Hunting Collared Peccary in the Western States

While hunting for wild boar is at a slower pace during rainy winter months in California, a ‘little pig’ offers good hunting opportunities in neighboring States. The Javelina or Collared Peccary is the pig hunter’s “big” game in Arizona. Javelina also occur in Texas where they are quite numerous and in New Mexico. They are South American natives that have slowly migrated north.

Javelina occur widely in Arizona but are not found statewide. They are most numerous in the southeastern corner of the State, southeast of Tucson. You need to apply for a hunting permit in December, drawings will take place in January and hunting takes place in February. Applications must specify hunt numbers. Permits are classified as HAM (handgun, archery and muzzle loader) and permit-hunting. Non-residents pay about $ 114.00 for a non-resident license and a $ 68.00 Javelina permit fee. Deadlines for permit/tag applications close generally in late of the year. Good news is that two Apache Tribes sell Javelina permits over the counter on a first come first served basis. The San Carlos Apache Tribe has some of the best Javelina hunting in Arizona. Javelina hunting on reservation lands is available in mid — February.

Texas has a long Javelina hunting season, generally from October to the end of February in 43 counties and from September 1 to August 31 in 50 counties. The problem with hunting in Texas is that there is virtually no hunting on public land in Texas and hunting rights for private lands are generally leased to guide services and clubs. Information on hunting on public lands in Texas is available on from the State of Texas via the Net. If you cannot find the information, you may contact the author for details.

Why would anyone want to hunt the ‘little pig’ that looks like a wild pig but is indeed not a pig at all? Well, Javelina share with boar not only looks but also some of the temperament. While generally peaceful, they can become very aggressive and combative when cornered or in defense of their offspring — just like their big look-alikes.

By the way, there smaller size and weight makes them easier to get back to camp and to process. That can be a significant advantage in difficult terrain.

Here is some general information on the Javelina as published by the Arizona Game and Fish Service:

The collared peccary, or Javelina, evolved in South America and migrated north, only recently arriving in Arizona. The collared peccary, which occurs in the United States only in Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico, currently occupies approximately 34 percent of Arizona with an estimated population of 60,000 animals.

Life History

Adult Javelina generally weigh 35 to 60 lbs, the male being slightly heavier than the female. New born Javelina weigh about one pound. They are tan to brownish in color with a reddish dorsal stripe. They acquire adult coloration at three months. The salt and pepper appearance of adults is due to whitish bands on the black hairs. These hairs are up to six inches long, with the mane being blackest, longest, and erectile. In the winter, the coat is very dense and dark and the “collar” is visible. In summer, the Javelina sheds hair. The shorter hairs are lighter and the collar frequently is not visible.

Javelina continue to grow until they reach adult height in about 10 months. At this age, the Javelina are sexually mature. Being of tropical origin, peccaries are capable of breeding throughout the year, the only wild ungulate in the western hemisphere with a year long breeding season. This long breeding season, early maturity, and the ability to have two litters in one year gives them the greatest reproductive potential of North American big game.

Breeding peaks in January, February, and March. After a 145-day gestation period, most births occur in June, July, and August. This peak corresponds with the maximum rainfall period. Two is the most common number of young. Unlike other animals, the Javelina does not lick the offspring at birth, but rolls or tumbles it. The young are precocial, following their mothers shortly after birth and are usually weaned at six weeks.

While Javelina have lived to 24 years in captivity, the average life span is closer to seven or eight. Predation on Javelina is common from mountain lions and bobcats. Coyotes and golden eagles are effective predators of juvenile Javelina.

Since Javelina are found in so many habitats, its natural that their foods should vary. Javelina are opportunistic feeders. Eating flowers, fruits, nuts, berries, bulbs, and most succulent plants. Prickly pear cactus makes up the major portion of the diet. Behavior Javelina are herd animals with herd sizes averaging 8 to 9 animals. Territories are set up using droppings and the dorsal scent gland to mark these areas. Aggressive displays will be made to intruding javelina. Territory size varies with the productivity of the habitat, but averages about 750 acres.

