Elk Strategies-Elk Calling Question

We get questions at JSO Blog quite often and I thought this would be a good one to share with you guys, "Hi Jay, I have a question maybe you could help me with. I have had luck calling bulls in by myself this My brother finally drew a bull elk tag after 17 years, my question is when I set up behind him to call and a bull comes in that I can not see and I continue to call will it blow the bull out. How do you determine when not to call and when to call when set up behind a hunter."

Answer from Jay Scott:  I like to try to stay close enough to my hunter so that I know what is going on.  I can read the bulls reaction and the communicate with my hunter as to whether the bull is a "shooter" or not.  The single biggest problem with getting out of sight from your hunter is if a bull comes in that is not large enough and the hunter shoots it thinking it is a big bull.  It is a very dangerous position to be in when you have finally drawn a premium tag.  I have been bit several times by leaving a hunter alone then fading away while working a bull. 

Fading away can be one of the most deadly tactics to calling in a bull in to your hunter but it comes with huge consequences.  If your hunter is very good at field judging then I would say this is one of the best methods for killing bulls.  My archery hunter in 2011 Todd Brooks harvested an awesome bull by this very method.

Once you have the bulls attention and you know he is coming in just fade away and he will walk right into your hunters lap and usually give him a great shot.

In regards to when to determine to call, I like to get their attention and get them coming then just give them enough to keep coming.  Don't overcall because if you keep them guessing your position they will most likely not hang up.  If you call while they are approaching they will try to see you and then recognize that there is no elk where it should be.  Get them fired up then let them walk.  Fight the urge to call.  When you do call make it count and it needs to sound perfect.  Hope that helps.

Ask JSO Question 2-Elk Hunting

Pictured above is Dick Corbett's 420 inch giant AZ bull guided by Darr Colburn

Here are a couple of questions that we have received about elk hunting from one of our blog followers.  We are getting lots of good questions so keep sending them, jayscottoutdoors@gmail.com


BULL ELK IS BUGLING HARD TO EVERY CALL YOU MAKE BUT WON'T COME INTO BOW RANGE?
Answer by Jay Scott:  I would say first thing I would do is try to sneak in tighter to the bull before calling to him in the first place.  If  bulls are bugling on there own I don't call at all.  Try and get right in his hip pocket before you make a peep.  Often times they will come right over if you get inside bow range before making a sound.  Another tactic to try that works well on a bull that hangs up is have your buddy fade back and cow call like the cow is leaving the herd.  Most of the time the bull will eventually follow.  Lots of times they will follow silently because they  just can't take the cow walking away.  We refer to this tactic as the fade away or floater.

Answer by Darr Colburn: If the bull is on the move I would not call and try to loop around and get in front of him depending on the wind.  I usually don't call at all if a bull is bugling on his own.  I push the envelope and sneak in as tight as I can silently.  Once you get inside of 100 yards you never know what can happen.  If a bull is screaming and acting very aggressive sometimes raking a tree and sounding like another bull can push them over the edge and get them coming your way. 

Answer by Janis Putelis:  Change something!  Even if that means shutting up for ten minutes.  I also like to add lots of other sounds in addition to the calling.  Examples being: raking, thrashing, stomping, literally running through bushes.  Elk are big and make a lot of noise when rutting around so they expect to hear that from you to.

DO YOU COW CALL MORE OR BUGLE WHEN HUNTING BIG BULLS IN ARIZONA?
Answer by Jay Scott:  I very rarely bugle.  I may bugle for location then move in tight and "sweet talk" them.  In my opinion, very few guys can bugle good enough to consistently call in big giant mature bulls.  If you are trying for younger bulls bugling can be extremely effective.  To me cow calling is where it is at.  Try to concentrate on soft, sweet nasally sounds.  I have found the more natural and real that you sound the more success you will have calling in bigger bulls.

Answer by Darr Colburn:  I never bugle.  I am not a master caller by any means.  I usually sneak in silently and only call when I need to stop a bull for a shot.  Most hunters I hear call don't sound very good because they don't practice.  If the call does not sound good to my ears the elk will for sure know the difference.  Practice your calling and listen to the really good callers like Jay and try and imitate the sounds they make.  There are some great calls out there that sound good with a little practice.  Another thing is elk are usually on the move in the morning and evening.  The majority of the time they are traveling into the wind.  You need to be in front of the elk in the direction they are traveling to call them in most of the time.

Answer by Janis Putelis:  It depends on the stage of the rut.  I mostly just bugle as a locator or to keep the bull bugling while someone else is sneaking in, but I've found that there is a period pre-rut when the bulls seem to really respond and come to bugles.  I think at that point they are more focused on gathering harems and pushing off other bulls than actually mating.  Once a larger percentage of the cows are hot, cow calls are where it's at.

Arizona Elk Hunting-Elk Calling Tips Part 2

Here is a brief video on using the bugle to locate bulls while elk hunting.  I don't use the bugle that much and rely primarily on cow calling but there is definitely a time when a bugle comes in handy.

We just got up to Unit 9 late this afternoon and set up camp. Jeanne and I went for a ride and did a little hike and heard our first bugle for 2012. This bull was pushing cows in a small meadow.  Should be a fun year!

Arizona Elk Hunting-Elk Calling Tips Part 1**New Video**

Elk season is upon us and the bulls are starting to bugle.  We hope everyone has a chance to get into the high country and hear one of the best sounds that God has ever created, the elk bugle.  This video shows a couple of different cow elk sounds that are effective while trying to call a bull in.  I have had some good emails and voicemails with questions about calling.  I will try to answer them as best that I can on this blog and by way of video.  Good Huntin' to those of you across the West who have elk tags in your pockets!


