A Different Kind of Elk Season

[WapitiTalk1]

Sooo campers, we have a bit of a different "kind" of early WA archery elk season this year.  The season starts during the herding up period (kind of towards the end) and ends smack dab in the middle of the peak of the rut (third week in SEP when the majority of the cows are coming into estrus), 12-24 September.  This is a huge shift from the seasons granted in previous years. 

1.  The herding up period consists of rising testosterone levels in the bulls, final movement from bachelor groups to the cows, lots of location and advertising bugles, perhaps a few cows coming into estrus, and lone bulls attempting to establish a harem of several to many cows.  You may hear several bulls in an area sounding off that are "not" tight to a given herd but in fact are on the move, looking for a handfull of ladies they can call their own and begin tending and protecting.

2.  The last handfull of days of our season "will" result in something we have not seen in many years here.  Herds are established with the fittest herd bull in the area and satellites mostly stick like glue around the herds, nervously waiting for a chance to hook a cow or three while the herd bull does his best to fight off these wanna be herd bull Casanovas. 

Do you plan on changing your battle plan up a bit in light of this new portion of the elk rut we've been given?  Will you hang your hat on quality calling more than you have in previous years to maximize your chances?  Do you think the satellites will come in to your calling from farther away during the herding up period as they're looking for cows to call their own?  How will you react to/attack a vocal herd bull with satellites buzzing around the herd during your last few days of the season?

These are just a few of the considerations to think about with our new and improved elk season starting in just a hair over two months away.  Let's talk about it.  Again, do you plan on changing your battle plan up a bit in light of this new portion of the elk rut we've been given?

 

[notellumcreek]

 Will it depend on the weather at that point in their stages of rutting or are they in full strut regardless if there is hot weather?

[Jonathan_S]

Hot weather will suppress activity during the day.  If I am right, I believe that wallow activity is decreased in these later weeks of September so that is something I will pay less attention to.

Phantom, the way I'd react to a herd bull with satellites buzzing around is to get in close, call a satellite bull in and shoot it 

[WapitiTalk1]

Hot weather will suppress activity during the day.  If I am right, I believe that wallow activity is decreased in these later weeks of September so that is something I will pay less attention to.

Phantom, the way I'd react to a herd bull with satellites buzzing around is to get in close, call a satellite bull in and shoot it 

Yes and yes, I like you're thought process here sir.  How are you gonna call that satellite bull in JS (if that's your target)?       

[Jonathan_S]

I'm not much of a caller but I'd probably try to get within 200 yards and give a few chirps to generate a response.  If no response, I'd pick in closer and try again.  If still no response or a response without commitment then I'd give a few estrous calls and maybe a spike squeal or challenge bugle but I'd only do that if I had heavy cover since I'd most likely be alone.

[Rainier10]

Nothing is going to change for me, I am hunting true spike and cows so I will be doing locater bugles and moving towards the responses getting to the cows first and making the shot.

[Dhoey07]

As a sophmore elk caller and a new reciepient of The Real Chuckler Bugle, I will be out blowing that thing like a trumpet on a 4th of July parade!!!!

[Tbob]

I'll be hunting the first week of the season this year and I think I'm going to try and locate some lady elk, get in close (at least a hundred yards or less) and do some chirps and estrus calls ( trying to sound like a lady elk who might be ready to go with a few lady friends around). I'm shooting the first 3pt or better bull that comes to investigate.. Now only if my brother would practice calling so he doesn't sound like a dying cat!!

[WapitiTalk1]

I'm not much of a caller but I'd probably try to get within 200 yards and give a few chirps to generate a response.  If no response, I'd pick in closer and try again.  If still no response or a response without commitment then I'd give a few estrous calls and maybe a spike squeal or challenge bugle but I'd only do that if I had heavy cover since I'd most likely be alone.

JS, if you've got him/them located, get closer than 200 yards sir.  Work the wind and available cover/concealment till you're within 100 yards or less if possible.  If a tasty satellite is what you're after, I'd recommend you keep your tube on your back and give some very light, whiny cow calls every 2 or 3 minutes... nothing too loud, just enough that you figure the bull(s) can hear you.  It's highly possible the herd bull will chuckle at you telling you to "get your butt over here missy"! At that point you'll have to decide if you wish to try for the herd bull (involves a whole other set of calling tactics), or, continue on with trying to take a sattelite home for dinner.  Continue with those light, whiny cow sounds every few minutes, have an arrow nocked, possible shooting lanes picked out and the chances are "very good" that a satellite will Batman into your vicinity trying to hook that lonely cow (you). 

[Jonathan_S]

   just in case I develop high standards in the meantime, what would you do to try and pull the herd bull?

[WapitiTalk1]

As a sophmore elk caller and a new reciepient of The Real Chuckler Bugle, I will be out blowing that thing like a trumpet on a 4th of July parade!!!!

   Give em hell. 

[Dhoey07]

Whinny cow sound opposite of the herd bull, then turn and scream right at him. 

[westsidehntr]

I'll be hunting the first week of the season this year and I think I'm going to try and locate some lady elk, get in close (at least a hundred yards or less) and do some chirps and estrus calls ( trying to sound like a lady elk who might be ready to go with a few lady friends around). I'm shooting the first 3pt or better bull that comes to investigate.. Now only if my brother would practice calling so he doesn't sound like a dying cat!!

I wonder if your my brother

[High Climber]

Not sure what will change for me yet... Just gonna feel it out and figure it out on the fly. It's gonna be fun!

[WapitiTalk1]

I'll be hunting the first week of the season this year and I think I'm going to try and locate some lady elk, get in close (at least a hundred yards or less) and do some chirps and estrus calls ( trying to sound like a lady elk who might be ready to go with a few lady friends around). I'm shooting the first 3pt or better bull that comes to investigate.. Now only if my brother would practice calling so he doesn't sound like a dying cat!!

Tbob, I hear you buddy.  It's very important for your hunting partner to be able to make decent elk sounds, at least 3 or 4 of the important ones to maximize the opportunities the elk gods give you during this unique season WDFW has given us.  Send me a PM and I'll shoot you some instructional VIDs that may help your partner on his way to sounding better.