Be A Dweeb

As with gobbling back to a turkey, bugling to a bull elk can cause different reactions. Of course we all hope that it will bring him raging in to confront his challenger. But that is not always the case. If you come on too strong, you'll likely drive away sub-dominant or "satellite" bulls. If the boss bull hears what he perceives as a strong challenger, he's prone to take his cows away rather than take a loss. A weak and halting bugle sounds like a yearling bull trying to show off. Grown bulls that show grudging respect toward each other don't cotton to inferior interlopers. There's something about the male hierarchy of bull elk society (this works with gobblers too) that just can't stand a dweeb trying to run with the big boys. Back up your wimpy bugle with some grunts (not too guttural) and maybe some mews and chirps. If the local bulls think the dweeb is getting some action it really drives them crazy.