God Smiled On Me Today
It was a hot November day in west Tennessee, not a day that you would think much about deer hunting. The mosquitos were out and it was about 80 degrees on a bright sunny day. But I had two hours before my 13 year old daughters basketball game and I was itching to go deer hunting. Most people hunt for food here and with all the hunting pressure a deer rarely lives past his second birthday. Finding a Boone & Crockett trophy deer in Weakley county is like finding a needle in a haystack. As I waited for my daughter to get home so we could shoot some freethrows before the big game tonight I couldn’t help but think about deer hunting. My daughter arrived home after what she called a hard day and said she just wanted to just rest this afternoon and for me to go on an go deer hunting.
I had joined a deer hunting club this year with some of my buddies and this would be my first time to hunt this new property. I went by and picked up my son’s muzzleloader and got my mosquito spray and off I went as it was only ten minutes from the house. I thought this could be as much of a scouting trip as a hunting trip since I knew nothing about the farm I was about to hunt. I am a handicap hunter and if it wasn’t for my trusty Honda 4 wheeler getting me to and from the field I would have had to give up hunting twenty five years ago when I had a massive stroke. I was very blessed that over time I have regained almost everything except the use of my legs and I can get around with the use of a cane. But through the help of my family and friends and the grace of God I havent missed a beat in my love for hunting and fishing.
As I got to the field I grabbed my muzzleloader, my fanny pack, my doe in rut scent and my grunt call. It was 4:00 pm and I had an hour and a half to hunt. I always carry a drag rag doused with doe in rut scent behind my 4 wheeler to help cover my scent and also to attract bucks. I could see a nice big tree stand of one of my friends from the road that I thought might be a good spot as it was overlooking a bean field in the river bottom. I rode my 4 wheeler dragging my drag rag along the edge of the beanfield and parked in the bushes behind the deer stand. I tried my best to get up in the stand but it just wasnt going to happen as I almost fell out trying to get situated. So I climbed down and fixed me a comfortable spot under the deer stand and leaned my muzzleloader against the first step of the ladder. As I peered through the ladder I could see the cars and trucks going by quite often down the highway. The thought ran through my mind that I’m just wasting my time but I told myself let’s just enjoy being out in the woods and sit here until dark. I’ve always thought the best way to deer hunt was just to be quite and sit still and let the deer come to you. An hour went by and all I’d seen were two squirrels. With no deer activity I decided it couldn’t hurt anything to try my old grunt call. I could still smell the scent of doe in rut on my fingertips from earlier while putting it on my drag rag. I’m not a professional grunter by any means but I grunted a few short grunts. What happened next left me is disbelief as in my 40 years of hunting I’ve never seen anything like it. This monster buck bolted from a thicket looking for a fight or at least to protect his territory and he was heading right at me across the open bean field in full view. It happened so quick that when the buck stopped he was at 75 yards but I hadn’t even had time to even get my gun ready. I have a scope on my muzzleloader but it didnt take any kind of optics to tell this boy was a shooter. I managed to get my gun up and get my sights on him but he started walking again looking for the other buck. His hair was all bristled and his ears laid back as though he was ready to fight. When he stopped at 60 yards I pulled the trigger and I couldn’t see a thing for a couple seconds. When the smoke cleared all I could see was antlers, big antlers like I’ve never seen before. I waited 10 minutes to be sure he wasnt going to run off and that was the longest 10 minutes of my life. At 5:10 I got on my 4 wheeler and rode up to him he had 13 points and some of the longest points that I’ve ever seen. He had mule deer forks on both sides and drop tines on both sides. The deer had a 22 inch spread and weighed 175 pounds. It was the nicest deer that I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. I’ve never been a big believer in using a grunt call but after this hunt I will never be caught without it ever again. There’s no doubt the combination of my deer scent and a grunt call did the trick on this old buck. Looking back on my deer hunt now a week later I almost didn’t even go deer hunting on that lucky day. Had my daughter wanted to shoot basketball then I would never have gone deer hunting. Also I had those thoughts of “its just to hot and the deer wont be moving.” Then after I did go hunting I almost talked myself into leaving early. So the bottom line is if you get a chance to go deer hunting you better go, you never know what’s going to happen. I have hunted for 40 years and spent thousands of hours in the field but you just never know when its going to happen. Its kind of like that old saying “A bad day of hunting is still better than a good day at work.” Larry Porter

The great Asian buffalo was in an ideal position almost flank and less than 40 meters. The wind was right in an open pasture similar to the South African veld. While centered the sight of the Leupold scope from Danny Giacone from Florida, a Knight blackpowder gun in the Vital Triangle, according to the indications of the local PH, Fernando Arino, who supported him with his inseparable Winchester bolt-action in the powerful 458 Win. in case the things went wrong.

A slight pressure of the trigger and the recoil movement of the weapon surprised the gunner. The black figure of the animal was like in a cloud as in a dream by the smoke generated by the Pyrodex powder. The PH that had a lot of experience in this type of armaments, because of that had been placed a little flank so that the wind swept the smoke to him that prevented the vision in case that the animal put itself nervous and attack the hunter.

The first shot was in the correct place and the Barnes X bullet of caliber 45 impelled by two pellets of Pyrodex, worked properly. With Fernando’s assistant behind the video camera filming, the great animal turned in around with difficulty, and Danny started the slow recharge of the weapon with the confidence to be protected by his PH from any bad temper of the buffalo. This adventure began searching internet his year when Danny and his friend John Stafford from California, contacted the outfitter Fernando Arino from “Argentine Adventure” that offers big game hunting in several farm to fulfill South American Diamond Award.

Buffalos

Water buffalo or bubalus bubalis of Asian origin were introduced in Brasil but around the years 1940 in Argentina. There are very corpulent animals that live closely to the water or marsh places and if they are hurt by bad shooting, transformed themselves into a nightmare when attack in the way similar to the African cousins, the big Syncerus caffer.

Within the water buffaloes are several subspecies such as the Murrah of short and heavy horns; the Jaffarabadi of Indian origin, with long horns that falls on both sides giving him a graceful presence like Pluto the dog; the Mediterranean ones, carabaos and other ten species more.

They are great animals with a weight that can arrive at the ton, have a strong structure with a heavy skin for which minimum rifle calibers are required like the classic 375 H&H, but in this special hunt Danny would use a blackpowder rifle Knight in caliber .45 whereas John would travel light: and will use some of the many rifles from Anuritay, Ranch.

The clients can choose from a rifle in .243 Win, 308 Win;.300Win.Mag; 458 Win Mag all bolt actions and also a double rifle Westley Richards in caliber .476 WR and until lever actions carbines in caliber 44 Win. Mag and 32 Special.

Sometimes a difficult decision for the customers but John taking into account the animals to hunt only use two guns: A Ruger International carbine in 308 Win. for the medium game and a Winchester model 70 in 375H&H for the buffalo.

But the great question soon would be revealed: it will be enough gun the blackpowder rifle for animals whose weight went up around a ton?

