What Should You Do 2018; Scenario #4

[WapitiTalk1]

Date: Late SEPT
Time: Mid-Morning
State: An elk state
Season: Smoke Pole
Tag: Bull only; 3 PT or better
Partner Hunt (you’re in the middle of your 10 day hunt) Hunting Pressure: It seems there is more pressure/hunters in this area than in previous years.

The elk have been pretty quiet on your hunt with only occasional answers/unsolicited bugles being heard after dark and very, very early in the morning when the small herds of elk in this area are moving off of feed to bed. Right before daylight, you throw out a locator bugle and hear one ringing answer way across the wide draw (this larger draw consists of several smaller draws that funnel up/down from known feeding areas to bedding areas). You and your buddy move towards where you thought the bugle may have been, working across a series of smaller draws to where you stand now. You’re about 200 yards away from where the elk stand now and from your position, you can see a glimpse of antlers and at least a few cows moving slowly from left to right, uphill, on a relatively flat spot, up through one of those smaller draws. You’re about on the same elevation as the elk and are across one last brushy/rocky draw from them. After the bull responded to you earlier, you have not heard another peep from an elk. Now, with what you’ve experienced on your hunt thus far (the elk have been pretty quiet, and, the bull that answered you earlier just locate bugled you back), what is your game plan to try and take this bull home for dinner?

[D-Rock425]

Rip a bugle and get ready.

[Jonathan_S]

Feels a little far out to rip a bugle on what is probably a pressured and a timid bunch.  I'm probably waiting until I'm not pinned down by all those eyes and trying to close the distance more.  If they're really passing through and I don't have the time, then sure why not try a roundup bugle...then I'll double check my percussion cap is in place 

[Jonathan_S]

My rig, I really only want 50-70 yards more but I've shot 200 pretty well with the current setup.

[bosifus]

Leroy Jenkins.

[northwesthunter84]

Take my time, try and cut the distance by staying into the wind and try and cut a few yards along the way, worst case put them to bed. I would like to be in the 100 range to get set up for the shot.

[Dan-o]

Get in their way for the intercept.

No calling.

[PA BEN]

Cut the distance and use hyper cow call. Push him to much with bugles he will take his cows the other way.

[Mudman]

Wait til tomorrow AM and set up in tree stand to intercept. With an arrow!

[WapitiTalk1]

Cheater .

[scoutdog346]

Put yourself in what u think will be their path, hunch down and get ready for cows to allmost walk over u and wait for the bull to walk pass and hope they don't care about smelling u. Ive had elk run from just a small wiff of me also have had elk not care at all...idk what to think other then try to not have them smell u. But i have recently learned not to give up on a hunt because you know they're going to smell you. When hunting public land with pressure be aggressive and act like you might never run into those elk again every time. Act like every chance will be your one and only chance to harvest that year. Not with a special permit with low pressure though completely different until the last 2 days

[Crunchy]

Looks too open to call.  Maybe have your buddy go back 40 yards, hide, and rip another bugle.  Otherwise try to intercept.

[Mudman]

Honestly some of these black powders could make a 200y shot so take it.  Otherwise I would try aggressive cow estus to sat bull. If he comes in heavy the herd bull may silently move his harem towards you.  he is keeping quiet sneaking away from the competition.  Use the wind, position partner to call and set up shoot lanes.  Hopefully its in  an intercept of sat bull if he comes in as well.