Calling in October Bulls

[brianb231]

Hey Guys,

Getting ready to head out and help my partner (BrianMTSinc) with his White river Muzzy tag. I will be calling for him. The elk are screaming as we expect. I am curious though. We have been bowhunting the past 25 years. We have been very successful call in Pre Rut and Early stage Rutt Bulls in Sept. We got a decent 5 point earlier this year. But my question is this:

In October 4th-10th later in the Rut or what some may call during peak rut or some may think it is Second Estrus Rut how do the bulls react to the calls? Meaning is being aggressive bugling better when bulls are cowed up or is still giving that sweet estrus cow talk most effective in October? Or is it business as usual like in September with a combination of both?

Any added info to this will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a bunch!

Brianb231

[grundy53]

Tagging

sent from my typewriter

[Whitpirate]

I'd say locator bugles and then stalk.  They aren't going to leave based on cow talk much.  Wind and get eyes on them!

[boneaddict]

I'd say business as usual.  Heck, most of the Yakima units don't even really start firing until the first of October.

[X12shtr]

It's going to be on a bull to bull bases some will have cows and are ready to take on the country side to keep them some with cows will tuck tail and push there cows away then you'll have the one tha are fighters and ready to go for it kinda like us guys and or family's you got talkers and you got fighters. I'm a archery hunter my self but have called bulls for buddy's with muzzs before its a lot of fun those first two week of oct those bulls are hitting it hard. Good luck guys you should have lots of fun with that tag

[TheHunt]

I agree business as usual call like you would during archery season.

[RadSav]

I find you can get a bit more aggressive during October than you can during early archery.  As cows get bred the bulls get into a bigger brain funk.  Throwing more caution to the wind and wanting that last unbred cow.  My best elk calling by far has been October 1st through the 15th.  Also the time when I call more multiples...so if you get busted hang tight a little longer and continue to work the call before moving on.

[vandeman17]

If it were me, I would spend a few nights out and about trying to locate where the bulls are. They will be very active at night and will almost always be in the same small area come morning. Head out in the dark, rip off some locator bugles and see if you can locate some bulls. If you can, be there before first light the next morning and just some lost calf and cow chirps. See if you can spark his interest to leave his cows and investigate. Also be ready for them to come in silent. Had it happen to me on more then one occasion. Crazy how a big bull can come in completely silent.

[brianb231]

Thanks guys, keep the opinions coming. We had eyes on about 8 respectable bulls on Sunday and the bugling was a frenzy. I just think that most will be with cows and wondering what is best to either lure them away looking for that cow or piss them off and get them coming in to challenge?

[deerhunter_98520]

I dont think you will have a problem getting them to come in.....i just called like i do in archery season....Yesterday I slipped into a herd and was 80-100yds away and did some estrus whines for 5 min or so then threw out a chuckle and had this guy come running in looking for a fight....he tore up the ground 45-50yds away




And this guy didn't like me bugling so close to his cows....he tore up a tree and came and bugled back at me

[brianb231]

I dont think you will have a problem getting them to come in.....i just called like i do in archery season....Yesterday I slipped into a herd and was 80-100yds away and did some estrus whines for 5 min or so then threw out a chuckle and had this guy come running in looking for a fight....he tore up the ground 45-50yds away




And this guy didn't like me bugling so close to his cows....he tore up a tree and came and bugled back at me

That's Awesome! Deerhunter! And great second photo. that is very cool!

Thanks

[cjensen]

Every year is different but they definitely act different for me in October.   In 2012 I couldn't get anything going with estrous whines or locator bugle but I literally had two bulls run in at full speed to some long drawn out lost cow sounds.   Anything that might be different than the sounds they just got pounded with the archery or rifle tag guys.

[Damnimissed]

Every year is different but they definitely act different for me in October.   In 2012 I couldn't get anything going with estrous whines or locator bugle but I literally had two bulls run in at full speed to some long drawn out lost cow sounds.   Anything that might be different than the sounds they just got pounded with the archery or rifle tag guys.

Some great advice.

[deerhunter_98520]

I posted a bunch more pics from the day in the photo section....a lot more close encounters

[brianb231]

I posted a bunch more pics from the day in the photo section....a lot more close encounters

Very Nice