Blackpowder Gun

As we said at the beginning of the story, the shot from Danny’s gun was perfect. Correct the proper distance and the election of the good hollow point Barnes X bullets work within the animal breaking him not only the leg but touching the heart. With the gun properly loaded again Danny and his PH continued the hunt, trying to made a rapid shot to the animal that now tried to hide inside the whole group of buffaloes.

The loud voice of the PH suggested, “Danny put another bullet near the neck!” This time helped by the support of a long shooting stick the blackpowder hunter place another Barnes bullet where indicated its PH. The hit buffalo walked two steps, falling the first back quarters like a boat that sinks in slow motion.

The hunter tried to recharge frenetically, but Fernando calmed him, “Take your time Danny” said in a quiet voice. “There is no danger.” But in any case when their rifles where ready in the meantime they approach for a finishing shot. With the gun loaded they they walked to the buff to finish task.

They approached by the back part of the animal but the buff mortally hurt sing the Death Song. The last firing was only for safe. The autopsy result that the animal was technically dead with the first shot. That was the beginning of the safari in search of South American Diamond Award for Danny and John.

It was different for John hunting. When his buffalo hunt arrived, the wild animals were in an open field very similar to the African plains and were easier to locate to a good head. This time the weapon was a conventional rifle and Winchester mod. 70 bolt action in 375H&H with a scope sight of hardly 2.5 Xs and with 300 grains of a well known American ammunition. The approach was not easy anyways because the winds changed of direction several times but once the trophy were located John place a well constructed bullet in good place. The animal left the place running and looked for a refuge between scrubs very closed. The PH and John walked again trying to see the animal before it detects them the buffalo was almost covered by the bush but another well placed bullet finish the job. The tension finish when the PH touched the eye.

Enter Rios

It is an big province in the East part of Argentine, In the old days was covered by an extensive forest, but because an intensive and exhausting operation of their forest by cutting and manufacture of firewood charcoal, there are not many forest now but in places like LM with some forest are populated by a great amount of wild fauna like pumas, wild boar, brown brocket deer, wild pigs, goats, ostriches, many wild cats to mention the important species but now also the great buffalos, red stags, Indian blackbuks and other species in some private ranches like in LM.

The Hunting Ranch is surrounded by virgin forest that is very difficult to penetrate while hunting because the owner opens roads denominated ‘picadas’so the horsemen or hunter can see the wild game when they are on the move or feeding.

The temperatures of the place are relative high since the region is to the same height as Cape Town in South Africa, Also very dry, it warms up during the summer and in the hunting season it is rather warm in the mornings but during the night is getting cold.

LM is a very comfortable hunting ranch with modern medical facilities and good attention. The generator for electricity power is 220 W. and it is only possible to be communicated by cellular telephone. Near town C.Elia about 10 km from the Ranch is a telephone public cabin. You can travel to Buenos Aires — the capital of Argentina — and from there in a domestic flight near the farm where a Van waits for the hunters. Introducing guns and their ammunition is no difficulty whenever the hunters fulfill the requirements in the origin country and a statement in the Customs when arrived at Ezeiza Airport, Argentina

Conclusions

LM is a very good choice; it seems to me ideal for hunting with blackpowder guns as with bow and arrow or with handguns because the shooting distances not exceed 100 yards. The Hunting Ranch ruled by the PH “Fernando” and the members of the staff have a lot of hunting experience.

hunting camra’s in the woods

Some hunter’s in mishigan plaed hunting camras in the woods strapped around trees in search for the ”monster buck”. Samual Wishcof of missrisiori protested agenst this act, he thinks that every real and responsible hunter should find thir own game and hunt fairly.

The pilot lowered the single prop Cessna onto a small clearing of trampled elephant grass and jesse scrub that stubbornly gripped the dusty, sun-baked African earth. Fortunately I was so mesmerized by the stunning beauty of Zimbabwe during the one-hour flight that I paid little attention to our need for a precision landing.

I opened the door of the cockpit with a second effort and paused to take in the panoramic view of the handsomely rugged surroundings. I then stowed my gear on a restored 1996 Land Rover and the two-hour drive to a camp on the banks of the Zambezi River ended a 21-hour journey that began in Colts Neck.

This was my third safari to Africa but my first visit to Zimbabwe, a landlocked country located in the southern portion of the continent. The country is home to prolific herds of cape buffalo, or as the indigenous Shona people call the animal “nyati,” which was my quarry. Cape buffalo is one of the dangerous “big five” game animals found on the continent, a distinction shared with the elephant, lion, rhinoceros, and leopard. I’ll confess up front that I accomplished my goal after five grueling days of safari, but the lesson I learned from the people of Zimbabwe holds legitimate claim to this story.

In this region of the country the Shona people survive primarily by agricultural means, their crops being maize and cotton. The land lacks the rich soil needed for farming but what is produced is a labor of both men and women. They also raise chickens and goats but this practice was limited to their own needs and not commercial enterprise. These poorly nourished animals roamed freely about the unfenced properties of the villages.

The dispersed settlements of the Shona traditionally consist of one or more elder men and their extended families. Most decisions are made within the family, although organized political states are seen as a centralized power source. Shona are headed by a chief whose status was conferred by inheritance and power given in the manner of a king. The chief in the area lived in a centralized location and was accompanied by his court, a group that would offer advice about the most important decisions.

