Post by: Pilot_Hunter on June 25, 2013, 12:28:02 PM
Thanks
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm5.staticflickr.com%2F4071%2F4699620085_c7a6b55522_z.jpg&hash=6a6414de8c989fbf9e21cf24f9e7e5e4e809cdd0)
Post by: WSU on June 25, 2013, 12:29:36 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on June 25, 2013, 12:30:14 PM
Post by: brianb231 on June 25, 2013, 12:35:54 PM
I use a bugle as a locator call and to figure out where the bulls are located. Once I can do that, then I like to move in closer and try to cow call them in. I have found that if you bugle too much, you can actually push bulls away. It depends on the situation and time of the season but in general, bugle to locate and cow call to close.
:yeah: After located the sweet sound of an estrus call can never hurt but a bugle in close could go either way. When in close I use the bugle and raking trees as a last resort. And if they are coming in ......DO NOT CALL!
my two cents.
Post by: D-Rock425 on June 25, 2013, 12:43:15 PM
Post by: HighCountryHunter88 on June 25, 2013, 12:45:33 PM
I really think most people would be better off not using a bugle. I hardly ever use one.
:yeah: i only use a bugle to locate if they are not bugling on their own, and only sparingly.
Post by: Bullkllr on June 25, 2013, 12:47:19 PM
I'm just curious who bugles during the early archery bull season and who doesn't? Do you guys bugle, wait for them to respond, and then put a stalk on them? Bugle and then cow call them in? I finally got drawn for any bull and was thinking about picking up some calls and start practicing now!
Thanks
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm5.staticflickr.com%2F4071%2F4699620085_c7a6b55522_z.jpg&hash=6a6414de8c989fbf9e21cf24f9e7e5e4e809cdd0)
I think it would be pretty hard to pick up a bugle now and be ready to use it effectively by September.
With that in mind:
I really think most people would be better off not using a bugle. I hardly ever use one.
Post by: Woodchuck on June 25, 2013, 12:49:14 PM
Post by: jackelope on June 25, 2013, 12:51:03 PM
Bugling can be productive
I wish I was there to see that.
:tup:
Post by: lemondog on June 25, 2013, 12:55:27 PM
Post by: Woodchuck on June 25, 2013, 12:56:53 PM
My all time favorite moment in the hills for sure.Bugling can be productive
I wish I was there to see that.
:tup:
Post by: 2MANY on June 25, 2013, 01:22:23 PM
Actually I played the french horn in grade school.
Post by: Thefisherman83 on June 25, 2013, 01:25:39 PM
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on June 25, 2013, 01:34:35 PM
Post by: bucklucky on June 25, 2013, 01:37:26 PM
I bugle, I cow call, I bugle and cow call, I estrus wine , I chuckle , I grunt, I grunt and chuckle , I hyper estrus cow call, I mew , I calf talk , I cow and calf talk , I calf and cow talk , I might bark (cow or bull) if need be, I super sexy cow talk, I herd talk , I lip bawl, I hyper lip bawl, I make stuff up as I go , sometimes I don't say much at all but its all in the arsenal and Im ready to do what it takes , when its time to use it, or use all of it :tup: or none at all ;)
That sounds like an elk calling poem :chuckle:
Post by: Rooster1981 on June 25, 2013, 01:38:28 PM
I use a bugle as a locator call and to figure out where the bulls are located. Once I can do that, then I like to move in closer and try to cow call them in. I have found that if you bugle too much, you can actually push bulls away. It depends on the situation and time of the season but in general, bugle to locate and cow call to close.
:yeah:
I do a lot more cow calling than bugling. I hunt the early muzzy hunt and in my experience the bulls respond better to cow calls in post rut activity. JMHO
Post by: D-Rock425 on June 25, 2013, 01:39:36 PM
Post by: snarkybull on June 25, 2013, 01:43:57 PM
Post by: JPhelps on June 25, 2013, 01:50:23 PM
When unable to locate through optics or bugling on their own there are only a few tools we have to locate elk. Besides still hunting, location bugling is the best option in my opinion. We have had great results using bugles for locating elk here in SW Washington.
The other bugle I use on every setup is a challenge bugle. When trying to get a herd bull with cows to commit you need to create a threat. A challenge bugle is about the biggest slap in the face you can deliver. This call should be used when in tight otherwise the probability of the bull gathering his cows and leaving is very likely.
