Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: WapitiTalk1 on May 04, 2014, 05:00:28 PM
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It's 0930, 20 September 2014, hunting in (insert state here) with an archery bull tag, and, you've moved up the sidehill to a well known bench with a meadow. The meadow is a smallish one, perhaps only 200 yards long by 150 yards wide. Thermals are still gently blowing down, across the meadow, directly into your face. You haven't said a peep this morning but an hour earlier, you thought you heard a distant bugle way above you, possible coming from the benchy meadow area. As you get close to the meadow and can see past the brush that surrounds it, you see this guy and two gals standing about 2/3 of the way across the meadow (perhaps 80-90 yards from your position at the edge), probably at the end of their morning feed. Simultaneously, you hear a bugle off to your right and slightly uphill, perhaps 200 yards away in dark timber. The bull in the meadow heard the same thing and looks in the direction of the other bull. You're hunting with a partner today and both of you are pretty good callers. What's your plan/move to try and get a shot?
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If the elk had no idea I was there I would watch and see how that bull reacted to the other bugle...if he started towards it I would wait till he was just out of sight and let out a couple excited cow calls and if he doesn't come towards me I would throw out a bugle to tell these cows to come to me hoping this bull would think another one snuck in to steal his cows....all of this is with the wind in my favor of course....and then hope I said the right thing and he came in running :chuckle:
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I would go in to my "ninja mode" routine. Clintch my bow in my teeth. Do a series of shoulder role, belly crawl combo's in the tall grass. Pop up once I'm within 30 yds. Knock two arrows at the same time. shoot him through both lungs with one and the heart with the other.
I just don't see any other options.
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What kind of snacks do I have?
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I would try to position us between and slightly downwind of both bulls with the shooter in the more uphill position staying put. The downhill person would be doing some light, small bugles/squeals, and cow/calf calls. The shooter, only cow and calf calls. The bugler also breaking some stuff and really stomping around, moving 20 or so yards right and left. If we got neither to come in, I would then break out some Twinkies and beef jerky, followed by a granola bar, some sardines, and a single cold beer. After a nap, I would think about starting the sequence again - you know, the eating sequence.
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Hmm...since wind is in my face and another bull is to the right, I'd back down a little and then move around to the left. That bull in the picture isn't going to go to the right. Based on time of day in your scenario, they are likely to bed down soon. He's not going to bed down to the right. The bull on the right is likely saying I'm over here w/my girls. Don't come over here unless you want me to take yours away. I've heard bulls talking back and forth from their bedding areas lots of times without either moving in on the other. So, I'd try to get cross wind of this guy and put an arrow in him as he leaves the meadow with his girls. Maybe some cow calling once we are set up to the left of him.
ET
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Hmm...since wind is in my face and another bull is to the right, I'd back down a little and then move around to the left. That bull in the picture isn't going to go to the right. Based on time of day in your scenario, they are likely to bed down soon. He's not going to bed down to the right. The bull on the right is likely saying I'm over here w/my girls. Don't come over here unless you want me to take yours away. I've heard bulls talking back and forth from their bedding areas lots of times without either moving in on the other. So, I'd try to get cross wind of this guy and put an arrow in him as he leaves the meadow with his girls. Maybe some cow calling once we are set up to the left of him.
ET
Since you have the avatar you do, I'm going with your solution!
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Put the 90 yard pin behind the shoulder and let it that arrow fly!! LOL
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Wait to see which way they move. If that doesn't dictate our next move, then one of us to the right, between the bulls and the other to the left. Both keeping mind of the wind. I'm doubting the meadow bull goes much closer to the unseen bull than the meadow edge; he doesn't want to leave the ladies on Sept. 20. I doubt a bugle draws him in. An estrous cow call might get him excited and curious enough to come a little closer, but given the small size of the meadow, I'm more likely to not draw any attention to us and plan to sneek within range of where I think he exits the meadow for the bedding area. If I knew or suspected that the bedding area was downhill, I'm just sitting tight until he wanders in range. I'm also doubting that the meadow bull moves to the right, so the hunter that gets that route, is probably me. :/
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Sadly, archery elk season ended almost a week ago and the place is packed with modern firearms. 90 yards? That bull is toast.