For most any American the first impression upon entering a Shona village would be their degree of poverty. It is a generous description to refer to them as poor, especially by western standards. However upon further exposure to these people I was reminded of the centuries old wisdom of philosopher A.P. Gouthey, “Make no mistake, my friend, it takes more than money to make men rich.” Using Gouthey’s reasoning I came to learn that the Shona are some of the world’s wealthiest people.

My first exposure to this was during the first night at camp. On the shoreline of the Zambezi River my friend Rick and I sat around an open fire of mopane wood and from across the river voices carried our way. These voices were filled with song and there were regular eruptions of laughter. I would learn soon enough that this celebration was not for any particular event but was a joyful display of community spirit by the natives of the fishing village as they prepared to make their living seining the swift currents of the mighty Zambezi. It struck me that in my fifty years of living in America I had not once heard such exuberance filling the streets where I lived, let alone imagine it as preparation for going to work. But for the Shona it was rooted in their culture.

I also witnessed their joy shortly after my partner harvested his cape buffalo. A requirement of the safari area we hunted is that the game be shared with the locals. We drove 2 miles to the nearest village to spread the word about the availability of meat. A human telegraph quickly developed as runners spread the word from hut to hut.

We drove seven men and three women (one woman carried her 1 year old child on her back) as close as we physically could to the 1700-pound carcass, though there remained a half-mile hike through the bush. They used burlap bags as a means for carrying the meat. Although they knew they would have to lug their food 2 ½; miles to their huts I didn’t need a translator to tell me they were grateful for the task. Their light-hearted laughter and warm demeanor were all the evidence that was needed. I’m also certain that they made multiple trips.

I was struck by their acceptance of such hardship and recalled that only a few days earlier I was in a shopping mall back home and heard a young girl arguing with her mother, then saw her burst into a fit of anger and tears as her mother threatened to confiscate her cell phone. She proceeded to scold her mother for even thinking of a punishment with such enormous consequences to her social status. It was in head shaking disbelief that I contrasted this to what I was witnessing in Zimbabwe.

When we began pursuit of my cape buffalo it was 3:00pm but it wasn’t until days end when the stalk was completed and by then we had traveled deep into the bush. By time the remains were butchered for transport back to the truck it was under cover of darkness.
Our return took us nearly six hours and although no one admitted to being lost I noticed a number of hand gestures toward the Southern Cross constellation along the way. I knew that many explorers of the Southern hemisphere used the stars of the Southern Cross to guide them so I didn’t need to understand the Shona language to know that we were doing the same.

Each of four skinners carried an 80-pound quarter section of the animal on their head. An additional two trackers carried the dense skull and cape, a weight of almost 250 pounds, tied to a pole that stretched between them and the weight of which pressed heavily on the bony prominences of their shoulders. The most impressive aspect of our return was the conditions under which the Shona operated. They struggled with their burden the entire six hours with a lone flashlight that wasn’t nearly sufficient to provide sure footing on a terrain filled with slippery inclines, steep drops, loose rocks, towering elephant grass, and skin-tearing thorn bushes.

During our meandering six-hour trudge I never noticed a single outburst of despair, frustration, anger, or defeat — in spite of their exhaustion. During our brief rests I did note that the tone of their voices maintained a gentle quality. I saw their frequent bantering and laughter as proof of their indomitable spirit. I couldn’t help but to contrast their acceptance of the overwhelming task with how a parent would be greeted back home with a request for their kid to take out the garbage or to clean their room. I admit to being ashamed at having compared the scenarios.

Throughout my stay I saw the Shona’s appreciation for many things we American’s take for granted. There was the warm smile of a young villager when she saw a picture of herself for the first time on my digital camera, the dignity in the way Shona accepted my family’s second-hand tee shirts, polartecs, and baseball caps I brought with me — items that nearly petrified from lack of use atop shelves or in the corners of our closets.

I also witnessed the body language and gestures that conveyed the warm and caring nature of the Shona. But one particularly poignant occurrence took place on the day I left. I was given two unsolicited letters from my tracker Edmore, one for my son and one for my daughter. In broken English he described his disappointment that trophy quality of my buffalo wasn’t to his satisfaction and gave a promise of a more impressive trophy should I return someday. He closed by signing his name and referencing a rural P.O. box in the hope that my children would reply. I learned on the drive to the airstrip that the Shona enjoy receiving mail since they rarely, if ever, have need for any. A condition I thought would be welcoming in view of the high volume of spam and unimportant emails I receive on my computer, and the large number of unwanted retail catalogs and bills I retrieve from the mailbox.

I am not implying that I would prefer the way of life of the Shona, or that any American would for that matter, but I do admit that there is a price we pay for maintaining our high standard of living and having fingertip access to state-of-the-art technology. There is a trade-off for our all-consuming pace of living and our need for respite in our homes at the days end. I think we are vulnerable to overlooking the simple joys available to us in our lives. From this perspective maybe the Shona can teach some of us a lesson about taking our blessings for granted. “Make no mistake, my friend, it takes more than money to make men rich.” I wonder if A.P. Gouthey ever traveled to Zimbabwe?

As I sat quietly in the pre-dawn darkness the scream of a bull elk split the silence. I knew the bull was close because I could hear it coming through the trees. I waited a few minutes, then cow called softly. The elk screamed again and stepped out of the pines 75 yards away. The big 6×6 bull took a few steps, stopped, and grunted, ugh. At first I thought the bull had sensed something wrong and had barked an alarm. But, when it took a few more steps, looked around and grunted again, I realized it was trying to find the cow it thought it had heard. Since I was scouting I didn’t want the bull to know I was there, and I didn’t want it to come any closer. I waited patiently for the next ten minutes while the bull walked around me, looking for the cow it was convinced was there. When the bull finally gave up looking I quietly left. The next morning I sent one of the guides and a bow hunter back to the same area. Within fifteen minutes of setting up they heard a bull bugle. Ten minutes later the bull responded to the sound of a cow call and the hunter put an arrow into it at 15 yards.

