Call, Crawl, Charge, or Cower

[WapitiTalk1]

Hunting journal:  It's the last day of your solo 7 day hunt, late morning (3 point or better bull or cow tag).  You've successfully dogged this fine fellow and his handfull of cows for close to 1/2 mile starting at the crack of dawn.  From your position, 70 yards away and just at the edge of this nice 150ish yard wide bench, you finally get eyes on the elk.  You didn't think they had stopped moving yet but obviously, they've reached their bedding area and stopped forward progress.  You have eyes on the bull and one bedded cow and assume the other cows are probably to the bull's 2 oclock.  A bit out of breath from your trek up the steep sidehill behind you, you pause to assess your next move.  Call, crawl, charge, or cower (wait it out).  What's your plan of attack to arrow an elk?

[kentrek]

Rifle season ?? 

But tough call...I'd hold up if the wind was steady...see how worked up the bull is...is he going to lay down ? Or is he going to keep on the move checking all his cows ?

Might aswell give it 15minutes and enjoy the moment

[goody31]

Wait for him to take two steps forward then launch the arrow thru his heart!

[WapitiTalk1]

Wait for him to take two steps forward then launch the arrow thru his heart!

Ha!  Guess I should have included a "grip it and rip it" option for you goody

[The scout]

cower, they always seem to just gather there cows and bail if you call when they are getting ready to bed down.

[WapitiTalk1]

A bit of an observation from the tale of the tape.  You just came uphill to the bench and the wind (thermals) still seem to coming somewhat downhill at this "late morning" time of the day.  I'm guessing the favorable wind will not be favorable for very long.  Does this impact anybody's decision on their move?  Well, besides goody.. He already launched and may be sitting on his haunches for a bit before he starts tracking    No right or wrong answers folks, just sparking some elky conversation. 

[goody31]

Wait for him to take two steps forward then launch the arrow thru his heart!

Ha!  Guess I should have included a "grip it and rip it" option for you goody

Some had to say it, cause i sure was thinking it(I'm sure others might as well).  Not the best choice ( I know all the internet police will jump on me.) but given practice and shooting at that distance outside a hunting situation, If I can't get any closer without blowing them out of there with all the eyes, I would like to get to at least 50 yards, I'll take the shot and wait till I start tracking! Good post Phantom, get's my heart pumping about being in that clear of a shot on that big boy!   

[Seahawk12]

Float like the ghost of a slow-motion ninja to get within range.
Then it's time for cold beer and elk steak! 
(or if it's a fail it's time to start cursing the wind for suddenly changing and giving me away.)

[Bullkllr]

A bit of an observation from the tale of the tape.  You just came uphill to the bench and the wind (thermals) still seem to coming somewhat downhill at this "late morning" time of the day.  I'm guessing the favorable wind will not be favorable for very long.  Does this impact anybody's decision on their move?  Well, besides goody.. He already launched and may be sitting on his haunches for a bit before he starts tracking    No right or wrong answers folks, just sparking some elky conversation.

You had to throw that in, didn't you?

First inclination would be to wait it out. Now it's also last day, so I might use less caution. Since I don't feel confident with the shot in the present situation, crawling closer might be worth a try. Get as close as possible (before thermals shifted- or might need to adjust elevation for the stalk). Shoot a cow if the bull doesn't offer a shot.

If it wasn't last day I'd wait it out and see where they go and try to set up an ambush.
Depends on the bull's attitude too. If he looks spunky, maybe a cow call or bugle even depending.

[Axle]

 I would make plans to

[WapitiTalk1]

I would make plans to

What did you do Axle to facilitate steaks on the BBQ?

[Jellymon]

Does this fall under charge?

[Jellymon]

...

[xXLojackXx]

Jellymon, thats the gutless method.

Thats a rough call. Getting close to bedded  elk is TOUGH  I might wait it out and make a move when they get up in an hour or so to stretch

[buglebrush]

Call.  70 yards from a cowed up bull.  He would come unglued! 

Edited to add:  I would also be showing him my headsup decoy.