I know this is nothing for most of you experienced folks, but all fun and new to me! wife and I went out after work yesterday for first day of archery. She wanted a treestand on a travel corridor that had consistent pictures a couple weeks ago and still has good sign. She saw squat. Though we were out of there just before sunset for other reasons.
Anyway, I left her in the tree, circled away and up the hill behind her along that ridge about 1/2 mile and started calling. I had been randomly quietly and sporadically cow calling as I walked, then I found a spot with lots of tree rubs, fresh tracks and fresh droppings. So I stood by a tree and did some cow calls, followed by a "weak" bugle, sort of a lazy bull bugle.
Then I stood still for about 45 seconds and heard a branch snap behind me so looked. There at 25 yards and closing was the cutest little spike bull coming in looking! Had him broadside between 15-20 yards for about 5 minutes, got pictures and video. but, unfortunately I have a cow tag! Even have him on video looking around while I cow called to see what he'd do (he reallly didn't react, which surprised me). When he finally got bored he trotted off 50-60 and I ripped off a bugle and he stopped and looked back!
Learned a HUGE lesson though: I walked in with my bow in a sling over my shoulder and my brain must have cramped cause that's where it was with an elk standing there at 20 yards broadside. I was mad at myself but only slightly since I couldn't shoot, until.....I heard another branch snap. I never saw the source but had a cow walked up I would have been stuck.
Picked my wife up at her tree later and while walking the 1/2 mile to the truck we heard a bugle! Was a ways off but we heard one! She smiled.
Anyway, I left her in the tree, circled away and up the hill behind her along that ridge about 1/2 mile and started calling. I had been randomly quietly and sporadically cow calling as I walked, then I found a spot with lots of tree rubs, fresh tracks and fresh droppings. So I stood by a tree and did some cow calls, followed by a "weak" bugle, sort of a lazy bull bugle.
Then I stood still for about 45 seconds and heard a branch snap behind me so looked. There at 25 yards and closing was the cutest little spike bull coming in looking! Had him broadside between 15-20 yards for about 5 minutes, got pictures and video. but, unfortunately I have a cow tag! Even have him on video looking around while I cow called to see what he'd do (he reallly didn't react, which surprised me). When he finally got bored he trotted off 50-60 and I ripped off a bugle and he stopped and looked back!
Learned a HUGE lesson though: I walked in with my bow in a sling over my shoulder and my brain must have cramped cause that's where it was with an elk standing there at 20 yards broadside. I was mad at myself but only slightly since I couldn't shoot, until.....I heard another branch snap. I never saw the source but had a cow walked up I would have been stuck.
Picked my wife up at her tree later and while walking the 1/2 mile to the truck we heard a bugle! Was a ways off but we heard one! She smiled.
