Elk Situational Understanding and Game Plan 2022 Episode #1

[WapitiTalk1]

Let's run a few of these and see how they do.  Finding elk is only one part of the puzzle.....

Season/tag: Archery elk tag (3 PT or better bull).
Type: Partner hunt.
Date/time: Mid September, 2022; 0930.
Location: In the elk woods.

OK, you and your buddy have worked up a bull with cows until he's beside himself and very, very vocal. Unfortunately you can't get any closer than around 70 yards due to prevailing thermals and some pretty open terrain. This bull believes that you are in fact another bull, challenging him for the rights to his cows. After the last time you screamed a challenge, the bull let out a warning scream of his own with a couple of hard hitting grunts; he then followed the grunts with a nervous bark.

On the fly analysis: Assess the current situation and tell us what you feel is going on here, with the information you have.

Question #1: What is your game plan at this point to try to let the air out of this bull.

[WildcatRanger]

I think it’s likely that this herd is on the move to it’s bedding area and is very close to it at this timeframe. Thermals are unsettled at this time as the cool morning air begins to warm as the sun rises.
Knowing all this, my plan is to keep a safe distance from the herd as to not be seen or smelled, and let the thermals settle, waiting about 45 min to an hour before we get a calling strategy going.  Let the herd get to the bedding area. Then we can formulate a strategy to play this bull using thermals and topography as our guide.

Option 2- cut off the herd on their way to the bedding area. If the thermals have settled to an uphill pattern and the herd is still moving, we can successfully set up just uphill from the trail at a good ambush point, preferably with a few trees as a backdrop and get a broadside shot. This is a much more aggressive approach. We’d have to move very quickly in order to get in place in time for an ambush. It would help to know the terrain of this area in order to have this option work.

[WildcatRanger]

I think it’s likely that this herd is on the move to it’s bedding area and is very close to it at this timeframe. Thermals are unsettled at this time as the cool morning air begins to warm as the sun rises.
Knowing all this, my plan is to keep a safe distance from the herd as to not be seen or smelled, and let the thermals settle, waiting about 45 min to an hour before we get a calling strategy going.  Let the herd get to the bedding area. Then we can formulate a strategy to play this bull using thermals and topography as our guide.

Option 2- cut off the herd on their way to the bedding area. If the thermals have settled to an uphill pattern and the herd is still moving, we can successfully set up just uphill from the trail at a good ambush point, preferably with a few trees as a backdrop and get a broadside shot. This is a much more aggressive approach. We’d have to move very quickly in order to get in place in time for an ambush. It would help to know the terrain of this area in order to have this option work.

Forgot to say that the nervous bark is your clue that the bull has detected something is wrong, maybe smelled you, as 70 yards is too close with thermals not consistent. Best to back off and let things chill out.

[Stein]

Grunting says to me he has a hot cow, I would pick a good shooting position (close a few yards if possible), take a deep breath and rip the biggest lip bawl I could.  70 should be plenty close to get him to come over.

[Bullkllr]

Those elk look like they're more interested in moving than anything else (from their attitude in the pic). If he hasn't come in yet, I'm thinking he's not going to. If I can't move ahead for an effective ambush (which looks highly unlikely), I'm keeping an eye on them and saving my chances for later.

[Rainier10]

Those elk look like they're more interested in moving than anything else (from their attitude in the pic). If he hasn't come in yet, I'm thinking he's not going to. If I can't move ahead for an effective ambush (which looks highly unlikely), I'm keeping an eye on them and saving my chances for later.

Pretty much how I see that photo as well.

[High Climber]

I love these 
Hopefully they head for some thicker stuff to bed as that’s where they are probably heading.  I’m trying to keep up enough to keep him talking all the way to his bed. Wait for thermals to switch then approach from downwind and piss him off 

[vandeman17]

Those elk look like they're more interested in moving than anything else (from their attitude in the pic). If he hasn't come in yet, I'm thinking he's not going to. If I can't move ahead for an effective ambush (which looks highly unlikely), I'm keeping an eye on them and saving my chances for later.

Agreed with this. Depending on thermals and topography of what is ahead of the way they are going, I am either backing up slightly to try and get in front of them or backing out completely