hard core elk hunters

[moose_hunter]

This is my first year being a hard core elk hunter, i have some ideas of when the rut starts and all but the elk in my area are elusive creatures so I have a few questions for veteran elk hunters, what is typically the pre rut, when do bulls start building there harems, what is the largest herd of cows a bull will fight for instead of herding them away, what time of year do cows herd up together after having off spring. these are just the questions on the top of my mind i have been reading about them all day but this info would still be nice and any other valuable information or tips or tricks you have to bring that herd bull inot bow range, much appreciated.

 

[WhelanLad]

I would love to go on a Elk hunt! one animal i definatley want to hunt before im old.
I wish more people posted up about Elk hunting on here with photos etc.

Good luck

 

[350 Mag]

http://elk101.com/

Elknut.com is another good site.

Late August is when things start going.

I think in early to mid august the Velvet comes off.

Rut will be on from last week in August until the end of Sept. I think there is even a 2nd rutting/breeding period later in Fall, if any cows didn't get bred the first time around.

Elk don't like quads, and alot of hunting pressure.

So my best advice is get away from other hunters in back country areas that are hard to get to. Use cow calls more than bugles. 2 people is a good min. one caller one shooter.

As far as a herd bull, unless you get really lucky don't expect to bag one of those until you had a few years experience under your belt.


U should also learn the difference between a location(non challenging) bugle, a challenge bugle(with grunts), and a bugle with chuckles(tending bugle).

Cows also have alot of different calls. Mew, Chirp, Estrus, Hyper Estrus.

To all calls, whether from cow or bull, there is an appropriate response for every situation, and if you come back with something that does not make sense the Elk will likely leave.

example. If you hear a location bugle without grunts don't respond with a BIG aggressive bugle with grunts at the end of your call. The location bugle is used by a bull to call cows. If you respond like a big bull than more than likely he will be scared off.

I would suggest purchasing a BuglingBull.com or Primos palate plate single diaphragm reed call and start practicing. Don't buy a double or triple reed one.


The best advice is to hunt where there is alot of Elk and no other hunters.

 

[bluey]

I would love to go on a Elk hunt! one animal i definatley want to hunt before im old.
I wish more people posted up about Elk hunting on here with photos etc.

Good luck

Why worry about hunting elk.........you have lots of elk clones (stags) in the Australian Alps..........deer, pigs, cats, fox,roos,goats. rabbits......etc

I lived there for near on 20 years and never got short of places and critters to hunt.............