I Primarily hunt the Oregon coast for Elk during archery season. In the past, my experience has been that the elk are almost mute with the exception of some early cow calling and maybe a first light squeal.

This year has been the exception. crazy bugling! sometime to 10 in the morning.

Curious is any other westside hunters are noticing the same thing?

Had a bull fired up bugling this morning and running circles around his herd. I heard them bugling 2 weeks ago when staying at the beach while fishing B10, and heard them earlier in the week in Winston. Today was definitely the hottest I've heard.

In years past, I've always found responsive bulls from the start of the season through the end. It seems you just have to find the right one.

Opening day Tuesday I called in 2 bulls for my brother in law but neither presented a clean shot, both were between 9am and 2pm... Managed to get one other bull going that evening but he wasn't willing to play...

Looking forward to heading back up tomorrow around mid day and hunting through Wednesday...

Lord have mercy, I'm sticking one!

Keith

Called in a 3x3 bull up a hill 100 yards out of a thick creek bottom yesterday morning and stuck him at 12 yards...


I knew that I hit him high but still thought I hit lung... We search all day yesterday and until noon today. Nothing.

Only blood we found was two drops on some ferns that he left on his sprint back down the hill and back into the timber.

Makes me sick.

Sorry to hear that Driftfishnw, i know the feeling! Bugling elk in is a awesome experience! I have been pretty successful in the past in the Randle area.

Man that sucks

East side too.............Ike speaks elk

That does suck! Next time call me-Iff'n he's dead Sage will find him in a few minutes!

Nothing but a really long hike for this kid over the weekend......

Spent all day Sat & Sun in the Coweeman unit, had bulls bugling both days until about 10 with alot of cows talking as well, didn't hear much else the rest of the day.
Had a close encounter with a cow and spike Sat. but the cow wouldn't stop, the spike did and offered an awesome 18 yard broadside shot, unfortunately that unit is 3pt or antlerless, damn it!

Took a run up to Mt. Saint Helens and Johnston Ridge this afternoon. At 4:00 pm it was 78 degrees in the observatory parking lot (4314' elev.). The view of the volcano was spectacular, but slightly diminished by smoky haze. Beyond Mt. Saint Helens, there was no view, only smoke from fires burning in other parts of the state. On the way down the hill, we took a break for refreshment at the Castle Lake Viewpoint. At 6:30 pm three bulls started bugling around us. The bulls challenged each other for 30 minutes before going silent. We moved down the road to another pullout and listened to another bull bugle for 10 minutes. The "music" stopped at dusk.

It had been 30 years since my wife had heard elk bugling in the woods. Hearing them today was the highlight of the trip for her. I'd like to go back and catch the early morning show!

Yes, that place can be a lot of fun...

Keith