Bronz, "Keep It Simple"
This being your first or close to it elk hunt it isn't necessary to be the best caller out there or the most knowledgeable in the field about elk habits & mannerisms. But what you do work on have it down well.
I would seriously concern yourself with "setups" I call them "Cold or Blind Calling" setups. These are very easy to master & more importantly highly effective yet very doable for newer elk hunters.
Setups as this can accomplished by yourself or with multiple hunters by being 20-30 yards apart. Start with light cow calling as if you were a small herd feeding & milling around a designated spot where elk sign is found & hopefully they're still within earshot. By injecting a single cow whine in the mix using a pre-estrus sound 3-4 in a 15 second span you are now showing other elk that there is a cow in the mix possibly feeling urges of the rut or coming into heat. Add some light stomping & rustling branches & brush to make it real. This can attract both cows & bulls a like as elk are a herd animal & can become very curious as to who these others are in the area that they're not familiar with.
After 5-10 minutes of this off & on communication of this supposed group of cows, now inject a small bull or cow bugle. Yes, cows bugle in small groups as this, other elk know this!
Do your best to setup where the wind is in your favor as to where you feel elk should approach from. When possible I like setting up where I have obstructions or large openings behind me where the wind would give me up. Elk generally will avoid openings or these obstructions on their way over. Too, make sure your setup is one where elk must come within your effective range to see where the sounds are coming from, you need cover here! You need to stay put in one place for a good hour & allow things to develop, be on full alert as elk can show at anytime sometimes silently! You can do 3- 4 setups as this per day.
Setups as these are highly productive. They can be used all day or part of the morning & evening near feeding areas or transition areas between feeding/bedding.
If a good water source is known or active wallow this could be a great midday or evening place to set a treestand or ground blind. Between these 2 types of setups/hunts you can really up your odds for success with little experience.
If unsure of particular sounds to use at these setups or wallow setups consider Vol-4 Worse Than Wolves we have. It has this setup I mention in addition to sounds & activity to use at wallows themselves!
Concentrate on achievable setups as this & you'll really enjoy your hunt. Don't concern yourself with knowing all the sounds elk make & trying to understand them all, that can come in time as you spend more time in the field & want to learn more!
Here's 5 point bull my son took at 12 yards with this exact "blind calling setup"
ElkNut1
Topic: Elk hunting tips (Read 438 times)
