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

[jackelope]

i sent an email to enforcement to see what their take is on it. i seriously doubt it is on public land.

i have never done it and probably never will....just to add to my earlier posts re: this topic.

[Branden]

I would be seriously pissed if somebody came along just practicing and screwed up a bull I was hunting.

[RUTNBULL1]

I would be seriously pissed if somebody came along just practicing and screwed up a bull I was hunting.

It's great to see other people have some common sense with this post.

[bugle-em]

good thing i live in the woods, i can open my doors and windows, put on a elk hunting tape, and pretend i'm calling one in!, kids will love that, we'll wisper and everything

[ShirtGuy77]

I do it with my brother while out scouting for our general season.  The way I see it, it I can take someone not experienced with elk hunting, and let them experience what it is like to call in elk, then maybe they will begin to hunt.  It's a win win.  With the amount of elk out there, I find it humorous when people say you will "Educate" the bulls.  That particular bull, yes, he may think twice next time.  But it isn't like he is telling all is buddies to be weary if he happens to hear a bugle or cow call.  Come on, aren't we over analyzing this a bit?

SH77 first of all kudos to you for taking the time to introduce another individual into the world of hunting, and probably no one better than a sib, and enjoying the time together. Has it ever crossed your mind that the bull that you called in before the season, just may be the bull of a lifetime or even a bull that you would love to harvest during your upcoming season that was maybe just hours or days away from opening day. You can do alot of sucessful scouting without draging out the old Primos tabernalce and telling the world hear I am, and don't think that the bull that you called in was the only one bull that came into your call, not all bulls come screaming, and I'm sure a few have came in silent and noticed Brad Ferris and Will wanabe over in the brush playing the plastic flute. I suggest   possibly let him experience that great experience of a called in bull during the season, and just maybe you or him harvesting that bull, wouldn't that be a two for one experience. Trust me, I have been at this game of calling and elk hunting for along time and I have witnessed some situations that you wouldn't believe. Education of bulls by calling from the road has been on going problem for years. I have dove off down into a drainage into the quiet and still of the morning with a bull screaming below, have stalked within his zone waiting, and hundreds of feet above you can hear in the still of the crisp morning air the dreaded road hunter or just maybe the inexperienced, get out and start bugling down into the drainage below,and yeah the bull that was near me shut up and moved off just slightly until about twenty or so minutes after the truck had started his engine and drove off, then he bugled by himself but in  much more mellow tone, this bull has now been EDUCATED for the year and he was never called into range. So keeping this in mind you don't have to call them in close to educate them. And for this reason thats why I personaly hunt many miles away from easy access due to so many people intrigued by calling from roads and excessively but not all people can fortunately get back into the woods that far, so shouldn't we respect them for the type of hunt they are going to partake within and not ruin it for them.

My apologies Mossback, I should have clarified a little more.  Where we choose to bugle bulls is in an area that does not currently have a season going on.  In fact, there isn't an archery season that I know of. I wouldn't go in for practice while others are hunting.  We choose to do it in an area where we hunt during the general rifle 2 months after our scouting trip.  For us, it's the enjoyment of getting out and seeing what animals are in the area at that particular time, and to get us excited for our hunt.

If there was a possibility of screwing up another hunters opportunity, we wouldn't do it.  And we don't bugle from the road

[bugle-em]

I don't bugle in an elk for practice, I do it for the rush and the thrill of it, the same reason you do it if you have a tag, although the end result tastes alot better when you have the tag! I don't do it that often, two or three times a year, sometimes here sometimes Idaho. I'm not packing in, spending a week or two, day and night bugling for elk. usually its a grouse hunting trip, or just a drive or hike in the woods. I think some want to believe the elk thinks like a human, their the prey and were the predator for a reason. I'm not saying they don't learn, some do some don't, I've called in the same bull multiple times in a season, did they learn, no, I've had them bugle 20 yards from my truck, doubt if he lived long. Public land is there for multiple uses, be it hunting (grouse, bear, rabbit, coyote,elk. think these can all be done in September), hiking, camping, logging, and if your in Idaho you get hounds coming through and moose hunters. At the end of the day your still hunting so it cant be that bad.   Think I've rambled way longer then needed!!

[DOUBLELUNG]

I certainly hope that when I draw my once-in-a-lifetime big bull permit in Washington, the other 6.7 million residents will realize how special this is, and stay out of whatever National Forest my tag is good in, for the two weeks prior to and through the end of my hunt.  No 4-wheeling, no berry picking, no firewood cutting, no shooting, no hunting other game or wildlife, no camping or hiking, and above all, no attempts by anyone, of any kind, to view or enjoy elk during the rut, as it might detract from my entitlement to an unwary, rut-dumb trophy class herd bull, within range on the uphill side of the road. 

Public land elk hunting is supposed to be hard.  Even with that oh-so special tag, we should expect to work hard to get a few miles off the legal road access, and if successful bust hump, either solo or with a buddy or two, to get that meat, cape and rack back to civilization.  If you're not up for that, hire a packer for a drop camp.  If that is still too much, and you need to hunt close to vehicle-accessible open roads, maybe you should set your sights lower and be thankful for the better opportunity to kill an elk, period.  Or take up dove hunting during the elk rut. 

[whacker1]

Interesting debate - I understand both sides, but lean toward the side of not calling.

