Calling in high pressure areas?

[CP]

I’ve got a cow tag for GMU 340 (muzzleloader).  From what everyone tells me I can expect to be hunting with everybody and all their brothers. 

In that type of environment, does it do any good to call?  Or would that just lead to letting the elk know where I am and inviting armed men to sneak up on me?

[boonerboy]

find a funnel area where the elk are likely to be heading when they get pushed....sit and wait. If that doesn't work on opening day, head for the hell holes where nobody else wants to go.

[spikehunter]

I would go to a different unit

[coachcw]

no cow left in 340 bigfoot ate em .

[WSU]

I have had good luck cow calling in situations were the elk are being pressured.  Try a re-grouping type cow call.  I've had cows come to within feet of me attempting to regroup after making a few calls.

[carpsniperg2]

find a funnel area where the elk are likely to be heading when they get pushed....sit and wait. If that doesn't work on opening day, head for the hell holes where nobody else wants to go.

very good info. just what i would do. calling somtimes just gets them looking and on edge and in a highly hunted area they can just turn and leave if they hear your calls. kinda like a edjucated yote

[CP]

I have had good luck cow calling in situations were the elk are being pressured.  Try a re-grouping type cow call.  I've had cows come to within feet of me attempting to regroup after making a few calls.

What's a re-grouping type call? 

[bonkellekter]

Definately would use calling if you get into the elk they are talking amongst themselves.  the above is good info as well

[bonkellekter]

I have had good luck cow calling in situations were the elk are being pressured.  Try a re-grouping type cow call.  I've had cows come to within feet of me attempting to regroup after making a few calls.

What's a re-grouping type call? 

When elk get broken up due to pressure from hunters or whatever they cow call back and forth to locate each other and "re-group". Look on you tube you might be able to find something. If I find anything later tonight I'll post it.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I have had good results in the 340 using cow calls, but I call VERY softly, as I like to say "if I can hear myself, it is too loud", the elk still communicate, they just don't do it as loud as when they are not being bothered by a bunch of guys squeezing their "Hoochie Mommas" or blowing on every new call to hit the store shelves.
Hard to beat using a diaphragm, or the old fashioned bite'n'blow calls like a Sceery.....
You have to think about what they are attempting to do/say,
 also they will only come as close as they can see where the call is coming from, and expect to see an elk there, so try to call just under a ridge, or from behind some obstruction so they have to clear it to see.
Or call from the bottom of a drainage, they usually wont respond to calls from roads/trail (unless it's a game trail)...

[CP]

FOund this, lost calf:

http://www.elk-hunting-tips.net/media-files/calf-seeking-elk.mp3

kind of like that?

[Pathfinder101]

All good advice above.  Just don't use a "hoochie mamma".  Most elk have heard that damn bathtub toy so much they run the other way when one goes off...

[bonkellekter]

 Check out this playlist of Elk sounds. Lots of good stuff here - I listen to it all the time. I did not mean to embed this video so open it up in youtube (click on the title at the bottom of the video). There is a total 45 videos that it will play through. the cows at the beginning of the first video sound like "re-grouping" cows.

Elk in a TIZZY in Estes Park, Colorado

[BillyG]

Thank you for taking the time to post that! I'll look for more video also or better post the sound I record durring scouting.

[Elknut1]

 Lot's of good info there, I'll share this info I've shared with others, we use these types of setups every year & call in more than our share of elk on heavily hunted areas, it works for us & it will work for you!

 
  "Keep It Simple" & You Can Hunt Close To Roads!

    To do well on your elk hunt it isn't necessary to be the best caller out there or the most knowledgeable in the field about elk habits & mannerisms. But what you do work on, have it down well.

I would seriously concern yourself with "setups" I call them "Cold or Blind Calling" setups, it's sorta like "trolling" for elk. These are very easy to master & more importantly highly effective yet very doable for newer & veteran elk hunters. When working these "setups" off roaded areas we simply pick a spot get into the woods where we feel is a good area & sound can carry & call. If nothing productive happens go another 1/2 to 3/4 mile & repeat, continue on until you get action, it won't take long! (grin)

   Do your best to setup where the wind is in your favor as to where you feel elk should approach from. When possible I like setting up where I have obstructions or large openings behind me where the wind could  possibly give me up. Elk generally will avoid openings or these obstructions on their way over.

