Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: ljsommer on June 19, 2019, 03:39:39 PM

Title: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: ljsommer on June 19, 2019, 03:39:39 PM: So I have watched and read enough to know that there is some degree of calling that can be done on bulls, but I have no idea how to hunt cows. Is there a call that you can use to help locate in thick (Western) forest? Going after archery cows this year and not sure where to start. Tree-stand is an option if that's a viable strategy in the right location.
Title: Re: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: cougforester on June 19, 2019, 03:50:24 PM: Why not still target bulls then nail a cow if she shows up? Best of both worlds!
Title: Re: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: ljsommer on June 19, 2019, 04:04:49 PM: Quote from: cougforester on June 19, 2019, 03:50:24 PM
Why not still target bulls then nail a cow if she shows up? Best of both worlds!

That....makes a lot of sense. I have the Wynoochee (648) antlerless archery tag which is otherwise 3 pt min. So I can hunt 3 point min or antlerless. That seems like a good way to go.
Title: Re: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: cougforester on June 19, 2019, 04:17:30 PM: Maybe more calf mews if anything to bring cows over to you? Simulate a lost calf and they’re likely gonna check you out.

But hunt bulls first and foremost then use that cow tag if the opportunity presents itself!
Title: Re: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: cbond3318 on June 19, 2019, 04:21:21 PM: I don’t think you’ll be able to do much locating listening for cows. Hunt the bulls and the cows will be there. Once located and within 100 yds or less, I’ve used soft mews to calm them and have noticed every once in a while a cow will come towards me out of curiosity or concern trying a lost calf type call.
Title: Re: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 19, 2019, 04:23:46 PM: Quote from: ljsommer on June 19, 2019, 04:04:49 PM
Quote from: cougforester on June 19, 2019, 03:50:24 PM
Why not still target bulls then nail a cow if she shows up? Best of both worlds!

That....makes a lot of sense. I have the Wynoochee (648) antlerless archery tag which is otherwise 3 pt min. So I can hunt 3 point min or antlerless. That seems like a good way to go.
Just try to get in on a bull, he wants cows too!
Title: Re: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: Rainier10 on June 19, 2019, 04:24:10 PM: Quote from: cougforester on June 19, 2019, 03:50:24 PM
Why not still target bulls then nail a cow if she shows up? Best of both worlds!
Quote from: cbond3318 on June 19, 2019, 04:21:21 PM
I don’t think you’ll be able to do much locating listening for cows. Hunt the bulls and the cows will be there. Once located and within 100 yds or less, I’ve used soft mews to calm them and have noticed every once in a while a cow will come towards me out of curiosity or concern trying a lost calf type call.
:yeah: :yeah:
Title: Re: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 19, 2019, 04:25:10 PM: I've killed an actual truck load of cows by aggressively calling for them. Lost cow/ lost calf and calf distress are lethal.
Title: Re: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: ljsommer on June 19, 2019, 04:27:08 PM: Quote from: Karl Blanchard on June 19, 2019, 04:25:10 PM
I've killed an actually truck load of cows by aggressively calling for them. Lost cow/ lost calf and calf distress are lethal.

Good info! Do you use a variety of those, or do you have a couple go-to calls? If so, care to share which ones have worked well for you?
Title: Re: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: Bullkllr on June 19, 2019, 06:07:35 PM: Of course there's nothing wrong with the tried and proven:
1. see cow
2. get closer to cow
3. sneak within arrow range of cow or cow's path
4. Kill cow
Title: Re: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 19, 2019, 07:12:09 PM: Quote from: ljsommer on June 19, 2019, 04:27:08 PM
Quote from: Karl Blanchard on June 19, 2019, 04:25:10 PM
I've killed an actually truck load of cows by aggressively calling for them. Lost cow/ lost calf and calf distress are lethal.

Good info! Do you use a variety of those, or do you have a couple go-to calls? If so, care to share which ones have worked well for you?
you can make the sound on any open Reed or diaphragm call. It is also killer as a substitute to a location bugle in areas where bulls may hear one too many location bugles.
Title: Re: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: grundy53 on June 19, 2019, 07:22:18 PM: Locate bugle for bulls. They will tell you where the cows are.

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Title: Re: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: D-Rock425 on June 20, 2019, 08:29:23 AM: Quote from: Karl Blanchard on June 19, 2019, 04:25:10 PM
I've killed an actually truck load of cows by aggressively calling for them. Lost cow/ lost calf and calf distress are lethal.
:tup:
Title: Re: Archery hunting cow elk
Post by: jstone on June 20, 2019, 10:14:07 AM: Me I just wake up before light. I’m out and listening for elk talk. Once I hear them get the wind right and move in. Once your in tight gotta pay close attention to all the outlining cows. They will bust you. I look for that true spike first.

Good luck