The 4,400 square foot facility is the largest Pro Shop archery center in the state and will accomodate leagues, tournaments, and seminars in addition to their regular Pro Shop services and products. They will be offering bows from top companies such as Hoyt, Matthews, Mission, Diamond, Bowtech, Elite, and Alpine, as well as archery gear for women and children.

Stop in on Saturday March 20th for a chance to win free door prizes from Rinehart, Prois, Diamond, as well as talk to factory reps from Hoyt, Alpine, Bowtech, Elite and more! Visit them online at www.idahoarchery.net!

If there is one thing that I regret about past methods of elk hunting or calling elk it would be that I was not aggressive enough.  I can remember the first few years in the archery woods chasing bugling bulls.  I would just hang back and hope the bull would make the first move and come into me.  Most of the time, this was not the case.  Sooner or later the bull would lose interest and move off and leave me wondering how big he was.  Boy he sounded good, bet he was big one.  I usually filled my tag, but always with a smaller framed 5 point type bull.  I wanted a trophy or at least to see a trophy bull and have the opportunity to take him.  This is when I decided to get aggressive.  I adopted the mind -set that I just wanted to put a face to the big raspy voice in the brush.  So I would literally make it a track meet and put the pressure on the bull.  As long as you don’t get caught in the open or up wind from the bull this tactic works well.  It works really well in thick timber or brushy areas where openings are few and far between and max shot distances run under 30 yards. 

Ten plus years ago the archery seasons ended in mid September.  This gave my friends and I the opportunity to chase bulls after the hunting season had ended.  We would go out and drive all night and locate multiple bulls in the dark and sleep on them.  When daylight came it was time to play.  Our goal was to just see the caliber of bulls that were out there and to have a little fun while doing that.  There was no pressure of trying to fill the tag in our pocket, we just wanted to see some bulls.  We knew it didn’t matter if we chased them off or ran them out of the country, we weren’t hunting them anyway.  This is when I started to get aggressive.  A bull would answer my calls and I would be on him before he knew it.  This worked surprisingly well and not only increased bull sightings; it also increased the number of shot opportunities. That is if we were packing a bow.  I refer to this as the track meet method.  If there were more than one bull in a given drainage I would attack the closest first, take a look, and then move on to the next one.  I am not a patient hunter and maybe a little greedy, because if there is more than one bull bugling I want to see them all.  I want to know what is in the area and see if there is a bull big enough to keep chasing. 

Here’s how it all goes down.  Once I have located a bull and determined the wind direction it’s game on.  I will cover ground fast and use any geographic, timber, or brush barriers available.  Usually I will head straight at the bull not worrying about being quiet.  When I feel like I am within 100 yards of the animal I will let out a challenge bugle or a loud aggressive sounding bugle.  If he responds, it will allow me to locate the animal and make my next move.  I will listen briefly to see if the animal is on the move.  If I can hear him I will stay tight and throw another challenge bugle his way in an attempt to get him worked up.  I will also rake a tree and break as much brush as possible.  After all I want to sound like an aggressive bull.   If he wants to hang back then I will go to him.  I do not do this in a stealthy manner either.  I want him to hear me coming, this way he has a decision to make.  Put pressure on them and they usually stick around if not meet you half way.  I have found that even if they catch movement in the brush and have not fully seen your outline they will still stick around believing you are another elk.  One catch to this method is you have to be ready at all times and willing to take a risk.  Keep an arrow knocked.  You also must limit unnatural sounds as you move through the brush.  Quiet clothing and control of your gear is absolutely necessary.  You can break brush all day long and not be alarming, but the second your arrow makes the unfamiliar sound of bouncing off your riser it may all be over. 

One day while packing out an elk with a couple friends we were headed off the mountain throwing out a few cow calls here and there just to see if we could get a response.  To our surprise a bull responded no more than 250 yards around the hill.  We dropped out packs and hustled toward the bull just to get a look.  We rounded a ridge into a small flat and there was the bull.  Once we got close I foolishly put my hands in the air like I was supporting a set of antlers while walking in the direction of the bull.  All the while I was bugling aggressively.    My friends sat tight and I continued toward the bull calling and using some large cedar trees as barriers.  It was a decent 5×6 bull and he let me come to within 5 yards of him.  I made lots of noise and was aggressive at closing the distance.  Had I been hunting, this would have been a gimme.  I had this bull confused.  I did this while wearing a solid white t-shirt and blue jeans, but I caught him off guard long enough for it to pay off.  My friends just sat back laughing, they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.  I had done this many times before, and explained sometimes you just have to take a chance and charge in like you know what you are doing.  Go at it with the confidence you are going to go right to the bull and put an arrow in him.  I know if I had sat back 100 to 150 yards and just kept calling, this bull would have lost interest and walked off.  Then again there are those bulls that are just plain ignorant at times and let you get away with anything.  This may have been one of them. 

