Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: nocklehead on August 03, 2010, 11:32:39 PM

Title: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: nocklehead on August 03, 2010, 11:32:39 PM: So my hunting buddy and I are good callers, and we hunt in a cow/spike unit...we've called in some monster bulls, but the only cows that have come in are yearlings..and Id prefer not to take a spike but will this yr if presented again.... Also I bowhunt.
As a bowhunter whats the best way to get a monster herd cow?? spot n stalk? call and loudly stalk like a bull or small herd? sit forever in a drain or wallow? opinions? :dunno:

Ive been within 100yds of HUGE cows but it seems they send the little ones to go check it out....
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 03, 2010, 11:55:54 PM: the old lead cows get really smart and they do not get love struck like the bulls do, and the youger cows are a bit more easy to fool. they can be tuff to call in. the best results we have had is using calf calls.
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: nocklehead on August 04, 2010, 12:02:38 AM: Thank you, yeah ive watched em a few times but it seems very difficult to get into bow range as these cows seem to stay in the center of the others
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: PA BEN on August 04, 2010, 05:38:44 AM: The only cows I called in came in with the bull I was calling. I don't know if I called this one in, but while muzzle loader hunting for a cow tag, I made some bugles w/no answer. We turned around and a big cow was standing there and my buddy shot her. :dunno:
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: WSU on August 04, 2010, 09:14:36 AM: One thing that will work is to make the regrouping cow call when you get busted and scatter a herd. I've called cows to within feet of me by doing this. Also, spot and stalk would be good.
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: 400out on August 04, 2010, 09:21:39 AM: I would go with the spot and stalk myself but they always have a lot of eyes and ears with them so this will be hard
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: 6x6rack on August 04, 2010, 09:37:58 AM: I was in a herd years ago and watched a bull do this and the lead cow started up the hill towards him and took the herd past him and up the hill. I have used it to take a couple lead cows. Using a grunt tube with what I call a "it's time to go ladies" call. Just a medium tone single call...EEE-yoop, about 2 seconds long, and not another sound when your above a herd with no dominant bull, or a broken herd. The first cow by has been the lead both times. I wasn't trying to specifically take a lead cow, it just worked out that way. It hasn't worked calling cows away from a heard with a big bull. Good luck
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: Little Fish on August 04, 2010, 09:47:14 AM: I've called a number of cows in. I've had them come running in to a locator bugle several times. This was during the rut and I assume they were ready to be bred. I have also called them in with a lost calf/cow call. This seems to work best when they are on the move or when they are regrouping right at dusk and there is a possibility someone in the herd is lost. Last of all I've called them in using a calling routine...cow calls, estrus whine, bugle. I called the lead cow into 14 yards last year doing this. When I stepped around the stump I was standing by we both scared the heck out of eachother. In this latter case I think she was coming in to see what was going on and who was making all the noise.
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: nocklehead on August 04, 2010, 11:44:59 AM: great info! thanks!
this will be my third elk season with a bow, so third times a charm right?
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 04, 2010, 12:04:01 PM: hope so! good luck to you on your hunt!
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: Little Fish on August 04, 2010, 12:14:19 PM: I am hoping 4th time is a charm....as this is my 4th season with a bow. Actually last year I had several good opportunities to kill an elk, but blew them all. Hopefully you will do better and get your elk this year.
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: time2hunt on August 04, 2010, 12:24:18 PM: Why would you want to shot a lead cow anyways? A nice tender 3-4 year old is your prime eating!!
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: haus on August 04, 2010, 12:33:56 PM: :yeah:
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: huntaddict on August 04, 2010, 12:43:53 PM: I've had good luck at walmart.
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: 6x6rack on August 04, 2010, 12:55:48 PM: I have to say the best two elk I have eaten were the lead cows I shot. I heard somewhere that lead cows are ususaly barren...they can't have calves. Because of this they are larger than herd cows as all their energy goes to them, not a calf once a year. They also have a lot fewer hormones raging during the breeding (hunting) season, which contributes to the flavor of the meat. They were fork tender and not the slightest gamey flavor to them. If you have a crack at one...take it!
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: haus on August 04, 2010, 01:13:57 PM: Quote from: huntaddict on August 04, 2010, 12:43:53 PM
I've had good luck at walmart.
:yeah:
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: huntaddict on August 04, 2010, 02:05:01 PM: On a more serious note and I'm notsure if this was already covered but you could get between their feeding and bedding area, and set up an ambush on the lead cow.
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: nocklehead on August 04, 2010, 11:34:28 PM: Quote from: 6x6rack on August 04, 2010, 12:55:48 PM
I have to say the best two elk I have eaten were the lead cows I shot. I heard somewhere that lead cows are ususaly barren...they can't have calves. Because of this they are larger than herd cows as all their energy goes to them, not a calf once a year. They also have a lot fewer hormones raging during the breeding (hunting) season, which contributes to the flavor of the meat. They were fork tender and not the slightest gamey flavor to them. If you have a crack at one...take it!

Ya the most experience I had with one, all the other elk in a group of about 8 were interested in the one bugle we made and started coming in, two little calves were the first to come bouncing in so my buddy took one, but up higher on the hill was a cow that was nearly as big as the 6x7 she was standing next to and didnt really seem interested in anything than where the kids were going.... :dunno:

of course rifle wouldve been a done deal!

Quote from: huntaddict on August 04, 2010, 02:05:01 PM
On a more serious note and I'm notsure if this was already covered but you could get between their feeding and bedding area, and set up an ambush on the lead cow.

Seems like when theyre getting pushed around they change it up about every 36 hrs....anyone else notice that? night, morning, night, ...gone 3 miles away.
Title: Re: tips on getting a big cow
Post by: gadwall on August 07, 2010, 08:29:28 AM: Quote from: huntaddict on August 04, 2010, 12:43:53 PM
I've had good luck at walmart.

Go to the nearest watering hole and look for the best lookin' one wearing a tavern jacket!! :chuckle: :chuckle: