Last year I had a super exciting hunt one evening with a nice herd bull and his dozen or so cows. (Cliff's notes version) Found said bull, got into bugling contest for about an hour and a half, within 80-150 yards. The elk were in a mostly open meadow, so closing distance was difficult. I was attempting to close the distance, when a cow noticed the funny green blob scooting along the ground. She was not impressed. She bolted, bringing the entire herd with her. My dad came over (as he had been calling as well), we chatted for a bit, then noticed a calf still in the meadow. We cow called and she calf called back and started coming. The closer she got the more rapid her calls became. She got to about 35 yards. She was clearly looking for what she presumed was her mom. (Us) I stopped calling, but she continued. And to my utter amazement, the entire herd came back. Cows first, then the bull. No, i STILL didn't kill him.
Side notes:
Time from me getting busted, to the return of the elk to the meadow, was probably a total of 3 minutes.
There was a hot cow in the herd, upon returning to the meadow for the lost calf, I watched him breed a cow at 90 yards.
September 23rd - evening hunt
They returned to the meadow, single file, following a cow who was clearly searching for the calf.
So, is this a possible tactic to get a busted herd to return? Will it only work if there is truly a calf missing? Have any of you had similar encounters or attempted to call a busted herd back using lost calf sounds?
It was just such a profound about face that the herd did, I wanted to explore the possibility of using it in a hunting situation.
Side notes:
Time from me getting busted, to the return of the elk to the meadow, was probably a total of 3 minutes.
There was a hot cow in the herd, upon returning to the meadow for the lost calf, I watched him breed a cow at 90 yards.
September 23rd - evening hunt
They returned to the meadow, single file, following a cow who was clearly searching for the calf.
So, is this a possible tactic to get a busted herd to return? Will it only work if there is truly a calf missing? Have any of you had similar encounters or attempted to call a busted herd back using lost calf sounds?
It was just such a profound about face that the herd did, I wanted to explore the possibility of using it in a hunting situation.