I took a 5x5 in second rifle of 2020 on the mountain you guys are looking at at 36:21, where the mountain starts to taper downhill on the far right. We used an outfitter to get us into that basin below you, where we set up camp. I believe this area is highly pressured from what I've gathered, but we only saw a handful of hunters there in 2020. Tough country for sure, especially for us flat landers. We'll be heading back this year, but a slightly different area. Good luck on your future hunts! Looking forward to watching it all unfold!
Good video. Thanks for sharing the realities of being unsuccessful. As mentioned already - if you aren’t hearing much vocalization don’t call a bunch. In public it usually hurt more than helps. Also something I would say is no fires. I’ve heard of guys lighting fires at last light and a guy was stalking a big bull and as soon as the smell of fire hit that area he said those elk headed out. Again, anything to increase odds and many old experienced elk hunters have told me not to light fires. Food for thought to increase your odds next time! Good luck!
Great video guys I definitely recommend in high pressure areas to not call, go silent. The elk are used to calls and they don’t react to them, they usually go the other way! They’ve heard every call in the book! Great work though good luck next season
That video doesn’t do that ‘Jeep trail’ justice… every time I come out I swear I am never going back! Great video. You fellows worked hard. Maybe next time.
I don't agree with the guys telling you not to call. I have hunted Colorado for 4 years now the first 2 years I was unsuccessful then the last 2 years I've killed bulls. I even got a buddy of mine a bull. The only change I made was I started calling a lot, but not just throwing random calls I spend the entire off season dedicated to how to communicate. I watched and listened to every Paul Medel podcast or seminar probably 100 times. Ever since then the last 3 trips to Colorado we've killed 3 bulls. If a bull is just chuckling at you, he's inviting you to come over to him. I would recommend watching anything with Paul Medel and learn what he's doing because it works. Once you understand what the elk are saying you can communicate back appropriately, and it makes the hunts a lot more fun.
When a bull chuckles it’s an invitation or a demand for cows to come to him. Not knowing if it’s a herd bull or satellite bull in my opinion the best way to approach the chuckles is make a few more cow calls with the last cow call pointed behind you and move towards the bull 30 or so yards then sit tight not making any other cow calls or sounds. If it’s a satellite bull he is coming and will show up so stay silent. If this tactic doesn’t work and it’s a herd bull then you slowly head straight to him cow calling here and there to open up his curiosity for some new tail. If you bump unseen cows/spikes be ready to use your challenge bugle to get him to react on a dime and come your way cause he won’t take kindly for other bulls coming in
I've found luck when they chuckle if you start raking and show excitement with your bugle vs fighting seems like it's a way for them to show excitement speaking in a close manner
@CacciaOutdoors Depends on what he responded too? If it was basic cow talk, you could either run at him doing a bunch of repetitive whines or you could ask him to come to you with some drawn out, regathering mews. Add some live sound like clunking logs and brush breaking. I feel like both bull and cow sounds, I would arc towards him on the downwind side because its likely he will start to circle downwind to figure out who you are
250 yds is nothing for an elk. Set up there and call first. When you moved up too fast he was already coming in and you bumped him. Lesson learned! When they chuckle just chuckle back. It works.
If you enjoy elk hunting in colorado please donate to “Coloradans for responsible wildlife management” this is the organization that is fighting for us and our hunting rights!! There is a group here in Colorado that is doing everything possible to take away hunting in the state they’re acting like it’s for mountain lions and bobcats but I promise you they are trying to take away all hunting in the state. Every dollar to this organization helps so much!!
