bcnorth
FNG
September 5th I had found a heavily used area by what i think was a bachelor herd of 4 bulls and possibly several cows. The bulls were hanging out in the timber and there were very little openings. About half way up the mountain on a saddle i found several wallow/piss pits and numerous fresh rubs and old rubs. Some of these rubs were on 10inch diameter trees.
I found the area in the afternoon and and a couple of the wallows reeked like elk urine, not sure how long ago he was there but i was guessing overnight or in the morning. No bulls showed up in the late afternoon or early evening and all i had done was sit quiet and throw out a few location bugles - no response.
First light, 5:30 - 6:00 am in northern bc, i was back there and it was dead quiet. I figured that the bulls were probably down lower feeding still and getting their last drink for the morning. About 7:00am i hear a very quiet, low single note and short moan. After the next 15 minutes i hear a couple more of those mixed with low temperature bugles and a bit of chuckling and they were coming right at me.
About 7:30am the bulls stop coming and seem to hang out below the bedroom and continue to make noise. Suddenly up the mountain and away from the bulls comes another bugle and another and larger sounding heading straight for the bedroom. I went for the big wallow and was distracted by a black bear that decided to walk in all the action and get within 5yards and screw up my approaching the bull. I just missed my opportunity.
After this i try to cow call, bugle and get one small response as he works his way up and away. I decided to back off and try again later in the afternoon and next morning. My tactic was to slip on the opposite side of the saddle to avoid the thermals as he is working up then approach as he gets to his wallow on the flat.
and finally i get to the point ..... If i was to stay in the bedroom and display as Elk Nut suggests, How long will my scent linger and does this affect his approach and hanging out in the area? I was not wanting to "chum up" the area as my hunting partners likes to suggest!
In the end, the bulls snuck up the opposite side i thought they were coming the next morning and i was winded. It went dead silent as expected and the gig was up. The wind was consistent for about 30 minutes at a time then it would change and i would have to adjust, it was very difficult to wait on that saddle.
Any other tips are welcome, i really wanted that opportunity!
thanks
I found the area in the afternoon and and a couple of the wallows reeked like elk urine, not sure how long ago he was there but i was guessing overnight or in the morning. No bulls showed up in the late afternoon or early evening and all i had done was sit quiet and throw out a few location bugles - no response.
First light, 5:30 - 6:00 am in northern bc, i was back there and it was dead quiet. I figured that the bulls were probably down lower feeding still and getting their last drink for the morning. About 7:00am i hear a very quiet, low single note and short moan. After the next 15 minutes i hear a couple more of those mixed with low temperature bugles and a bit of chuckling and they were coming right at me.
About 7:30am the bulls stop coming and seem to hang out below the bedroom and continue to make noise. Suddenly up the mountain and away from the bulls comes another bugle and another and larger sounding heading straight for the bedroom. I went for the big wallow and was distracted by a black bear that decided to walk in all the action and get within 5yards and screw up my approaching the bull. I just missed my opportunity.
After this i try to cow call, bugle and get one small response as he works his way up and away. I decided to back off and try again later in the afternoon and next morning. My tactic was to slip on the opposite side of the saddle to avoid the thermals as he is working up then approach as he gets to his wallow on the flat.
and finally i get to the point ..... If i was to stay in the bedroom and display as Elk Nut suggests, How long will my scent linger and does this affect his approach and hanging out in the area? I was not wanting to "chum up" the area as my hunting partners likes to suggest!
In the end, the bulls snuck up the opposite side i thought they were coming the next morning and i was winded. It went dead silent as expected and the gig was up. The wind was consistent for about 30 minutes at a time then it would change and i would have to adjust, it was very difficult to wait on that saddle.
Any other tips are welcome, i really wanted that opportunity!
thanks
