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Author Topic: what would you have done different?  (Read 7715 times)

Offline deerhunter_98520

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #15 on: March 16, 2015, 07:47:49 PM »
I never thought about moving after calling...it's a good idea thanks
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Offline coachcw

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #16 on: March 16, 2015, 08:01:46 PM »
Bulls have a uncanny ability to locate  you when you call ... if you move 20 or 30 yards latterly after you call  you have a much better chance of fooling him. Plus when he try to get down wind you will have the drop on him. I have found its much easier to attack a bull from the side aswell  you can get him to come up hill but the frontal shot is most likely  . Calling elk is trial and error but if you mimick him and stay agressive good things happen more often than not. If he is coming hard draw as soon as you see antler tips and settle in  better to have to let down vs drawing while he is on top of you.

Offline RadSav

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #17 on: March 16, 2015, 08:27:17 PM »
Cardinal sin for me has been stopping to call when I do not have shooting lanes.  That's always when the bull charges in close and then you can not move!  That's a good way to bust a bull out of a regular spot for the season.  IMO it is better to not get a shot but be in the right spot for one than to press into a spot where you still can't get a shot but you spook them out.  Doesn't sound like you busted him out, but I think that was luck based upon your story. 

Of course I am a sinner too!  I do not have enough fingers on my hands to count the number of times I've gone against my own rules and done the exact same thing as you.  I'm obviously a slow learner ;)  But, I still go into any calling situation trying to keep myself in control and following the rule of never stopping to call unless I have shooting lanes.

Sounds like you had a great time.  That's the important stuff.  Even Will Primos gets stuck when hunting all those private ranches and limited pressure.  Remember that Montana Monster when he is stuck in that spiderweb of a tree bramble?  Happens to the best.  Just enjoy the experience, learn from our mistakes and keep on hunting :tup:
He asked, Do you ever give a short simple answer?  I replied, "Nope."

Offline deerhunter_98520

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #18 on: March 16, 2015, 08:34:38 PM »
This was by far my best season I have ever had and I never drew my bow on an elk....got my first grouse with my bow though to only have that upstaged by my friend with a 5x5 bull when I was cleaning the grouse...I was pretty pumped to have a grouse for dinner and then i get a text bull down! :chuckle: I keep getting closer and closer every year and this year I actually had several in bow range just no shot....so I must be doin something right  :chuckle:
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Offline coachcw

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #19 on: March 16, 2015, 08:40:30 PM »
That's hunting  :tup:

Offline deerhunter_98520

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #20 on: March 16, 2015, 08:57:07 PM »
Yup and I live for it  :tup: if it wasn't for having a family I'd probably live in the woods  and give mick dodge a run for his money :chuckle:
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Offline RadSav

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #21 on: March 16, 2015, 09:40:40 PM »
I keep getting closer and closer every year and this year I actually had several in bow range just no shot....so I must be doin something right  :chuckle:

Sure sounds like you are :tup:  And then when you get that first one they should come fast and regular after that.  Finding them is the hard part and it seems as though you have that down like a veteran elk guru.

Love shooting grouse with my bow!  I've even screwed up a few good elk hunts shooting a grouse with elk looking at me.  Make sure to look 360 before shooting a grouse :chuckle: :chuckle: :bash:
He asked, Do you ever give a short simple answer?  I replied, "Nope."

Offline deerhunter_98520

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #22 on: March 17, 2015, 06:24:14 AM »
I seen a lot of grouse last year and passed on a lot of shots for that reason and when this one stood at 20yds and walked towards me like he didn't care I couldn't pass on a fire roasted grouse dinner  :tup:
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Offline RadSav

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #23 on: March 17, 2015, 06:31:57 AM »
I seen a lot of grouse last year and passed on a lot of shots for that reason and when this one stood at 20yds and walked towards me like he didn't care I couldn't pass on a fire roasted grouse dinner  :tup:

I keep one of those Top Romin season packets in my JetBoil just in case some grouse wants to commit suicide before lunch.  Not as good as a fire roasted bird, but better than what I usually have for lunch!
He asked, Do you ever give a short simple answer?  I replied, "Nope."