In the fall of 2001 I began researching 9 different herds of penned elk, to find out how many calls they used and what they used the calls for. I also wanted to know when bugling and breeding began, peaked and ended. During the peak of the rut I regularly heard as many as 100 bugles every 5 minutes, from over 150 different bulls. I also heard as many as 30 cow/calf calls every five minutes, from over 200 cows and calves.

Common Elk Calls

Cow elk use a variety of mews to communicate with their calves and other members of the herd. Cow/calf sounds range from the Maternal Mew (meuw) of a cow trying to locate its calf, to the higher pitched Calf Mew (eeeuw) of a calf trying to locate its mother, to the whining Submissive Mew (meeuw or mee-eee-uw) of a cow being herded or chased by a bull or another cow. Bull elk sometimes use a deeper version of the Submissive Mew when another bull chases them. Both cows and calves use a loud Contact Mew when they’ve been separated from the herd. When cows fight, they often use a Fighting Squeal (mee-eee-eee-eee-eee-euu) as they stand up and flail at each other with their front legs. Bulls often use this same call when they are sparring with each other. All of these calls are easily reproduced with a single or double reed mouth diaphragm, or outside the mouth call.

Bull Elk Rut Calls

The most familiar elk vocalization is the bugle of a bull elk, which may be made up of one or more different calls. The Full Bugle Sequence of a mature bull elk consists of three calls; the Roar, the Bugle and a series of grunts referred to as the Chuckle. These calls may be used by themselves, or in combinations. When they are used in combinations the Roar is generally used before the Bugle and the Bugle is generally used before the Chuckle. The Full Bugle Sequence of a mature bull starts with a loud, low-pitched roar (rrrr), changes to a high-pitched scream (eeee), and ends with a series of grunts (ugh-ugh-ugh-ugh). Older bulls may also use a quieter version of the Roar that I call the Growl, which can be reproduced by saying rrrrrr, or growling in your throat. The Roar can be reproduced by doing the same thing, but doing it as loudly as you can through a grunt tube. The Bugle can be reproduced by using a double reed mouth diaphragm or an outside the mouth call, with or without a grunt tube. The Chuckle can be reproduced by using a grunt tube and saying ugh-ugh-ugh-ugh as deeply as you can in your throat.

After listening to over 125 bulls per day, and hearing over 600 bugles per hour, as close as ten feet away, I realized that it’s almost impossible to make a mistake when you’re blowing an elk bugle. While some bulls perform perfect Full Bugle Sequences, others perform only the Growl, the Roar, the Bugle or the Chuckle. Some bulls have clear high-pitched bugles, that sound like the screaming of a woman, others sound as if they are being strangled.

When bulls chase cows they inhale and exhale loudly, and they often end a charge at an uncooperative cow with a loud exhale or Cough. When they are herding cows bulls perform the Gulp or Glug. This call usually consists of a series of two note glugs, but it may have as many as six notes. It can be reproduce by saying glug-glug in your throat, as if you were gulping water. When I used this call the bulls often stopped what they were doing and came closer. Bulls also use a quiet, low-pitched Threat Rumble when they approach a smaller bull. I have not been able to reproduce this sound yet.

The Rut

Bull elk rarely bugle outside of the rut (early September to early November), or before they shed their velvet. Bulls over the age of three may shed their velvet and begin bugling as early as mid-August. Most bulls over the age of three shed their velvet and begin bugling by the first week of September, and they regularly growl, roar, bugle, chuckle and perform the full bugle sequence. Two year old bulls may not shed their velvet and begin bugling until early to mid-September, and they usually perform high-pitched bugles, and occasionally roars and chuckles. Yearling bulls may still be in velvet in late October, and they rarely bugle; I have not heard them perform a roar or a chuckle.

Bull elk bugle to express dominance and attract herds of cows; and the gathering cow/calf herds attract other bulls. As the cows come in to estrus in early September more bulls gather around the herd and try to out-bugle each other for breeding rights. By mid-September a majority of the cows over the age of 2 are in estrus, and this is when peak breeding and bugling generally occurs. Yearling cows usually come into estrus two to three weeks later, in late September/early October. Cows that did not get bred during their first estrous generally cycle again 21 days later, which often results in a second breeding and bugling peak during the first and second weeks of October.

Since older bulls start to rut earlier than younger bulls, they are the ones most likely to be bugling during late August and early September. Because these bulls are trying to establish dominance they often answer ad come in to the calls of another bull. Most bulls over the age of two will respond to cow calls during this stage of the rut.

During peak bugling the older bulls are actively breeding and protecting the herd. Although herd bulls may answer the calls of another bull during peak breeding, they generally pursue other bulls only when they see them getting too close to the herd. However, satellite bulls may come in to the calls of another bull to protect their breeding rights. Herd bulls may respond to cow calls at this time, to get the cow back to the herd. The bulls most likely to respond to cow calls during peak breeding/bugling are the satellite bulls, and any bulls that are not associated with a herd.

Breeding and bugling drops off in late September, after most of the older cows have been bred. This is when the yearling cows come into estrus, and when the satellite bulls and the bulls that did not participate in breeding become most aggressive. It is also when bulls of all ages are likely to respond to both bull and cow calls, because they want to establish or protect their breeding rights.

