Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: JasonG on September 25, 2024, 05:22:16 PM
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Hello all, Just curious how many muzzleloader elk hunters out there, get into vocal elk? I got my first bull two years ago during muzzleloader, and the bull was very vocal. I had a multi-season tag but I usually hunt Archery. I'm Hunting Muzzy this year and hoping to catch the tail end of the rut. Any input would be awesome!
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Always a few but some places they are still very vocal.
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Yes.
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I heard one last year on day 2 of muzzy season. Glassing a clearing near dark about a mile off the main road. I had not been calling much because I the only thing I heard so far were road buglers.
Hear a truck come down the road, stop, truck door close and bugle. I'm thinking okay buddy. Immediate response bugle - what?!?! Guy from truck bugles. Response bugle - 2 minutes later - BOOM! Damn it!
Apparently they are still verbal.
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I just think it depends on where you’re hunting. Muzzy season by far is the best season on the eastside. Very vocal peak of the rut.
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I just think it depends on where you’re hunting. Muzzy season by far is the best season on the eastside. Very vocal peak of the rut.
:yeah:
My buddy shot the 4th 6 point we called in on opening day a few years back.
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Don't listen to these other replies! They are trying to trick you! All the elk leave the state and head for Jackson Hole by the time muzzy season starts! They never bugle after October 1st either. If you hear a bugle that's just another hunter and that means you should move along...
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I forgot to mention...
I switched to muzzleloader about 12 yrs ago and haven't looked back! :chuckle:
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I've found a lot of the west side elk are less vocal by muzzy. East side is great.
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I've hunted westside muzzy close to 30 years. I've seen seasons with lots of bugling and seasons with none. It seems to me like the timing of the season and the weather have been the 2 biggest factors.
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Eighteen years ago, opening day of rifle deer, I was hunting thick stuff in case other hunters pushed any deer around. Had been sitting for a while so I got up, took a few steps and snapped a stick. I always carry a cow call on me so I gave it one blow so anything that heard the stick might think I'm just a cow. I stood there for about five minutes when I heard a little twig snap behind me. I turned to see if it was anything, and found a 7 point bull maybe 12 or 13 yards away staring at me. Counted his points three times and he stood there for about a minute before turning and walking off. Never did see him again.
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I'd say about half of the archery days from 9/15-9/30, the bulls are non-vocal.
I've heard a spike bugle in January, and bulls bugle mid November.
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I shot my bull the 3rd day of the season! Had multiple bulls respond to cow calls and bugles. I had an eastern wa quality muzzleloader bull tag.
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2 years ago the season opened on the 1st. I shot a nice mature rosey bull that morning that was bugling with cows. This year it opens on the 5th. There will still be some bugling but not as much. Muzzy season opens the 1st at the earliest and the 7th at the latest on any given year, earlier the better for rutting action...
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Yep.
