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Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Buschingc on August 20, 2012, 07:53:41 PM


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Title: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: Buschingc on August 20, 2012, 07:53:41 PM
So me and a couple friends were drawn for archery quality bull tags in the Cowiche Unit. The season is from Sept 4th through the 16th.  We've done our research, including scouting, looking at maps, topos, talked with people who hunt the unit ect. During our scouting we have have located a small amount of elk and I know there are a lot of elk in the unti. Im not worried about that at all. My question is, Im worried that the rut may not happen during my hunt. What are your guys thoughts? Does it depend on weather?
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: vandeman17 on August 20, 2012, 07:57:49 PM
My personal opinion is that you will be hunting during the pre rut at that time. I feel like the prime of the rut in Eastern Wa is in late September and even early October depending on the year. If you get a few chilly evenings/mornings I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't hear some bugles when the bulls start getting that burning in their loins.  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: brianb231 on August 20, 2012, 08:06:14 PM
Stick to cow calls and you will be fine. Do not over Bugle. My 2 Cents.


Good Luck

Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: Bean Counter on August 20, 2012, 08:10:37 PM
Get Elknut's Playbook. It is awesome.
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: 400out on August 20, 2012, 08:10:44 PM
Stick to cow calls and you will be fine. Do not over Bugle. My 2 Cents.


Good Luck
:yeah:
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: Buschingc on August 20, 2012, 08:12:32 PM
Get Elknut's Playbook. It is awesome.

We have it and have been listening to it.. We actually listened to it the entire drive down to scout and on the way back..
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: Bean Counter on August 20, 2012, 08:17:25 PM
read the wirebound book, too?
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: Button Nubbs on August 20, 2012, 08:19:40 PM
Some of our elk on the wetside are already cowin up. The bull I shot last year had 3 with him on opening day. Call the cows in the bulls will be right behind. :twocents:
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: Buschingc on August 20, 2012, 08:22:32 PM
read the wirebound book, too?

No, I have not read it. My hunting partner owns it and brought the cd to listen on our scouting trip.
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on August 21, 2012, 06:22:26 AM
Sounds like your avid hunters.  So Elknut 1-4 DVD us a must!  The equinox is on the 20th I think.  So depending on weather and a few other factors the rut should be within ten days of the equinox.  Either direction so any day from the 10th untill the thirtieth of sept.  good luck w that tag I'm jealous!
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: bucklucky on August 21, 2012, 06:43:08 AM
Pre rut is an awesome time to hunt ....  :tup:
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: buglebuster on August 21, 2012, 11:35:19 AM
You have a killer tag! I live in this unit and am quite familiar with it. I think it is one of the best tags over here because there is no general season going on, just the bull tag holders. I hunt westside but when i draw multiseason this will be my number 1 choice.

Last year during deer season, we called in 6 bulls from the 1st of september clear till the 19th. Bulls werent that vocal, but they did come in to cow calls and high pitched bugles :tup: Good luck, im jealous!!!
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: Buschingc on August 21, 2012, 11:10:10 PM
I want to thank everyone for their help. I feel very fortunate to have this tag and it took me 8 years to draw it. I am trying to do everything possible to make the best out of this hunt. Thanks again to everyone.
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: huntnnw on August 22, 2012, 06:44:32 AM
to me there is no better time to call a bull to u with a cow call than early Sept..looking for cows
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: Recurve-Elk on August 22, 2012, 08:38:22 AM
Ive seen them rutting pretty good that time of year.  Usually not though.  I use a lot of cow/calf talk.  I also do a fair share of cow/spike/small bull bugles.  They are more of a locator bugle and much less offensive. 

I have done some seriously aggressive bugling too, but I don't usually do that unless a bull starts it. 
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: Labs07 on August 22, 2012, 02:12:24 PM
Where would one pick up that book?
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: DeerHarvester on August 22, 2012, 08:00:47 PM
www.elknut.com (http://www.elknut.com)

The fire up Ahtumun is NOT GOOD for the tag holders  :bash: :bash:
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on August 23, 2012, 10:37:16 AM
The book is good for the field.  The movie set 1-4 is where the real secrets are.  Great info about what calls and when.
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: Labs07 on August 23, 2012, 12:12:26 PM
Thanks for the link!
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: Elkpiss on August 23, 2012, 01:27:41 PM
Chris, just locate and find a bull, close the distance and start to work the bull if he doesnt come in to your bugles then go to cow chirping... Bulls will call in september and play the game i dont care where your at, every encounter will be different... you will bugle some up that will come in very quickly and you will have some that will get hung up and wont come into bugles but cow chirps only.. Just work the situation and every scenerio is a little different!....  And once you FFF up learn from it and go find another bull to call and kill!... its that simple buddy!... Call me and keep me posted if you have any problems!.. if i tag out early and you are having a problems i might drive over the hill to help you out the second week!... Just go into your hunt confident and dont get let down if your not getting a bunch fired up cause chances are if you dont hear to many bugles in the early stages of the rut the once you do hear are ready to play the game!.... Good luck!.. Archie
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on August 23, 2012, 01:43:31 PM
I agree ....I call it taking his temperature ....Give him what he wants to hear ...just like calling a turkey ...he gobbles hard at what I am saying I keep doing what makes him happy ... :chuckle: :tup:  :twocents:
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: Kowsrule30 on August 23, 2012, 01:53:51 PM
I mostly use a bugle to locate..... I've found that most mature and dominant bulls will flee a challenge with their herd than risk loosing it from a badder bull... Bugle like a wimpy juvenile... Then either put the sneak in on him.... Or set up where you might be able to get a shot or cow call him closer...
Title: Re: Quick question about eastside Elk
Post by: Elkpiss on August 23, 2012, 02:00:56 PM
I agree ....I call it taking his temperature ....Give him what he wants to hear ...just like calling a turkey ...he gobbles hard at what I am saying I keep doing what makes him happy ... :chuckle: :tup:  :twocents:
   Bingo!..  My stradegies and techniques are the exact same as turkey hunting....  Thats what turkey hunting is a Tune up for Elk season...
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