Bugling in Oct in WY???

[Grasp]

I am going to my first Wyoming Elk hunt in two weeks. Opening day for my rifle tag is Oct 1st. Should I be calling and expecting bugling during this time or more spot and stalk opportunities. I've been on a few other Elk hunts but always early or late season so no calling before. I feel like I have a somewhat decent bugle with a diaphragm but might pick up a bite and blow to be safe.


I'll be in a unit about an hour east of Jackson Hole.



Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[Hilltop]

Undisturbed elk will be bugling for sure. Once they receive pressure, they typically go quiet. I don't think it is a bad idea to try to use some locating bugles before first light but I would be careful about bugling in another hunter during a rifle season.

You don't need to sound perfect to get responses. Practice with that reed and you should be fine. Some of the worst sounding bugles I have ever heard came from actual elk.

 

[ithunter]

Dont over look a cow call either...

 

[ScottR]

In general they will also talk more in the trees once pressure hits. If you can find old clear cuts that "feel" secluded to the bulls you might just get lucky and find a few bugling.

 

[ore hunter]

sounds like you will close to where im going also approximately,,im planning on using my cow call more than bugling by then,but hard to tell,good luck out there

 

[JEandAsGuide]

I hunted around the same area you will be hunting 2 years ago. Good bugling the day before the season and opening day. Day 2 was much less and after that was very little but still some. There were several shots fired opening day and the day after so that shut them down. We did have some luck calling in couple bulls with just a cow call.

 

[kidoggy]

Dont over look a cow call either...

yep.I would cow call over bugling. if a bull bugled I ,MIGHT, answer him but don't over call. you'll just end up spookin them.
during rifle ,I, would limit my calling to ,merely locate them . maybe once or twice an hour or so, if nothing answers ,I would also go silent.


every situation is different so, I just wing it ,in the moment.