Listen to the video below of friend Steve Chappell demonstrating his excited cow call.  This is a great sound.

Arizona Elk Hunting-How to Call Elk

I received an email from a savvy elk hunter who has hunted many states for elk and has had some good success calling in and harvesting bulls.  He went on to say that he helped a friend last year on a Arizona archery elk hunt but had very little success actually calling bulls into bow range.  He asked me my opinion on what he was doing or not doing wrong.  This question opens a can of worms but here is my answer.

I would like to say first and foremost that I have been routinely schooled by many Arizona bulls both young and old.  I have made more mistakes while calling and hunting elk than you could imagine.  Most of my success calling and hunting elk has come from years of trial and error.  I believe this September will be my 18th year in a row taking the entire month of September off of work to film, observe, chase, and interact with elk.  I have learned a ton from just being around elk and watching them in their natural environment.  I have seen young bulls do some very smart things and I have seen some old bulls do some very dumb things.  It seems just when I think I have them figured out they throw a curve ball my way.  That is the fun part though sometimes also extremely frustrating.  God created elk with an amazing sense of awareness that makes them one of the worlds most intriguing big game animals.  My answer to the question might take multiple posts but here is the short answer.  My answer may change depending on the the exact timing and stage of the rut and the attitude and posture of some particular elk.

Always remember, one day an elk might come running into your call and the next day have nothing to do with you.  There can be a number of reasons for both scenarios.  Spending lots of time with elk will help you in determining what to do and what not to do.

Here are my suggestions if you want a cow elk to come to you.
1)  Try to read the mood of the elk prior to making any type of noise.  If the subject elk seems mellow then you need to be mellow.  If they are acting aggressive or agitated then you can call with the same mood and tone.
2)  High pitched calf calls can be deadly when trying to call cow elk.
3) Get in a position that makes it easy for the elk to come to you.  Don't attempt to call a cow where you know she won't or doesn't want to come to.(I highly recommend checking out Roe Hunting Resources Tutorials on calling elk, pay special attention to Chris's "See you first" and "the Doorway" concepts.  Chris has done an exceptional job of explaining the two concepts in a way that makes complete sense.  In my opinion, he couldn't be any more right on with his analysis)
4.  In my opinion, most people call too loud and one dimensional.  Try to get some realism into your tonal quality and sound.
5.  Call with confidence.  If you are timid and lack confidence the elk can detect that in your call.

I will cover my suggestions on "How to Call in a Arizona bull" in another post. 

See the Elk Calling tips video below.  Go get em'!

Extreme Bulls 7

I just got my good friend Steve Chappell's new video Extreme Bulls 7. It was action packed with tons of good elk hunts on it. If you like good archery elk  hunts, muzzleloader hunts and rifle hunts this is a must have DVD! Click here to order

Elk Callin as good as it gets!

If you want to hear the best elk caller in the world listen to this clip!  Steve tears it up on this clip! 

LET ER RIP

Check out the boys of fall!

THE HUNT FOR A 400 Part 6 of 6

THE HUNT FOR A 400 Part 5 of 6

THE HUNT FOR A 400 Part 4 of 6

THE HUNT FOR A 400 Part 3 of 6

THE HUNT FOR A 400 Part 2 of 6

THE HUNT FOR A 400 Part 1 of 6

This elk hunt was alot of fun and many great bulls were seen.  I ended up harvesting a great bull.  Enjoy!

So you think you can blow

IMO if you want to hear the best elk caller look no further!  Even the elk try to sound like Steve!

Elk Bugling Frenzy with a touch of Estrus Scream Video

 
This audio is pretty good for those of us who like to hear the "magic" cow sound.  You need to listen real close to hear.  One thing that this video does not show is how many bulls came running to this cow.  It took me fifteen minutes to get to the girl to try and capture some of her sounds on video.  I followed these elk for over an hour in the dark.  In the dark she was going crazy and the bulls went crazy.  I hope you enjoy.  By the way, if you mimic her sound next year you will get run over....I promise!  Steve Chappell is the best I have ever heard duplicating this sound.

Elk Call Testing Center

This is one of the times of year that my wife either wears ear plugs or just gives me the "look".  If you are a elk hunter and practice calling in the house then you know the "look".  It is the kind of look like "Did I really marry this neanderthal"  I have been known to leave piles of 6-10 calls laying in odd places all around the house while looking for the "chosen few" that might give me the edge for the upcoming season.  This season is no different.  I have been really working on the HS Infinity Latex, single and double (with custom cut) and the brand new Steve Chappell Signature Series Elk Calls.  I have attached a short video to display the sounds coming from all rooms of the Scott household these days and often times at odd hours.

Steve Chappell Signature Series Elk Calls

If you want to hear some good elk calling listen to this clip.  Listen specifically to Steve's cow call.  I have placed my order for these new calls and am anxious for tham to come in!

2010 RMEF World Elk Calling Championship Mens Division

Check out the mens division of the 2010 RMEF Elk calling contest finals. More at Hunting Life

2010 RMEF World Elk Calling Championship Video

I was honored to be a judge at the 2010 World Championship Elk calling contest in Reno, NV.  Huntinglife.com was there to capture the contest on video.  Here is the Pro Division Final