Black Hills SD Elk

[David Frank]

I drew an any elk tag for unit H2A. I'll be heading out September 30th to start hunting on Friday, October 1st. Plan on staying for 10 days, or until I have one down. I spent Labor Day weekend, and last weekend in the hills, and found elk in a few different places. In the area that looked the best, I saw 5 different bulls over Labor Day weekend (2 shooters and 3 smaller 6x6's), and 3 different bulls last weekend (one of which I know was one of the smaller 6x6's that I saw Labor Day weekend). My question is, has anybody else been out in the hills, and have you heard much bugling activity? Over Labor Day weekend, we heard one bugle at about 8:00 AM one morning, and one bull bugle well after dark another evening. Talked to a group of guys in a different area of the hills who were archery hunting a herd of 80+ elk, and they said the bulls were screaming like crazy one of those mornings. Last weekend, I didn't hear a single bull bugle, and I know they were in the area because I saw them. When does the bugling activity typically peak?

Thanks!

[jeffreyd]

i use a "hoochie mama" cow call that just drives bulls crazy. it is hand held, you just squeeze the bulb and it makes the call. much easier than a tube and mouth piece. bulls should be calling now since it is cooler and a tad later. Last year here in az they bugling was very very limited and it was late as the temps stayed higher later into the fall/winter months (if you can call it winter). Good luck.