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Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: EchoLimaKilo on May 21, 2015, 11:37:52 PM

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Title: Cow elk tips
Post by: EchoLimaKilo on May 21, 2015, 11:37:52 PM

New to elk hunting and just wondering what some of your guys' tips/techniques are for getting close to/calling cows. There's a ton of literature out there on hunting Bulls but not so much in the cow dept. Hunted Teanaway last year for early season archery and had more close bull encounters than cow encounters (terrible problem I know). Amazing to see them going crazy in the rut but can't shoot them there without the special draw. Any suggestions? Really want my first elk this year and a cow will do just fine.

Title: Re: Cow elk tips
Post by: CP on May 22, 2015, 07:59:01 AM

Tagging this thread –

I have nothing to offer you – cows are harder to get close to than bulls IMO.  Seems like I always need to get past the bull to get a shot at a cow; the bulls just stand around and act tough while the cows do all the lookout work.

Title: Re: Cow elk tips
Post by: 724wd on May 22, 2015, 10:02:06 AM

ambush.  sneak.

Title: Re: Cow elk tips
Post by: hughjorgan on May 22, 2015, 10:23:33 AM

Quote from: 724wd on May 22, 2015, 10:02:06 AM

ambush.  sneak.

 :yeah: do your home work ahead of the season and you should be in good shape to set your self up for an ambush.

Title: Re: Cow elk tips
Post by: steeliedrew on May 22, 2015, 10:35:02 AM

Maybe try some lost calf sounds and see what comes in.  Be prepared for a bear though too.

Title: Re: Cow elk tips
Post by: buglebuster on May 22, 2015, 10:56:45 AM

Best advice I can give you is hunt just like you are hunting for a bull. Locator bugles untill you get an answer, then sneak in where you think he is. When you get there, instead of challenging him with another bugle, keep on sneaking in very slowly and play the wind. Alot of the times the bulls will have cows with them.

Title: Re: Cow elk tips
Post by: gonehuntin68 on May 22, 2015, 11:03:04 AM

Lost calf sounds. They call alot and high pitched. Yep look for bears too.

Title: Re: Cow elk tips
Post by: xXLojackXx on May 22, 2015, 11:47:45 AM

I call cows in with calf distress sounds and mature cow urgent mews. Two things I know about cows are they don't let their calves get too far away, and they are followers of the lead cow. Fool them in either way and they come in on a string. Other than that, hunt them the same geographically. Find bedding areas, well used transition trails, water sources, feed, etc.

Title: Re: Cow elk tips
Post by: bowkid on May 22, 2015, 12:28:44 PM

Fighting cows call will work as well, gets their interest up of what's going on.

Title: Re: Cow elk tips
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on May 22, 2015, 01:54:20 PM

Prescout extensively, find the most heavily used trails, and then find your best downwind spots within range. 

Title: Re: Cow elk tips
Post by: EchoLimaKilo on May 22, 2015, 05:25:16 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. Much appreciated