I'm new to elk hunting (this will be my 4th season) and have been watching the hunting shows and reading the magazines to attempt to gain some insight about hunting this animal. All of the shows seem to focus on archery hunting, which is usually in the rut, and they are always going after big trophy bulls. The hunters on these shows use elk calls (which makes sense to do during the rut).

I hunt modern firearm (MF) season in Washington state, which is after the rut and limited to spike bull (unless you have a special permit). A couple of questions I have, is 1) will a call still work after the rut when I hunt (last week in Oct or first week in Nov) and if so, what type? 2) Since I'm limited to spike and the shows only go after trophy bulls, how do you look for/go after spikes? Are they hanging around the cows at this time of the year?

I'm probably coming across as stupid, but like I said with only 3 seasons under my belt, I've got a lot to learn. Any advice would help. Thanks!

i cant believe they limit ya to spikes. wow.
anyway, i think a cow call would still work great. maybe not so much like a hyper hot, but just the ordinary cow call. E.L.K. inc out of Gardiner, Mt. makes a nice little cow call that is really easy to use, and you can just make regular elk sounds like they make year round. i would think a spike would be looking for company. seems to work around here anyway...
that all being said, sometimes it seems like all i find are the spikes anyway
hope that helped at least a bit
brad

Normal cow callin.The bigger bulls have already done their deed and the spikes are followin mama around.Sound like a bunch of different cows.Also,last year just for fun I cow called real loud and aggressive later in the year while deer hunting and called in a herd of about 25-30 cows,and a spike come running out last behind them and stopped about 10 yards.
Good Luck
Elkshed

Elkshed---The sound you made sounds like the"Come over this way call" that a lead cow makes as she's bringing the herd from feeding to bedding or vice-versa. This is why you had such a herd come your way. That is a great sound to use along with a lost cow sound, that sound too will attract other cows & spikes more often than branch antlered bulls. So those two sounds are the ones that are some of the best if you've got a spike only tag!! ElkNut1

Thanks for the advice! I'll look into a cow call. Looking forward to the season. Got a new gun and camper to try out.