Podcast Summary: Live Wild with Remi Warren
Episode: Ep. 195 | The One Bull Call You Should Know
Release Date: August 7, 2025
Introduction to Elk Month and Elk Calling
[00:00 - 05:30]
Remi Warren kicks off the episode by introducing the theme of Elk Month, a dedicated period leading up to the elk hunting season in September. He emphasizes the significance of elk calling, particularly bugling, as a pivotal strategy for successful hunts. Remi shares his passion for calling elk and acknowledges its complexity, aiming to demystify the process for both novice and seasoned hunters.
"When it comes to elk hunting, calling is really one of my favorite ways to hunt elk in September."
— Remi Warren [02:15]
A Pivotal Hunting Experience
[05:31 - 35:00]
Remi recounts an early hunting experience that profoundly impacted his approach to elk calling. At approximately 19 years old, he guides a hunter to an area he calls "the island." Using what he refers to as the one bull call—the location bugle—Remi attempts to lure elk by bugling from a strategic point. Despite multiple attempts, he fails to correctly interpret the bull's responses, leading to the elk unexpectedly confronting him. This mishap serves as a critical learning moment for Remi, highlighting the importance of patience and accurate assessment of elk responses.
"I probably should have given it more time and came around the corner and just blew this opportunity. It would have been an absolute gimme shot."
— Remi Warren [12:45]
Understanding the Location Bugle
[35:01 - 50:00]
Remi delves into the mechanics and significance of the location bugle. He describes it as a fundamental, one or two-note call used to broadcast the hunter’s presence and locate elk. The location bugle serves as a communication tool, allowing hunters to determine the presence and position of bulls based on their responses.
Types of Bugles and Calls
Remi explains different bugle types, including diaphragm calls and bite-and-blow calls, emphasizing the importance of selecting a call that is easy to use and produces clear sounds with minimal air pressure.
"If you could try to just work on one call, what would it be? It would absolutely be this location call."
— Remi Warren [40:20]
Practical Application of the Location Bugle
[50:01 - 1:20:00]
The episode transitions into practical guidance on using the location bugle effectively during hunts. Remi outlines step-by-step instructions on how to produce the bugle sound, maintain consistency, and interpret elk responses.
Making the Bugle Sound
Remi provides detailed instructions on producing the location bugle, suitable for beginners. He emphasizes the technique of holding a note and adjusting air pressure to vary the pitch, which is crucial for eliciting responses from elk.
"The key is to first figure out how to make a sound. Make it to squeak, put it in your mouth. Do whatever you can do to get a squeaky sound out of it."
— Remi Warren [55:10]
Interpreting Responses and Adjusting Strategy
Remi discusses how to interpret the responses to the location bugle to determine elk location and behavior. He advises hunters to seek multiple responses to accurately triangulate elk positions and decide whether to call in the bull or employ alternative strategies like spot and stalk.
"One thing that I'll do sometimes if I've got like a buddy up on a ridge calling and I drop down to move in on the elk... you can be on that calling point setting out the location bugle."
— Remi Warren [1:10:05]
Advanced Tactics and Strategies
[1:20:01 - 1:40:00]
Remi transitions to more advanced tactics, integrating the location bugle with other calls such as cow calls to enhance hunting effectiveness. He explains how to use the bugle in conjunction with glassing (scanning the area for elk) and adjusting tactics based on the terrain and elk responses.
"Elk are looking for cows. You can also use the cow call late in the season to stop elk or calm them down if you've bumped an elk and you're moving in."
— Remi Warren [1:30:45]
Conservation and Community Engagement
[1:40:01 - 1:50:00]
Towards the end of the episode, Remi emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts, encouraging listeners to join the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He underscores the role of collective action in preserving elk populations and their habitats.
"The nice thing about organizations like that is, pulling all these resources together allows them to do a lot of things that we can't do individually."
— Remi Warren [1:45:30]
Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts
[1:50:01 - End]
Remi concludes the episode by promoting upcoming events, such as the Blaze Friday drop by Montana Knife Company, and sharing information on his social media platforms. He reiterates the value of the location bugle as an essential tool for elk hunters and encourages continuous learning and practice.
"If you're going to figure it out and do one call, if you could try to just work on one call, what would it be? It would absolutely be this location call."
— Remi Warren [1:54:20]
Key Takeaways
-
Location Bugle as Essential Tool: The location bugle is the foundational call every elk hunter should master, serving multiple purposes from locating elk to drawing bulls into the hunting area.
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Importance of Patience and Interpretation: Successful elk calling relies on patience and the accurate interpretation of elk responses. Multiple bugle echoes can help pinpoint elk locations more precisely.
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Integration with Other Calls: Combining the location bugle with other calls, such as cow calls, can enhance the effectiveness of hunting strategies, adapting to different hunting scenarios and elk behaviors.
-
Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Even experienced hunters like Remi encounter challenges, highlighting the importance of learning from past experiences and continuously refining hunting techniques.
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Conservation Efforts: Supporting organizations like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is crucial for the preservation of elk populations and their natural habitats.
Final Quote
"There's probably a lot of elk hunts and stories where I actually probably have called the bull in, maybe even shot the bull and forgot about. And yet, for some reason, this one old memory of blowing it on this elk really stuck with me."
— Remi Warren [09:00]
This episode of Live Wild with Remi Warren serves as both an instructional guide on the use of the location bugle and a reflective narrative on hunting experiences, blending practical advice with personal anecdotes to enrich the listener's understanding and application of elk hunting strategies.
