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Elk Camp: Calling in the Big Ones

Luke Clayton

Folks, it's week two up here at Elk Camp, and I am having the time of my life!  

Today, I'd like to talk a little bit about how to bring in the big ones.  When it comes right down to it, it's a matter of territory, and elk, if they do think, are kind of like all men.  We like to protect what's ours.  During the rut, that trait is amplified.  The old men, or I guess I should call them bulls, are bringing their harems in tight.  This is pre-rut.  The main threat to their happy home is satellite bulls, those immature youth wanting to make a name for themselves, and gather their own girls together.  

That is the Achilles heel of mature bulls.  They don't want those young ones around, so when they hear that youthful call, they come running, primed and ready to show who's boss.  And, that's how you bring that big one to you.  Simply, master the call of a satellite bull.  To fire up the old man even further, cut his bugle off in the middle with your young bull sound.  He will be EAR-i-tate-tud (translation: irritated with attitude).  Once he's on his way, don't make the young call again, he knows right where you're at.  You can follow up with the sounds of a cow.   To learn how to call, there are some good videos on youtube.  

Until next week, be safe out there and enjoy the great outdoors!    

Outdoors writer, radio host and book author Luke Clayton has been addicted to everything outdoors related since his childhood when he grew up hunting and fishing in rural northeast Texas. Luke pens a weekly newspaper column that appears in over thirty newspapers.