Call or silent approach

[Tbob]

So here's my question to you successful elk hunters, when you go into the elk woods for early archery do you get to your spot that looks elky and start calling or would you Only use your calls when you know you are close to the elk you want to hunt? I've heard multiple tactics, from "cold call set ups" to only use your cow call to stop and elk for a shot and everything in between.. Just curious how you guys use your calls from the time you exit your rig or tent to the end of the hunting day. I hunt the west side and hear all kinds of theories on how to hunt elk in the early archery season.. So I'd love to hear what all you guys do!!

[CamoDup]

For me personally, I like to call. My thinking behind it is that if I'm making noise while I'm walking I can sound more like an elk than a human just walking through sticks. I try to be the quietest I can but we all know during early season its hot and dry so being quite is not easy on the dry leaves, ect.. Elk can be pretty noisy themselves.  I have had pretty good success while just "cold calling". There has been numerous times where a cow has answered and gave herself away or came in silent presenting a shot.   

[MtnMuley]

I'll locate, then stay silent for the most part until I'm where I want to be. Other times when I'm on a super hot bull, I'll call more. Situation dependant, buy for the most part, silent.

[Bean Counter]

As far as "finding a spot that looks elky" you need to do that now. It's called scouting. Find places half a mile or more from the road and look for elk country like rubs.

[idaho guy]

 early archery(in Idaho) I dont find a lot of vocal bulls but do already have my spots where I know the elk are. I set up and do a pretty vocal call sequence of different cow sounds followed by a hot cow call. Sometimes I will include a non agressive bugle just one. this has worked really well on having bulls sneak in early they usually always come in silent. I also dont try to be quiet and believe breakin sticks and making natural sounds actually helps. 

[Tbob]

Thanks for the solid advise there Bean Counter, I live in Seattle and watch primo's videos so I just assumed I could go out and find some patch of timber and blow on my terminator, maybe hit the hoochie mama a few times and shoot a monster bull.. Ha just kidding. Well I do live in Seattle though.. Actually, been scouting almost every weekend since February. I'll be more specific next time I post anything.. I used the term "elky" meaning a place that I have scouted and seen plenty of sign but not seeing elk in there at the exact time I'm there during my hunt. Thanks for every bodies replies. Just interesting as when I talk with most archers everybody complains about " every Tom Dick and Harry out blowing on there elk whistles". So I was just wondering if you successful guys go with the more silent aproach. That's why I was askin.. Thanks..

[Bean Counter]

  ok good deal.  Sorry if I sounded patronizing    cheers to an awesome season!

[huntnnw]

I always use cow or calf sounds when walking...I will purposely bust limbs etc..elk are very noisey animals when moving thru the timber

[Tbob]

  back atchya! Can't wait to get out there! Headed out to throw up a few cams this weekend!

[cletus]

In my neck of the woods where I hunt, silent is Better, Every Idiot around me is blowing there calls and making noise and the animals know better. I like to set up in a spot where they travel through and if anything is making noise in the direction they are traveling they will just take another route.  Like mentioned before scouting is key, try to find A spot that they travel through regularly and set up and wait.

[Elknut1]

Hunting elk & calling to them go hand in hand even early season! We generally are calling to either locate them if they are talking at all or we are setting up & using specific calling sequences to draw elk our way out of curiosity to a spot they otherwise had no intention of going to at the time being! Calling is huge for us but this doesn't mean we don't utilize other methods as high country glassing & spot & stalk approach too when in more open high country. Other times in the right area we will sit an area where elk may funnel to on their own such as on their way to feeding,  bedding, water, natural mineral licks & the such, all depends on how the elk are using the area at the time of our hunt! Pre-scouting can help there!  Sometimes we call at these areas & sometimes not, we will sit & allow things to develop, we kinda go with our gut from day to day.

  One thing for sure when calling early season to pretty much quiet elk is not use calls other than a location or advertising bugle & then keep moving on. This is one of the biggest mistakes hunters do early season, they call a few minutes & move on, so many times elk are drawn to this calling but the hunters are long gone because nothing answered back to them.  If we decide to use a breeding sequence, advertising sequence, separated cow or estrus buzz we will stay put & allow elk to make their way to us if we feel they are within earshot! We will stay from 30 min to an hour.

   Knowing your areas well where elk are certain times of the morning, midday & evening helps to put us within aprox earshot to elk during these strategic calling setups & this give us great odds something will show up! Setup is key here when approaching these calling sequences, we make sure our setup is one where elk cannot slip in behind us because of openings or obstructions, we force them to come from straight on or come in from our left or right sides so wind direction is important here. Along with this we need elk to come to bowrange so we stay away from spots where elk can stop & see out of our range, this reduces the possibility of hangups. We do our best to put them in search mode, the tighter the cover the closer they come as they look for the source of the calling that drew them there!  So do we use calls, you betcha, we try to hunt areas void of other hunters for best results!

  ElkNut1

[Tbob]

Elknut- that was a great write up! Thanks for the info.. Very helpful. I like the silent aproach being in one of there travel cooridores to see what's happening.. I just feel like if I start making elk noises the elk are at least alerted to "something" at least being there. Maybe I'll give the calling a little try this year. Also for me depends on how much pressure is in my new area. That's one thing that scouting isn't telling me as of yet. Thanks again to everybody's replies and experiences..

[PolarBear]

In my neck of the woods where I hunt, silent is Better, Every Idiot around me is blowing there calls and making noise and the animals know better. I like to set up in a spot where they travel through and if anything is making noise in the direction they are traveling they will just take another route.  Like mentioned before scouting is key, try to find A spot that they travel through regularly and set up and wait.

Every yayhoo and their brother spends early season blowing bugles trying to sound like the "Primos" team.  I have found that less is better.  Only call when you have them located and (especially with Roosevelts) make your calls short and to the point.  Nothing can shut up a bull faster than over aggressive calling and sounding like every other hunter with a damn Terminator.