I admit this can be a risky approach to chasing a herd bull.  15 sets of eyes and ears to fool is not that easy, but if you can separate the herd it can be to your advantage.  It does not work every time, but what method does?  In my experience the success rate of getting close and creating shot opportunities using this method has been pretty high.  The next time you have to go at it alone try this method of hunting and who knows, you may prefer this method over the double team.

   The first and foremost thing to consider is your set up.  Put yourself in the elk’s shoes.  Is the cover sparse?  Can you see long distances?  If an elk approaches, will you be hidden and still be able to make the shot?  I like to use the contour of the terrain, and thickness of the forest to keep the bull’s curiosity up. If an elk can stand back 100 yards and see that there are no elk in sight making calls, it can lock them up. 

Set up in areas where the trees and brush restricts long shots.  Make that elk come to 35 yards or less before he can see you. If the bull is just over on the back side of the ridge, set up just below the ridge line so he has to skyline himself within your effective archery range when he shows himself.  Most of all “DONT STAND BEHIND A TREE FOR COVER”.  This is a classic rookie mistake that can even  tempt us old timers. You’re wearing camoflage, trust it and blend in. I like to break up my outline by standing in front of  tall brush or a bushy tree about the same size as myself or larger.  I usually don’t kneel down, as this can cause knee pain, and limit my shooting lanes.  I don’t stand on ridge tops with  my outline  exposed, that will make you stick out like a sore thumb.  

When your set up is perfect, you have plenty of cover, and the bull is still hung up, it’s time to get aggressive.  Lets just say the bull that is just out of distance for quite a long time, decides to slowly retreat.  That’s the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.  Crash towards the bull, rip an aggressive bugle and charge in, but don’t expose yourself.  Be ready to shoot when you stop, many times the bull will turn and come back confused  looking for their foe that they couldn’t see before.  If the cover is right, you may even be able to repeat this more than once or twice before you get your shot or the bull catches on.  After the “bull charge” hopefully you’ve taken your shot.

Heavy cover where Bulls typically feel less vulnerable.

Then there is the bull that rubs his horns for what seems like hours, but wont budge. Sneak closer as he rubs.  Bulls will close their eyes intermittently during their tree thrashing and the noise will cover any noise you make as long as you’re discreet.   When you can’t get any closer and the bull is still out of reach and out of sight, start rubbing your own tree.   This will infuriate the bull. When he bugles, you scream and cut him off, when he rubs you rub. Repeat until he flies over to you ready to rip you in half. Many times rubbing your own tree,  breaking branches and brush, stomping and raising a rukus is the deal sealer!

Calling elk can be rewarding or frustrating,  just remember to be creative. Most of all, enjoy yourself.   September only comes once a year!

"Select-A-Bull" Elk Calling System

What’s in the Package?

The “Select A Bull” elk calling system features the new “Tone Selector” tube, allowing you to “dial” the bull sounds you want to make (small, medium, or large). Each dial location changes the tone and volume of the call, creating a versatile, do-it-all elk call. For those who prefer to use a mouth diaphragm, the “Conqueror” mouthpiece can be removed and the “Tone Selector” tube is readily accessible for diaphragm users.

First Impressions

This is a great system, especially for those who aren’t able to use a mouth diaphragm. The back pressure created with the tube creates some incredible sounds and having the ability to change your tone and volume is very handy!

Also new for 2010 is the compact elk calling option, the “Pack A Bull” elk calling system (see below). Perfect for back-country hunting where cutting weight and bulk is important, but sacrificing sound quality and volume is not an option.

"Pack A Bull" Elk Calling System

What’s in the package?

This compact elk calling system comes with a small, sleek, flexible tube, the “Conqueror” external mouthpiece, an extra replacement reed, non-slip camo cover, protective cap, and lanyard.