Post by: boneaddict on June 25, 2013, 02:02:15 PM
Quote
just to hear myself bugle :tung: (just kidding on that last one....well kind of).You know you aren't kidding :chuckle:
Post by: WSU on June 25, 2013, 02:06:28 PM
The other bugle I use on every setup is a challenge bugle. When trying to get a herd bull with cows to commit you need to create a threat. A challenge bugle is about the biggest slap in the face you can deliver. This call should be used when in tight otherwise the probability of the bull gathering his cows and leaving is very likely.
:yeah: I'm relatively new to bow hunting, but getting in tight and getting a bull screaming mad is about the funnest thing you can do with your pants on.
Post by: JLS on June 25, 2013, 02:06:39 PM
I really think most people would be better off not using a bugle. I hardly ever use one.
Maybe by how often or when they use them. I don't think it matters how good your bugles sound. Some of the worst ones I've ever heard came from elk. I heard a bugle last year, followed by chuckles that gave me visions of a hunter swallowing his reed in the middle of it and gagging it back up. Two minutes later I watched a 6 point bull come out of the coulee where I'd heard the "worst chuckle of my life" 8)
Post by: washelkhunter on June 25, 2013, 02:09:46 PM
Post by: CedarPants on June 25, 2013, 02:16:27 PM
Each situation seems unique and requires it's own course of action. 2 seasons ago bugling did nothing for the first 2 days of the season, then I was lucky enough to witness an early morning bugle on the 3rd day fire up a herd with multiple bulls that proceeded to bugle nonstop for the next several hours.
Last season - same thing. Bugling didn't produce much the first couple days, but on the 3rd day of the season I witnessed a bugle bring in a big 6X6 screaming at 4:30pm.
Reminds me a lot of running and gunning for turkeys. Sometimes they respond, sometimes they don't. Sometimes you need to shut up once they respond and let them come to you, sometimes you need to challenge them to bring them in. I'm far from having anywhere enough experience to know which situation dictates what option to take with elk - but I just wanted to share my observations thus far
Post by: boneaddict on June 25, 2013, 02:40:42 PM
Post by: Pilot_Hunter on June 25, 2013, 02:52:59 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on June 25, 2013, 02:57:26 PM
If your hunting during early archery you are on the right track to start practicing ASAP. :tup: and keep in mind, knowledge of the area and elk your hunting will refine any advice given here, so use what you can and file away whatever doesnt work for you, cuz it very well may down the road. Nothing is a hard fast rule, so adapt to the situation, dont try to force the situation to adapt to your level of comfort.
That said heres a couple things that come to mind,
1) If you dont need to call, dont. Having said that, very few successful hunters I know NEVER call during the rut.
2) Become as profficient as possible with whatever calls you can, ( I prefer mouth reeds, but plenty of other calls will do the job and may be better for the individual. ), and dont become discouraged if you dont sound like a world class caller. Most elk dont care.... especially with the bugle imo.
3) To go along with number two, dont be afraid to bugle! Unless you are in a poor setup or are planning to deploy a different strategy. Again opinion.... But with the exceptions of a truly terrible caller, or complete disregard to basic hunting fundementals, watching wind etc... I have lost more opportunities by not calling, than calling to much.
4) learn how to setup. Jphelps posted a good article on this some time ago. I am sure a search would turn it up.
5) This one is complete opinion and I am sure many will adamently disagree. But when in close consider using a bugle, before the cow call. especially on heavily ( human ) pressured elk. I blew many gorgeous setups and it took many failed attempts to realize that opening with cow calls was killing me more often than not.
Congrats on the tag and have fun!!
Post by: WSU on June 25, 2013, 03:01:00 PM
5) This one is complete opinion and I am sure many will adamently disagree. But when in close consider using a bugle, before the cow call. especially on heavily ( human ) pressured elk. I blew many gorgeous setups and it took many failed attempts to realize that opening with cow calls was killing me more often than not.
Congrats on the tag and have fun!!
IMO, a herd bull WILL react to a challenge if you bugle in close to his heard. If you didn't get a reaction, you most likely weren't close enough or it wasn't a herd bull. But, you need to be close or he likely will just shut up, leave, or both.
Post by: JPhelps on June 25, 2013, 03:07:34 PM
In my experience, when leading with a bugle most of the time the cows scatter but the bull usually holds his ground. I usually use this tactic when I know it is herd bull and i am very close.
Even with how effective it has proven to be i always find myself painting the picture "there is a cow In estrous over here and another bull is challenging for her" and forcing him to "come and get it or leave it".
