What is it? When do you use it? What does it sound like?
They mentioned elknut in it so I hope to learn something else for elk hunting.
#-1 The regathering sound/mew is used by elk to give a "direction"
#-2 It's commonly used by the lead cow as she maintains contact within the group from feeding to bedding or vice versa. It can be used if the group is separated by a disturbance thus scattering other elk that were part of that group! This sound can be used by any elk to reassemble, including bulls.
#-3 It's a mew that is aprox 1 - 2 seconds long, it's given repeatedly from 6-12 times without a breath, volume can vary depending on situation used. It can be given in multiple series depending on the situation or message being sent. A social mew by cows is aprox 1/4 second long, this gives you an idea of how different this regathering mew can sound like.
We've brought in many elk with this sound, it will bring them to areas they have no intention of going to until they here it! Why, because it's giving a direction to other elk in the area. It says "Hey Come On Over Here" -- Simple to use & and extremely effective!
ElkNut1
I have heard lost elk, but that is different. I have watched and listened to elk traveling to or from feeding countless times. They give off frequent mews, but I have never heard anything like that. I don't understand. Are you sure you were not hearing a cow that just swallowed a hair ball? LOL
When I first heard it I thought it was a human/guy! (grin) I'd never heard this length of a mew before? There was no one around that I knew of so I sat on this hill watching as I could hear the sound getting closer. It came to 40 yards in the timber & I was waiting for some guy to step out & low & behold it was a cow that showed & she was making this mew repeatedly. Longest mew I'd heard. She kept on traveling & out came another elk aprox 30 seconds later then another & another etc. I'd guess 20 more elk followed & none made a sound like her just a few mews & whines amongst them in their travels. Basically it could be referred to as a reuniting sound.
Since then I've heard it many times. It seemed like the situations I was seeing or hearing it there were quite a few other elk around, elk would come the elk's way that was making this sound.
I started using it in many facets of our elk hunts & passed it on to many others. This sound can bring elk your way no doubt about it!
I could list many examples of its use & how it brought elk to us & had elk come back to us that we let pass. It's a great sound to have in your arsenal!
ElkNut1
The elk sound you described is more of a separated Cow/Calf sound. She was trying to find the group or she heard another elk & was in search of them. Had any one called from your camp?
ElkNut1
ElkNut1
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I will add that it's one of the best sounds to use when elk aren't talking at all! It really can create interest & give other elk a direction to come over your way, it's much better than social cow talk.
Add it to a Silent/Cold calling method & it's just another tool. Once again though it can bring in anything so if not interested in cows or smaller bulls it may not be for everyone!
This sound can be made with a mouth reed or bite & blow cow call.
ElkNut1
ElkNut1
ElkNut1