Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: jon.brown509 on September 07, 2014, 10:07:52 PM

Title: Elk staying quiet up north
Post by: jon.brown509 on September 07, 2014, 10:07:52 PM: I've just got home from elk camp we set up camp out north of Spokane area. We Covered close to 45 miles in 3 days and nothing for sound. I'm not sure why though? I've only been calling for the last 3 years "getting good but not the best" and normally I can call rag bulls and get other elk talking enough to come in but this was the first time where they were all quiet. :dunno: Couple of bulls sneaked in on us and didn't make a sound. I'm confused as to why figured this is a good place to start asking questions to get some answers. :o
Title: Re: Elk staying quiet up north
Post by: Buck_Nasty11 on September 07, 2014, 10:56:02 PM: they are being quiet up where i am hunting also.. i have bulls on camera day and night so i know they are in there but not talking yet. i don't understand why the big bulls are only coming in at night tho..
Title: Re: Elk staying quiet up north
Post by: RadSav on September 08, 2014, 12:04:26 AM: Early yet for a lot of screaming. Don't forget your extra early this year.

Also, wolves use bugling to locate elk as well. So many have learned to just keep quiet until the rut just drives them over the edge and the urge becomes too great. Unfortunately that probably won't happen until muzzy season >:( We have found wolves to really keep the bugle to a minimum in Idaho. But they will come in alligator style!
Title: Re: Elk staying quiet up north
Post by: MtnMuley on September 08, 2014, 03:51:11 AM: 1. Wolves
2. The NE elk aren't the most vocal, and getting worse with #1.
Title: Re: Elk staying quiet up north
Post by: jon.brown509 on September 08, 2014, 09:56:26 AM: I figured that it was still early for the bull's but cow talking was good during scouting was getting some chuckles and other sounds out of rags I couldn't even get that. I have been reading forums trying to see if the heat had anything to do with it since reaching 90 plus degrees by 9am isn't normal. Wolves haven't pressured the heard up there a bunch yet "thank you Indian reservation" so I can rule out your number #1 thank you for your thoughts though
Title: Re: Elk staying quiet up north
Post by: 10thmountainarcher on September 08, 2014, 10:01:04 AM: What gmu are you hunting? I know a couple people have got some bulls up north but the early archery season has been rough the past couple seasons for bugling... hit and miss.
Title: Re: Elk staying quiet up north
Post by: jasnt on September 08, 2014, 10:09:58 AM: Quote from: RadSav on September 08, 2014, 12:04:26 AM
Early yet for a lot of screaming. Don't forget your extra early this year.

Also, wolves use bugling to locate elk as well. So many have learned to just keep quiet until the rut just drives them over the edge and the urge becomes too great. Unfortunately that probably won't happen until muzzy season >:( We have found wolves to really keep the bugle to a minimum in Idaho. But they will come in alligator style!

cougar do as well, last year I called in a cougar in 113 using a sequence on my e-caller I made of a rut fest, bunch of cows talking and caves and a bull bugleing and chuckling.first spotted it across the drainage at 566yards. 20 min later it was 40 yards and closing. Unfortunately I had all ready killed my cougar.
Title: Re: Elk staying quiet up north
Post by: Smossy on September 08, 2014, 10:23:38 AM: Was elk hunting this weekend in thick elk habitat, Got bulls coming on the camera's and we didn't get any replies what so ever. This is on the wetside.
Title: Re: Elk staying quiet up north
Post by: jon.brown509 on September 08, 2014, 10:39:02 AM: Quote from: 10thmountainarcher on September 08, 2014, 10:01:04 AM
What gmu are you hunting? I know a couple people have got some bulls up north but the early archery season has been rough the past couple seasons for bugling... hit and miss.

117 and 121 Mainly Stevens county we have 8 guys in camp and so far have two bull's down but it's just odd the way the elk are acting.I figured it's just too early with the heat and such hopefully next weekend well be better
Title: Re: Elk staying quiet up north
Post by: TommyH on September 08, 2014, 07:03:25 PM: They have been pretty quiet. One herd bull (6) would only half hearted bugle. He had 20 cows
Title: Re: Elk staying quiet up north
Post by: bonkellekter on September 08, 2014, 07:39:24 PM: Where I was hunting we have had several bulls come in quiet... several bulls that will bugle under the cover of the stars and shut up right at daylight. and just a couple that were bugling like they meant it... Still early but they are starting to heat up. The bull I shot this year on the 7th was on fire screaming at every noise he heard and raking brush all the way to 12 yards.