just want A bull....

[ctwiggs1]

not looking for a 400 class, but I'm having some frustrations. Think you guys can help?

The other day I must have been within 100 yards. I could hear the elk thrashing around, could even hear them snort a little out their nose.  I mean I know the woods will carry noise sometimes, but they had to be CLOSE. 

I pulled out my hoochie mama, gave it a squeeze, and never heard from them again.  Whats the deal?  What should I have done?

Curtis

[WDFW-SUX]

probably not call.  Should have just been silent and let them settle down then tried working your way closer for an ambush.

[boneaddict]

Don't call unless you are really good at it.  Instantly gives you away.  Plus they have probably heard the hooch a million times. 

[ctwiggs1]

I guess it's unanimous.  Shut my call up and go in after em!

Curtis

[3dsheetmetal]

Bone is absolutely right.Those elk have probably heard every elk call from early archery to the end of rifle season that there becoming call shy.Just stay down wind and try to sneak in or cut them off.

[littlebuf]

hoochie momma sounds like crap any way. learn how to use a mouth reed and sound like elk or stay silent 

[trophyhunt]

I'm guessing the wind gave you up, you can go in the woods with cologne on if the wind is right. I've walked right up on elk with my hoochie, but i do like the calf hoochie better when you are up close it's a softer call.

[Pathfinder101]

Plus they have probably heard the hooch a million times. 

 

[trophyhunt]

true dat.

[Pathfinder101]

I think it sounds like a bathtub toy.  If I can pick one out at 100 yards, I know the elk can too.

[Elkpiss]

Sounds like you just need to learn to call elk... It doesnt happen over night either, you could of done a number of things, maybe wracke a tree, or chuckle at him... I love it when people say i am going to learn to call for next year... It doesnt happen over night, you learn a little more with ever close encounter you have, being a good elk caller takes many close encounters and you learn how to play out every situation and you know what the bull wants to hear.. Its kind of like playing the right music he wants to here.. Hopefully you learned what didnt work, next time try something else and see if the bull like that tune...

[colockumelk]

Here's where you messed up.  You didn't mess up because you called.  You messed up because you made the wrong call.  Sneeking up probably wouldn't work because in the thick stuff there's no way you're going to sneak up on him.  Here's what I would do.  Figure out where they are bedding and where they are feeding.  Find a good trail and sit there.  Or find some wallows up near their bedding areas and sit those as well.  Sit them all day.  I wouldn't worry about calling right now.  I would wait until the early season is over and then go to this website and  buy all of this guys instructional CD's or DVD's and watch them or listen to them.  (They are the same)  Listen to them over and over and practise what he tells you.  If you do what he says and practise, practise practise next year you will be far ahead of 90% of the guys out there. 

http://www.elknut.com/Index.html

[popeshawnpaul]

Elk run the other way when I used a hoochie momma...  That's why I threw it away.

[tlbradford]

I hear about the same thing happening with a lot of predator calls too.

[willapawapiti]

Same thing happened when I tried the hoochie several seasons ago.  Without hesistation, they ran the other way, I quickly switched calls. It was a good move.

[TeacherMan]

Man you guys are killing me, I got my last two bulls with a hoochie mama. They where small rags but still elk   I love that call.  

[TeacherMan]

When I use it I like to put it behind my leg or under my arm, it muffles the call and makes me sound farther away.

[PolarBear]

Don't call unless you are really good at it.  Instantly gives you away.  Plus they have probably heard the hooch a million times.