Post by: WapitiTalk1 on March 20, 2014, 02:40:23 PM
You started out before daylight, traversing down a long access trail that drops steeply on one side of a ravine/canyon. There are at least two bulls bugling directly across from you, one sounding like a decent herd bull and a the other a satellite on the outsirts of the herd, on the other side of said canyon. Thermals are still moving steadily down at this time in the early morning so you bust down the trail (hoping to get close to but underneath the elk so the thermals are in your favor) and hit a semi open finger ridge which takes you down to the creek bottom that will put you below the bulls. You move quickly down the finger ridge, cross the small creek which puts you on the other side of the canyon. You immediately smell and see fresh elk sign all over the place, and hear the bulls singing above you on the sidehill 100-150 yards, which sound like they're moving steadily uphill. To this point, you haven't made a sound. It's 23 September; bull only area; Northern Idaho.
Would you:
A. Knowing you have the wind in your favor for at least a while, move as quickly as possible towards the bugling bulls without making a sound and see how close you can get before saying (elk sounds) or doing (raking, stomping) anything and ultimately set up and try to dislodge big stinky with some whiny cow calls and a scream/challenge bugle?
B. Stop, set your partner up on the other side of the creek, and throw out a challenge bugle to see if you can possibly pull the smaller of the two bulls (non herd bull) your way?
C. Try to get dog the elk/herd as they're very vocal (but on the move), set up as close as possible to their same elevation when they slow, and try to get a shot as bullwinkles makes his rounds, checking cows for estrus. The terrain is very steep and somewhat thick but there are sporadic elk trails.
D. Other...
Yep, a true scenario from my ID hunt two years ago... I ended up drawing back on the satellite but there was not a clean shot so I let off. As I've explained the situation, what would you do, or, what plan would you craft as you headed down the access trail in this situation?
Post by: lostbackpacker on March 20, 2014, 02:43:45 PM
Post by: cbond3318 on March 20, 2014, 02:51:17 PM
If I am in WA state, I would wake up from my dream :)
:yeah: Since I am a dedicated Eastern Washington Elk Hunter with 3 bull points, I would work the area of fresh sign looking for the herd of females and pray a True Spike is with one of the old gals sharing stories of epic knitting sessions.
Post by: tonymiller7 on March 20, 2014, 03:05:26 PM
Post by: Tbar on March 20, 2014, 03:08:06 PM
If you gave the chance to set up on their route of travel and you feel like you are in his comfort zone get aggressive. I'm not afraid to make noise and lots of it at this point. The last thing I want is for him to think he has the option of flight at this point. Wind and setup are going to screw you way before noise at this point. I also mix up the cow calls and bugles. I use cow calls aggressively if I think he's locked on my position, they don't like leaving cows but have no problem leaving a bull and sounding tough as they leave. :twocents:
Post by: Ccortez on March 20, 2014, 03:30:52 PM
If they are moving I would try to get ahead of them without ever calling. If they are stationary I would try to get as close as possible without calling. If I'm within 60-70 yards I might, and I mean might try a setup. Anything outside this range I've had them take the cows and move on. If you are in their comfort zone to pose a threat otherwise they take their ball and run flight is usually easier than fight even if they sound mean as they distance them selves from you. If the bull is circling cows and covering some ground I would try to kill without ever calling.:yeah:
If you gave the chance to set up on their route of travel and you feel like you are in his comfort zone get aggressive. I'm not afraid to make noise and lots of it at this point. The last thing I want is for him to think he has the option of flight at this point. Wind and setup are going to screw you way before noise at this point. I also mix up the cow calls and bugles. I use cow calls aggressively if I think he's locked on my position, they don't like leaving cows but have no problem leaving a bull and sounding tough as they leave. :twocents:
Post by: Pygmy on March 20, 2014, 04:09:49 PM
Post by: Tbar on March 20, 2014, 04:47:08 PM
You also mention that you get to the same elevation. I would also consider getting below the targeted bull, I usually find it easier to get them to come down than up (and you the thermals going down).
Post by: kentrek on March 20, 2014, 09:32:41 PM
We snuck into about 50 yards of the last cow an I put my brother about 45deg off to my left toward the bull..i then did a calling sequence that sounded so good the bull turned with half his herd an started pushing them up the hill away from us, a spike an cows came to about 30 but boogerd after not seeing elk....after that we kept the herd bull talking but couldnt get close enough to get him to turn around..800 feet in elevation later, dead dog tired, the thermals finally switched an that was that..
16 weeks of elk hunting experience later I have no doubt I would either leave them for other elk or get to one side of the herd an get to the same elevation as the bull..I would pretend to be a bull about a year younger than that of the bull im after...if he wanted to circle down wind to smell us we'd have him...if he wanted to circle up hill to show dominance, wed have him.....or id like to think that would be the case :chuckle:
Post by: buglebrush on March 20, 2014, 11:41:03 PM
Post by: asl20bball on March 21, 2014, 12:15:49 PM
Post by: northwesthunter84 on March 21, 2014, 09:39:25 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on March 22, 2014, 11:14:49 AM
Post by: plugger on March 22, 2014, 03:47:20 PM