Elk calling

[TheHunt]

Remember that Washington elk react to calls differently then other states.   

[bucklucky]

Remember that Washington elk react to calls differently then other states.   

What??

[Huntbear]

Remember that Washington elk react to calls differently then other states.   

Not sure what you mean by that, but I learned my technique in Idaho, hunting with my dad and uncles, and it works just as well here on the wet side.  Now, pressured bulls will definitely act different, that is why when I am looking for the big boys I am down in hell holes, or up on ridge tops 3-5 miles from the gates.  I have called bulls in as close as 20 ft. up on St. Helens.  Have had cows almost step on me too. 

It all depends on the animals, and if you are believable in your calling, and that takes A LOT of practice.  I normally keep a CD of elk calls in my vehicle, and practice as I go down the road... makes for some interesting looks, but at least it is accomplishing something during a boring drive.

[pinetree]

Yes, here in Washington you have to add an "accent" to your bugle so the elk will know that they have not wandered out of the state !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

[TheHunt]

Remember that Washington elk react to calls differently then other states.   

Not sure what you mean by that, but I learned my technique in Idaho, hunting with my dad and uncles, and it works just as well here on the wet side.  Now, pressured bulls will definitely act different, that is why when I am looking for the big boys I am down in hell holes, or up on ridge tops 3-5 miles from the gates.  I have called bulls in as close as 20 ft. up on St. Helens.  Have had cows almost step on me too. 

Exactly,  In Western Washington most herds are small compared to any other state.   In Western Washington there are HUGE 4X4 and 5X5 and massive 300 inch 6X6's.  If they have 8 to 10 cows they are going to pick up their ladies and move off before they are stolen from them.  YOu sound big they will move off.   Add that to the amount of pressure each elk gets each season they move off. 

Go hunt a state that actually manages their elk for size and the elk will act differently.  Arizona, Utah, Colorado...

[Houndhunter]

go to loowit, and you'll see some major action. although 5 mins there and you'll think your an elk calling expert

[Pathfinder101]

I usually start by using a locater bugle, then if I get an answer, I cut the distance between myself and the bull by half and start cow calling.  If that doesn't work to pull him in, I will try another light bugle.  Like everyone's been saying, each bull is different.  Sometimes they come to cows, sometimes they come for a fight, sometimes they act like they just want to be left alone, sometimes they act like they just couldn't care less, I think sometimes they are just looking for other elk to hang out with.
The year before last my boy was messin' with a nice satallite bull (about a 290-300 class 6X6 - I didn't have a bull tag, so we were just doing it for kicks).  He was reall aggressive, so Justin started calling back to him agressively.  Every time the bull bugled, Justin would "step on him" (meaning to bugle and interrupt him before he had finished his bugle).  I don't think I have ever seen an elk so mad.  He dug a hole in the ground that you could have just about hidden a Volkswagen in.  We are lucky he didn't kick the crap out of us...
Of course it depends on the elk's social status too.  Is he a spike?  A raghorn?  A satallite bull?  A herd bull?  Big herd?  Small herd?  Sometimes, early in the season, i have seen big herd bulls ignore the cows and the bugling while the younger bulls spend all their energy rounding up the cows into herds.  Then when the temp drops and the breeding starts the old guy comes in, chases the young bull off his cows, and gets to work.

...I think there may be a life-lesson there...but I'm not sure..