spike and cow only tactics early archery

[jay33ice]

Was interested in ideas on tactics used when hunting in an area where you can only shoot a spike or a cow in the early archery season?  Do you call just like you would if after a branch bull?   Don't see many videos or guys talking about this and i suspect it's what many guys will be after come Sept.  Thanks

[colockumelk]

I have given up on trying to shoot a cow.  They are WAY too smart for me.  I prefer bulls with one thing on their mind   That being said I'll tell you what I have done and tried.  I've tried calling in bulls with cow calls hoping to one will drag a cow by me.  So far it hasn't worked.  I've called lots of bulls in but none brought a cow with them.  I've tried sitting trails between the bedding and feeding areas.  With a bow you have sit on THE exact trail or it doesn't work.  Last year it seemed that I had cows run by me every day but on a different trail.  So I'd go sit that trail the next day.  Sure enough the cows would run down the trail I'd sat the day before.  

I know there's guys on here that get a cow every year.  Not sure how they do it.  My hats off to them.  I think they might use game cameras and tree stands.  I know one group that does that and they fill their freezer every year.   

[Skyvalhunter]

You have to wait until the indians come in and are road hunting and chase them to the trail you are on.

[PA BEN]

I've called in spikes and cows w/bugles and cow calls.

[MIKEXRAY]

I've had the same experiences as Colockumelk, wrong trail & the wrong time. It is very frustrating and does seem like blind luck picking which trail.   I am actually considering picking which trail a spike will take !  That seems really hard to figure, it would have to be a perfect setup. Spike, in range, shot there, seems far fetched but I will try I think to get away from the crowds. I also have bugled in cows & spikes but to rarely to call it a viable tactic. Good luck this season to all. Mike

[dreamingbig]

Right there with you Mike.  This season is going to be interesting.

[D-Rock425]

Tree stands work great if you get a spot that elk are moving through.  I have shot 3 elk from the same tree stand.

[colockumelk]

I've called in spikes and cows w/bugles and cow calls.

I hate cows with all my heart.  I've tried calling them in and all I ever get are love sick bulls.  I've seen cows and all that comes in are the satellite bulls.

In 2008 in the Colockum I saw a nice 6x6 with about 15 cows.  On the fringe was a spike.  I thought awsome lonely spike this should work out great.  So I start up some nice soft cow calls.  The spike fell for it and was coming on a string.  I thought "oh boy here's the end to my season"  and then BAM......  That stupid 6x6 chased him off and then had the audacity to jack up a sapling like 20yds from me broad side.  How retarded is it that I was pissed that a big 6x6 chased off a little ole spike.   Oh well that's Washington for you right.   

In any case I'm cursed when it comes to cows and spikes.  That little story about tells every calling scenario I've ever tried. 

[jay33ice]

  Thanks guys.  Maybe if i can find a herd and determine the general direction they are moving and then try to ambush them?  I'll be spending a week in the wilderness this year and i'm sure i'll gain some education as frustraiting as it might be.  Cheers.  Jay

[Stalker]

I've had good luck with a bugle call.  Used it several times to locate them and determine a direction of travel.  Once that was determined I ran my @ss off to get ahead of them and set up an ambush.  Other than that it has been try to figure out bedding and feeding area and hope you pick the right area to set for awhile.  Good luck.

[h2ofowlr]

I have good luck finding them.  Getting a shot is another story.  I usually find them, they bark at me and I see bodies flying by.  Perfect if I was shooting a shotgun with buck shot.  Not good with the bow.

[Stalker]

I have good luck finding them.  Getting a shot is another story.  I usually find them, they bark at me and I see bodies flying by.  Perfect if I was shooting a shotgun with buck shot.  Not good with the bow.

Been there done that.  Obviously the haul @ss thing works if U get far enough ahead.  Been busted in a varity of ways and situations but I guess thats part of hunting.  If you are getting into them then that is half the solution; the other half will be a combination of what the folks here are telling you.  As far as I know there are no 100%.  All the best and look forward to seeing photos from your success.   

[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.

[dreamingbig]

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?

[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.