Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Caliber on June 18, 2011, 12:45:40 PM

Title: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: Caliber on June 18, 2011, 12:45:40 PM: So admittedly I am not much of an elk hunter. Shot my first elk last year, a nice little cow. My son drew the same tag this year. One of the things I noticed last year, when I would cow call several times I had bulls respond and come in (didnt have a bugle on me since my tag was antlerless). Quite a thrill. So I am wondering, can I use a bugle to get cows to come in? Or at the least, use it to locate a bull/herd and put a move on them?
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: dylanb on June 18, 2011, 12:54:55 PM: when u bugle a elk a cow comes first to make shure it is safe so it might not be a bad idea
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on June 18, 2011, 01:01:31 PM: I have had cows come into the bugle. So anything out there is worth a try
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: kibber on June 18, 2011, 01:20:55 PM: Doing both would not be a bad idea. I have never heard the theory that a cow comes first to check out the bugling prior to the bull arriving. I have brought in many bulls and have not found this to be a rule. :twocents:
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 18, 2011, 01:45:37 PM: You can always mix it up. Cows will come to bull calls and bulls to cow calls.
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: Button Nubbs on June 18, 2011, 01:52:36 PM: If the cows you are after are with a bull when you bugle they just may all run the other way. Don't ask me how I know... :chuckle: :bash:
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: unluckyjohn on June 18, 2011, 02:07:39 PM: Look on utube. The elknut gives some great info on that. " cow elk calling " he does a bugle that is the bull calling for cows. like I said, great help and info
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: billdo5 on June 19, 2011, 10:22:09 AM: get a cow call called the cowgirl made by primos.. one of the best calls to get cows to come in.. i have had cows leave the herd and wander up close all the time... works really well and is not too expensive
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: PA BEN on June 19, 2011, 01:03:11 PM: I've had cows come to bugles before.
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: Wtrfowlr62 on June 19, 2011, 03:31:15 PM: Quote from: dylanb on June 18, 2011, 12:54:55 PM
when u bugle a elk a cow comes first to make shure it is safe so it might not be a bad idea
:yeah:
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: Caliber on June 19, 2011, 09:49:42 PM: Thanks for all the replies, looks like I will incorporate a bugle into the rotation. I guess I need to go shopping now. Any strong preferences on call type or brand?
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: watrapper on June 19, 2011, 10:02:08 PM: It sure doesnt hurt to mix it up with cow calls and bugles. With whatever you choose you should purchase them now and start practicing. Good luck.
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: Kowsrule30 on June 19, 2011, 10:47:32 PM: I like Primos.... Call in a bunch of cows.... I've filled 2 cow tags myself that way.... Called in 4 for my Dad, and 4 for friends.... I'll sit 20-80 yards back to call them in bow range close.....Even if the cows are with a herd or herd bull they might come check out the one that they think is lost, another herd, ect..... Pretty cool action when it works....
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: THEBUGLER on June 19, 2011, 11:04:55 PM: Cows do come to bugles. But very few cows come to my calls, just bulls 95% of the time. Dont know why.......
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: sebek556 on June 19, 2011, 11:14:13 PM: Quote from: THEBUGLER on June 19, 2011, 11:04:55 PM
Cows do come to bugles. But very few cows come to my calls, just bulls 95% of the time. Dont know why.......
guess your calls are just to feminine :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: MIKEXRAY on June 20, 2011, 05:03:35 AM: I have had only one cow come in to a bugle in the last five years, she must of been lost because she came crashing in with the first bugle in that area. I had a bull tag & got excited with an animal coming in so hot, boy was I surprised when a cow was in my lap. She was around for an hour, kind of like having a live Montana decoy in front of me. Since it has only happened once to me , I wouldn't go around bugling to call cows in. Mike
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: Elknut1 on June 20, 2011, 06:50:44 PM: As to your question, yes you can! I've called in countless cows & spikes by persistent aggressive bugling as I advertised myself & position. Persistence is key when using such a strategy. This works because all bulls represent themselves in a manor to attract cows during pre-rut & peak rut times. They are in hopes that cows will check them out or consider them for the purpose of breeding, as it's the cows that choose the bulls to mate with!

Is it the best strategy for calling cows, probably not! (grin) But you can do it! I would entertain other sounds or methods to attract cows that raised ones odds considerably. Using lost/separated cow or calf sounds or both in a persistent manner would net one better results, even social cow & calf talk can intrigue other cows out of curiosity to come your way! I'd rather use sounds that require assistance or aid to attract cows my way such as the ones I mentioned above! Check out this link & see the sounds used here by a nervous/separated calf! This is gold in the elkwoods!!! Elk Cow Estrus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrW-OAn8VA4#)

ElkNut1
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: HOYT6.0 on June 20, 2011, 07:20:54 PM: Well here's my two cents. It depends on were you are hunting. If your in a unit with alot of pressure, I seriously doubt you will call a cow in. Maybe up in the sticks were you have to pack in. Ive noticed in the last 10-15 years with calls getting better. Elk have seem to become more shy towards artificall calls. By now means would I say bring your pet elk out in the woods and spank her to get her to call for you. :)

But on a serious note. The woods in the last decade or more have become more crowded with hunters. Therefore pressure is going to come into play. Ive noticed they become less vocal during the season. I practice with mouth reeds on the way to and from work. I have disc Ive bought to play in the truck and try to mimic the call Im wanting. Practice is your best bet when calling elk. The better you are than the next guy, the better your chances of getting that critter coming your way and not his. Again, just my two cents....
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: Elknut1 on June 20, 2011, 07:31:24 PM: Whoops wrong video clip, that 1st one is the Estrus Buzz1 Here's the one I meant!
http://www.elkheaven.com/video/calf-web.wmv (http://www.elkheaven.com/video/calf-web.wmv)

By the way, it doesn't matter if you hunt heavily hunted areas or LE units, sounds as this & the ones I mentioned will bring elk your way, I do it every year on the most heavily hunted units around on all our OTC hunts even though we have tons of wolves here in Idaho great sounds produce results, perfect this sound & you will do well, hunt smart & hunt hard!! A good setup is worth its weight in gold, always watch that wind!!

ElkNut1
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: kibber on June 20, 2011, 07:56:42 PM: bugling bull company good calls had a few ruff years but back to being great calls. This is just my thoughts.. Good luck and start working on calling now.
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: billdo5 on June 21, 2011, 01:26:28 PM: Quote from: Elknut1 on June 20, 2011, 07:31:24 PM
Whoops wrong video clip, that 1st one is the Estrus Buzz1 Here's the one I meant!
http://www.elkheaven.com/video/calf-web.wmv (http://www.elkheaven.com/video/calf-web.wmv)

ElkNut1

hearing that bull in the end gave me a woody oh god lol ;)
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: BLUEBULLS on June 21, 2011, 02:09:36 PM: They're not much different than people, most women will not come in to a man that's yelling for her. A few will, but do you really want those ones?

What I'm trying to say is, the cows that do come in to a bugle are kindy nasty, you should pass on them because they'll definitely be bred. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: iRem on June 21, 2011, 04:01:18 PM: Great vid and Yes I want that hot horny elk coming to me :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bugling for Cows?
Post by: D-Rock425 on June 21, 2011, 09:31:20 PM: I wouldn't over do the calls to much.