Elk bugling question

[nontyp]

Does the presence of wolves or other predators affect elk bugling? We just got back from our elk hunt and the elk were completely silent. 2 bugles in a week of hard hunting. We saw and encountered multiple elk, and found tons of fresh sign but they wouldn’t respond to anything. Other hunters in the area told us that the elk rarely bugle in the unit anymore due to wolves. I have a hard time believing that, but maybe it’s true. If not, why would the elk be so silent?

 

[kansasdad]

There may be some natural selection going on with both turkeys and elk. Rutting vocalizations seem to be less than decades ago per some old timers. One hypothesis for this is the most vocal ones fail to pass on their tendency to be vocal (getting whacked before they mate), while the silent bulls/toms live on to pass on their more reticent vocalization traits. Do that over decades, and perhaps there is something to a tendency.

 

[Brian in Montana]

All I know is I called in a pack of wolves with an elk bugle a couple years ago. I could imagine the bulls learning to keep quite pretty fast if wolves show up when they bugle. That said, I'm not one that tends to blame all hunting difficulties on wolves. There are many, many variables that affect elk behavior, some of which change from year to year.

 

[dirtclod Az.]

Could be because it's mid-Sept.and there not in full rut yet It's still hot here so things are slow to start.I know you guys are from all over,but is it Ruttin' cold?

 

[Doublecluck]

I hear this a lot, don’t know for sure but I hunt a area of sw Montana with no wolves and no griz to speak of and the elk have been going crazy for the last two weeks.. vocal all day the last week..I notice the elk around West Yellowstone don’t seem to bugle as loud or as much right now.

 

[wyoboypt]

There may be some natural selection going on with both turkeys and elk. Rutting vocalizations seem to be less than decades ago per some old timers. One hypothesis for this is the most vocal ones fail to pass on their tendency to be vocal (getting whacked before they mate), while the silent bulls/toms live on to pass on their more reticent vocalization traits. Do that over decades, and perhaps there is something to a tendency.

Has nothing to do with any of that ridiculous bs. I’ve found that high hunting pressure, and according to some buddies in Montana and Idaho that the elk tend to be more silent in heavy wolf infested areas.
In southern Wyoming where there aren’t wolves to speak of they are often silent in heavily hunted areas. The elk are there, but quiet. They figure out what’s up when people are in the woods. Same for when wolves are there too.

 

[tjones]

Could be because it's mid-Sept.and there not in full rut yet It's still hot here so things are slow to start.I know you guys are from all over,but is it Ruttin' cold?

Cows get bred the same time every year despite weather, moon phase or color of the leaves. Bulls may be more vocal sometimes but regardless the rut goes on and cows get bred.

 

[375H&H]

Go to Yellowstone in September and you will hear plenty of bugles...and there are plenty of wolves around there too. After my wife and I heard heaps of bugling during our trip a couple years back, that whole "no bugling due to wolves" theory went out the window.

 

[375H&H]

Cows get bred the same time every year despite weather, moon phase or color of the leaves. Bulls may be more vocal sometimes but regardless the rut goes on and cows get bred.

I think it is still logical that the rut can move ahead or back a week depending on numerous factors though. It isn't the exact same day every year. Cows don't drop calves at exactly the correct gestation length...there is a little variance.

 

[smitty661]

I’m sitting in the Idaho unit 22 woods as I type this. Today is day 3, we’ve covered about 20 miles on foot and have heard 0 bugles.

 

[tjones]

I think it is still logical that the rut can move ahead or back a week depending on numerous factors though. It isn't the exact same day every year. Cows don't drop calves at exactly the correct gestation length...there is a little variance.

Pretty much the same week every year. For years FWP has been doing a study, radio collar cows in the winter, track them in the spring and within in a few days of calf dropping they go in catch the calf and radio ear tag the calf. Pretty much the same period every year, heavy birth rate the same week every year.

 

[Brian in Montana]

Cows get bred the same time every year despite weather, moon phase or color of the leaves. Bulls may be more vocal sometimes but regardless the rut goes on and cows get bred.

This.

 

[ringer]

I just hunted 3 days here in AZ and it was 80 degrees. We got a few bulls bugling just at dark responding to our bugles but it was very quiet. I ran across a couple of cows all alone so they are just starting to gather. There were literally a hundred side by sides with non hunters and hunters. One string of 9 vehicles in street clothes just riding around. I will go back mid week and hopefully it will cool off and some of the crowds will be gone. We have no wolves and the bulls are super quiet so far. Timing is everything.