As the years lay down one after the other, a long history of trial and error come into play when it comes to hunting and calling elk. Calling a bull in close enough for an archery shot is one thing, but to call in a mature bull with a harem of cows is next to impossible........or so they say. I've tried and failed to call in big bulls while bow hunting for almost 13 years now. Sometimes they take their cows and run, but sometimes they come close but don't commit. Very seldom does a big bull with cows submit to my calls.
So what's the secret? Some guys sit tight and wait for the bull to pass by close enough for a shot. I tend to get a little more aggressive. That's what makes it fun for me. I've heard stories of guys jumping the harem and spreading them out. Then moving in to simulate a lost cow, hoping the boss will come to round them up. In 2008 I was successful more than once at calling in herd bulls for archery shots. I've learned it's not enough to close the distance and challenge the bull and shake trees and break branches. That can work, but a big bull can hang up from this too.
My success came from late morning hunts this year. We knew a heavily timbered draw where the elk were bedding or going to bed. The first bull was already bedded and we slipped in and did some lone cow calls and later followed with a minor bugle. After we closed the range inside of 100 yards with this calling strategy, the boss bull got pissed and came running. He came in so fast that it wasn't until I locked eyes with him that he turned and ran off before he stopped. After he stopped, I ended up taking my first record book bull with my bow.
Another bull a week later was almost the same type of strategy. I thought, it worked the last time, let's try that again. This time the bull was traveling with about 30 cows and had run from my calls in the past. We closed the distance, again in a heavily wooded draw, and let out some light cow chirps and a minor bugle. The harem was headed to bed. We got within 50 yards and I was able to call the whole group back in our direction. Tricky with cows leading the way, but the bull came charging in close behind. My buddy was able to take his largest bull with a bow at 28 yards. A 6x7 that we ruffed out at over 365".
So it is possible to call a big bull in, no matter what some people say. But it may take some trial and error on your behalf. Don't get discouraged, even the close calls will get the blood pumping.
If you're interested, both of these hunts and much more are available for sale on my DVD, "Layin It Down". You can find it for sale at www.20sub3.com. I only had limited numbers produced so be sure to get yours today. It's never too late to learn new calling techniques. My video is unsponsored and unbiased.
