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Glunking & Its Uses!

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Re: Glunking & Its Uses!

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

Glunking is a powerful sound, and can be an excellent tool when used correctly. -------Many hunters rely on classic cow mews/whines and spike squeals. OTC bulls are getting more and more educated to those sounds. So if your willing to switch gears when you hunt pressured areas, by using a unique sound like Glunking,your much more likely to be taken as an elk instead of a hunter. This is because Glunking is a sound elk rarely hear outside of their own ranks. This can result in vast improvement of both close encounters and shot opportunities.
Glunking is just one of several unique sounds to consider. I'm not saying to eliminate the more common elk sounds, just be willing to adapt to something different if the occasion calls for it. Many only know a few sounds, therefore they force those sounds into each calling situation and experience many of those 50yd to 90yd hangups. If you're willing to learn a few new sounds and when to insert them into a situation, it will pay off. Glunking is one of those rarely used sounds.
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Re: Glunking & Its Uses!

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

During all phases of the rut it's all "about the cows" Bulls build their harems as they establish dominance. Bulls will go to great lengths to round cows up & do whatever it takes to maintain control of them. These bulls that are Dominant in the area lived in will communicate with them in a tending, courting manner awaiting them to show signs of estrus & finally to be bred.
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Re: Glunking & Its Uses!

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

Bulls will use many different sounds for different reasons during these pre-rut & rutting times, they do not want to lose any cows & can be very defensive towards other bulls if they're a threat to the herd. Glunking just happens to be one of the more dominant sounds . This Glunking sound can be heard when he's calling or smelling a new cow. Groans, moans, tending/rutting glugs & panting can also be heard at these times within the herd. Glunking is another sound used at this time & is what I call a "Signature" sound. This sound gives this bull an identity as who he is. Glunking can be used by subordinate bulls or herd bulls. Glunking can be used when cows are near estrus or ready to be bred, there is a smell or odor in the air that can signify this. Glunking is used by bulls to draw cows their way as well as smell or possibly taste the air checking for any sign at all that there's a cow nearby ready to be bred.
Herd bulls are not willing to share any of their cows, so when another bull shows on the scene with Glunks, screaming & cow whines he knows this new bull is interested in his cows, this can get an immediate reaction from the herd bull when he hears these sounds close to his herd!
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Re: Glunking & Its Uses!

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

Glunking can be heard by someone cow calling around a very vocal herd during any phase of the rut & in comes a bull Glunking away at the hunters cow calling as he uses estrus or excited whines. Glunking can be a powerful sound to use when used at just the right time!

Are there different methods of use to Glunking that will up our odds or decrease our odds on a particular bull? Knowing when & why bulls Glunk will help us to use the right form of it, thus increasing our odds of a close encounter with a certain Herd Bull or Satellite Bull thus leading to a shot opportunity! What are some of these times & how should we use Glunking depending on the situation at hand? Glunking can be compared to "Bulls Raking" -- Bulls do not Rake for one reason, they can Rake during a CHALLENGE--INVITE TO OTHER BULLS--DISPLAYING ACTION FOR & ATTRACTING COWS-- LEAVING A CALLING CARD AROUND WALLOWS DRY/WET. So, just as we would tailor our Raking to the right situation as real bulls do we would likewise tailor our Glunking to fit the encounter for best results!
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Re: Glunking & Its Uses!

Postby ElkNut1 » 06 03, 2012 •  [Post 5]

Examples when bulls Glunk & why?

1--When a Herd Bull recognizes a possible Threat from a hunters bugle or another bull closing in on him & his harem it's common for him to put distance between them. He can be the one leading the escape & in doing so he will give off a Glunking sound to the cows for direction & that he's the one to follow. He may include light chuckling as well if some are not staying close enough to the escaping group.

2--Bulls will Glunk as they come towards a hunters cow calling or a real cows calling. He doesn't use a glunk everytime but it is done in some of the more demanding times when he wants to see this cow NOW! At times this Glunking Bull will stop under 60 yds & start Raking a tree or brush to display for this cow trying to encourage her to join him.

3--Bulls will at times Glunk, Scream a short bugle to usher a cow in. Sometimes he will give a cow mew or two immediately followed by a short scream & then Glunking & Raking! As you see things escalate to these various levels you can read a bulls intensity or aggression as he gets worked up.

4--Bulls will use Glunking as they move in on another Bulls Harem, the Glunking bull would use these Glunks Screams, Mews & Raking/Stomping in an effort to pull the Herd Bulls cows away from him at a distance of 80yds or less & avoid a confrontation with this Herd Bull. This Glunking Bull would be very happy with one or two cows coming his way & off they'd go.

5--Bulls will Glunk in their bedding areas maintaining control & letting his cows know where he is. It's common for bulls to be bedded with the cows or even a 100yds away from them at times, a lot depends on the closeness of cows nearing estrus! At times of Estrus Herd Bulls will stay close by as he keeps Satellites at bay!

These are the more common times you will hear Gkunking & why. If you familiarize yourself with these various times you too will be able to read a situation & come up with a very good game plan that would fit your personal circumstance! This should help you to know when to be aggressive depending on your encounter or just playing the "Curiosity Card" with nearby Satellites!

For example, #-1 & # 5 would be best suited for lone bulls or bachelor groups within earshot, it promotes curiosity & is non-intimidating!

#-2 & # 3--Shows you what to expect or can take place if a bull is responding & coming your way to cow calling!

#-4--Can be used very effectively on Herd Bulls once in close! No Herd Bull worth his salt wants to let any of his cows leave for another bull. This is a slap in his face as you are a real THREAT to his herd, he will generally be on you pronto before any of his cows show your way!

Glunking isn't going to be used on every encounter but when it's needed, man is it awesome !!! (grin) Always watch the wind & make sure ones setup is where Bulls must come to bowrange before they can physically see where the disturbance/sounds are coming from!
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