Almost small enough to bend and stick in the pocket of your hunting jacket, this call is perfect for the elk hunter looking to cut weight. For those who prefer to use a mouth diaphragm, the “Conqueror” mouthpiece can be removed and the “Pack A Bull” tube is readily accessible for diaphragm users.

First Impressions

Wow! I couldn’t believe the quality and volume of sound this little tube produced. A very handy tube for anyone bivy hunting or looking to cut down on excess baggage in the woods.

Also available in 2010 is the open reed cow/calf call, the “Who’s YRR Daddy” (shown below). The “Dual Tone” plunger allows an elk hunter to produce the standard mews and chirps of cows and calves, as well as alter the tone of the sounds with the simple push of a button.

"Who's YRRR Daddy" Cow/Calf Call

What’s in the package?

Shown to the left is the “Signature Series” of the “Who’s YRR Daddy” cow/calf call. The Signature Series version comes with a wooden barrel rather than a plastic barrel which comes on the standard version. The durable reed will withstand many seasons of elk hunting without sticking or cracking.

Perhaps the coolest feature on this cow/calf call is the “Dual Tone” button, a depressible plunger that completely changes the tone of the calls. Hunters are able to turn standard cow/calf calls into a “nasal”, estrus sound with the push of a button.

First Impressions

A must have for elk hunters. We had an opportunity to test this call out in Arizona in 2008 and the response from big bulls was amazing! Having one of these in your pocket to add an extra sound to your standard diaphragm cow calls is a necessity!

Every serious elk hunter needs the popular “Bully Bull Grunt Tube” (see below). A custom made grunt tube used to amplify all elk sounds, especially the bugles of those big bulls! The design of the end piece delivers the perfect back pressure making diaphragm elk calls even easier to use.

"Bully Bull Grunt Tube"

What’s in the package?

The “Bully Bull” Grunt Tube comes with the tube, a “Tube Tamer” which is a ribbed vibration dampener that eliminates the “plastic” sound most bugle tubes produce, a camo cover, and a lanyard.

A chambered tube designed for maximum volume and sound quality. The tube features a molded mouth piece that allows a diaphragm user to comfortably fit their mouth against the tube.

First Impressions

In my opinion, the absolute best bugle tube available. I have not found a tube that will produce more realistic, quality elk sounds anywhere. The camo cover prevents noise while walking through thick brush and the tube tamer virtually eliminates all the “plastic” vibration most tubes produce. It is lightweight and not at all cumbersome. If you ever run into our hunting group in the woods, you’ll find all of us packing Bully Bull grunt tubes.

Last, but certainly not least, my favorite elk call from the Bugling Bull lineup…the infamous “Raging Bull” diaphragm elk call (see below). This diaphragm is the core of the “Palate Plate” diaphragm series, diaphragms that have changed the course of elk calls for many years.

Back in those days a guy had very little to chose from. None of the calls were what you could refer to as “easy to use“. Very few sounded authentic. We talked to some old guys that had been doing it for years, sorted through all the B.S. and started blowing on elk calls. Diaphragm reeds seemed the logical choice, as they were almost always going to be in your mouth. You could bugle and cow call with them. Randy bought a bite and blow type call made by Elk inc. called an “elk talk”. It sounded weird, but he and the elk liked it.

We sounded awful. Neither one of us had even heard a real live elk before, so we went off of what the old timers would describe. Then a gift from heaven was sent to us. Our wood shop teacher gave us an elk hunting VHS tape containing seven hours of elk hunting. Now we had something to base our calls upon. We still sucked, but we didn’t know it.

Then opening day came. We didn’t sleep a wink the night before. We had done our scouting, triple checked our gear ,and our “High Country” bows were dialed in. Our plan was fool proof, we would get to our spot, start calling, and let the elk run in to us. We showed up at first light.

