I got drawn on a northern California Elk tag this year and the bulls should be rutting. I hear alot of conflicting stories from hunters that have hunted this unit previously. Some hunters say that the Elk did'nt bugle at all when they hunted it, other hunters say that the bulls were screaming their heads off when they hunted. I have never hunted Elk in the rut so I am just wanting to get some feedback from other hunters that have hunted bulls in the rut and also get some advice on bugle calling to rutting bulls.
Bugle calls to rutting bulls
- Thread starter Live2Hunt
- Start date
Well, I have never hunted california. BUT, I have hunted the same limited entry bull tags on the Manti unit in Utah. The 1st year I had the tag, the bulls were off the chart from mid Aug when the hunt started, clear until the last day of the hunt. It was fun and crazy! 2 years later, i drew the same tag. It was quiet and not alot of action. I hunted the exact same area. So you never know. Fires, heat, rain, cold, snow, sun, clouds, predators can all play a factor. Good luck.
Hilltop
Veteran member
Adjust on the fly.... Elk can be hot or cold with no rhyme or reason to it. Have the calls available and be well practiced- use them when you encounter hot activity. Use them sparingly when the elk are not calling much.
Cow elk are much more vocal than bulls- I rarely remember being close to a calm heard when I didn't hear some calling. Bulls on the other hand are like us...in the mood sometimes and not in the mood other times. Catch a bull in the right mood and do your best to sound like other elk. Don't be afraid to make a racket. Beak branches, rub trees, stomp the ground.... sound like elk. When they are worked up and calling, they make noise. Have fun learning this game- its a blast!
Cow elk are much more vocal than bulls- I rarely remember being close to a calm heard when I didn't hear some calling. Bulls on the other hand are like us...in the mood sometimes and not in the mood other times. Catch a bull in the right mood and do your best to sound like other elk. Don't be afraid to make a racket. Beak branches, rub trees, stomp the ground.... sound like elk. When they are worked up and calling, they make noise. Have fun learning this game- its a blast!