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Satellite Bull Tactics!

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Re: Satellite Bull Tactics!

Postby ElkNut1 » 06 03, 2012 •  [Post 1]

As the Cows start showing signs of Estrus the more dominant bulls that are around are the ones that will secure these cow groups, it is very common for more mature or more dominant bulls to come in & take over a group of cows by simply challenging the "present" herd bull & pushing him out. This can leave many bulls out there without cows, it all depends on an area being hunted & the bull to cow ratio in a given unit. The more bulls the more the competition. Only so many of the bulls can be the Herd Bull, so what about all these other bulls? Some are Juvenile bulls & some depending on the area hunted could be some darned good bulls or Herd Bulls anywhere else! Fact is they still want cows! These bigger more mature bulls can confront a Herd Bull at anytime in a challenging situation, it's more present however as cows are nearing Estrus as this really raises the ante.
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Re: Satellite Bull Tactics!

Postby ElkNut1 » 06 03, 2012 •  [Post 2]

So here you have many Bulls that are without cows but desire them! The younger Juvenile/Satellite bulls in the 2X3 to 6X6 range were part of these groups & getting along just fine even though they feel the urges of the rut coming on which hence puts their interest where they're at. As cows show signs of Estrus & nearing ready to be bred these Herd/Dominant Bulls will start pushing these smaller bulls out of the harem or keeping other bulls out that were nearby & now showing personal interest in this or that group because of the hot cows. Many of these younger bulls are confused & don't understand why they cannot be present in the group any longer, after all they too have these same "urges" as the herd bulls do? Their testosterone levels have been escalating ever since there antlers started to re-grow & rubbed the velvet off & polished them up! Now it's really starting to peak & are flat out attracted to the cows, they too want too smell & be near them but the herd bull doesn't allow it! These now Satellite or subordinate bulls will do their best to roar or bugle out at a distance from these big & small herds in hopes of persuading cows to come on over & check them out as possible breeders. It's the cows who choose the bulls that will breed them not the bulls picking the cows.

Many youngsters are slow learners & keep trying to come back to these herds but every time they get near they get intimidated or physically pushed out by the Herd Bull! After enough consistent butt whippings or being charged at they start getting the message, it's a learning process all Juvenile & Subordinate bulls go through. But they still want Cows!
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Re: Satellite Bull Tactics!

Postby ElkNut1 » 06 03, 2012 •  [Post 3]

So what do Satellites do to attract cows to come their way? They call to them!!! Yes, they do their best to call cows away from the Herd Bull as they Yearn for a piece of the action. This is done in several ways depending on the phase of the rut & cows in estrus. They know they cannot whip the herd bull so they now fear or respect this, but they can stay away from him at just the right distance which they're now learning is in the 100yd range or more where they can call at the cows in the form of Bugling or Roaring & not be charged at. These subordinate bulls may really mix up their sounds as they get demanding or want to send an urgent message to receive some consideration from any cow at all that will listen. Guess what? Some cows do come their way but it is not very often, in most cases these subordinate bulls must get extremely brave & try to slip in quietly & steal cows, once in close they can get overly excited as they can see or smell cows & use subtle sounds to attract cows their way quickly. Such sounds can stem from raking a tree or brush to display for these cows, or pant several times in a low volume fashion, some will use glunking, some will issue forth a short scream & low chuckling, some 2-3 cow mews & a short scream & go running at the cows in hopes of sweeping a few out of there. Any of these sounds can be mixed & matched during any encounter as this depends on the intruders excitement level. At any rate these bulls know they must act fast in order to stay out of harms way!
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Re: Satellite Bull Tactics!

Postby ElkNut1 » 06 03, 2012 •  [Post 4]

Just about everyone uses Cow Sounds on Satellite or Subordinate bulls! They are without cows for the most part & so their curiosity can certainly get the best of them! (grin) They are generally alone or with other "like" bulls in smaller groups. Threatening type bugles or other bull sounds can keep them back from coming in or flat run them off & many of us have experienced this. On occasion it can draw curiosity on the younger ones as well, they know the reason a bull becomes defensive is because he's being protective over his cows & is unwilling to share, hence the intimidation factor! Satellites can show up on occasion to these situations checking out the scene but generally in a very cautious manner. Yes, this can happen but your odds are very low you will receive many close encounters if this is your style of hunting the younger ones! Now if the satellites are part of a rather large group of elk & you come in raking, stomping & imitating another bull who's aggressive & challenging the real herd bulls right to keep & breed these cows then it is very possible these younger bulls will pay you little mind & you can get fairly close to them even drawing them your way out of curiosity as to who are you!
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