Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: zackmioli on May 01, 2011, 05:03:16 PM
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this is going to be my first year archery elk hunting. i am wondering if there is a certain type of terrain you look for before throwing out a locator bugle or starting a calling sequence? I went out for my first scouting trip today and found some areas with tracks and other areas that look like they would hold elk but i was thinking about what kind of terrain or areas people look for before bugling? heavy timber? old growth? clearcuts with reprod or heavy timber below or to the sides? i found all these kinds of areas today and just wondered if that mattered for calling or if i should just focus on calling where i find the most fresh sign?
any direction would be great! thanks everyone.
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Personally I don't look at the terrain to determine where to throw out a locate bugle because elk will and can live anywhere from the flattest farmland to the most rugged high country. The biggest key in my opinion is already having a good idea on where the elk are living. Do your scouting and find the elk prior to the opener and you'll have more success finding them when it's go time.
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Zackmioli,
You are on the right track! All those places are ideal elk habitat. When you want to here a bull's response from up close, to off in the distance, you must position yourself to where your calls will be heard. Bugling from a clear ridge top into a drainage where elk can hear you from half a mile away is a great place to start. If your on a flat with sparse cover, you can broadcast your calls up to nearby ridges. The thicker the cover, the less distance your calls can be heard. If you have a high, or low vantage point good for glassing but you can remain concealed so as not to have a close by elk bust you, thats your best bet for locating them. If you already have a good hunch of where the elk are at, then set up down wind 100-200 yards from their location and begin your calling scenario. Just remember, its kind of like fishing, dont cast your line once and head home. Dont over do it by calling on deaf ears. Call for a bit, then move on to the next spot if you hear no responses or have an elk sneak in on you.
Here's an article on this topic: http://elk101.com/2010/01/trolling-for-bulls-archery-elk-hunting/ (http://elk101.com/2010/01/trolling-for-bulls-archery-elk-hunting/)
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thanks for that info. i read through the article and it makes a lot of sense. i plan on heading up to the area i plan to hunt once a week throughout the summer. so hopefully i can find some of those really elky spots. i am pretty new to elk hunting so im just kind of following my instincts and guts on what to do for now haha. trying to learn as much as possible and be successful all on my own gets pretty frustrating at times but i know when it all comes together it will be the most rewarding feeling ever.
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Not sure where you are hunting/scouting right now and don't need to know, but, I would make sure to look at your surroundings and see what kind of traffic the are is having in the way of Man foot traffic. As the summer approaches ( maybe ) you will see what can of man traffic you'll have in the area as well as hunting time. Be prepared to hunt with others especially if this area is already know to be hunted or over hunted during the season. I personally hope that you have yourself a Sweet Honey Hole. Best of luck!
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Like was mention earlier before you start do any call find a good spot to consill youself don't stay on a middle of openings, now that from my own experience few times i been stupid enaff to do that and what happened ? elk was near by and they came to investigate and busted me on middle of open area the hunt was over.
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Vaz, I too learned that one the hard way a few times. From then on any time I am going to make a call, even if I'm just using it to locate locate the position of my hunt partners (experience speaking again :bash: ), I am ready for that secretive bull that is 100 yards away and closing fast. I'm still sick over the 320 Roosey that punked us a few years ago.
