West Side hunters....what is your calling routine?

[Little Fish]

I would very much appreciate if some of you more successful/experienced callers share with me what works for you when hunting Westside elk. I've succussfully called in a number of elk since my elk career began 4 or 5 years ago, but at times it seemed more like luck than skill. I'm all ears if some of you care to share the specifics of what works for you.
Thanks,
LF

[clhutner]

I (my Partners)seem to have had better luck without calling and just listening, but we got some answers with one or two cow calls. Dont use them much at all

[Little Fish]

Thanks clhutner....no one? This must be top secret information. I have tried a number of different things with limited success with each. I couple times I've had elk come into a locator bugle all by itself. These were usually cows. A few other times I've had a bull answer a locator bugle and as I closed in on him I acted like a little satellite bull calling very sparingly in the whimpiest fashion I could. This has brought in several bulls for me. Finally I've tried a calling routine where I do a little cow talk, followed by an estrus whine followed by a bugle. Again this has brought in cows, but no bulls as of yet. I read about folks only using their locator bugle and then switching to cow calls, but I have had ZERO success doing this and am really interested how this type of calling routine works.

[JPhelps]

Locate - either glassing or locator bugle.
get the wind, move in tight (less than 100 yards)

I then start with estrus whines followed by a challenge bugle.

This is my style and it is aggressive.  I WILL bump elk from time to time (part of the game).  This is a tactic used for herd bulls.  If dealing with sattelite bulls, I use more cow calls.

[Little Fish]

Thanks JPhelps. I sounds like I need to learn how to read what kind of bull I am working. Maybe cow calls work best on satellite bulls, but a herd bull is more willing to come in to bugles and do a little arse whooping??? I'll try your technique out in a few weeks and see what happens.

[JPhelps]

I can't stress enough - getting as close as possible.  If the bull thinks he has enough time or space to round up his cows and get out of the area he will.  You need to leave him with no other decision but defend his harem.

[Little Fish]

Got it. Thanks.

[DoubleJ]

Finally I've tried a calling routine where I do a little cow talk, followed by an estrus whine followed by a bugle. Again this has brought in cows, but no bulls as of yet.

Must be the lesbian herd up on Quinalt Ridge 

[1morebuck]

My tactic is (like Jphelps said) get your arse in close. However I ONLY soft cow call. Keep the wind in your favor and keep the calling soft. More times then not the bull will not come in, I have had three bulls respond to this, and one came in slobbering and screaming! I am no expert, and truly have only called in those three bulls in 5 years, but that was suggested to me and it has worked. I have tried getting in close and estrus called followed by a bugle, but I seem to always blow them out?!? The learning process is fun and I would love to see someone who can bugle in a costal Roosie, I just haven't seen it. Good luck!

[Little Fish]

1morebuck....My single best kill opportunity came last year when I called a bull into 26 yards only to have my arrow deflect off a tree branch. I only used a bugle to call him in. Once I located him I moved in close and tried my best to sound like a pesky satellite bull. He came tearing through the woods so fast it sounded like someone driving a car through the timber. Based on how agressively he responded to my bugles I would say he had some cows with him and I was too close for him to turn and run.

[Elkpiss]

You have to play the game to how the bull is reacting, i am very aggressive caller. . Get a locate move in close make sure you got good wind.. I havent really touched a cow call in the last 4 years except to stop them when i shoot.. Close the distance, bugle again get a good location of him and listen to if he is coming in closer, then bugle with him, cut him off if he bugles, : here is my tactic to live by and it brings them in if there undeciesive~ start wraking a tree, wrake it hard so they can hear it.. and it usually works every time... If he does get hung up and bugling dont seal the deal then i would start cow cherping and go in hot and sneak in on him for a shot.. typically the bulls around the westside get call shy after the first week unless you get way up in the back country but in the westside there isnt a whole bunch of that kind of land..     Note: every encounter is a little different, you have to play your flute to how the bull is responding.. You learn a little more each year of having close encounters... Ive been lucky enough to have hunted some good spots and have had quit a few close encounters and have learned a little more every year.. And if your not a very good caller and are still learning, watch hunting movies every night and call with the movie your watching, play the scenerio out on tv and call with them.. Thats how i taught myself years ago and now im not to bad at calling bulls..

[bigbull94]

AS SOON AS I CALL YOU IN,YOU WILL KNOW!!Early season I use a locate bugle to locate,if I get a response I like(a bull that will work/is hot),I will check wind move in close,set my shooter up in a good  location,and start my routine.I try to sound like a whole herd,using mouth calls/push type calls all at once,and bugling like a lesser bull.I am persistant with my calling,but not overly aggressive,unless the herd bull is fired up.I usually let the "real" bulls/cows dictate my calling.It seems with elk hunting every bull/situation can be a learning experience.

[Houndhunter]

typically i locate with a bugle than switch to the cow calls, but it really depends on how the bull is talkin to me. i have had really good luck using a calf call when they get close, not sure what it is but the bulls ive called in love it. cant really explain it in words, but you'll get the hang of it real quick.

if you really want to learn bout calling elk, after season go out to some areas that have alot of elk and try callin in late sept when they are hot. mess around and see what works, that is how i learned to call elk. be aware of special permit holders though, dont want to rain on someone elses hunt

[cornfeed]

just cow calling works for me..

[Huntbear]

Finally I've tried a calling routine where I do a little cow talk, followed by an estrus whine followed by a bugle. Again this has brought in cows, but no bulls as of yet.

Must be the lesbian herd up on Quinalt Ridge 

 

Now that is hillarious!