees and throwing rocks... 

Same here.
If I should happen to step on the really loud stick I typically grab another stick and rake a tree or branches.  Let out a cow call or two and take a short brake.   
Like you said, they ain't quiet so no real need to be either as long as you can sound like one of them. 
Of course, a full on stalk to close a deal can be a different story to get it done.

[smartazz171]

Best thing to do while elk hunting is sound like an elk. A 600-800 lb animal is anything but quiet while walking in the woods. They are also a very vocal animal. I always call a bit while walking through and break some sticks and such. Not bugle as much while walking but always cow and calf call. Hell, I have called elk in without making a cow call or bugle... just by breaking sticks and hitting things on trees and throwing rocks... 

Same here.
If I should happen to step on the really loud stick I typically grab another stick and rake a tree or branches.  Let out a cow call or two and take a short brake.   
Like you said, they ain't quiet so no real need to be either as long as you can sound like one of them. 
Of course, a full on stalk to close a deal can be a different story to get it done.

Same here. I once had a bill scream at me and come running in at me by me scarring some cattle into moving through the woods.  It sounded like I was a bull stealing cows i guess. Didn't make one sound and didn't even know the elk was there until the cattle took off through the woods. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

Good topic ..I agree with most above ...I personally use this technique  on elk deer and turkey ... seems to work great on all 3... of course somethings come into play ...like the wind ...Last year It was getting tough on me and I never let that get me down ...I want to make something happen instead of waiting around  So I decided I was going to hit this old grade which went threw and Alder thicket ...deer sign everywhere ...I started out walking and grunting with my tube ...then I would roll over my Primos can ...yes I stopped and hung out once in awhile before moving on ...after about a mile of hiking I stopped at a Y in the grade ...I blew my grunt tube again and took about 5 steps into some old growth ..I kneel down and pull out my chew can  just as I am getting ready to put in a chew I see a deers butt go behind a tree about 5 steps from me ...I knew it had to be a buck ...I slowly grab my bow and wait for him to step out ...He does and WHAAAAAAAACK ...Did not even use my pins  I know I killed this deer from me calling as I was coming up the grade ...he was looking for me and he found me ....and like always , just when your down from hunting so hard it happens ...I say try anything you can to fill your tag ...Never know what will happen