Post by: go4itlab on December 19, 2010, 06:43:44 PM
Post by: high country on December 19, 2010, 07:04:36 PM
Post by: Elknut1 on December 20, 2010, 05:54:31 AM
Yes, it's very common for elk to be talking up a storm especially in the larger groups! Elk do not stop being elk outside of Sept/Oct. Elk talk year around just like you & I. It's both for communication & direction of movement, too other nursery groups can blend together & when this happens they can be extremely loud & playful . During breeding times they just become more aggressive as hormones & testosterone levels slowly escalate in both genders, outside of that they are still elk!
You will find that elk will talk up a storm, yet they know one anothers voice or sound. You can easily test this by observing these groups any time of year, slip down towards them where you can get inside 125yds & watch & listen to them. You will hear countless mews & chirps yet none of them pay strict attention to the individual chatter. Now you give one or two cow sounds & that's it, you would think they would not pay you any notice as they themselves are being so vocal but the opposite is true, you will be surprised how many heads turn your way & stare in your direction even though you are hidden! Why? Because they know each sound by one another & now recognize your sound as an outsider. Just an interest thought! (grin)
It's common for the bulls to talk/bugle as well at all times of the year. In many cases the bulls move off from these larger herds but some do not & some are slower that others in doing so, they do not have calendars! (grin) You can see these bulls still sparring & squealing around as they wind down from the rut & still feel their oats & just being elk! Bulls can still be rubbing or thrashing trees as well, it's not uncommon at all. In many situations bulls will rub a tree that's been previously rubbed by themselves or another bull, they are attracted to these trees or just the area itself because bulls will leave their scent there from a gland that emits their signature or presence that is above their eyes & below their antler base. This scent can be recognizable for weeks & even months to them thus attracting them to the area. It's very common for other bulls to check out the various scents on these trees in a given area. In many areas you can see the effects of these on small ridge lines or in fairly large meadows where elk will come down & feed in. Here you will see lots of rubs as they rub different sized trees & the heights vary considerably when there are many bulls around. One bull can rub a lot of trees but 3-4 bulls can rub a lot more. Bulls can use these same areas year after year when not pressured! So yes, it's common to hear all the chatter you were hearing!
ElkNut1
Post by: Buckrub on December 20, 2010, 06:33:44 AM
Never ceases to amaze me is that some hunters just can't get a response to a call while others no problem?
Is it confidence or education?
Post by: high country on December 20, 2010, 06:41:34 AM
Post by: boneaddict on December 20, 2010, 06:59:33 AM
Quote
Is it confidence or education?
Key is know what to say and when to say it. Think of it in human terms, you don't stand up at the christmas program in the middle and drop the F bomb. :)
Post by: Buckrub on December 20, 2010, 07:03:12 AM
QuoteIs it confidence or education?
Key is know what to say and when to say it. Think of it in human terms, you don't stand up at the christmas program in the middle and drop the F bomb. :)
F bomb? like a fart in church.....would that be a F bomb...LOL
Post by: boneaddict on December 20, 2010, 07:14:52 AM
In other words you don't walk into a movie theatre and yell fire, a bank and yell stick up, an airport and yell Hi Jack.
Post by: Buckrub on December 20, 2010, 07:24:40 AM
Did that once in the middle of an elk herd once too. Damn near got ran over. :chuckle:
In other words you don't walk into a movie theatre and yell fire, a bank and yell stick up, an airport and yell Hi Jack.
Must not have been silent enuff or deadly enuff :chuckle:
Post by: colockumelk on December 20, 2010, 06:50:48 PM
Post by: Elknut1 on December 21, 2010, 06:00:25 AM
Key in most cases is to only use sounds in these areas that attract them but is generally only heard within their ranks! What gets elk to be call shy is "predictable" calling & then if they are not killed when they have come into the classic bugle or & cow calls after being fooled countless times they become extremely wary & start slipping silently in with the wind in their favor to make sure it's real elk they are hearing! One great sound than can turn the odds table into your favor is the "estrus buzz" this sound is tough to master but well worth the effort because no one uses it, elk hear it & they immediately tag it as a real elk looking for the group! There's others but this one is right near the top!!
ElkNut1
Post by: Buckrub on December 21, 2010, 07:51:10 AM
Good advice but I've heard hundreds of times per year that "westside" elk don't talk and a bugle is a waste of time.... I smile and go about my business of calling in hunters and the occasional bull.
For one to have the confidence in elk talk or locating I feel education and experience is of utmost importance.
I'm not going to train my competition locally... I'll leave that to you.
I'll leave with one comment.... locating elk with a bugle is much more than a bugled response with call shy bulls. "snap crackle pop" :)
Post by: Buckrub on December 21, 2010, 07:54:13 AM
Keep up the good work on youtube.... I don't have a facebook account.
I do watch your videos... I listen to everybody and never stop learning even though I'm getting old and set in my ways :rolleyes:
Post by: Elknut1 on December 21, 2010, 10:58:00 AM
Besides most hunters take it in but still forget it or don't apply it when needed because of the intimidation factor, so what do they do? They cow call 90% of the time, when it applies, great! When it doesn't they just lost a golden opportunity due to a hang-up or elk moving off! Anyway thanks for your comments you seem like a great guy!
ElkNut1