In this video we share the sights and sounds of a fun and action packed elk hunt. Jamey drew a controlled hunt tag for an antlerless elk (cow) in unit 11 in Idaho. This unit has many elk and offers a great opportunity for success for a dedicated hunter.
We knew with the first day of October being the first day of the hunt that the elk could still be in the rut. Our expectations were met on opening morning when we had 3 bulls bugling. So our plan was simple, find a rutting bull elk and we will find a cow elk.
That first day we got close to a couple different herds of elk. Jamey was closing in on the sounds of a bugling bull when we heard the gun shot of another hunter. Of course the sound of a gun shot will quite the woods quickly. Time for a new plan.
No elk bugling now, what should we do? So we decided to cross the canyon and hunt the other side of the drainage. There were elk on that side as well, but no bulls wanted to bugle. So without an elk giving up his position, we decided to pull out of that area for the remainder of the day.
Next day, day 2 of the hunt. We stepped out of the truck at first light and the bulls were already bugling their heads off. Now again, the elk were in the same spot as the day before which was about 3/4 of a mile from the road. We needed to hustle to the elk before they changed their attitude and stopped bugling.
Now you can watch the action and hear the bulls as we pick up the hunt about 120 yards from Jamey’s first encounter that 2nd morning of the hunt.
What did we learn?
I always like to reflect on the hunt afterwards and think about the things that helped us be successful. May I suggest you learn now that hunting is part “being in the right place at the right time”. But it is more about knowing how to put yourself in the right place at the right time.
On this hunt we first found an area that had a large concentration of elk. We used the cow call to communicate with the bulls, because they were looking for girlfriends that were vocal and needed attention. We knew that bugling bulls would more than likely have cows with them. But the biggest key to Jamey’s success that day was staying in the area where the elk lived even after they stopped talking.
The bull you see in the video was wondering around looking for cows. We heard a snap of a twig over the hill, so I hit my cow call 1 time. That bull emerged in seconds and walked up to within 8 yards of us. I never said another word as he searched for the cow until he finally smelled us.
When you know where the elk are living, invest time just hanging out in the area. What does that look like? There are often lots of tracks, lots of bull rubs, and lots of stinky smells. I can tell you that sometimes an elk infested area can smell like a barnyard.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
Feel free to email me your questions at roscoe@greenhornhunting.com