Wow, elk were everywhere in this farmer’s uncut wheat field. We grabbed our gear and made the big sneak up through the brush to the fields edge. Then, and only then, did we discover that I had left my grunt tube at home, and Randy had left his reed at home. I said “give me your grunt tube and I’ll call the bull in for you”. He said “give me your reeds and I’ll do the calling”. Neither one of us would budge. I started to cow call, and bugle without a tube, and he started blowing on that danged elk talk. The bull returned our calls, but wouldn’t come. All of a sudden Randy jammed his elk talk into his grunt tube, bent over, put his bow above his head like antlers and sort of did a strange hunched over jog across the uncut field blowing that stupid sounding call. That bull took one look at Randy and charged. Randy disappeared into the wheat and got ready for the shot. I saw the bull jump, run around in a circle and stop. Then the bull ran back across the field round up his cows and got the heck out of Dodge. Needless to say, Randy missed the bull, twice, at point blank range! These must have been the dumbest elk ever! I ended up shooting a nice 5×6 the third day of season, Randy missed six or seven bulls that year. He even missed four in one morning! (Sorry Randy…)

We both learned some valuable lessons that first year. The first thing we learned was not to give up after the first call we tried. If you cant make it work try another one. Once you find one that agrees with you, practice until everyone around you hates your guts. Watch as many elk hunting movies as possible. It will show you possible scenarios of elk coming in to the shooter. Learn from your mistakes, don’t repeat them. Work together as a team, not against each other.  And most of all be persistent.

After becoming a fluent elk caller, I was satisfied with the way my call sounded. That is, until I made friends with a new kid (Corey Jacobsen) I had just met. He said he loved to elk hunt also, in fact his dad had been making his own elk calls. I found this quite interesting, so I followed him home after school. He had his dad bugle for me and my jaw hit the floor. “I have got to learn to bugle like that“! He had a weird shaped tube, and it really sounded “real”. Over the years Rockie gave me new elk calls to try out. At first I was a little skeptical, but I liked the price (free) and also the way he could make them sound. The calls seemed very foreign the first time I put them in my mouth, but I was persistent. After no time at all the calls became more comfortable.

“Practice makes perfect”, the old saying goes, so practice I did. I would practice the calls that I was not good at, not the ones I could already do. It is said that “You are your own worst critic”. I would go into a room by myself, set up a video camera and begin calling. It really changes your perspective on how you sound. You can see what is not right about your calling. Then you have a base for improvement. To this day I still use this technique. Donnie Drake made a good point in an earlier article about when driving by yourself in your vehicle, taking the time to practice then. I feel that’s a great time to hone your skills. I have a CD that Corey made for me a few years back that has nothing but monster bulls bugling their brains out. I listen, then practice.

I have found over the years my favorite technique for improving my ability, is listening to what noises the bull makes, then mimicking him. Every year I come home with something new that the “real thing” has taught me about calling elk.

I prefer Bugling Bull Game calls. I feel they have the best sound and the best quality. My favorite reed is the brown “Raging Bull” single latex reed. You can make the most delicate cow calls the loudest screams with this call. I love the “Bully Bull” grunt tube. It does not sound “fluty” like most of the competitors tubes. I like the “Mello Yellow Mama” reed for cow calls. It can give a deeper, more mature cow sound and will ad more realism to your calling set up. I also like the red “Hot Coaxer” reed. It has a different tone to bugle with, and makes excellent cow calls.

I feel these calls will set you apart in the elk woods. They sound authentic, not like some dude blowing a Terminator tube. The elk will believe what you’re saying and come the final distance.

If it had not been for calling elk , I would have never been so successful. There is no reason for any elk hunters to limit themselves in the matters of calling. We live in a time where choices abound in elk calls. Every shape and size of call is available. So go pick one up, search till you find the one that suits you best , and then master it. You wont be sorry.

Dirk's first Bull

The Team at Elk101.com welcomes Idaho Archery Company to Boise and looks forward to working with them for many years!

We’ll be incorporating a new format on the website for 2010 and our Pro Staff will be sharing articles, stories, and experiences following a monthly theme. For February, look for their input on “Bugling Elk”. We’ll be sharing what calls we use, tips and tactics, and about anything we can think of that relates to the topic! Please join us in welcoming these elk hunting experts to the team!

Brand New DVD Release in the Extreme Bulls Series! Elk rut hunts from Arizona, Colorado & New Mexico! Archery, Rifle, & Muzzleloader action. Many bulls are called up bugling to within feet of the camera! Features a NEW Excited Cow Sound that brings the bulls in screaming! See it in action! As always the hunts are videod “Over the Shoulder” with no phony cut aways or recreates. See the hunts unfold as they really happened- through the eyes of the hunter!

2 Hours of Intense, Up Close, EXTREME Screamin’ Bull Action! On DVD only. Approximate ship date of Feb. 15th 2010. Order today and save $$$’s!!! Limited time only! Special Introductory Pre-Release Price of $10.95!

