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Archery Bugle Hunts
Elk
September archery and October rifle hunts in steep, vocal country. We run small camps with hard-walking guides who know where the herd bulls live.
- Archery & rifle seasons
- Backcountry wall tents
- Bugle-in-rut calling
- Stock-supported pack-out
Hunt Gallery
Day-By-Day Itinerary
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Day 1
Pack into wall-tent camp on horseback. Afternoon bugle survey of primary drainages.
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Day 2
Pre-dawn setup and cow call sequence — locate bulls before light, then close the gap.
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Day 3
Aggressive calling: cow mews and challenge bugles to pull in satellite bulls.
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Day 4
Move camp if the herd shifts overnight. Evening sit on active wallow or water.
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Day 5
All-day stalk on a located bull. Patience and absolute stillness rewarded here.
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Day 6
Peak-rut calling push. Stock-supported meat and cape pack-out begins on harvest.
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Day 7
Final morning bugle, full meat and cape care, horseback ride out.
Gear & Equipment Checklist
- .300 Win Mag or larger for rifle; well-tuned compound or trad setup for archery
- Broken-in high-ankle boots — expect to cover 8–12 miles of steep country daily
- Pack frame rated to 80 lbs — bull elk quarters are heavy
- Quality 10x42 binoculars
- Game bags — non-scented breathable mesh, at least four
- Rain gear — September alpine storms are sudden and soaking
- Headlamp with spare batteries for pre-dawn setups
- Elk diaphragm and tube calls (guide coaches on calling technique in camp)