Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: fieldking#1 on August 14, 2013, 08:45:40 PM
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I've heard people who use calls in a hunt, and I've heard people who do not use calls in a hunt. For elk do you really need calls to hunt an elk?
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IMO you don't "need" them but they just increase your chances if you know how and when to use them
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They allow you to fool or keep the elk thinking there might be another elk around instead of a hunter. I am not hitting the elk woods without a few of them!
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I never nee anything.
:tung: Of course you don't need them. Neither do you need binoculars, good boots, camo, GPS, map, sharp knives, range finder, or first aid kit.
Are they all things I bring?
Yep
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Given the size and weight of a few diaphragm calls, I can't see why anyone wouldn't take them.
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In general season areas in Washington state I find our group uses calls very little. And we have a great success rate! But the excitement level of calling in a bull is pretty hard to beat.
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Increases your odds by 50% during the rut IMO. Whether they're used to call a bull in or just to locate, they help tremendously. 95% of the time when I hunt elk I can't see further than 40 yds. So the "spot" in spot and stalk is not an option. Calling helps make it a "hear and stalk" situation. Just remember when calling very rarely is it a primos video where the bull marches right in. It does happen but not regularly. Most of the time I locate then get aggressive, get good wind and close the distance. When the distance in closed within 100 yds let out a couple estrus calls and see if the bull will present a shot. :twocents: good luck. Just saying that's what works for me. If your successful with other techniques don't fix it if it ain't broken :dunno:
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When a cow calls to see what is making that noise it sure is nice to answer. Bull elk a must obviously, cow or spike it helps .
I have also had cows come running to a bugle, only has happened when I was bull hunting. I definitely don't call much without a bull tag.
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calls sure help to at least locate the elk. I like a little bit of bugling and mostly cow call. I know I have scared a bull away with to much bugling.
