In a recent conversation about his upcoming elk hunt with a good friend, I commented on being aggressive when getting after the bulls. The discussion got me thinking: What does that even mean? When I say that to someone who hasn’t had a ton of success on elk, what do they think leaving that conversation? Well, I guess there is no better time than now to answer the questions of what that means.
First Off, Don’t Be Reckless
While I strongly advocate aggressiveness in elk hunting, it's crucial to understand that this doesn't mean you should be reckless or careless. Aggression should be strategic, not impulsive. There are times when the conditions or the situation may not support an aggressive approach, and that's when patience becomes the wiser choice.
For instance, consider a scenario where the wind is swirling unpredictably. In such conditions, aggressive tactics might not be effective and could even backfire. The shifting wind can carry your scent to the elk, alerting them to your presence before you even get close. If you attempt to close the distance aggressively in this situation, you're likely to alert the elk and ruin your chances.
In these cases, a more measured approach might be better. Patience allows you to wait for more favorable conditions, such as a steadier wind or a better opportunity to move undetected. By assessing the situation and adjusting your strategy, you can avoid unnecessary risks and increase your chances of a successful hunt. Remember, being aggressive doesn't mean ignoring the environment or the animal's behavior—it means using your boldness wisely and knowing when to adapt.
Calling Aggression
Calling to elk can sometimes be easy, sometimes hard, but those who know how to do it well hold a key to the puzzle that many don’t have. Learning to talk to elk and get them to respond and approach those calls comes with time and experience. As I mentioned, sometimes it's easy, but to have consistent success is not so much.
Many content creators and writers can talk until we are blue in the face trying to explain to a new hunter how to call in elk consistently, but honestly, there is no substitute for time and experience. Still, that learning curve can be shortened with some of these tips.
My tip for this article is that aggression can often lead to more call-ins. Not necessarily always calling in the biggest herd bulls, but sometimes even the big boys fall victim to some aggressive calling. When calling, start soft and ramp up your calling as you work a bull. If he keeps responding and ramping up, you can keep it up. If you reach a point where he is noticeably calling less or moving away, you may need to back off the aggression. I like to equate this to checking the bull’s temperature. If he’s hot, keep it up; if he starts to get cold, back off. Aggressive calling can come in many forms, with bugling, chuckling, glunking, or aggressive estrus-type cow calls.
Try different calls and see what’s working. Often, when a bull or bulls get riled up, eventually, one of them can take it and will come into your setup, sometimes in a hurry, so be ready!
When Stalking
When actively stalking elk that are moving or feeding, aggressiveness is often the best route. Yes, it would be best if you were calculated, but you must move into position as quickly and efficiently as possible. Sometimes, that means getting out of sight and running or hiking as hard as possible. Move as quickly as possible to get into striking distance, then slow down for the final approach.
Even when naturally feeding or walking, Elk move much further and faster than most realize. So, moving fast and chewing up the ground between you and them as quickly as possible is paramount. When moving, feeding, and cows calling back and forth to each other, there is quite a bit of noise and commotion, so take that opportunity when it's given.
When they are bedded, it is a vastly different situation. Yes, you can move out of sight and aggressively cut the distance. I would only do this after you watch them bed and settle into what looks like a spot for a reasonable amount of time.
Then, it’s time to move into position without being detected as quickly and aggressively as needed. However, once you have reached that final approach, a snail's pace is what you want.
The Moment of Truth
One of the times when people need to be aggressive but often fall short is when a bull or elk walks into their set-up or effective range. People freeze up, afraid to make the wrong move and the bull leaves.
Before you go on your hunt, I want you to ask yourself, “What do you have to lose?” If a bull walks into your set-up and you have to move slightly or turn to get a shot, and he sees you and spooks or finally loses interest and leaves without your moving, the results are the same. So, you may as well try to get that shot when the moment arises.
You won’t get the shot plenty of times when you don’t try and make that last move, but many times, you will get that shot if you go for it. Years ago, my buddy Casey and I were hunting elk, and it was his first season of bowhunting, so he was after any elk.
A few days in, seven cows came by our setup, but directly behind us at 20 yards. Casey sat like a statue until they walked directly into our wind, and they tore the mountain apart by getting away. After the encounter, I said, “Either way, the elk were going to get spooked, so you may have tried to turn and shoot.” He bow-killed his first elk a few days later, following my advice.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, aggressive elk hunting is about balancing aggressiveness and caution. It’s not just about always throwing caution to the wind and rushing into the fray; it’s about reading each situation and adjusting your tactics accordingly.
Remember, the goal is to be strategic and adaptive to different situations. Aggressiveness can create opportunities, but it must be done wisely to avoid costly mistakes. Whatever you decide to do, be confident, stay patient when necessary, and seize the moment when it arises.