We have a 5K+ acre lease in Texas in the Western Hill Country - all low fence with lots of different species including elk.

We have a big bull located (we saw him the first week of August in the evening walking, but in velvet) and he calls every morning and every evening from the same bowl.

It's not a huge bowl, but super thick. We have tried cow calls, bugles, etc at different times and can't get him to show himself.

I'm sure he's coming out at night, but we put strict rules in place regarding night hunting. In the past, we have had elk at the feeder in the area, but 98% of the time at night.

Any ideas to get him out? I'm evening thinking about sending one of my little dogs into the bowl to see if he can flush him.

This late in the year, calling isn't likely to do anything.

I think you are on the right track with a drive to push him out. It doesn't have to be aggressive. Pick a day with the wind going to a good shooting lane, and have someone circle the bowl to put their scent into the elk's nose. That should get him up and out. I would suspect he will walk out of there and just quietly leave.

Jeremy

quote:

Originally posted by farbedo:
This late in the year, calling isn't likely to do anything.

I think you are on the right track with a drive to push him out. It doesn't have to be aggressive. Pick a day with the wind going to a good shooting lane, and have someone circle the bowl to put their scent into the elk's nose. That should get him up and out. I would suspect he will walk out of there and just quietly leave.

Jeremy

Perfect advice.

I'll call my buddy who works for Fish and Game in Wyoming, he'll send you a couple of freighter boxes full of wolves.

Ought to have that bull sorted in a day or two.

those Wyoming wolves don't know how to hunt Elk anymore.
better send in some from around here, they got that Elk stuff down Pat.

if you got an Elk bedded up during the day you need to find out when and where he is travelling, and cut him off like a white tail hunter would.
the full moon last week would have been the perfect time to learn his night time habits.

Just take your time, he’ll make a mistake and persistence pays off...most of the time...