Question For The Elk X-perts
 

I just got back from a bowhunting trip out in Oregon. I had a great time and saw 14 bulls and 20+ cows. Actually got a shot at one bull but missed. The cover was really thick and I had a limb in the way. Tried a shot over the limb. Made it over the limb and the bull's back! Ouch!! The elk were not rutting at all. Bulls were not bugling and would not come to calls. We had 2 small bulls, a spike and a raghorn stand 94 yards up from us while we cow called. They just looked down our way for about 10 minutes then walked off. They didn't seem to be herded up. We bumped into several groups that had small bulls bedded right in with the cows. My question is, how the heck do you bow hunt elk when they, a)aren't bugling, b)won't come to calls and c)are somewhat scattered out?

RE: Question For The Elk X-perts
 

Mossy-I rarely use a call except to stop a moving animal. The bulls many times don't bugle here due to the heat and almost always am stalking two or three animals if not singles. I hunt waterholes from 3pm to dark either in a ground blind or treestand and animals come in at dusk. In the morning I leave at dark and set up in an oak thicket that I GPS during scouting. Usually if I hear anything it's a leaf popping off and being eaten. Many times don't hear a thing but spot movement. Use the wind to your advantage. These are very quiet animals if they want to be and if they want to make noise it's a real racket. You keep trying and limit the calling and practice creeping and you will stick that big bull. Good luck.

RE: Question For The Elk X-perts
 

spot and stalk
elk are easier to sneak up on then most other big game especially when they are broken up in little groups.
it still is not easy but from what you explain that would be my method
if you can see where they are heading beat them there with a little luck and a little skill I ended up once 10 feet from a feeding spike without a call or a scent cover
the only problem with this is they are to close for you to move and by the time they get back into range you have buck fever so bad you cant shoot any way

RE: Question For The Elk X-perts
 

I think gleninAZ said it best,
Practice you still hunting skills. Take a set of binoculars and as you creep along. Take a step and glass, take a step and glass, take a step and glass......
It's not how much you cover it's about seeing them first and then getting in position to make a shot.
If you can see where they are going to first thing in the morning and then get in there after things settle down you will eventually will get the Bull!

Good Luck!


Greg

"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

RE: Question For The Elk X-perts
 

Thanks for the advice guys. I was really hoping for some magical formula to stick one of these things. Ha! Just kidding. I'll certainly try the tactics you have suggested. Of course it will be next year before I get a chance to try. Its a long way to Oregon from Indiana and I only get 1 week a year to go out there.

Thanks again!


Hunt hard or go home !

RE: Question For The Elk X-perts
 

MOSSY_HORN,
Then spend the next 4 months with your bow on the ground chasing the Whitetail. Use it as practice for Mr. Big next year. Leave your tree stand in the closet This year!
Only one way to get better <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Good Luck!


Greg

&quot;Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus.&quot;

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

RE: Question For The Elk X-perts
 

Holy Moly Greg! Hunt whitetails around here without a treestand?? No way! You can't get within 100 yards of these crafty ole bucks. I've sneeked up on a few small bucks before but those big 'uns are next to impossible to stalk. The timber around here is thick with a lot of underbrush. Makes stalking a no-go. The whitetails are somewhat easy to pattern if you scout your butt off and know the area well. I usually don't have any problems setting up a good ambush from a treestand. Having said all that, it might be fun to try a stalk anyway!

Hunt hard or go home !

RE: Question For The Elk X-perts
 

Sounds like Oregon and the Elk are in the same type of cover as your Indiana Whitetail <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
What about the Tree stand in Oregon then?


Greg

&quot;Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus.&quot;
Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

Edited by - amosgreg on 09/24/2002 12:45:21

RE: Question For The Elk X-perts
 

I did actually sit in a treestand in Oregon one afternoon. Didn't see anything but some yotes. I wouldn't mind sitting treestands out there if I new where to set them up. There are game trails all over out there. Some would have fresh tracks one day but none the next. How the heck do you know where to set up? I knew where some of the bedding areas were but it seemed that the elk were moving mostly after dark. I really didn't think I could ambush one coming to or from the bedding areas. I did find one wallow and thought about sitting on it but had trouble with the wind. I figured I'd get nailed way before they ever got there.



Hunt hard or go home !

Edited by - MOSSY_HORN on 09/24/2002 13:14:03

RE: Question For The Elk X-perts
 

Elk are like Whitetail and if you know where the bedding area is AND they are moving early enough you stand a good chance from the stand.
My first trip to Montana hada frost the first morning and the elk were moving early that evening. It was 75 degrees at 3:30 the next am and they didn't move untill after dark the next couple days.

If you know where the bedding area is it is a good place for an evening ambush. The wallow is good Mid-day and afternoon.

And if you can see where they are moving unpressured they will generally move that way again.

Good Luck


Greg

&quot;Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus.&quot;

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

RE: Question For The Elk X-perts
 

I had the same truble in Oregon to, HOT and to many people. I sat in some tree stands and what Elk I did get to see was at dark. We just have to face up to a bad archery season and say good luck to the gun hunters.

RE: Question For The Elk X-perts
 

As an elk guide/researcher I can tell you that the guys have given you some great advice. Still hunting in/near known bedding areas and feeding areas is the way to hunt elk when they won't respond to a call. Call maker Larry Jones tells me that peak rut in eastern Oregon should be Sept. 25-Oct. 5. If you were in eastern Oregon at that time you should have been there at the right time to hear bugling. But, my research shows that when it is hot (70+ degrees) the bulls often bugle less. That's when you rely more on looking than listening, and more on stalking and still-hunting than callng. You can also find a wallow and sit near it from 9-11 and 3-6 or 7. When it's hot bulls like to wallow to cool off. In fact, scientific research shows that because of their poor thermoregulation system (inability to cool off), they need to wallow to stay cool and healthy.
If you want to learn more stop by and see me on your way out next year (if you drive). I live 30 miles north of I-90, 45 miles south of I-94, and 40 miles form Cabela's in Owatonna, Minnesota.

T.R. Michels

T.R. Michels

RE: Question For The Elk X-perts
 

I didn't read every word of this thread . . . but my observation is that the fall season is at least one month late if not a little more. It has only been in the last two or three weeks, here in the Pacific Northwest, that the tree colors have finally started to change and quickly at that. I have heard that the elk are really active now. All I can do is wait for our late archery elk season opening November 20 . . . and hope that conditions and the anmimals are in a more normal pattern.

Bowhunter

RE: Question For The Elk X-perts
 

What'll really throw a wrench in yer gears is snow. When the elk ain't talkin', an' you try to still hunt the snow gets crunchy an' yer better off watchin' a food source (there won't be as many) all day. I prefer early season cause stalkin' is more realistic. Hate sittin'.

BJ