king' s outdoor world - Index

king' s outdoor world - Hunting Illustrated - October/November 2007 - Index

this? or "If he goes over there, I will
have to do that.? Always check the
wind. If the wind changes, you will
have to move to adapt.
Now, let's say the bull has
not moved from where you first
heard him but is still talking and
responsive to your calls. Move back
up the hill close to the level where
you called from first. When the bull
answers again, try the same halfmoon
drive again. Keep this up until
you've reached the point when you
feel you are close enough that you
could be busted when the elk spots
you. This is when you will have to
change your calling sequences to
get him to come in the rest of the
way. A few tricks to consider are
to try calling by throwing the sound
further behind you. You can also
point the tube into the ground or
muffle the end so the bugle sounds
further away.
This is a good time to put
into action a combination of calling
methods to make the bull think
something is going on and that he
doesn't want to miss out on the
action. For example, mimic a cow in
heat making estrus sounds or maybe
a younger bull sounding off chasing
the cow around. Tell them a story and
give them something to be interested
in. Even moving just ten feet from
where you first called can give you
an advantage over the bull. This is
where two-on-one hunting has its
advantages; your calling partner can
hang back calling while the shooter
advances closer for the set up. The
caller can direct a bull to his shooter
by moving uphill or downhill, calling
to get the bull to turn at the right time
in front of the ambush set up. Once
again, if the bull is within range but
behind a tree, and you need to get
him to move for a shot, try carefully
picking up a rock or stick and
throwing it towards the area that you
would like to make the bull move
to. The bull will possibly think that
the sound came from another elk
and move for a closer look in that
direction. I have used this technique
Rockie Jacobsen likes to hunt the thick country for the close encounters it provides
a few times and it has fooled elk. Just
don't let the bull see you move your
arms as you throw. An important thing
to consider in thick brush elk hunting
is to always be aware of what's in front
of you when you are getting ready for a
shot. Hidden twigs always seem to pop
out from nowhere when the shot goes
off. Remember, close in front of you
is a common problem area. Your arrow
will come off the rest in a lower sight
pattern than what you are looking at
through your sights. Shooting through
small openings can arch your arrow and
hit brush on the way out. A bow which
has a flatter shooting trajectory is a good
idea or, just wait for a better shot (which
may sometimes result in you having to
let the bull go.) A wounded animal isn't
worth it as there will always be another
bull some other day.
Sportsmen hunt the thick
country for the close encounters it
provides. The bulls seem to be more
aggressive which causes them to come
in quicker and closer. Elk cannot see
their target and have to get close to make
things happen. The number one reason I
like hunting in thick brush is because it
is the terrain where I live and it is close
to home. I have hunted in other types
of terrain and the elk tend to respond
a little differently; you just have to
develop the instincts of a hunter and
go with the flow. Make things happen
and don't be afraid to try something
different in your calling or hunting
tactics. You will learn from your
mistakes and this is what develops
your instincts. I have produced the
DVD, Full of Bull III, which shows
these sequences on true public land
hunting. You can utilize this set up
either by yourself or hunting with a
calling partner.
I wish you the best in your
hunting experiences and good luck.
Rockie Jacobsen is a world
champion elk caller and founder
of Bugling Bull Game Call, LLC.
www.buglingbull.com.
5ELK5 October/November 25