calf distress

hunttrap

Active Member
Jan 22, 2016
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85
Eastern Nebraska
Heading to Colorado this year with a friend to hopefully get our first elk. Mainly going to fill the freezer and we should have a couple muzzy tags. We will shoot a cow no doubt if given the opportunity. I would imagine there is certain Calling that brings in cows, but was wondering if anyone has done a calfw distress with any luck?
 

kidoggy

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Apr 23, 2016
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idaho
never tried it . give er a go and let us know.

who knows ,you might even call in da big bad woof.
 

Bonecollector

Veteran member
Mar 9, 2014
5,862
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Ohio
I've not heard much about this. Most callers are trying to bring in bulls. Search some youtube vids on this topic and see what you can find. Think I'll do the same. Thx.
 

KHSRanger23

Active Member
Apr 14, 2016
198
79
Utah
Pretty interesting question. I have never tired to use a calf in distress call for elk hunting. I have tried some fawn in distress call's for hunting both mule deer and predators. I found that the mule deer does come in pretty regularly to the fawn in distress call and would think some cow elk would do the same for a calf in distress call. I am going to have to get out into the mountains and give this tactic a try and see how it works.
 

kidoggy

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Apr 23, 2016
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me either . don't see why it wouldn't work to call in a cow though????

when calling coyotes I often experiment with odd sounds . some work ,some don't. see no reason not to try same with elk.
 
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wy-tex

Veteran member
May 2, 2016
1,064
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SE Wyoming
The Sceery Ace-2 Bull elk seducer works great for making calf sounds and calling in cows.
If you can get into a herd and break it up the calf sounds will bring cows right in, bulls too for that matter.
 

mallardsx2

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Jul 8, 2015
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My buddy sounded like a dying calf last time I hunted with him. He didn't call in anything. I fully expected a lion to pounce on him at any moment. Does that count?
 

hunttrap

Active Member
Jan 22, 2016
219
85
Eastern Nebraska
I'm definitely going to give it a shot next fall, just didn't know if anyone had success with it. I know a Fawn bleat or lost Fawn sound will bring on a doe pretty quick.
 

7mag

Active Member
Sep 1, 2014
155
0
Wyoming
One spring i tried a calf in distress call to hopefully call in a bear. It didnt take long for a half a dozen bulls to show up ready to help the calf. They were acting agressive enough that i was really hoping they wouldnt pinpoint me. I would think a calf in distress or lost calf call would work the same in the fall but i havnt tried it.
 

Hilltop

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Feb 25, 2014
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Eastern Nebraska
Calf distress and lost calf both work very well. I tend to lean towards the lost calf sounds as they have produced more regularly. I did call an entire heard in with the distress one evening but that isn't the norm. I have called in several that either I shot or one of my hunters shot with the lost calf. To make my lost calf sounds I use a Sleezy. Be careful if your picky on animal size though as many times a calf will be the first to run in.
 

kidoggy

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Apr 23, 2016
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Pretty interesting question. I have never tired to use a calf in distress call for elk hunting. I have tried some fawn in distress call's for hunting both mule deer and predators. I found that the mule deer does come in pretty regularly to the fawn in distress call and would think some cow elk would do the same for a calf in distress call. I am going to have to get out into the mountains and give this tactic a try and see how it works.
mule deer are curious, they will come in to most anything, If there is not a lot of pressure on them.. not every time of coarse but I often have them come in when I am calling coyotes with a rabbit distress call.