Post by: vandeman17 on September 06, 2018, 11:21:27 AM
Post by: jstone on September 06, 2018, 11:35:01 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 06, 2018, 11:44:57 AM
No Advice.!! Just jealous..!!!! Good Luck lots of Pictures.
For sure. Its a new area but we had some advice on where to start. Also got lucky to run into a guy that lives at the bottom of the mtn we are going to be hunting and he gave us some good information. Said we should swing in a have a beer with him when we came back for our hunt. Good resource to have :tup:
Post by: theleo on September 06, 2018, 12:59:33 PM
1) Find legal elk.
2) Kill legal elk.
It's implementing the strategy that can be a SOB.
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on September 06, 2018, 01:37:10 PM
Post by: outdooraddict on September 06, 2018, 01:48:07 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 06, 2018, 01:49:15 PM
Vande, the only thing a full does does is put em to bed earlier in the morning and send em to dinner later in the evening. That time of the SEP, the majority of the cows will be coming into their estrus cycle so vocalization should be peaking. Locate, locate, locate (kind of like the real estate saying but different, LOL). If you can swing it, try your very best to locate vocal bulls at night.... they will be very close to that location at first light the next morning.... Sometimes you can do this merely by getting up high and listening (it oftentimes doesn't take any calling on your own). Once located, plan your approach from underneath them at first light and work your way up to the herd. The herd bull (and satellites) should be spouting off on their own as they move from Denny's to the Motel 8. Once they slow as if getting close to the motel, try to get on the same location as them, keeping the wind in your favor as much as possible, and see if you can catch old stinky making his bed check rounds for a stealthy arrow shot... When and how to call if it doesn't look like the bull is not gonna just walk over and let you shoot him? I start with just one, "two max" soft, whiny cow calls (have an arrow nocked). This my friend, will oftentimes put a satellite bull in your face within seconds (SATs are what most folks call in when they're close to a herd). Yep, the big stink will holler back at you, probably throwing in a few chuckles, but will not leave his cows to come to a lone cow. What's next if a satellite doesn't try to violate the cow he heard? The Threat, that's what. Throw two "very" whiny, distressed cow cows over your shoulder (opposite direction of the herd) and immediately "SCREAMMMMM" a short nasty bugle directly at the herd bull. You're saying "ya, I've got your cow mister.... whaddya gonna do about it. Again, have an arrow nocked and be ready; it happens so quick sometimes you oftentimes don't have but a second to draw. Remember to keep your cow calls to one, two max (in all your calling setups)! A cow does not run around the woods making 4, 5, 7, or 8 cow noises in a row (that's unnatural sounding). Believe me, if there is elk within earshot... they will hear your one/two cow sounds. Best of luck on your Montana adventures buddy! RJ
Thanks for the advice. Our plan, depending on what we are seeing/hearing during daylight hours is to spend time out after dark trying to locate a bull so we have a play the next morning. Another variable that we are unsure of is the amount of pressure the area gets during archery season since this will be our first time there. I am hoping there won't be tons of people or that most are locals who won't be out at night.
Side note, at least they have no fire restrictions so we can burn our stove at night and sleep like babies. :chuckle:
Post by: Seahawk12 on September 06, 2018, 02:32:57 PM
Sounds like a fun trip.
Post by: Crunchy on September 06, 2018, 02:55:07 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 06, 2018, 02:59:22 PM
Hunting in the peak rut can be good and bad. Good is the bulls are screaming. Bad is that the herd bulls are less likely to leave their cows. So you will have to get in their comfort zone and let out some challenge bugles mixed in with a cow call or two. Other option is just to get more aggressive and run to them when you here them bugle so you are able to see them and hopefully get and arrow off.
Agreed. Lucky for me/us is we aren't trophy hunters and I would be more than happy to kill a satellite bull. I hope to be able to get in close enough that I can cow call a satellite away from birddogging the herd and come give me a look :archery_smiley:
Post by: CedarPants on September 06, 2018, 03:02:46 PM
that is on of the most enjoyable and interesting thing i have read about calling elk, I havent ever called them in but in the middle of your lesson, i felt like i was in the woods and envisioned myself doing as you say waptiti, great write up and thanks for the advice and help
:yeah:
Great write up :tup:
Post by: SkookumHntr on September 06, 2018, 03:07:46 PM
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on September 06, 2018, 06:33:34 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on September 06, 2018, 07:00:01 PM
When I was reading that I was like "someone has been listening to elknut" then realized it was paul that posted it lmao
Ha, Paul is a great friend of mine but I’m not The Elknut ;).
Post by: gasman on September 06, 2018, 07:08:38 PM
Either way, great advise :tup:When I was reading that I was like "someone has been listening to elknut" then realized it was paul that posted it lmao
Ha, Paul is a great friend of mine but I’m not The Elknut ;).
Post by: VortekNW on September 07, 2018, 08:29:44 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 07, 2018, 09:20:06 AM
Those are the dates I normally hunt MT due to work. They are usually herded up pretty good by that point as mentioned. I notice they go to their beds really early with the full moon, but come out in the evening earlier, and probably stay out all evening. Depending on where you are going, decoys can be helpful. Especially trying to peel something away from a herd. I have glassed from afar lots of small bulls running ridges looking for herds during the day during this time as well. Depending on where you are going in MT, wolves can make them quiet. It varies by drainage where I hunt. I've seen them screaming, crossed a ridge and spotted elk, and watched a herd rut completely silent. Enjoy it! I leave tonight for a week and can't wait!
Good luck! Keep us posted how you do
Post by: Fullabull on September 07, 2018, 10:09:00 PM
I will be in Idaho from the 15th to end of month. I think it will be a good year
Post by: vandeman17 on September 08, 2018, 09:50:03 AM
Hey Vande, Cory Jacobson has an article on his Elk101 sure someplace that talks about the moon fases. https://www.elk101.com/2018/03/planning-your-2018-elk-hunet/
I will be in Idaho from the 15th to end of month. I think it will be a good year
Him and randy newberg did a good segment on their elk talk podcast about full moon, peak rut strategies. I am just stoked to be out. Good luck in Idaho!!
Post by: greenhead_killer on September 08, 2018, 11:12:25 AM