Bugles in January?

Gr8bawana

Veteran member
Aug 14, 2014
2,670
604
Nevada
I just got bag from a cow elk hunt and this is the latest I have ever been elk hunting. We found a herd of about 80-100
elk mixed of cow, small bulls and 2 or 3 big bulls. They were having quite a bulgling contest and was curious if it is common
for them to be bugling in January.
:confused:
 

Hilltop

Veteran member
Feb 25, 2014
3,847
2,230
Eastern Nebraska
Elk can bugle anytime of year. They are very vocal animals that communicate year round. The bulls don't regularly bugle outside of the rut but they have been documented bugling at all times of the year.
 

HiMtnHnter

Active Member
Sep 28, 2012
445
4
Wyoming
Elk can bugle anytime of year. They are very vocal animals that communicate year round. The bulls don't regularly bugle outside of the rut but they have been documented bugling at all times of the year.
I ran into a 6 pt. bull bugling last month. Had three with three cows with him.
 

coloradoshedhead

Active Member
Jul 9, 2014
157
25
Colorado
I used to guide for a ranching for wildlife outfitter/ranch outside of Craig, Colorado every year in November, December, and January ,while chasing cows, when the big herds of 500+ elk got together there would be lots of bugling/mewing. Never heard any smaller groups bugling just seemed like the bigger groups.
 

RUTTIN

Veteran member
Feb 26, 2011
1,299
0
Kamas, Utah
We get a few elk in the farmers fields in November that will still be bugling. I just figured there was a late cow in estrus. I have even saw cows half heartedly bugle that I would have thought was a bull until I saw the cow doing it.


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mntnguide

Very Active Member
I have called in bulls in full bugle and almost rut feeling in mid June... only sticks of velvet poking out, but have had a bull come in like it was mid september. I have also heard them call at any time of the year. They are very vocal animals at all times of the year in my opinion. Just many think the rut is the only time a bull will bugle, but its definitely not the case
 

Wyoming Hart

Very Active Member
Oct 10, 2014
859
166
Spring Run, PA
Turkeys are the same way. They gobble year round, its just that they do it more in the spring. I bet the bugling drove you crazy. Next season can't come soon enough.