Breeding and bugling may begin to peak again in early October as the cows that didn’t get bred earlier come in to estrus. Bulls may not respond to bull calls at this time because their testosterone levels have dropped and they aren’t as aggressive. But, bulls of all ages may still respond to cow calls during this second breeding/bugling peak, and during the post rut.

Which Calls To Use

If you’re not sure where the bulls are you can locate them by using a high pitched bugle, without the roar or chuckle. The best place to use this call is high on a mountain, where it can be heard by any bull within hearing. Which bugle you use depends on the size of the bull you are calling. The bulls most likely to respond to the bugle of a big bull, or to the Full Bugle Sequence, are older bulls; generally the herd bulls or satellite bulls. A herd bull that hears the sound of another big bull may respond by bugling back and then coming in to investigate, or it may push the herd away from the call, to avoid confrontation. But, a herd bull will often try to drive off a smaller bull. A satellite bull will rarely challenge a bigger bull. It may come in to a small bull bugle, because it wants to protect its social status within the herd.

The best bugle to use when you are not sure of the size/age of the bulls in the area is the bugle of a young bull, because it won’t intimidate most bulls. If a bull is willing to respond to your bugles, and come to your call, it may also respond to the roar or chuckle. These calls can be very effective in heavily hunted areas, especially where other hunters have been bugling a lot.
Mews are the best calls to use to get a bull to come into range, because they don’t threaten bulls; they calm them down and arouse their breeding interest. You can also use a cow mew to stop a bull long enough for a shot. After watching several cows get bred I have never heard a cow-in-estrus call, and neither have any of the biologists I have talked to. The loud mew referred to as an “estrus cow call” may be the Contact Mew of a cow trying to locate the herd. Because this call is louder than other mews it will attract the attention of any elk within hearing distance. I have used it to get bulls into range on several occasions. I have also had bulls respond to a whining Submissive Mew, probably because they thought another bull was after one of their cows.

I’ve had herds of up to 50 cows and calves stop what they were doing, turn around, and trot toward me when I used a Fighting Squeal. I usually have to blow it two or three times before the cows come toward me, if they don’t I keep calling. They usually stop within 10 to 20 yards of where I am standing, and I quit calling. If they don’t detect anything wrong they generally stay around long enough that the herd bull comes in to push them in the other direction. And the bull often walks within 15 yards of me as it herds the nearest cows, providing me with a shot. I’ve also used this call to bring in a 400 class 7×8 bull from 300 yards away.

What Not To Do

Don’t setup where there isn’t any cover, especially on the downwind side. Bulls often approach a call from downwind, and they stay in cover if they can; setup where the bull can use cover to come in crosswind of your position. Don’t make any noise when a bull is coming in. If a bull smells, see or hears you as it comes in, the hunt is probably over. Don’t stop checking the area around you, and don’t abruptly leave your setup sight; more than one bull may come in, they may come in silently, and they may come in long after you stop calling.

Don’t stop trying, give each location at least a half an hour; you and the bull may not be able to hear each other because of the terrain. If you don’t get an answer move a mile away and try again. Don’t sound bigger than the bull you’re calling; bulls rarely challenge bigger bulls. Don’t call too often, especially if a bull is close, it gives your position away. Although it’s difficult to make a mistake when you’re calling, don’t try to cover the mistake by cutting the call off short; elk don’t stop in mid-call unless they’re alarmed.

References

• Michels, T.R., 2001, Bugling Activity of North American Elk. Trinity Mountain Publishing.
• Michels, T.R., 2001, Communicative Sounds of North American Elk. Trinity Mountain Publishing.

If you are interested in more elk hunting tips, or more elk biology and behavior, click on Trinity Mountain Outdoor News and T.R.’s Hunting Tips at www.TRMichels.com. If you have questions about elk or elk hunting log on to the T.R.’s Tips message board. To find out when peak bulging occurs in your area click on Peak/Elk Bugling Dates Chart.

September Pre-Rut/Rubbing Phase and Transition Phase

All of the deer are bulking up for the rut and winter; feeding on alfalfa, clover, green forbes, ripening soybeans and corn in some areas, and mast (acorns, beechnuts). Put out mineral licks and deer attractants in areas where you want deer to come to during the hunting season. Early in the month the bucks should be shedding velvet, and creating rubs and scrapes near late summer nighttime food sources. They may be still traveling together, and may begin sparring at this time.

Later in the month both the bucks and does may move to fall home ranges. With their testosterone levels rising the bucks are less tolerant of each other, fighting may begin, and the buck groups break up as the bucks begin to establish breeding ranges. Scout to find out where the deer currently are; watch food sources for feeding deer and sparring bucks to determine what the bucks look like. Continue clearing deer trails, and shooting lanes. Hang portable stands for the archery season and build permanent stands for the gun season.

Age and Antler Size

If you want to see more large racked bucks in your area the first thing you have to do is use a little restraint. You must let the young bucks go so they can grow. I often hear hunters complain that they see nothing but small racked bucks in their area. These hunters often wait patiently through the season for a big racked buck to appear. Then, instead of going home empty handed they end up taking a small racked buck. If this pattern continues year after year those hunters will see nothing but young, small racked bucks, because the young deer never live long enough to grow large racks.