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on June 25, 2013, 03:33:35 PM
My experience has been very similar to yours. I have found the cows may scatter, but are not "spooked" I look at it as they are just getting out of the way for the boys. Often times the cows wont even pay attention to the bugles, which is one reason I think it works so well. Your only getting on the "radar" of one elk ( bull) not the entire herd.
Post by: blacktailcody on June 25, 2013, 03:44:58 PM
Works every time.
Post by: HUNT-HARD on June 25, 2013, 04:00:14 PM
Post by: Bullkllr on June 25, 2013, 04:34:30 PM
I really think most people would be better off not using a bugle. I hardly ever use one.
Maybe by how often or when they use them. I don't think it matters how good your bugles sound. Some of the worst ones I've ever heard came from elk. I heard a bugle last year, followed by chuckles that gave me visions of a hunter swallowing his reed in the middle of it and gagging it back up. Two minutes later I watched a 6 point bull come out of the coulee where I'd heard the "worst chuckle of my life" 8)
Knowing when to bugle, where to bugle, how to set-up when bugling, how often to bugle etc. is the hardest part. Making an elk-like sound with some kind of call can be mastered pretty quickly. The rest takes time. I'd hate to see a guy who drew a good tag ruin his chances for success with poor calling practice. I see/hear more poor calling (not sound/tone necessarily than good calling every year.
Post by: bucklucky on June 25, 2013, 05:46:53 PM
I agree with your #5 completely, but I haven't been able to figure out which one works better (of course it depends on each individual situation).
In my experience, when leading with a bugle most of the time the cows scatter but the bull usually holds his ground. I usually use this tactic when I know it is herd bull and i am very close.
Even with how effective it has proven to be i always find myself painting the picture "there is a cow In estrous over here and another bull is challenging for her" and forcing him to "come and get it or leave it".
My take on this . I will get as close to the cows as I can silently and I mean close like say 30 - 50 yards . If I can get into that window I will challenge the heard bull every time . I have been absolutely successful many more times than not . Now this is with a good mature heard bull not some dinky wanabe "heard" bull that might be acting as the big man but really isn't, type deal. They run away with there tail tucked between there legs most of the time :chuckle: I have killed my biggest 2 bulls by this . My 370 bull I snuck in as close as I could and let er Rip. Got a 35 yard broadside on him. It can be a deadly way to kill a big old heard bull, they usually don't back down when your in close to steal his action.
Next time you can watch a heard during the rut , watch how the heard bull reacts to the satellite bulls and the herim . Its fun to see 8 different sattelites trying to get a piece of the action and that heard bull run around like a chicken with his head cut off chasing those little suckers off. A lot of times the satellite bulls may pair up a couple hundred yards off and be sparing while other bulls move in to grab a cow.
Post by: Pilot_Hunter on June 25, 2013, 06:22:16 PM
Post by: ridgefire on June 25, 2013, 06:50:47 PM
Post by: norsepeak on June 25, 2013, 07:25:38 PM
Post by: boneaddict on June 25, 2013, 07:27:28 PM
Post by: norsepeak on June 25, 2013, 07:29:50 PM
Post by: blacktail luv on June 25, 2013, 08:29:07 PM
Post by: coachcw on June 26, 2013, 06:48:34 AM
Post by: boneaddict on June 26, 2013, 07:00:24 AM
I bugle way more than I cow call. I like to piss them off, just my style I guess. Works almost every time if you know how to do it right. :twocents:I'm the same way. I find more call shyness with cow calling
Post by: Bean Counter on June 26, 2013, 07:45:16 AM
Any tips?
Post by: donnyp96 on June 26, 2013, 07:52:20 AM
Post by: Pilot_Hunter on June 26, 2013, 09:54:06 AM
If u are planning on going into the woods to call I would suggest you do it somewhere ur not intending on hunting. No need to educate the elk with ur specific tone and style. I've watched many people make that mistake prior to season then go back a week later and get no reply.
Yep, already planned on that. I don't want to educate the ones in the area I'm hunting.
Post by: WSU on June 26, 2013, 10:14:05 AM
Post by: saylean on June 26, 2013, 10:15:25 AM
Good luck with your draw tag.
Post by: Broken Arrow on June 26, 2013, 10:18:05 AM
Post by: jstone on June 26, 2013, 11:08:51 AM
Post by: snarkybull on June 26, 2013, 07:01:45 PM
1) If you dont need to call, dont. Having said that, very few successful hunters I know NEVER call during the rut.
you should meet more of us. :P
love laughing at human buglers who don't hear anything and leave a good spot. :tung:
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 26, 2013, 07:22:55 PM