someone made the comment,," be flexible",, well they hit it on the head. so many people out there think their way is the only way. i like to find new ideas, if they sound good i might try them, but i usually do my own thing.
for example , i shoot a hoyt set at 63 pounds, carbon arrows, muzzy 100's broad heads. my arrow weight is around 406. now for my set up and the way i shoot, its been very good for me, 3 does, 2 bucks, 2 elk, and 1 bear. everything but my first elk were blow throughs, with the farthest dieing animal was 40 yards. the first elk , i went through ribs on both sides, and the broad head stuck out alittle.
i practice out to 40 yards, but my max for shooting an animal might be 30 yards, if everything is perfect, the farthest i have taken a shot was 17 yards. i figure 30 yards to be my max because thats the distance that feels good to me to be able to make the best and cleanest kill out too.
i dont bugle in the woods yet, because i dont feel comfterble yet, but so far i have done really good with just cow calls and stalking. my last bull i sneaked into under 20 yards , cow calling to him and the herd, mixing up my cow calling, to blend in.
i learned last year, that i need to strech alittle more before going into the woods, i ended up tear my achilles tendon. lesson learned the hard way, but its one i wont forget. i guess thats what happens when you hear the stupid sound, and yes, i will call it a stupid sound, since, everytime i hear it i end up going into some of the worst places following the elk, but thats just me i have no problem hikeing anywhere to get to the elk. maybe just alittle more streching the next time i go out.
so i guess its mainly listen , try , learn, and figure out what works for you, and to realize no one person has the truest or best way to hunt, each is different . as long as you have fun and if you can harvest an animal, wheither its a cow or bull, then its all good.