To pre-order, click here.

Even if you don’t have the time or money for a limited entry or special Elk permit at this time, you can still set yourself up for a future dream hunt.  You can do this by participating in the bonus/preference point system that many states have to offer. Most western states have established a bonus/preference point system.  That is with the exception of Idaho and New Mexico. These options allow you to purchase one point annually at a fraction of the cost of the entire hunt package.  This way, ten years down the road when you have the time and money, your odds of drawing that dream elk tag is not so far out of reach. It is like putting your dream hunt on Lay-a-way.

Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, Oregon, Colorado, Montana, and Washington all offer a point system.  All of these states have units that are capable of producing 350 plus bulls.  Some states have more quality units than others, but it may be your niche if you do research and begin purchasing points in one of the states that is less known for trophy quality.  

Most states with a point system will give a certain percentage of the tags available in any given unit to the individuals with the highest points.  For example, Arizona allocates 20% and Utah allocates 50% of the available tags to those with the highest points in any given unit.  The remainder of the tags go to the rest of the pool.  Even with these allocations there are a lot of lucky participants who draw excellent tags with a limited amount of points. 

I hear a lot of people talking about point creep these days, which simply means max points keeps moving up year after year.  This can make the thought of  an elk tag, to us with few points, seem out of reach.   This is due to a limited number of tags available and a high number of applicants.  Point creep is the nature of the point system.  It may keep some people from starting to accumulate points.  I look at it like this - even if it takes me 15 years to draw a tag for a prime unit, I will still be out less money than if I had purchased a top quality ranch hunt or any other guided hunt of equal quality.  Plus you have the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.  Corey Jacobsen here at elk101.com did his research and drew a permit in Arizona with just a few points.  He found a less popular unit that holds some tremendous trophies and capitalized on the opportunity with a 390” bull. 

So don’t let point creep frustrate you.  There are still some excellent units to hunt that you won’t have to wait 20 years for.  See state by state information below if you are interested in building points only.

ARIZONA -  Draw deadline is Feb 9^th.  License cost is $151.25 and the point cost is $7.50 for a total of $158.75.  you must purchase the license and choose point only. 

UTAH– Draw deadline is Feb 24^th.  The application cost is $65.00.  Choose the point only option as your first choice.

WYOMING – Deadline is Sept 30^th for points only.  You can purchase the points only from July to Sept.

COLORADO – Deadline is April 7^th.  You must purchase the $546 license fee.  If you choose the point only option all, but $3.00 is refunded.

OREGON – Deadline is may 15^th.  You must purchase $141.00 license.  Point only (point saver) option is $6.50 for a total of $147.50.

NEVADA – Deadline is April 20^th.  You must purchase the $142.00 license and choose point only option.  An additional non-refundable $15.00 will be added to the cost for a total of $157.00

There is still potential for a quality elk hunt in Idaho and New Mexico.  New Mexico offers some very top quality units and the application fee itself is minimal.  Idaho elk numbers have decreased dramatically in the last 3 years with increased predator numbers and a couple of long winters.  There are still some good quality draw hunts available to both Residents and Non-residents, however.  Some of the new archery draw hunts can potentially be the best hunts Idaho has to offer.

Good Luck with whatever you choose to do!

We encountered only a few bucks during the first two weekends of deer season but had plenty of opportunities to shoot a doe. After reminding him about how far it was back to the truck, however, he elected to wait for a buck if it was going to be a long pack. During the third week we made a quick evening trip up to the hills. We had gone only 500 yards up the hill when a doe hopped up across the ravine and stood there looking at us. I asked him if he wanted to take her or walk up a little farther to where there would likely be more deer and possibly a buck. He said no way, we’re real close to the truck! Plus I think he was just itching to finally get to shoot something. He got set up and made a perfect shot at a little over 100 yards with the 30-06. The doe ran about 30 yards and piled up.

Hunter, living up to his name

A proud Hunter, and Dad!

Rifle elk season finally arrived and we headed up the evening of opening day to hunt an area where we had encountered a bugling bull at the end of archery season. We arrived a little after 11 pm and hopped out of the truck, hoping Hunter could hear his first live elk bugle. We walked a little ways down a skid road and stopped there in the pitch black. He was standing really close to me being, a tad bit spooked, as I let out a soft cow call. Immediate a bull let out a screaming bugle only 20 yards away from us! I think he could have kept up with an Olympic runner on his mad dash back to the security of the truck! Heck even I was a little surprised at that.

