Your Move Hoss, 2021 Episode #2

[WapitiTalk1]

Tag: OTC Bull tag
Season/Hunt: Archery, partner hunt
Time/Date/Location: 0830/Mid-September/in the Elk Woods
Camp/gear: Pack in backcountry hunt

Hunting journal: Mid September; archery elk partner hunt in (insert elk state here); day 3 of your 7 day hunt; bull only tag (3 PT or better). You "were" the caller in a cold calling setup. You and your buddy had set up and went through an advertising sequence for a bit over 20 minutes... nothing. No response, no detected movement, nothing for 20ish minutes..... until you see a ninja bull moving pretty quickly past your buddy to the position he is now. You have an arrow nocked (of course you do) with your bow leaning against a tree within reach; it happened very quickly as so often times it does. The bull moved past your buddy too quickly for him/her to shoot. Red arrow is buddy (original shooter) at around 30 yards; yellow arrow is you (original caller) at a bit over 20 yards; white arrow is wind direction. It's mid-morning.


Your move Hoss. What is this elk "team's" move to potentially get a shot? Could/should you have done anything different up to this point?

"UPDATE BELOW"!

[Rainier10]

At this point it is a waiting game.  I am hoping he turns to his right and I can draw and shoot.  Maybe he turns a full 180 and I can cow call to stop him for a shot.  Seconds will seem like hours waiting for him to do something but I wait and make a move based on what he does.

[Dan-o]

Oh, I am definitely drawing my bow!

He came in fast and is moving.
Cow call to stop him... hopefully.

[7mmfan]

Yeah, I'm ok with the shot, but if my bow is leaning against the tree, I'm not reaching for it with the bull looking in my direction. Wait for him to turn his head, look the other way, something that gives me a window to grab my bow.

Only thing I'd have done differently, is hold onto my bow. Then I might have been able to draw as he approached.

[pd]

[quote author=WapitiTalk1 link=topic=257629.msg3495103#msg3495103 date=1612220497
Your move Hoss. What is this elk "team's" move to potentially get a shot? Could/should you have done anything different up to this point?
[/quote]

No time for "wouldda, shouldda."  Season is still young, he is young, he is not in a good position to shoot even IF I had my bow in hand.

Sit out the fight, wait for a better chance.  Maybe my younger partner to the left will have already shot him by now (he is a better shot anyway).

[WapitiTalk1]

**Update/additional info: You've obviously chosen your elk hunting partner well as he/she really "gets it". As the ninja bull moved too quickly into the setup and past the original shooter, your partner realized that he/she had no shot (bull moving too fast towards the caller and from his/her position, lost shooting lane visibility) and immediately assumed the caller role. Your partner (original shooter) hammers out a nervous grunt and the bull slams on the brakes, right where he is standing now looking back over his shoulder from where the sound came from (partner's position).

Now, with this additional info... what do you think your "team's" best move is to bring this bull home for dinner. Point of light to remember is that more often than not, a called in bull will oftentimes leave in the same direction they come in from.   

An elk hunting partner, particularly during calling situations, has to be "all in" to the overall mission and possess a degree of humility. I've hunted with a few guys that seemingly went blank during these situations and forget that there are two hunters present (grin). The original shooter has to react to a changing situation and change tactics accordingly, sometimes becoming the caller to either stop/slow the bull so the original caller may have a shot opportunity (divert the bull's attention with a nervous grunt, needy cow mew, "rustle brush/thump ground", etc.). Don't sleep on having a few rocks handy to throw to draw an elk's attention away from the shooter. Each encounter is different and partner's have to be aware of each other's position, shooting lanes, prevailing winds, etc., etc., and be ready to change situational tactics as the encounter requires.

I know you folks probably know this. There are oftentimes not a single best/correct answer for these situational threads. I believe they serve their purpose by sparking some great situational discussion and potential courses of action that perhaps, folks can tuck away in their elk tool bags. As always, thanks for participating.

[dvolmer]

Shoot!!!  Always shoot!!!  300 Win Mag seems to love most angles!!!

[Shawn Ryan]

I'm not reaching for my bow given his posture. Wish I had it in-hand, but I wouldn't be drawing at this point, either, even if I was holding it. Hoping for him to move in a way that allows me to grab my bow, but IME, that isn't likely. Best strategy might be to just let him walk out of there and try him again.  He may come right back to calls in a few minutes or maybe later this afternoon.

Happy with my partner for calling--he tried to help me. He won't be happy that I was too lazy to have my bow in hand, but I've done it many times.