The initial set up would have worked if it wasn't for one misfortune. We spotted the heard on our approach, they were below us in a small bowl with a finger ridge leading to right above them. I knew I needed to get below them, we had down ward winds. Crowinghen is unbelievable in what she will go through but we know moving fast through some thick difficult terrain is not her strong point so we made the decision I would go alone. I ran down and made my approach on the down wind side of the finger ridge. When I figured I was about 100 yards out I cracked off a bugle and then moved forward making soft cow mews. At some point I saw antlers coming towards me. I stopped, ranged a stump that I felt they were going to get to and waited for a shot. They both stopped at about 35 yards. I needed either one to make a step and I had a shot. The big bull started to take the step I needed and I began to draw, I hear plastic slap plastic, some were in the draw process something hooked the read on one of my calls hanging around my neck. The big bull stopped and started to turn. This is when I started cow calling, I got his attention and he stopped, but he had pegged me, he didn't know what I was but he knew exactly were I was at. This being the first time I've ever called elk into my lap during a hunt, cow calling was the first thing I thought of. I kept soft mewing not to keep him in the game but my hope was that the smaller bull would move into position for a shot. First time calling lessons, next time Crowinghen will make the run with me and have my back, she's gotten quite good with a diaphragm making cow mews, and I will no longer be wearing open reed calls around my neck. During this set I never used it once, only the diaphragm. Thanks for the help , we did head back out there this morning but the rain was dread full, I doubt they could hear a bugle from 50 yards.
