Who Here Has Heard A Bull Glunking?

[TheHunt]

is this the sound you guys are talkin about

Yep, the later part of the audio clip is the sound of a bull glunking. 

[cackle]

I got the mp3 off a web site of an elk farm saying they were recordings of their elk

[WonkyWapiti]

I haven't heard that sound but last year I heard something I never had before.  My buddy and I were walking in to an ambush sight before light and walked right into a resting herd.  After nearly being trampled by a few of the animals we could hear them milling around us and I even heard one urinating within about ten yards of me so most of them hadn't been spooked off.  It was very dark so we couldn't see crap.  We had no choice but to stand fast until things began to lighten up.  We had cows around us and between us and the ambush spot.  As light came, we spread out about forty yards apart and started cow calling when some of the cows had started moving up the hill side. 

All of a sudden I heard the loudest most thunderous bark that just echo'd.  I'd never known a bull to bark but I knew this was no cow.  We continued to cow call and I was finally able to see the frustrated bull pacing back and forth behind some trees about 65 yards up the hill side.  This went on for about 45 minutes with him continuing to send out that thunderous bark.  It was really cool but we couldn't get him any closer and we both had left our bugles back at the truck.  Another friend of mine had said that he had heard that noise before and he claimed it was the bull trying to get us (who he thought were some of his cows) to get our butts up the hill to him.  This did seem like what he was trying to do.  After about 45 minutes he started moving away and up the hill.

[Elknut1]

 Agreed!! This bull was giving you what I call the Popping/Nervous Grunt, it's a very common sound used by all elk, it was not a warning bark!! He wanted a visual or identification of you, he wanted you to come over to him now!!!! A warning bark is done in 2's & 3's & get further away quickly as they scatter, other elk can also chime in issuing the warning to the herd. There are ways to overcome this action, a bugle is not needed in many instances but I too prefer one! A few distressed cow sounds & some voice growls, moans & groans as you retreat from the bull can go along ways to ones success.

  ElkNut1