For all you elk hunters... Hunting the Rut... With a Camera?

[stumprat]

He can't hurt any worse than all the guys out blowing a Primos bugle like a trumpet (from the road no less). Those "hunters" have blown a few of my hunts.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

National parks is a great idea.  Being an archery elk hunter on the west side I would prefer you not do it but I dont own the animals or the woods.  Any chance you could tag along and take picture with a hunter?  He might need a good caller.  

in yellowstone it's illegal to call animals...no calling elk, no howling wolves, etc. not sure if this holds true for all national parks but...

Also you might want to consider the legal aspects, hunting without a tag for instance....according to the definition: ANY effort to kill,capture,injure,or HARASS a wild animal or wild bird Not just other hunters might have a problem....

are you trying to say calling an animal in for photography purposes is harassing wildlife? i guess then so would be calling in an animal and not shooting it....as in passing...hmmm not sure about your thinking there.                                                                                          

Legally you can call, pursue, harass,injure,kill etc.. as long as you have the appropriate tag. My thinking is only according to the law, yes calling in an animal IS harassing it , but if you have a tag and are hunting in an open area during an open season you are legal. Calling in an animal (for ANY REASON) during an open season, in an open area is HUNTING, and you need the appropriate tag.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I don't have a problem with you, I think it would be fun myself. I am just saying that if you are in the woods......          calling game, you are legally hunting whether you plan on harvesting an animal or not and an enforcement officer WILL cite you for hunting without a license if you do not have one.

[Houndhunter]

why are some guys so worried about getting shot at, because you throw out a bugle and dont have a bow someone will shoot you? ive never heard of anyone getting hurt because a bow hunter thought someone were a bull bugleing or a cow calling ect....

i bugle up bulls all the time, wether im hunting or not. ive never taken pics but thinkin i might try, but i just got a point and shoot camera

[elkspert]

few years ago a couple of my buddies were up on the Queets river messing around. At one point they were stopped on the side of the road and a park ranger came by and noticed the bugle in  their truck. I guess he was pretty pissed, basically told them that they could be cited for harassment if they were to bugle at the elk. So I don't think going to the national park would be the wise choice.

[sjhgraysage]

Hunt,
 How about this!
In units 175 & 178 between Sept 21 and Sept 30 there are no elk hunts going on as near as I can tell from looking at the regs, if you use some common sense it could be possible to call in a bull and do no more than educate the elk about humans sounding like an elk. There are I believe some deer seasons in progress during those dates though.

[colockumelk]

I go into the Colockum every year and practise calling bulls to me.  And I also video them.  Why.  Becasue it's good practise, I can't kill them so I video them, they only give out 4 archery and 1 ML tag and no one goes where I go so I'm not hurting anyones hunt.  And if I educate them then good because the only ones that can kill bulls up there are Indians.  So hopefully I do educate some of those elk. 

BTW if you can call in a Colockum bull then you can call in a bull anywhere because the bull-cow ratio is so far out of wack every bull you see has at least 15 cows with him.  Hell 3 year old 5x5's are herd bulls up there. 

[RUTNBULL1]

First of all have some common sense, oh wait a minute that would be to obvious. Be RESPECTFUL for the individuals that are possesing an appropriate license and valid tag to hunt during this time of year. Alot of people spend a tremendous amount of time preparing all year for this short period of time to hunt, not to mention the money forked out legally to the state to participate in the activity. Second it has been noted within several Eastern Washington outdoor articles (TRI-Cities Herald) within the last few years of the over excessive calling at bulls from non-hunters during the Sept. season not only disrupting ones hunt but also disrupting the rutting activity and the natural calling of such bulls during the rut, And Educating the ELk, possibly causing poor conception among the herd and declining populations of elk within the region. Third it would be pretty hard for them to convict and individual for have assumed the harassment of the animals just because they have a bugle within there possesion( vehicle ). I agree, that I or know one else owns the elk, even the state, but be respectful of your fellow hunters, nothing pisses people off more than the rude and disrespectful individuals  disturbing ones hunt, that goes for guys even moving in on a bull being sought after by other hunters before you heard the bull, and I realize some times accidents do happen that you didn't realize the bull was already been engaged by other hunters, but if you have hunted enough years during this time of year and are experienced enough on calling and elk activity, most of the time you can tell the hunter from the bull. And last if you want to go and call bulls in and can not resist do it after the seasons are over for the archery hunters please.

[TheHunt]

Hunt,
 How about this!
In units 175 & 178 between Sept 21 and Sept 30 there are no elk hunts going on as near as I can tell from looking at the regs, if you use some common sense it could be possible to call in a bull and do no more than educate the elk about humans sounding like an elk. There are I believe some deer seasons in progress during those dates though.

Here is your solution...   

[bearpaw]

I am pretty sure you must have a weapon before you can be considered to be hunting. As far as I am concerned you have a right to be in the woods anytime of the year doing anything that is not against the law.

As a courtesy to other hunters I would avoid calling in an area that you see hunters vehicles parked or camps during hunting season, you should also try to avoid a bull when it sounds like another hunter may be working him. Other than that you should feel uninhibited about calling anywhere you wish.

[jackelope]

good luck finding public land and elk in 178. there's a few, but they're all holed up on the private. lots of public and lots of elk in 175...fire away...just watch out for the indian hunters from idaho.

[bugle-em]

I am pretty sure you must have a weapon before you can be considered to be hunting. As far as I am concerned you have a right to be in the woods anytime of the year doing anything that is not against the law.

As a courtesy to other hunters I would avoid calling in an area that you see hunters vehicles parked or camps during hunting season, you should also try to avoid a bull when it sounds like another hunter may be working him. Other than that you should feel uninhibited about calling anywhere you wish.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         well said bearpaw!

[rose-n-arrows]

You might want to try the elk farm in Olney. Viewing elk there isn't exactly the same as finding them in the woods, but it's still fun to watch them spar and bugle and strut their stuff.  My husband and I were on a hunt of the end of a landing and a guy showed up with a giant camera and started taking pictures--remarking, "There's an elk down there!"  We aren't the type to get overly upset but we were a little disappointed.  Some people will get really ticked if you blow their hunt and might not watch their language in front of the young 'uns.  I've heard of people going to the Jewell Refuge before archery elk season because they couldn't wait to bugle an elk in.  As for educating the elk, they get educated every year, but it doesn't stop my husband and I from getting in them over and over again.  It's all part of hunting public access land.  Good luck! 

[Huntbear]

I saw a guy in Estes Park, Colorado, bugling at a bull.  (which is illegal)  The bull trashed his car with his wife and baby in it.   

[funkster]

i'd be more concerned with educating bulls to the calls and associating them to people.
spot and stalk with your camera...i see no problem with it...but lay off the calls.