The next morning we were back in the same area and as I cow called, the big bull bugled right back from 100 yards up the hill. He had a bunch of cows, and we never got to lay eyes on him in the thick timber. We followed him over the mountain until he no longer responded. We ended up seeing a few cows over the next couple of days but not any bulls. The next weekend we headed back out and set up in an open area that the elk had been using to get to and from a river. As we sat there, a lone cow came walking right at us and passed by at 50 yards. Hunter was just itching to shoot her but he had a bull only tag and could only sit and watch.

The end of season came and we didn’t encountered any bulls. We had a great time though, and he learned a lot about elk hunting and is eagerly looking forward to next season.

Now, much more calm, you can see antler tips coming toward you. He is a monster, the one you’ve waited your whole life to take. At this very moment you feel very small and defenseless holding a bow. All the practice and preparation pays off when your brain kicks into auto pilot, forcing you to draw the bow, aim, and shoot, all just at the right time. Big bull down, high fives all around, and then , just then, with a small tear in your eye, you wonder where exactly that giant set of horns are going to fit inside your house………..None of this can happen if you don’t hit the books and find a unit or two to submit your applications for special hunts!

To get started, go to http://www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/h_f/HuntApplication.pdf 

This is the application form. You can either print the last page and fill it out, or fill it out on the computer and then print it. It seemed easier for me to print then fill out with a blue pen. Be sure to fill in your birthdate, SSN, and check the non-resident box. Then fill in your name, address and phone number. Be sure to sign it! 

If you have not purchased an Arizona license yet and would like to earn a bonus point if unsuccessful, fill out the small box below the application with your sex, weight, height, hair and eye colors, and be sure to fill in the number of years and months you have been an Arizona resident (0 for non-residents). Mark the box for a “Class G” hunting license for a NON-RESIDENT. If more than one person is applying, follow the same steps in the box(es) for Applicant B, and so on. 

Be sure to enter the unit numbers you are applying for in the boxes at the top right of the page. Arizona looks at your first 2 choices when your application is drawn, so be sure to put 2 good units as your #1 and #2 choices.  Hunt numbers can be found in the Arizona Hunting Regulations, or by clicking here… http://www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/h_f/regulations/ElkAntelope.pdf

There are many good units in Arizona and I’d be happy to give some recommendations if you want to e-mail me at corey@elk101.com. I drew my first Arizona elk tag with 4 points and my last one with 3! Applications submitted by January 23 meet the correction date (meaning they will call you and give you a chance to correct any errors if they find one). Otherwise, have it in by Feb. 9. That means in at the office by that date. Apps must be mailed and must be accompanied by the correct fees up front. For elk, the tag cost is $595.00 and the license is $151.25. This amount needs sent in for each applicant. The license fee is non-refundable. The tag fee (less $7.50) is refunded if you are unsuccessful.

Good luck!

I think I am as guilty as the next guy for using one of those lame excuses about why I haven’t tagged out yet. But let’s get real, real quick. You are ultimately in charge of your own success. Instead of packing up camp and heading home to your cozy wife and list of honey-do’s, lets try a different approach . Just think back to all those days in the off-season when you couldn’t wait until next season. This next season was going to be different. Its hard to justify all the money spent on gear and fuel to your wife if you come home empty-handed. You hunt because of the chase, and……the kill! If it was just the allure of the outdoors you would just be a hiker, not a hunter.   

So wipe the tears from your eyes, rub some dirt on that new Sitka Gear, pack a lunch and find a bull! Wow, that sounds like the pep talk I sometimes give myself after a “pity party”.

