Bugle Call Necessary for Solo Elk Hunt?
Elk
Contributors to this thread:
Going on an OTC archery elk hunt in Colorado this September. Will be my first solo elk hunt and wanted some opinions on if I should get a bugle call or if I’ll do alright with just a cow call? Thanks for any input.
I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and cuss myself.
I’ll take my bugle over any cow call. No question
You should have both, but resist the urge to over-use either. My general rule is, if the elk are talking you should too. If they aren't talking, then you shouldn't either.
Good luck, and be safe.
Matt
You never know what’s going to work best for each encounter. The more tools you have in your toolbox, the greater your odds of success. Obviously, whatever tools you use, make sure you’re proficient with each one. It’s important to know how to call, but sometimes it’s even more important to know when not to call.
This ^^^ with one exception. I have on occasion got things started with a late evening or early morning bugle. But if one or two bugles doesn't get a response, don't keep calling. Even if you don't get an answer just sit for a while as I have also had some bulls sneek in without answering.
X2 Norseman good luck Lewis
For Colorado otc, bugle your brains out like every other newbie.
Necessary? No. Useful? Yes. Locating, working a bull in the right mood, blind calling mimicking some cows with a raghorn, messing with the guy that won't stop bugling down in the meadow, etc..
If I couldn’t bugle elk hunting would be half as much fun. That being said, a new guy in a new spot in otc...
Absolutely. With that said depends what your style is gonna be. Ours has always been be aggressive and cover lots of ground calling so we bugle a lot. 90% of the bulls we've killed have came in to us being aggressive and challenging them with bugles. Cow calling definitely is effective as well and we use both but IMO elk hunting wouldn't be elk hunting if i wasn't carrying a bugle tube.
Cresting a ridge looking into a new drainage and getting a response to a locator is just plain fun. Especially after a slow day...or week.
X2 Norseman & Wyobull!
ElkNut
If you are going elk hunting, get to the point you can mimic both a cow and a bull with a diaphragm. There is no danger with a cow call other the you might call in a cow. And, being able to cast a bugle across a basin is priceless. You want to know and be able to produce their whole vocabulary. Silence can be your best friend. Because the second you make any call, you now become the hunted. That can be good for aggressive, talkative elk. But, be your enemy for silent elk. It's OTC elk hunting. Shoot the first elk you get a chance at. Good luck and God Bless
Bugle tube is important. More important than a cow call. (I use a diaphragm so I can do cow and bull sounds) But I do bull sound 90% of the time.
I'd rather have it and not need it than to need it and not have it ;)
I barely use my bugle any more, but still carry it in case I think it will help in the situation. I can cow call pretty well with my mouth and use that occasionally.
If you just use a cow call, you won't ever have the experience of a raging mad bull running in to kick your ass. You can kill bulls using a cow call, but it just isn't the same thing.
I've always been glad I had it, when I needed it !
Would you go to a gunfight without a gun?
Seriously though, absolutely yes to the bugle! There's nothing like screaming back and forth at a bull and having him come in all lathered up with rage in his eyes. Bugling is at least half the fun of elk hunting.
I agree. I would also rather have my bugle tube than my cow call. Cow calls don’t always pull in bulls, neither do bugles, but at least with a bugle tube you can get a locate and sneak in from there.
Years ago, I had a young fella in my Wyoming bow elk camp and he didn't even have a tag, just wanted to come out to the Rocky Mnts. and come along and that was fine by me.
He had been practicing with his Bugle back home in Minn. and wanted to give it a Bugle.
We had stopped for a break @ the 3 mile mark and what the hell, give it a go young fella. Try out your first Bugle call in the mountains.
He got an immediate response from up in the dark timber pines!!
So to pitch in on your question ~~ heck yeah give it a go now and then, ya just never know what's lurking in those timber patches!
Have fun and be safe on your first Solo elk hunt.
Good luck, Robb
Just take along a hoochie mamma. That's all you need.. :)
2 Hoochies. One for each hand :o)
Mews through a bugle tube can be really effective
A bugle tube can be a hassle so figure out how to carry it so your hands free and it is not clicking on brush. The sound also carries farther so you can start with more quiet calls and bugle loud before going into the next drainage.
Great info, thanks for all the input guys. Looks like I’ll be bringing a bugle haha
Just based on using locator bugles to locate elk, yes.
Calling in bulls on OTC land is difficult as the bulls have heard it all before, but a good strategy in any elk unit is to bugle areas during the dark hours, late evening to early morning, to help you locate elk.
Consider getting out there very early to locate them and if you can't get on top of them before they head to bed, plan on being closer the next day.
During the day... that's a different conversation.
Despite what you see with in all the youtube vids a bugle is much more valuable than a cow call. Without going into a lot of detail, if you want to kill the biggest bulls a bugle is your friend and I don't mean using them to always call in those bulls. Cow calls are for killing little bulls.