Any thoughts on set ups for calling with 2 & 3 man teams. What is the ideal placement for the shooter vs. caller? Ready set go...
2 man team or 3 man
- Thread starter Hoytfanatic
- Start date
Hilltop
Veteran member
Whether using 1 or 2 callers I set up the shooter 20-50 yards in front when in decent cover. If the terrain is more open I double or triple that distance. If 2 callers are available I believe that is almost always better than one. 2 good callers can sound like ten elk... Only disadvantage IMO is there is more chance of detection with the extra smelly human out there. Keep in mind elk will often come in to the edge of their comfort range and then try to circle down wind. If you plan for this, you can set the shooter in a position to get the shot before the bull can catch the wind.
WapitiBob
Veteran member
I now prefer one, 2 man at most and the elk will hang up based on the caller position so after you have the calling location, you set the shooter.
mntnguide
Very Active Member
I personally prefer one caller. . 2 callers i feel is to much and causes bulls to hang up, especially when the two people are unaware of what the other is seeing and thinking of doing. ..all it takes is a few cow calls to many or a little to much talk to make a bull hang up. I want to be the only caller so i can play the scenario as it unfolds and i can move around slowly to keep the hunter directly inbetween me and the bull if he does decide to change his approach. Everyone does things differently and you can never truly know what a bull will do until he's dead or gone! The further you can set up a hunter in front of the caller while the caller can still see the bull approach to determine what to do, the better IMO.
Slugz
Veteran member
I second mtnguide comments. If you know what the animals are saying then two usually is too hard to coordinate. Key is that line of bearing to the bull that only one can change while moving and calling.
25contender
Veteran member
- Mar 20, 2013
- 1,638
- 90
I would rather just have one shooter and one caller. The one caller can work into different positions easier than 2 callers. I did this again last year and was able to get a bull right where he needed to be for the shot. If possible I like the shooter to be between 50-100yds out front. three bodies are just harder to manage especially if you are working the wind and trying to get close. Solo is the toughest one extra is nice to have.
Hilltop
Veteran member
Picking proper location setups really helps with this. Use terrain and cover to help funnel the bull where you want him. Offer an easy way for the bull to get down wind and he will likely use it. Set your shooter up to intercept this. Unfortunately each setup will be different so it's hard to give specifics.
Others have mentioned solo 1 caller/1 shooter being better due to mobility. I believe 2 people can coordinate well but this can be a concern if either is inexperienced. We typically keep callers 20 to 30 yards apart so they maintain visibility with each other. Our calling style is aggressive so possibly a little different than what some others are mentioning. I think most public land archery hunters try to primarily sound like a couple of cows and sometimes throw a younger bull sound into their set. We try to sound different- give them something they haven't heard from other hunters.