Late night bugling.

[elkaddict652]

So hadn't heard or seen anything since opening day. Two days ago I started hearing bugles but only at night. Every night for the past two nights ill hear a bugle as I'm headed home around 8-815ish and its been really far out and only at this time. Any clue why it's only at night?

[Smossy]

They must of got smarter and realized hunters cant go out at night. 

[elkaddict652]

Yes! This must be it!

[vandeman17]

In the warmer weather, I have found that bulls will be more active at last light and into the night and thus the bugling at that time.

[PlateauNDN]

   late fall and early winter I hear them all the time at night chatting up a storm.  They know they're safe.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

They must of got smarter and realized hunters cant go out at night. 

This is when you follow them around starting at 2-3 am and stay with them until daylight and stickem!!!

[DoubleJ]

Combo of the temps and the moon phase

[vandeman17]

Combo of the temps and the moon phase

As we get closer to the full moon, do you think it makes them more vocal at night and less vocal during daylight hours?

[7mmfan]

They must of got smarter and realized hunters cant go out at night. 

This is when you follow them around starting at 2-3 am and stay with them until daylight and stickem!!!

Some people laugh at this, but it can be a great technique as long as you're careful to not spook them out of the area before shooting light, and aren't afraid of the dark

[DoubleJ]

Combo of the temps and the moon phase

As we get closer to the full moon, do you think it makes them more vocal at night and less vocal during daylight hours?

Not so much vocal as active in general.  And it has less to do with the moon being full as much as it has to do when the moon rises and sets.  Photo period tells them when to get up and start moving to the feeding areas and when the moon rises while the sun is still out, it tends to tell them it's time to move to the feeding areas earlier than they normally would i.e. being out and moving during the daytime.  I have a chart I'll post when I get home.  I can't find it on my work computer.

[DoubleJ]

They must of got smarter and realized hunters cant go out at night. 

This is when you follow them around starting at 2-3 am and stay with them until daylight and stickem!!!

Some people laugh at this, but it can be a great technique as long as you're careful to not spook them out of the area before shooting light, and aren't afraid of the dark

What do you do if you are afraid of the dark?  Serious question 

[deerhunter_98520]

I was trying to locate a bull last year about 3 am...I pulled up and let the forest settle for about 15 min and I ripped off a bugle and a bull not 100 yds from me answered and was pissed....he charged at me in the dark....nothing like a pissed off 800lb bull elk crashing towards you through the brush in the dark

[vandeman17]

Combo of the temps and the moon phase

As we get closer to the full moon, do you think it makes them more vocal at night and less vocal during daylight hours?

Not so much vocal as active in general.  And it has less to do with the moon being full as much as it has to do when the moon rises and sets.  Photo period tells them when to get up and start moving to the feeding areas and when the moon rises while the sun is still out, it tends to tell them it's time to move to the feeding areas earlier than they normally would i.e. being out and moving during the daytime.  I have a chart I'll post when I get home.  I can't find it on my work computer.

That makes sense. I wonder if cloud cover effects that or if that matters at all.

[PolarBear]

Too many yayhoos calling to them will shut them up during the day.

[bowpredator]

With the warm weather they will usually start up just before dark when it starts to cool off, be active at night and active for the first hour of light then shut down as it warms back up. If a cold from moves in then they will be active earlier in yhe evening and later in the morning. I have gotten them to answer back from their bed at 11-12 in the after noon but other than that not very active when it is warm.