| Elk hunting has long been considered an extremely | | | | spend their lives tracking and studying elk, a hunter |
| challenging hunt. Elk are very sensitive animals and are | | | | can do nothing better to increase his chances of |
| weary of anything new or unnatural to their area; for | | | | bagging a trophy than hiring one. |
| this reason it takes a lot of skill for a hunter to track | | | | Bugling is something a hunter will hear about profusely |
| and get close enough to shoot. Another reason elk | | | | when doing his elk research. For many avid elk |
| hunting is considered such a challenge is because they | | | | hunters, practicing their bugling becomes their hobby |
| are known for being very unpredictable. Sometimes | | | | in the off-season; there is no such thing as too much |
| they are timid, and other times they can be very | | | | practice in this art. Bugling is meant to mimic the call |
| aggressive. It's important for a hunter to take great | | | | of a mate, so not using the call properly can have |
| caution as a bull elk can easily reach eight hundred | | | | just the opposite effect and steer an elk far clear of |
| pounds. | | | | the sound. As mentioned, elk are highly sensitive and |
| It just so happens that the time of year most elk | | | | cautious; if anything sounds amiss they will not allow |
| hunters prefer to hunt is in the fall mating season, | | | | curiosity to get the best of them to investigate. |
| when an elk is most active, and most unpredictable. | | | | Bugling for elk really is an art form; a hunter must |
| This is especially the case for bulls, who's hormones | | | | bugle enough to be realistic to other elk, yet not too |
| are running in overdrive. This excess amount of | | | | much to make them weary. A hunter strives to |
| testosterone in their system can cause them to be | | | | perfect his craft in order to have the innate sense |
| highly aggressive. It's important for a hunter to do a | | | | when enough is enough. That being said, don't be |
| lot of research and know his quarry thoroughly. | | | | afraid to buy your first call and start practicing. Many |
| Studying elk behavior can be very helpful on the | | | | come with an instruction booklet or audio instruction |
| hunt, and especially for the first time hunter, hiring a | | | | to demonstrate the proper sound. This can be a |
| guide to take you on your first few elk hunts can | | | | great resource for the hunter unfamiliar with bugling. |
| prove an invaluable resource. The experienced guides | | | | |