If the animals are active and in the same area as you are - there should be no need to call in order to locate, get close, and take pictures.  The elk will be doing that on their own.  Yes it would be more fun to call them in, but many hunters gravitate toward the elk and minimize the amount of calling until they get very close.  Scouting and photography would be the same as you are trying to stalk in close for the great shot or experience.

lots of different techniques out there, lots of different terrain requiring different methods... I have stalked animals during the rut, and done some limited calling, but only when I have carried an archery tag. 

I do know several people that go out and call that are non-hunters, as they are just out for the experience.  I think they have the right to do so, unless the game laws and or state laws dictate it as harrassment. 

[BLUEBULLS]

this is something that i do quite often. I do try not to spook the elk that much but if I can't draw a tag and I want to film some public elk that you and I both have rights to then I'm going to do it. I do try my hardest not to ruin a hunt for someone and I've never done it. We had it happen last year with a monster bull. did I care? No, this guy had a blast calling and videoing this bull so good for him. As far as tough on the elk, I don't think it does much damage. How, many elk have you spooked while out hiking around. If you're worried that calling a bull in will stress him too much then I sure hope you never send a whole herd busting down a mountain side as they spot you walking by.

It's a great way to enjoy OUR elk, be careful doing it and have fun.

If you have a big bull tag, do your scouting to get away from other people or deal with like we did.

[boneaddict]

Personally I think its more entertaining to go out and bugle in hunters.  It wastes their whole day, and they get all excited.  They probably never know they are not bugling a real elk...may even come on here and talk about how cool it was.  ITs a win win situation.  They have  a great day in the woods and a big bull lives another day.  Its most exciting when there are several coming in, each on their version of a cow call. 

[HUNT]

 

[jackelope]

got my response from wdfw enforcement...

No.  There are no regulations regarding such activity.
 
Thank you,
 
WDFW, Enforcement Program
360-902-2936
FAX: 360-902-2155
 
Poaching hotline 1-877-933-9847
WDFW website: http://wdfw.wa.gov/
Enforcement website: http://wdfw.wa.gov/enf/enforce.htm
Report a Poacher (TIP): http://wdfw.wa.gov/enf/poaching.htm


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: -
Sent: Mon 7/13/2009 7:51 AM
To: Enforcement Office (DFW)
Subject: harassment


good day--
is there anything illegal about calling an elk in or any other animal solely for the purpose of photography? specifically, without a hunting license in my pocket.
thank you for your time.

[bugle-em]

Thanks jackelope

[RUTNBULL1]

I do it with my brother while out scouting for our general season.  The way I see it, it I can take someone not experienced with elk hunting, and let them experience what it is like to call in elk, then maybe they will begin to hunt.  It's a win win.  With the amount of elk out there, I find it humorous when people say you will "Educate" the bulls.  That particular bull, yes, he may think twice next time.  But it isn't like he is telling all is buddies to be weary if he happens to hear a bugle or cow call.  Come on, aren't we over analyzing this a bit?

SH77 first of all kudos to you for taking the time to introduce another individual into the world of hunting, and probably no one better than a sib, and enjoying the time together. Has it ever crossed your mind that the bull that you called in before the season, just may be the bull of a lifetime or even a bull that you would love to harvest during your upcoming season that was maybe just hours or days away from opening day. You can do alot of sucessful scouting without draging out the old Primos tabernalce and telling the world hear I am, and don't think that the bull that you called in was the only one bull that came into your call, not all bulls come screaming, and I'm sure a few have came in silent and noticed Brad Ferris and Will wanabe over in the brush playing the plastic flute. I suggest   possibly let him experience that great experience of a called in bull during the season, and just maybe you or him harvesting that bull, wouldn't that be a two for one experience. Trust me, I have been at this game of calling and elk hunting for along time and I have witnessed some situations that you wouldn't believe. Education of bulls by calling from the road has been on going problem for years. I have dove off down into a drainage into the quiet and still of the morning with a bull screaming below, have stalked within his zone waiting, and hundreds of feet above you can hear in the still of the crisp morning air the dreaded road hunter or just maybe the inexperienced, get out and start bugling down into the drainage below,and yeah the bull that was near me shut up and moved off just slightly until about twenty or so minutes after the truck had started his engine and drove off, then he bugled by himself but in  much more mellow tone, this bull has now been EDUCATED for the year and he was never called into range. So keeping this in mind you don't have to call them in close to educate them. And for this reason thats why I personaly hunt many miles away from easy access due to so many people intrigued by calling from roads and excessively but not all people can fortunately get back into the woods that far, so shouldn't we respect them for the type of hunt they are going to partake within and not ruin it for them.

My apologies Mossback, I should have clarified a little more.  Where we choose to bugle bulls is in an area that does not currently have a season going on.  In fact, there isn't an archery season that I know of. I wouldn't go in for practice while others are hunting.  We choose to do it in an area where we hunt during the general rifle 2 months after our scouting trip.  For us, it's the enjoyment of getting out and seeing what animals are in the area at that particular time, and to get us excited for our hunt.

If there was a possibility of screwing up another hunters opportunity, we wouldn't do it.  And we don't bugle from the road

No problem its great you and your brother can experience the outdoors together. And you are trying to be considerate of other hunters.

[rosscrazyelk]

I love going out and taking pictures of Elk during the rut.  It is a free country So i have as much right as the guy with the tag does. With that said if I see a guy working on a bull I will  stay out of the way so he has his chance.