I’ve used a tactic successfully over the years when text book elk hunting doesn’t seem to work. I call it “Trolling for Bulls”. Here’s how it works. First you have to pack a lunch, water, maps, compass, and a gps (if you’ve have one) along with all the other necessary items in your day pack. If you’ve done your home work in the off season, then you will have a spot that has held your interest. A place you just know all the big bulls live in,  but you are just too scared of going in after them.  You are going to be gone from dawn until dark…      

When hunting these places you will find that there are not elk every where…(If there are, call me).  Because of this, you don’t want to spend a lot of time in these areas. Keep hiking. When you start seeing elk sign slow down and start looking for a good set-up spot. You don’t want to be standing right on the bull when you blow your call. Take into consideration the wind and the possible direction elk may come from. Begin calling. Very sparingly at first, a few cow calls. Then slowly escalating to the sounds of a bull that has came across a couple of cows. Finally, this “make-believe” bull finds the hot cow  and begins to torment her by bugling his head off. To make this realistic, you must span this sequence over 30-45 minutes. After the frenzy go silent and wait 15-30 minutes, waiting on that silent bull that won’t just charge in. Remember, less is more during the first 2/3 of the calling sequence.

Dirk Durham employing his method of "Trolling for Elk"

If you have no response after quiet time, head out looking for the next “elky” looking spot.  Don’t feel bad, as it may take half the day to find a bull that wants to play.

“Midday Madness”.  My friends always laugh at my “radio announcer voice” when I say midday madness. Its basically round #2 of day time rut activity. After the herd bull has put his ladies to bed and rested himself, he will want to stretch his legs, sniff cows, wallow, and get a drink. This can be a prime time to call the herd master away from his cows. Magic time in North Idaho seems to be 1pm.

If you’ve heard a bugle at daylight and then the bull clams up soon after, try to figure out where he is headed to bed and work your way towards him. Once you think you’re close, start trolling. It may take a couple set ups to get a response , but don’t give up. I had a bull let me do three calling scenarios within a quarter mile stretch while hiking up a ridge one day. The third set up finally brought him out of his bed.  I had actually passed by his bedding area, and almost out of ear shot before he fired up. He didn’t want me to get too far away and finally sounded off. Long story short - I mis-judged my yardage and shot under the chest of a 330 p&y class bull (I bought a range finder for the next season). Other times, however, I have been successful.

One of Dirk's many bulls that have fallen to his method of hunting

If the first “hell-hole” you go into gives you no results, go to the next one – stay mobile. It’s a lot like fishing, you have more chances for more bulls to hear your calls if you push on, casting and dragging your calls in front of them. My Dad always told me “elk are where you find them”, which always got under my skin. I would usually walk off muttering under my breath. But as I got a little older I finally figured out what he was getting at. “Elk are where you find them”, not always are they where you want them to be!

The morning of September 26^th began like any other day during hunting season.  My father, good friend Jerry, and myself, with Flashlights in hand, ascending up the mountain calling periodically.   This was Jerry’s first archery season and we wanted to get him in on a bull.  At 7:00 A.M.  we heard our first response.  It sounded like a young bull and I was hesitant to give chase due to the fact that he was across a draw and not in the direction we wanted to go.  After a small discussion, Dad and Jerry talked me into chasing the bull.  After about an hour and a half the young five point finally winded us and snuck away.  We turned and headed back up the mountain, again calling periodically.  At 12:30, we finally got another response in a basin below us.  We had climbed close to 3500 feet in elevation and were approximately 8 miles from the truck. 

Some of the roughest elk country you'll find

We closed the distance on the bull and Jerry and myself setup while Dad stayed back and called.  The bull came screaming in and gave Jerry a 20 yard broadside shot.  Jerry capitalized on the opportunity and the bull went only 4 yards before bedding down.  One more shot put the bull down for good.  We were all excited and Jerry was going crazy.  Now the work was to begin.  We left the kill sight at 3:00 and headed straight down the mountain.  As darkness fell I knew we were in for a long night.  At 9:30 we still had a minimum of 2 hours to the truck and to say we were exhausted was an understatement.  We decided to drop the packs, get to the truck, and return the next day to retrieve our packs.  We were too exhausted to eat that night and hit the sack as soon as we got to camp.  I think we were out within a minute of zipping up the tent.  Needless to say, we slept in the next morning before retrieving our packs and the boned out elk.

Mark and Jerry packing Jerry's bull off the mountain

Jerry and Mark's father, Steve, loaded down with elk meat

This was one of the toughest days I have ever had hunting and I was by far the youngest guy there.  As my father and Jerry would say “You have got to love it” and “It’s all about the memories”.  Persistence does pay off.  Even if we wouldn’t have gotten an elk I would have still called it a successful hunt.  Good times with good friends, how else can you measure success?

Steve, Jerry, and Mark with Jerry's first archery elk

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