spike and cow only tactics early archery

[Recurve-Elk]

Last year I called in a couple spikes to 15 yards.  I got in place an hour before light.  Started calling 30 min before sunrise.  And called for an hour and a half after sunrise.  They came in just as I was about to leave.  I didn't do any bugles, just cow mews, and a few lost cow mews.  They B lined strait at me, and weren't even cautious in the slightest.

What was your plan if they came in before it was light enough to shoot?

Hope they would hang around until I could.  But I figured, if they heard me calling before light then they may be more likely to come in at light. 

[colockumelk]

I don't see why you would try to call in a bull and expect a cow to show up, or why it is weird a 6X6 didn't want to share his cows with a spike?  Try to think about what the elk are doing and it becomes understandable.  Bulls aren't going to share cows with lesser bulls.  Cows aren't going to want to insert themselves into the middle of a fight between two bulls.  

If it were me, I'd go with spot and stalk, calling that will draw in cows (lost cow, regrouping, excited cow, etc.), sitting in funnel areas where multiple trails converge, etc.  Maybe bugle to locate a herd, but I wouldn't depend on bugling to bring in the cows/spikes.

I use a locator call to find the bull.  Then I use cow calls to get him in hoping he has a few cows with him.  I never said anything about using an aggressive bull call.  As far as the 6x6 and spike thing...  I couldn't stalk up on them because there were too many eyes.  I was hoping that since the 6x6 had 15-20 cows with him he wouldn't want to leave his cows for one single cow (never blew an estrus call)  and risk losing them to that spike.  I figured he'd do what he did which was call to me and try to coax me over to him.  But when he saw the spike head over he moved into position to block him.  It was a 50/50 proposition and I failed.  I never said I was surprised that the 6x6 ran off the spike I said I was frustrated.  More with the fact that I couldn't shoot the big bull because I lived in a a state that can't properly manage its herds.  I knew exactly what two ways that calling scenario was gonna go.  Unfortunately my gamble didn't work.  That's kind of what huntingis all about.   

[WSU]

I don't see why you would try to call in a bull and expect a cow to show up, or why it is weird a 6X6 didn't want to share his cows with a spike?  Try to think about what the elk are doing and it becomes understandable.  Bulls aren't going to share cows with lesser bulls.  Cows aren't going to want to insert themselves into the middle of a fight between two bulls.  

If it were me, I'd go with spot and stalk, calling that will draw in cows (lost cow, regrouping, excited cow, etc.), sitting in funnel areas where multiple trails converge, etc.  Maybe bugle to locate a herd, but I wouldn't depend on bugling to bring in the cows/spikes.

I use a locator call to find the bull.  Then I use cow calls to get him in hoping he has a few cows with him.  I never said anything about using an aggressive bull call.  As far as the 6x6 and spike thing...  I couldn't stalk up on them because there were too many eyes.  I was hoping that since the 6x6 had 15-20 cows with him he wouldn't want to leave his cows for one single cow (never blew an estrus call)  and risk losing them to that spike.  I figured he'd do what he did which was call to me and try to coax me over to him.  But when he saw the spike head over he moved into position to block him.  It was a 50/50 proposition and I failed.  I never said I was surprised that the 6x6 ran off the spike I said I was frustrated.  More with the fact that I couldn't shoot the big bull because I lived in a a state that can't properly manage its herds.  I knew exactly what two ways that calling scenario was gonna go.  Unfortunately my gamble didn't work.  That's kind of what huntingis all about.   

I wasn't saying that you did anything wrong (although it sort of sounded that way).  Often things just don't work out.  I was simply saying that attempting to call in bulls (such as cow calling in an attempt to draw the bull to you) is not likely to result in cows coming in.  If you are calling in tons of branch bulls and no cows, and that "about tells every calling scenario" you ever tried, perhaps a change in strategy is warranted (or, as you point out, move to a state where you can shoot those branch bulls, or even the west side of WA).  Maybe you should come hunt the west side with me and we can kill all those branch bulls you call in!

[colockumelk]

Hey no problem WSU.  I realized after reading my first post I was pretty vague.  If I came off offended I wasn't.  So sorry bout that.  My last post I was just trying to explain what my thinkin was.  And you are right with most of the stuff you said.  I really get bored sitting and doing nothing so alot of times I go off and call because its a hell of alot more fun and exciting than sitting and waiting.  Even if I can't shoot a branch bull it sure is fun to get them all worked up or to call them in.  Plus maybe they might have some cows with them.  I base my calling strategy on if I think they have cows or not.  If they have cows I work them with cow calls and try to "coax" them in.  My favorite though is if I think they are all alone then I use the bugle which gets em all worked up and that's when it gets exciting.

Case in point.  Last season in the Manastash my brother called in a small 4pt bull.  (I was the shooter) and cow calls would not work.  He only responded to the aggressive lets fight talk.  And boy did he put on a show in front of me.  That little guy talked all sorts of smack and tore stuff up and man did he think he was big and tough.  I would have loved to have been a bird and followed him around when he tried that stuff out with a real herd bull and see him get his ego knocked down a peg or two. 

As far as WA goes.  I can't hunt elk until probably 2013 at which point I'll have 8 points saved up.  So I'll hunt E. WA until I get drawn.  After that I am going to the West Side to hunt.  That is unless I get stationed In CO at which point I'll never hunt in WA again.    And FYI I would love to come to the West Side and call in bulls with you.  That's basically my favorite thing to do.  Scary as hell but fun and exciting. 

[WSU]

For sure.  I quit hunting the east side for that very reason.  I have way more fun calling in bulls in the jungle and not getting a shot then I do killing elk with a gun, east or west.  The calling, to me, is more fun than the killing.

[coachcw]

I always elk talk as i'm sliping through the wood and never try to sound like a stud . I've had ggod luck bringing spikes in to a cow talk , estis then small bugle , this works on any bull. 22 archery elk and counting at 40 years old , one thing i've always done is stay fairly agressive on both spot and stalks and calling . if you get busted cover ground and find a fresh bunch. never put all your eggs in one stand , have a back up plan .

[saylean]

The unit I hunt, I can only shoot spikes..so no luck with cows.

However, what I use (even though I am not 100% successful) is set up a blind along some trails. Ambush seems to work great if you know a busy trail and you have the patience.

I do have a tree stand this year...I am really considering it for this one spot. I could really use an edge there. Every year (for the last three), I dont have to sit more than an hour it seems and elk come strolling by. I just have problems connecting.

Good luck! Keep at it and find what works for you.