Witnessing a bull elk bugling at close range may be the most exciting experience a hunter can have. This Adrenalin pumping experience is magnified ten times, if you had just made a cow call or challenged the bull with a bugle. You know that 600-pound beast with giant daggers for antlers is coming to rip you apart. The mere size of a mature elk is intimidating, even if it’s not bugling. I once bow hunted elk with a guide in Montana. The morning had been uneventful and I settled by a slender pine tree as my guide made seductive cow calls. 
Suddenly, I saw movement 200 yards away and to my disbelief made out a bull elk walking along a trail straight toward me. The bull came steadily closer and I longed for it to vary from the opening so that I could draw my bow. Instead, the bull came as if on a frozen rope, passed by me at two steps, and stopped directly behind my location. To say that is elk was close is an understatement. I could hear its stomach gurgle and it breath in and out. My excitement meter was through the roof, yet I reasoned that the bull would become bored after not seeing a cow and return to where it came from. Sure enough, the bull turned, walked past me. As it moved away, I tried to draw the bow quickly, yet it saw the movement and ran.
Blowing Smoke
Bugling elk not only make a bone chilling sound, but exhales a giant, dragon-like breath that condenses in cold mountain air. I’ve hunted elk since the late 1970’s and have never had a big bull blow “smoke” in my face, yet I caught a glimpse of a giant bull crossing a frosty meadow in Colorado. As the animal walked, it bugled and the billowing breath was magical. Unfortunately for me, it kept going and would not respond to a call.
Plan Now for Fall
I’m often asked what I think is the most exciting hunt in North America and hands down, I believe it’s an archery elk hunt during the rut. If you are thinking of taking this magical journey, now is the time to plan. In case you need a little extra motivation, check out these 15 bulls “blowing smoke” on the Realtree.com website:
