Listning for the elk bugle off in the distance is just a part of elk hunting. Elk scouting, elk rut, calling tips and more are all covered here to get you close to that bull elk.
Elk often group together with the cows and calves in one herd, the older bulls in another herd, and the younger bulls in still another herd, although young and old bulls may be found together.
Scouting is important for hunting any animal. Unfortunately most non-residents, and many residents, do not have the luxury or time to scout an area for elk. For those who cannot scout there are some ways to increase their success rates.
The initial breeding phase may last from three weeks before to three weeks after the actual peak of the rut. Information on calving dates for northern elk suggest that breeding will normally last 20 to 45 days.
In September and October, during the rut, elk often rest, travel and feed intermittently throughout the night. Bulls often continue to bugle infrequently throughout the night, even while they are lying down. By an hour before daylight the elk are usually feeding or traveling.
Probably the best calls to use to attract bulls, whether they are with a herd or not, are the sounds typically made by the cows and calves throughout the day, the Social Contact Elk Calls and any of the Maternal/Neonatal Calls.
Determining what call to use when you are hunting elk is not a matter of what time of the year you are hunting, but which sex and age class elk you want to attract. Cows don't normally respond to any call, other than a Fighting Squeal, because they prefer to stay with the herd and their calves.