Deer experts used to believe it took 4 ½; years for a whitetail buck to develop a trophy rack. It is now believed that a whitetail doesn’t achieve full body size until it is about 7 ½; years old. Until then much of the food and mineral a buck takes in is used to develop bone and muscle mass. Once the buck is fully mature excess food and mineral can be used to develop antler mass, and many hunters equate antler mass with a high score. A close look at any scoring chart will reveal that it is the number and length of tines that makes up the majority of inches needed for the rack to score high enough to enter the record books. The difference between a massive rack and a thin rack might only add 10 inches, which is 1/14 of a 140 class buck, not enough to really matter.

Milo Hanson’s world record whitetail has several tines with extremely long points and main beams, with a good spread, but it is not massive. The length of the tines is what made it the new world record. Game officials aged the buck at 4 ½;. Obviously it had superior genetics, and it lived until it was 4 ½; years old. It is conceivable that a 3 ½; year old buck could make the archery record book but most trophy bucks are over 4 ½; years of age. In many areas bucks don’t make it past their first year, and the chances of a 2 ½; year old buck making the book are slim. If you want to see more trophy bucks you have to let the 1 ½; to 3 ½; year old bucks go, so they can grow. By letting the young bucks grow, and taking does, you not only keep the herd below carrying capacity, you increase the buck to doe ratio in favor of bucks. Eventually you will have more older bucks, which may translate into more trophy deer.

If you are interested in more whitetail hunting tips, or more whitegtail biology and behavior, click on Trinity Mountain Outdoor News and T.R.’s Hunting Tips at www.TRMichels.com. If you have questions about whitetails log on to the T.R.’s Tips message board. To find out when the rut starts, peaks and ends in your area click on Whitetail Rut Dates Chart.

This article is adapted from The Deer Management Calendar & Moon Indicator; and from the Deer Addict’s Manual, Volume 1, by T.R. Michels.

My deer hunt started out about the same as any hunt would, family and friends gather and tell stories (lies) about years past and the BIG one that got away. Have a big dinner the night before the opener, then go out and hunt like crazy. This year seemed different, the air was colder, weather a bit worse. There was fog in the mornings and the deer were out later. It seemed that this was turning out to be the kind of weather that gets the rut started early.

We hunted our favorite spot for the first 3 days, knowing that as the season went on the bucks would be pushed into this area. On day 4, we pushed a ridge but, still no buck. After a quick lunch and while we were refueling our 4-wheelers my mom spotted a buck sneak over the ridge we just hunted down. Not getting a good look at the buck we then, decided that we had to go back up. So plans were made to put a stock on him and get a closer look. After we closed the distance my buddy Bryant decided to harvest the 20 In. 4X4.

Day 5 started out cold with thick fog. As we neared our hunting area the fog cleared. We were early, so we stopped to let it get a little more light. As it was getting light we decided to drive to a vantage point to glass, we had only gone 200 yards when the rear drivers side tire fell completely off. Oh man talk about bad timing. With some work and about an hour lost we finally got back on the road. I didn’t think that we would see much since the sun was already up, but to my surprise as we neared a rocky draw I saw a buck standing in the bottom. I immediatly got buck fever, I shouted there’s my buck! As I tried to get out without putting it in park. My buddy who was with me the day before bailed over to the drivers side and stopped the truck. I got a good rest and kept telling
myself “don’t look at the horns”. When the wind slacked I touched off the shot, down went the buck. I yelled “I got him” and started to head over to see him when up he got. I shot again and down he went for good this time.

What a morning, going from freezing cold and fog to bright beautiful sun, the tire falling off to harvesting this awesome buck.

My buck is 30 in. wide with 6 on one side and four on the other. My thanks goes out to my parents for teaching me to love the outdoors my wife for always being there, and for my buddy Bryant, for killing the twenty inch buck before I could.

Accommodations are in camp trailers and wall tent camps. All hunts are conducted by 4×4 vehicles and on foot. Give us a call and plan your hunting adventure today.
Come as a client and leave as a friend.

Dominant bulls that see antler tipping from small racked bulls often charge the smaller bull in anger. Hunters can use these dominance displays to attract a bull while hunting.

The big six by six bull elk had been willing to come to my bugles a half hour earlier. But, it was hung up now about seventy yards away. I had chosen a spot next to a large pine tree behind some brush, hoping the bull would walk by while looking the elk it thought it heard. I caw called softly on my Haydel’s mouth diaphragm to assure the bull everything was all right., and to try to get the bull to come closer; meeeuw.

The bull looked in my direction. I paused and then let out a soft grunt; uugh. I didn’t answer the bull because I didn’t want to give my location away. It was several minutes before the bull moved again, seining in a wide arc around to my left. When the bull had moved about thirty yards, but hadn’t come any closer, it stopped and grunted again, trying to get the cow elk it thought it heard to call and reveal it’s location. I remained motionless, and cow called again, hoping the bull would come closer.

When the bull stepped behind a large patch of brush I decided to take a chance. I reached into my backpack took out a pair of rattling racks. The bull looked in my direction and grunted softly again. I kept silent for ten minutes while the bull moved a few steps, looked around, grunted several more times, but did not come any closer. When the bull stepped behind a large patch of brush I decided to take a chance. I reached into my backpack took out a pair of rattling racks and began to thrash the pine tree beside me. I held the racks high enough that the bull could see them but not me, tipped the racks back and forth, and made sure to make plenty of noise. The bull looked up, apparently saw the racks waving in the air, and slowly approached me. When the bull was forty yards away I put the racks down, and bent to pick up my Darton Viper. Then I heard a crashing of brush behind the bull. As I looked up another bull came out of the woods, bugled loudly, and went after the six by six. Before I could even bat an eye both bulls charged by me and into the woods beyond.

