RE: Hunting scenario...Elk w/Pic
Without being there first hand it is so hard to say what to do because there are too many unknown factors. To start off which way is the wind blowing? How many other elk are bedded down or are in the general area? Is it early season or is it middle to late September and the rut is in full swing? Is he a herd bull or just a nice satelite?I say this because IMOhe looks like a 315 to 330 class bull from what I can see. In some area's he will be a monster and others he is the runt satelite bull. If he is a herd bull how many cows does he have. A herd bull with a lot of cows(over 20)will not likley leave them to find another cow.He knows that other bulls are always trying to steal his own cows, soif he just lets his gaurd down for just a second another bull can steal his cows.But you can split the herd and piss him off, or make him think you are a satelite bull stealing his cows and get ready becaues he will throw caution to the wind and come a running to kick your butt. As far a making noise well thats no problem because elk make lots of noise and I too want to make noise that elk make. You have to sell yourself as a real elk, that means sounding smelling and looking like a elk. Now to assume thatits the early tomiddle of September andI was 60 yards away with the wind in my faceand he is alone. He will be of courselookingin my gereral direction because I would have already been elk talking. Then I would pull out my decoy and pop it up in front of him and give him a cow in estrus call. That will get him to move and if he likes it he will come closer, like under 20 yards closer. But there is always a chance he is looking for the boogey man (aka bowhunters) and run off. If that happens I will regroup pull out new calls (new elk) and try if all again. I honestly believe there is not a elk a the mountain that can't be called in you just have to work it and find which buttons to push so to speak. All elk havetherebreaking point and will come a running when you find what they like.It might take more than a week or twoto do it if your heart is set on a single certain herd bull. If it doesn't work the first time use new calls, sound different and try again. Try it with and with out decoys, ratteling, splashing in the wallows, stomping the ground, rubbing/rakingthe tree's and brush, and many many different elk sounds. To be able to sound like a small bull with 4 or 5 cows is a awesome weapon. If there are two of you that only makes it better! I know this is not a cut a dried answere you were looking for but I have answered it the most honestly that I can. Jason