Calling elk, when you don't have a partner.

[wapiti hunter2]

Here's my dilemma.  I am hunting muzzy this year for the first time and will be trying to call in an elk.  I am getting reasonably confident with cow/calf calling but have yet to tackle the bugle.  I watch all of these videos and read all of these stories and everyone always has a partner so they can setup/split up, and call.  Shooter out front, caller behind.  You know the drill.  The question is what if you are alone?  Have any of you done it successfully and do you do it regularly.   Can you share your technique/tricks?

[adam.WI]

You have a muzzy, setup where when they can see your calling position you can get a shot. It's the same with the bow you just usually have a little more distance with the muzzy. That maybe easier said then done but in theory it should work.

[br8kitoff]

the reason they usaully set up behind the hunter is because those elk are really good at pin pointing the location of the call.  I usually call them, while I'm hidden, into about 50 yards and then start cow calling just enough to keep them interested as I sneak in...if your in a blind then you could call them right into you.

[boneaddict]

I always call by myself.  Key is don't overcall.

[D-Rock425]

I've called in a few elk by myself during archery season.  I think a decoy would help you I've never used one but I really think it could work.  Learn how to make your calls further away then you really are that has help me bring them in that last little bit for a shot.

[GEARHEAD]

this is my same dilema, going solo this year. last year called in two, they came right to me, facing me, no broadside. eventually discovered me and ran off. sucks being solo, cause they come straight into you, looking for you. gonna try and flank them this year if i have one come in, and can get away with it.  Q: for those who have done it plz, if presented with only a frontal at point blank, has anyone taken this shot, what was the result?

[TheHunt]

I hunt by myself and have been very successful.  I have only killed one cow in my elk hunting experiences and the rest are bulls.  Set up is key...    But one thing you need to keep in mind is the elk will come to the point where he should see you.  That point is the key, you have to judge every situation differently to see where that bull will stop to look for you.   With a muzzleloader you have a huge advantage over archery tackle because you can reach out and touch that brown bugger at 100 and 150 yards.

Just make sure you can make the elk sounds like the cow, calf, estrous cow, bugle location, glunking, and moaning/growling.   You can get all of these sounds from Elknut’s audio CD and for a fantastic video of the cow scream you can get that off of the Steve Chappell’s “extreme Bulls 5”.      
The key is the set up and crisp calling.  

[TheHunt]

Do NOT shoot front on with an arrow.  The target is soooooo small it is almost impossible.  Wait for the bull to take that step left of right then shoot.  Which means you have to be at full drawn when he comes in hold it until he is ready to take a step left or right.  That shot will only present itself for a half a second.  Which means you have to be very close for the arrow to hit the elk. 

[bigbull94]

calling is mostly knowing when to call and how to respond to certain calling situations.I would recommend getting use to a mouth call(diaphram-type call).Using a mouth call will allow you to have your hands free to either use several push type calls,or to shoot,rake branches etc.Elk can pinpoint location quite easily,they can come in running,loud/screaming or quiet,never making a peep!!The problem calling for yourself,in my opinion,is the fact the bulls usually come looking in the direction the calls are coming from,thus the bulls are usually head on/straight ,and for a bow it sucks.I would recommend using a Montana elk decoy to distract them a bit.They work very well.good luck and shoot straight.

[DaveBTS]

Call, and when you get him committed, move up and downwind of where you expect the elk to come in to. They will be looking for you at the point from where you called from, not your new location. That's an easy way to make it work by yourself.

[et1702]

Do NOT take the front on shot!!!  My buddy took one and lost a big 5x6 New Mex. ELK.  Looked like a perfect shot at 20yrds.  Shaft appeared to be buried 2/3rds into chest.  But, broadhead must have slid along brisket/ribcage rather than penetrating the chest cavity.  Helped him search for that Elk for days.  Not a good situation!  Double lung or nothing.  They can go a very long way on one lung!

[wildmanoutdoors]

He is shooting a Muzzleloader! Not a bow.
If it were me and I had a perfect frontal shot at less than 60 or so yards Id take it. Id shoot vitals or to break the neck...depends on the bulls position. The bulls I have called in have been between 10 and 30 yards before they froze facing me. I had a bow though so no shot taken.

Id call and move then just wait. It can take 10 or more minutes for a bull to appear after you call. Ive had em come from behind too. That really sucks...Lol

[Kain]

Electric calls ARE legal for elk.  Set it up and walk towards where the elk are going to come from. 

[DoubleJ]

Electric calls ARE legal for elk.  Set it up and walk towards where the elk are going to come from. 

Didn't know that.  Thank you

[Kain]

Electric calls ARE legal for elk.  Set it up and walk towards where the elk are going to come from. 

Didn't know that.  Thank you

http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00766/wdfw00766.pdf  Page 72

13. Using decoys and calls:
It is illegal to hunt waterfowl, turkey, or deer
with the use or aid of electronic calls and
battery powered or other electronic devices as
decoys.

[bowtech721]

Electric calls ARE legal for elk.  Set it up and walk towards where the elk are going to come from. 

Didn't know that.  Thank you

same here... wont be using one but that is interesting to know... never wouldve guessed it

[Kain]

Yep just dont be THAT guy who blasts a locator bugle through the PA of his truck at every clear cut.  I saw that last year and it really sucked.

[DoubleJ]

No shortage of stupid people is there?

[Cylvertip]

Done it lots of times - keep a diaphram call in so you can still call with the gun in you hands ready to shoot.

[saylean]

I call elk all the time alone. I hunt a true spike area, so I mainly call for fun.

My best advice is just try it and see what happens. I dont think you really need the best bugles, etc. I have tried some horrible bugle sounds and have called in quite a few. I even called in a 6X with a coyote howler (tried to sound like a bugle) last year. I've had my best luck with just cow elk calls....

Good luck, im no expert, so take it with a grain of salt.

[PA BEN]

I've called in lots of Rockey mt elk by myself, but could not draw a tag , I could have killed some big bulls this way. Use a grunt tub, when the bull is with in 100 yds point your grunt tub behind you. This will throw your call behind you, most of the time they will come in to the side you through your call. They look for the elk behind you. It works.