Apparently the second bull had heard me or the first bull calling, came in to hear the bull grunting, and me thrashing, assumed the six by six was making a challenge, and charged. Although one of the bulls had responded to my thrashing of the tree, and my waving the racks in the air, and it had been exciting, the end result was not what I had expected, me standing there with my bow in my hand watching two nice bulls disappear into the woods. But, on the positive side, my tactics had worked.

Elk Dominance Displays

Prior to, and during the rut bull elk rub on trees; rake and thrash brush, spruce and pines; and participate in sparring to express dominance. They also participate in dominance displays of head bobbing and antler tipping. Scientists believe that bulls often judge the size and dominance of each other by the apparent mass, number of points and the distance of the arc of the rack of another bull as it moves back and forth. Obviously large racked mature bulls with 50 inch plus main beam lengths have an antler arc that is easily distinguished from the smaller arc of lesser racked bulls. Dominant bulls that see antler tipping from small racked bulls often charge the smaller bull in anger. Hunters can use these dominance displays to attract a bull while hunting.

Tip The Bull

I use a split four point rack for tipping because it is easier to haul around than a large rack. A four point or larger rack may scare off small and medium sized bulls. To tip the bull I hold one antler in each hand, position myself behind a tree, bush or rock and tip the antlers back and forth above my head after I have attracted the bull by calling.

Raking, Thrashing and Rattling

Dominant bulls encountering each other, especially if an estrus cow or cow herd is near, will fight for breeding rights. The sounds of any of these activities (rubbing, thrashing, sparring, fighting) will Attract other bulls in the area, particularly dominants. Subdominants that have previously been beaten in a fight may immediately leave the area. If a bull hangs up out of range you can get him to come in by raking the trunk of a pine tree with a large stick or your tipping rack; breaking off branches with your hands; or thrashing the outer limbs of a spruce tree, willow or alder bush. Raking and thrashing can be used to bring in bulls from as far away as a half mile.

You can also rattle elk just like whitetails. After you get close to a bull take the rack you use for tipping and slam the two sides together, then roll your wrists and grate them together simulating two bulls twisting and pushing. You can pound the ground with your boots, break branches and grunt to make the fight sound more realistic. Don’t rattle the same bull from the same area twice on successive days. If he comes in but you didn’t get him move to a new area and try again.

Be patient when using any sound to Attract elk because it may take them a half hour to come in. Bulls at closer range may charge right in, or be brought back by raking, thrashing, grunting and gurgling when they began to leave. You should include a decoy when using these techniques. If the bull doesn’t see an elk when it responds to these techniques it usually will not respond in the same area again

T.R.’s Tips: Elk Calling, Tipping, Raking, Thrashing, and Rattling (TRTR)

• Calling should be used for long range attraction. Scents, TRTR and decoys are short range attractors.
• Calling and TRTR are most effective in areas with; high bull to cow ratios, high numbers of dominant bulls, open forest, limited habitat of river bottoms, and property managed for trophy quality.
• Because elk travel so much calling and TRTR work best near “high use” feeding, watering, crossing and bedding areas.
• Calling and TRTR are most effective where you can see the bull before it discovers you. Choose stand sites in open areas and use natural cover or blinds for concealment.
• Calling and TRTR work any time of the year but are most effective prior to and during peak rut, when bulls are most aggressive.
• Calling and TRTR work best in the morning when bulls are herding and calling cows or going to bedding areas, and are less effective during midday. Bulls may respond near feeding and bedding areas during midday and in the evening.
• Bulls that respond to calling, TRTR and scent are intent on discovering the source, which leaves you vulnerable to discovery. Take precautions to conceal or disguise unnatural sights, scents, sounds and yourself.
• Use the buddy system when using calls, TRTR or scent. One hunter attracts the bull while the other shoots.
• When bulls are a long way off use long, loud calling and TRTR sequences so they can hear it. When bulls are close use short, soft calling and TRTR. Long, loud calling and TRTR make you prone to discovery.
• When you hear two bulls answer you, or two bulls challenging each other, get between them and let them do your work for you.
• Small antlers and imitation racks work best for TRTR techniques because they transport easily and their sound carries farther. Use neutral color racks.
• To rattle bring the antlers together loudly, then roll your wrists and grind the racks together simulating two bulls pushing and shoving every 3-5 minutes and 15 minutes apart. Stop and listen for the approach of a bull before each session.
• Rustling brush and pounding the ground with a stick or rattling racks, grunting and blowing add realism to TRTR.
• If you don’t get a response when you call or TRTR wait a half hour and try again, or move a ½;-1 mile away and try.
• Use bull in rut, cow elk or estrus scents to add realism and bring bulls into range after they are attracted by calling and TRTR.
• When a bull hangs up out of range use soft TRTR, grunt, gurgle or cow call to coax it in. If the bull starts to leave before you get a shot, or won’t hold still, use a grunt or mew to stop it.
• Patience is an asset when Attracting elk. Bulls may respond from as far as a mile in calm weather and open country. Bugle and use TRTR every 10-15 minutes to keep the bull interested. Listen carefully before and after each session.
• An elk calf decoy added to calls, TRTR and scents provides the final visual stimulus to bring in reluctant bulls and distract their attention from your position.
• Before leaving your stand check the area thoroughly, especially if you have been watching a bull. More than one bull may have responded and be nearby.
• Don’t use Attracting techniques on the same bull from the same site on successive days. If it comes in and you don’t get a shot wait a couple of days before trying that site and that bull again.