Bugling in October?

[kbhillhunter]

Curious if anyone does much bugling in October, specifically 1st rifle in Colorado so mostly that third week in October.

 

[wannakillabigbull]

I took my biggest bull on a first rifle hunt in Colorado, and they bugled til past noon that day. That isn't normal, though, and I wouldn't personally plan on using bugling as a tactic at that time of year.

 

[COEngineer]

I have heard them bugling in Nov during one of the later rifle seasons. I also would not count on it. In fact, there have probably been just as many years that I have hunted during the rut (mid-Sept) that I have not heard a bugle as years that I have heard a bugle during the rut. So, if you hear one, use it to your advantage to locate him, but don't expect to hear them.

 

[HighDesertSage]

I've had them bugle in Mid Oct and late nov, it can happen.

 

[Tinner2216]

Hear them about 25% of the time in Southern Colorado, right up till opening day of first rifle. Then not a peep, even on years where they were sounding off pretty well.

 

[sneakypete]

I had bulls bugling in early November last year in Montana!

 

[Gkalk]

I've heard them in Mid October as well over the last couple years. When we do we've strictly used it as an option to locate them.

 

[claybreaker]

I've heard them bugle in CO on public during first rifle but it was only a few times. And I've heard them bugle on private land during during second rifle as they were a hundred or more of them together on an open hill side.

 

[Chester]

What part of October? I’ve successfully called in bulls and located many more the first week, effectiveness dives off pretty steeply after then.

 

[ScottP]

I bugled in a satellite bull for my wife 1st rifle in CO a few years ago. Him and the herd bull (which was in thick trees) started bugling a bit, so it was getting late in the day and I figured they'd either split or come check me out. After I let out a kind of wimpy bugle those two went nuts and the smaller one showed up in less than a minute. This was opening day. I'll pack my bugle if I hunt that season again, but generally don't plan on using it during the rifle season.

 

[muleshoe64]

I've been hunting the Flattops area in past years and had bulls in full-on rut in mid-October. It's great for locating elk, but would not count on calling them in.

 

[Idhikker]

What everyone said. First week-exactly what Chester said. Still some bugling in mid October and even an occasional bugle in late October or early November but don't plan on calling them in.