Setups as this can be accomplished by yourself or with multiple hunters by being 20-30 yards apart. Start with light cow calling as if you were a small herd feeding & milling around a designated spot where elk sign is found or not & hopefully elk are within earshot, elk can be a mile away in any direction yet selective sounds & setups can pull them your way. By injecting a single cow whine in the mix, then using a pre-estrus or excited sound 3-4  on mid to low volume in a 15 second span & no more you are now showing other elk that there is a cow in the mix possibly feeling urges of estrus or coming into heat. Add some light stomping & rustling branches & brush to make it real now & then throughout your stay. This can attract both cows & bulls a like as elk are herd animals & can become very curious as to who these others are in the area that they're not familiar with.
After 5-10 minutes of this off & on communication of this supposed group of cows, now inject a small bull or cow bugle, (this is optional) Yes, cows bugle in small groups as this, other elk know this!

    If you feel the need to pick up your game another level then consider this option that would come into play 5-8 minutes after your 10min off & on blind/cold calling setup. You would now add an "estrus buzz" into the mix only after you have concluded your calling in that 1st setup, use this estrus buzz sound in a persistent manner very similar to the video, mix up your volume to low to medium range. This new sound now shows a cow has entered the picture that had heard your previous calling & is now looking for this small herd. This is "making it real" It can really pick at the curiosity of any elk within earshot to come and assist this cow since this is what she is asking for! She wants to find these elk! Other elk will generally come and assist her or try & call her to where the real herd is! Guys we have called many many bulls & cows in with this sound done in this fashion. It's unique & most elk hunters have never used it or ever heard it but the elk know exactly what it means! (grin) Stay at your setup a good 30min after using this sequence, be patient & 100% alert & watch for elk sneaking in! This is a great Public Land method & can be used in Aug.-Sept.-Oct.-----Too, make sure your setup is one where elk must come within your effective range to see where the sounds are coming from, you need cover here! You need to stay put in one place for a good hour & allow things to develop, be on full alert as elk can show at anytime many times silently! You can do 3- 4 setups as this per day/morning/early afternoon.

    Setups as these are highly productive. They can be used all day or part of the morning & evening near feeding areas or transition areas between feeding/bedding.
If a good water source is known or active wallow this could be a great midday or evening place to set a treestand or ground blind. Between these 2 types of setups/hunts you can really up your odds for success with little experience & without having to penetrate the woods miles in, generally all setups can be done within a mile or less from roads or trails.


  Here's a clip of this sound!  Note the cows urgent tones & actions! This sound can also be found on our New CD "Sounds By The Elk"

Elk Cow Estrus


Concentrate on achievable setups as this & you'll really enjoy your hunt. Don't concern yourself with knowing all the sounds elk make & trying to understand them all, that can come in time as you spend more time in the field & want to learn more!

  ElkNut1

[2bigfish]

Thanks Elknut1. Your input is highly valued. I continue to watch your dvd's over and over. Every time I learn something new. If the rest of you guys have not watched the dvd's by Elknut1,  I highly suggest the purchase. Money well spent. I also carry the playbook with me daily.

[Todd_ID]

Tremendous post Paul! 

I'm another believer in Elknut's products.  I own more than I care to admit to my wife.  I know what I'm doing in the elk calling woods, and his videos and cd's are spot on the money for learning what elk are saying.  I've been calling and killing elk for almost 25 years, and I pick up something new every time through!

[Todd_ID]

Forgot to answer your original question....  I've never really been lucky enough to hunt an area that isn't a high pressure area, and I'm always doing some sort of calling.  When the people get thick, then the elk go where the people won't: that's where you have to go to be successful, and calling works well in the cliffs and pucker brush patches because the elk know that no hunter is crazy enough to be in their hide-away area.  Once you find an area that they go when the people start chasing them, then that'll be a top producing area for years to come.  It won't be an easy area, but it will give you plenty of action and probably your best shot at a freezer full of meat year after year. 

If you don't know the area well enough to know where the elk go when everyone says they "disappeared", then look for cliffs or very steep areas on north-facing ridges for 2 reasons: first, hunters shun steep areas like the plague, thus attracting elk, and second, north-facing generally means cooler, wetter, and brushier; food, water, shelter, and space is all they need to live another year.  Unless you're in there to ventilate one!