elk language question.

[Martinhunter]

Hey I was asked today at work by a co worker whomuzzleloads for elk,  he was out last night and was doing a little cow calling and the only thing he heard was a elk yelp realy loud. Just a quick loud yelp. He knows there's a herd hanging out were he's hunting but just can't seem to find them, ecxept for that 1 he herd. So what does this mean when they yelp like that? Him or myself aren't very good at knowing elk language, so any input is appreciated. Also does anyone know when the next siminar is foe elk calling and where? Thanks guys!

[brianb231]

That was probably a alarm bark. Both Cows and Bulls make that sound when they are nervous and feel threatened. Sometimes they do it even if they are unsure. It is basically a warning, but is ususally followed by a quick departure. I have actually barked back at them before and started cow calling and delayed the departure a bit, but it usually means "Game Over" in English.


Good Luck

[MIKEXRAY]

As stated " alarm bark " , I was hunting with a buddy whom had not ever heard it before, we were onto a herd & all the cows started barking around us. All were out of sight. After we got back together he said " those damn coyotes had to come in and ruin everything "       Mike

[Martinhunter]

ALSO 1 OTHER QUESTION, HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU SOUND A COW CALL, IT SEEMS LIKE YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO DO IT TO OFTEN.

[Elknut1]

 It's possible it was a warning bark, if it was then the elk immediately moved off & each "yelp" got further away.  But, if he heard a "nervous grunt" sound you refer to as a yelp instead of a warning bark then the elk hung around giving off this same sound repeatedly for possibly several minutes wanting a visual or an identification from the cow calling it heard from your buddy. Ask your buddy what the elk did & you will now have the answer!!

  ElkNut1

[Martinhunter]

Actually he told me that he heard nothing else until he was walking out at dark and he actually spooked the whole herd, witch was about 500 yards from were he heard the yelp. He said that it was a really deep sounding yelp, almost like a half bugle or the start of a bugle.

[TheHunt]

I agree with the rest of the folks that it was a warning bark.

[Mustangman]

The yelp you heard may not have been a warning. It might have been a satellite bull saying hello. Satellite bulls will do that before coming into a herd. Basically saying I want to be part of the herd. I have found that the warning bark kind of sounds like a bark rather than a yelp or a sound heard with a bugle. I have seen this behavior many times and thought it was the weirdest thing ever until I read a book by Mike Eastman called Elk Hunting the West. He discusses this behavior and there is a DVD that has the sound as well. Just my observation

[trophyhunt]

ALSO 1 OTHER QUESTION, HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU SOUND A COW CALL, IT SEEMS LIKE YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO DO IT TO OFTEN.

Try to get a feel on how much the real elk are talking, if it's pretty quite in the woods I don't like to talk too much. Try to respond as much as they are naturally, I've talked to much and I believe they pick up on that pretty quit.

[lokidog]

I had one do that this fall.  I thought it was a bull starting a bugle, but eventually saw just a single cow that was trying to figure out what I was through the trees.  SHe eventually moved off.

[bow4elk]

Alarm barks can really hose up your hunt but I've had success barking right back with a diaphragm through a tube.  It confuses the cow that barked and she will sometimes stop or even circle to get a visual.  A herd bull will often wait around and follow the lead cow's instruction.  I only bark as a last resort and only when I don't see an opportunity to come back into the area at a later time.

[Martinhunter]

Thanks guys for your input.

[PA BEN]

I called in a bull w/a hyper cow call in the NE corner. He gave a loud yelp and came running in. I think it's like a turkey putting vs clucking. They almost sound the same.

[Sneekee23]

I would have to agree with elknut if your buddy is cow calling in the open timber or just a place where he can be seen, he might want to find a high point with more seclusion in general or a dip in the earth.  Make sure to tell him to make sure he can still shoot, don't hide.  If the sound was a alarm bark then ask him what the wind was doing. But with my experience with alarm barks is that you will hear it more than once.  It sounds like a curious yelp.  Just my:twocents: