I'm going on a combo elk/deer hunt this August and I'll have a cow/spike tag in my pocket. I've hunted elk before but I've never had an encounter with a spike. I've listened to the Elk Nut CD's on calling cows. He suggest using the lost cow call and excited cow calls.
What do you guys think? Spot and stalk? Do you call much? Waterholes? Do you ever bugle?
I want some tips from those of you who have done this before.
Thanks,
Chris
Spike is the most likely to come to a cow in heat call.
Cow calls work pretty good on spikes because they are young. It also depends on how many other people are calling. If there are too many people calling then I would put the call away because it will just scare them away.Elk are very sensitive to people. I like to hunt where there is no one else but that is pretty hard to do if you don't get quite far from the roads. Gary
if you bugle to a spike he'll do one of two things...sneak,peek and maybe walk in but most likely he'll be a powder keg of scared little elk.or he'll come running through faster than a cheetah after a gazelle.once in a while they will stop though.best thing imo is a spike call by sceery i think.i thought it sounded way to high but it brought the spikes right in.using a light calf like mew in distress brings them in just out of curosity.
for cows i use a cow call and just work my way into them if you can...sometimes you get lucky and talk just right to them and they will come to you.but remember to call with the wind in your favor when an elk does come.the primos hoochie momma works great for directing an elk where you want it
elkherder is right. I would add that TWO hoochie mommas works well. Hold one behind your back and the other in front of you; and set it on calf calls. That way the calf sounds lost; or that there is more than one calf.
Either way; spikes are out to prove that they are smart. They sneak into elk bugles to watch but not get involved. They sneak towards calf elk and cow elk just to see what is going on.
If they come to a bugle on the run- expect them to stop for a second and tear off fast. Most times spikes will not shed their velvet until well after the older bulls do; and I have a dropped spike antler that still has strips of velvet left on it.
They are sexually immature; routed off by the bigger bulls; wanting to be independent; but still wanting the security of being in a herd.
They can be harder to get a shot at than a big bull or old cow.
And as my Swedish friend Erik said: "their made of candy !!".
QuoteOriginally posted by elkherder:
best thing imo is a spike call by sceery i think.i thought it sounded way to high but it brought the spikes right in.
I'm No trying to be a smarta$$ :bigsmyl: I'm interested in what you are saying here so I need to know... what is a "sceery"?
I'm very interested too, headed to UT to chase cows & spikes in August.
Tom/Shaun... Sceery is a call brand name.
Oh thanks. I've never heard of it...obviously. :wavey:
skeery is a brand name...most proshops carry it...cabelas etc...its a bite down call that is somewhat effective imo...the spike call is also made by skeery i believe. google skeery elk calls.....larry
speell check....sceery
spikes are probably the toughest elk to kill because they are always on edge and ready to bolt at the slightest whim.i too use two hoochie mommas at one time..i tie leather lanyards to my left and right belt loops and tie to the call so i can just drop one and switch to the other or be ready fast to shoot or prepare for a shot..........larry
From my experience, spikes will come right into the call. They don't "hang up" like the bigger bulls do. Create herd sounds with a lot of cow talk and a spike might just walk right into your lap. I have had numerous spikes come in to less than 10 yards, but they usually come in silently and you don't always notice them until they are within bow range. If you are hoping to tag a spike, I recommend sitting in one spot and calling for a while before moving (once you get close to the elk that is).
:thumbsup: Good stuff keep it coming. :thumbsup:
In August there not bugling yet, calf or cow call only, I love to spot and stalk, try and glass a herd, then move ahead of them with the wind in your favor, also water hole's are good.
Elk make a lot of noise so you can get away with a little.
Elk like to move to the dark timber after day light. if you glass and can find them, they may do the same thing the next day.
I like 10x42 for glassing, oh! and pick a spot, a vary small spot. :thumbsup:
tracks is correct...spikes are sneeky little guys and will sneek in as quiet as a mouse.i googled sceery and i dont think they are the ones who make spike calls.i will ask my hunting buddy carl what brand it is that he has then pass it on.
These were great suggestions so I'm going to bump this back up to see if I can get any more helpful hints.
Thanks,
Chris
Chris, Todd and I will call them to ya :thumbsup: ;) I am told that Tracy is good with a call as well. The water hole thing works great for the time of year that you will be out here. Especially if it stays this hot. See you out here in a few weeks!
Ryan, Are you going to be there too?
Ben
Change of plans for me and Jim G, we are headed to SW CO because of over the counter tag changes in UT. Will be there opening two weeks.
if you use a hoochie momma; tie a piece of baling twine on it; in the excitement of the hunt if you drop one they are REALLY hard to find !!
Yea Ben, I'm headed down on the Wed after you guys get there. Lookin forward to meeting you guys!
Ryan,
For some reason I had heard your name tossed around with this hunt but I didn't put it together until a couple of days ago that you were going to be out their with us.
Looking forward to meeting you and sharing camp.
Just trying to learn everything I can before putting it to use. I've been elk hunting three times but never been the one doing the calling.
P.S. We are thinking about getting some maps that Tom found, but didn't Tracy say you had some connections to some maps of the area?
Here's some more food for thought on Cow & Spike hunting I have in my drafts I wrote a while back. Hope it helps out!
If I were the one who was interested in Spikes or cows the 1st thing I'd do is look at the time of year I'd be hunting them & go from there! Late Oct. to Dec. I'd focus mostly on glassing & looking for groups of elk, snow for tracking these herds would be a plus. Cruising off road for elk sign (tracks) can be a plus. A single elk track would not be best at this time as rare is the case Spikes or cows are alone at that time, look for several elk or larger groups & your odds will increase. Late Fall & into Winter is not a profitable time to sit water in most areas for obvious reasons. Calling can work at that time but isn't your best bet, glassing & covering ground in various ways is.
Bulls do bugle or advertise themselves as well as their position in an effort to draw cows their way, it's much easier than them scouring the country side & looking into every nook & cranny. This sound is very similar to the ones bulls would use when collecting their harem back together if separated by humans or predators, very similar to a gobbler re-grouping scattered hens. I've called in countless cows while using this exact sound so yes it is very possible. Too, if elk hunting & you hear a bit of bugling head that way to check it out in many instances this bugling bull may have cows or is very near a herd bull who does have cows!
If your cow/spike hunt falls during the phases of the "rut" now calling can be a huge advantage once elk are located by sound or sight. (glassing) Too, getting into areas where fresh sign is around will enhance your odds. If sign is near feeding areas your best time would be first light to 1 1/2 hour after light. Then again the last 2 hours of daylight or evening. Look for meadows or parks big & small for such activity.
Active water sources or even wallows are a great time to sit during Aug. Sept. hunts as spikes, cows & other elk can frequent them. While sitting spots as these I would keep calling down to a minimum using light chirps & mews.
If using "blind or cold calling type setups" in these feeding areas or transition areas where elk travel to & from, yet elk aren't coming your way now you can introduce selective sounds to draw them over. At times social cow sounds will work but you can up your odds using sounds that require attention or aid from other elk instead of just social sounds. One very good sound to consider is the re-gathering/lost sound both bulls & cows a like use. This sound requires attention or aid from other elk where as social contact mews do not ask for anything, they just announce there's elk there. This re-gathering or lost sound is awesome for pulling cows or spikes your way as well as branch antlered bulls at times. Setup is important according to weapon of use! I do not have a video of this sound to show at this time but if interested in what it sounds like go here to www.elknut.com (http://www.elknut.com) & click on the "video clips" link, from there you will see where you can hear this re-gathering/lost sound so as to be able to imitate it!
Another sound to consider is a separated calf chirp. This sound does not require a special call, it can be done with a single reed mouth diaphragm or most external reed cow calls with a bit of practice. This sound can attract both cows & spikes first as opposed to mature bulls. Bulls can answer vocally letting this calf know where the herd is but rare is the case they show up 1st or at all. That's a big advantage to you the hunter! When calling is needed as this make sure your setup is in a good place where you're hidden from their view as to where sounds are coming from, you must have these approaching elk come look for you or these sounds! This distance will depend on your choice of weapon! Here's a clip of a separated calf sound, you can see how effective it can be when presented right!
http://www.elkheaven.com/video/calf-web.wmv
Another sound to consider at such areas as "blind or cold calling type setups" to pull elk your way is the "estrus buzz" this is a sound elk will use especially cows when looking for another elk or group of elk, this sound can really attract attention to any elk within earshot & pull them your way. Once again especially cows & spikes 1st. Cows & spikes are very curious & will investigate other elk groups readily especially if they feel you are really an elk requiring assistance! That's key here, you're are playing on their desire to help out or aid you. Here's the sound! It can be done with a mouth reed or an estrus whine type of cow call.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrW-OAn8VA4
As you can see from both clips elk will make & rely on selected sounds outside of social chirps & mews to find or attract other elk their way.
Setup is important in all cases & watch that you have the wind in your favor from where you expect their approach. I also like adding in natural elk sounds while calling such as light foot stomping & rustling limbs & brush as if there were elk milling around in the area.
Be willing to wait up to an hour after using such sounds during a setup, be patient & allow things to develop! Good Luck!
ElkNut1
Paul,
Thanks for the additional information. I've just about worn out the audio CD's I bought from you guys. I just hope I don't get pulled over some day and I have to explain why I had a bugle tube up to my mouth while driving.
CK
Looking forward to meeting you as well Chris. I gave Tracy a link or something a while back, but I don't have any maps. Todd has been hunting this area for along time, so he will have a great feel for the area. I for one am looking forward to seeing this part of the state. Just save me some elk to chase around ;)
This is good stuff for Rookie Elk hunters such as myself. I am making my second try this year with a few of my tradgang buds in Oregon, this is just what the doctor ordered, information is very insightful and a good thread.
Something that I have notice about the spikes is that they will hang with cows and calfs in the early stages of the hunt.But as the rut progresses on they will move to the outsides of the big herds.The rag bulls will push them to the outsides of even them.I have come upon little bachelor herds of spikes and two pionts on several ocations.I find them usally about 100 yrds to 200 yrds circling the main herds.They still want to be apart of the game.I personaly don't call much( more to mask my noise) and go in silent and ambush.Good luck with the elk.