Offline Elknut1

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #24 on: March 17, 2015, 08:19:58 AM »
Deer hunter, all things considered I think you did very well, you got creative & aggressive when unsure what was going on, aggressive action kills elk! Heck, you were 15 yards from the bull, that's a great accomplishment in itself! I really like the fact that at the last part you got between your buddy (the caller) & the real bull & cow called as if you were choosing him over the bull (your buddy) you were with. This painted a picture in the real bulls minds-eye that this other bull was trying to call his cow back but you (the cow) wanted this new guy instead, this gave the real bull the confidence & assurance he was going to hook this new cow up, very nice! I've used this many times in the past & it works well, don't discount it in the future just because you didn't tag the bull, in many cases it's advantage hunter when terrain isn't too thick & you do tag him! (grin)--- As Tbar mentioned the Popping/Nervous Grunt can be a dynamite sound to use to get that bull to step out when nothing else works! The reason for its use is it asks an "action" out of other elk, it means they want a visual or identification of them, that sound alone has put close to 30 elk on the ground over the years for us. Like anything else it's right time right place with its use! (grin)

  On another note of interest in your great detailed description of how the bull reacted to your excited cow calling & came to a certain spot & started raking trees is the reason he did it? In your story you mentioned to this point you had only cow called, this shows that when you fired this bull up & he came your way to this spot he started to Display for this cow to come on over, he was inviting you to him. His raking was not symbolizing a challenge, it was an invite! Bulls will do this to show off or impress an interested cow to come closer & check him out as a possible breeder when the time is right. I've had many bulls do this over the years, when possible with good wind & cover I go right at them & give them what they're asking for "the cow" -- I do this while calling excitedly showing him I'm coming, you can make all the noise you want at this time as he feels it's the cow coming as he's asking her to! Since he's raking & the cover is good these bulls will allow you to walk right on top of them as long as you don't let them see or smell you!

  This photo here is a bull I took where I was a 150 yards out when he asked me to come his way after cow calling, he was raking  trees exactly as you described in your story, I slipped into 17 yards and arrowed him! I call this "Reading A Situation" When you can do this it means you know the message he is sending out & you act accordingly! -- I really enjoyed your story & certainly chalk it up to a successful call in! Very nice!

  ElkNut1

 

Offline deerhunter_98520

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #25 on: March 17, 2015, 09:52:35 AM »
Thanks for all the advice and its nice to know I'm doin it right....the only reason i did what I did was your calling CDs ....I've tried to memorize the entire thing and has helped me get on elk and get alot closer....being aggressive the last few years instead of passive had made elk hunting way more fun and exciting...there's been too many times before I knew better that I probably could have killed elk but I wasn't aggressive....I was just waiting for the bull to come to me....at the time doing the popping grunt never even crossed myind with him being in range for so long I figured I would get an opportunity but lack of daylight ended that for me
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Offline coachcw

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #26 on: March 17, 2015, 10:05:25 AM »
If a bull is answering to cow calls I leave the bugle alone

Offline RadSav

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #27 on: March 17, 2015, 10:07:45 AM »
Wow Elknut1!  What an excellent post :tup:
He asked, Do you ever give a short simple answer?  I replied, "Nope."

Offline HUNTINCOUPLE

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #28 on: March 17, 2015, 11:20:52 AM »
When I get into a bull as you did in the thick stuff that is success. 15yrds is close! Just to do that is a successfull hunt in my book. Lots of good pointers to keep in mind for this season! :tup:
Slap some bacon on a biscut and lets go, were burrnin daylight!

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Offline deerhunter_98520

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Re: what would you have done different?
« Reply #29 on: March 17, 2015, 11:56:48 AM »
I take all advice and store it in my brain  :tup: 15 yds with a 800-1000 lb bull is very close..they breath very loud  :chuckle:
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