Podcast Summary: Live Wild with Remi Warren – Ep. 198 | Call or Nah

Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Remi Warren

Overview

This episode of Live Wild with Remi Warren is focused on one of elk hunting’s biggest tactical decisions: should you use your call, or stay silent? As archery elk season kicks off, Remi presents listeners with practical “Call or Nah” scenarios, sharing his real-life experiences and advice on when to make noise and when to keep quiet. By dissecting these scenarios, he aims to help hunters make better strategic decisions in the field, regardless of calling proficiency.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Philosophy of Calling vs. Stalking

• Calling: Pros and cons of using calls to mimic elk and draw them in.
• Stalking: Advantages of staying quiet to maintain the element of surprise.
• No “right way”: “The most successful hunters are going to be the ones that utilize the strategy best fit for the conditions and the situation.” (Remi Warren, 06:10)
• Adaptive Tactics: Encourages listeners to get their minds working, visualizing scenarios as prep for the upcoming season.

Scenario Breakdown: “Call or Nah” Decisions

Scenario 1: Bulls Bugling at Each Other in the Dark (Pre-Light)

• Situation: Two bulls bugling after locator calls before daylight.
• Decision: No Call.
• Why: “The point of them calling is to give away their location. If they're giving away their location, I'm going to choose to remain silent.” (Remi, 15:01)
• Tactic: Move in quietly; only use a cow call if you bump elk to cover noise.

Scenario 2: Single Bull, Low Vocalization, Timbered Country

• Situation: Bull bugles back but then goes silent; thick timber.
• Decision: Call.
• Why: Remi prefers to keep the bull talking to maintain a sense of his location.
• Quote: “Without him bugling, I'd rather know where the bull is ... I'm going to keep that bull making noise.” (Remi, 21:15)

Scenario 3: Bull Separates from Cows, Approaching for Ambush

• Situation: Lone bull splitting from cows and heading Remi’s way.
• Decision: No Call.
• Why: “There's no reason to give away our position. The bull's doing what we want.” (Remi, 26:32)
• Tactic: Only make a quick cow call at full draw if necessary to stop the bull for a shot.

Scenario 4: Sitting a Wallow from a Tree Stand

• Situation: Active wallow, elk in timber, open ground near stand.
• Decision: No Call (usually).
• Reasoning: “Where they have the ability to see at some distance, I'm probably just going to stay quiet... they might find something suspicious.” (Remi, 31:09)
• Variation: If heavily timbered and bulls can't see into the open, consider quiet calling.

Scenario 5: Bull Beds Alone, Visible Entry Point

• Situation: Lone bull beds away from herd.
• Decision: No Call.
• Why: “Bull elk ... are fairly easy compared to other animals to sneak in on, especially by themselves.” (Remi, 36:30)
• Tactic: Move in quietly, spot the bull before being detected.

Scenario 6: Bull Beds with Herd, Stalking Becomes Impossible

• Situation: Bull beds in dense herd; can’t stalk closer than ~150 yards.
• Decision: No Call (but sample quietly).
• Approach: Try a couple soft calls to gauge interest. If nothing, shadow the herd. Odds of calling in the herd bull are “slim to none.”
• Quote: “You're probably more likely to find success ... just waiting, shadowing the herd and waiting for that bull to do something stupid or something to happen.” (Remi, 40:54)

Scenario 7: Full Elk Frenzy, Thicker Timber, Bulls and Cows Vocal

• Situation: “Best case scenario” – elk everywhere, major action, thick timber.
• Decision: Call!
• Why: Keeps up the commotion, lets elk excuse human movement as elk noise, creates shot opportunities with less wary animals.
• Strategy: “I'm gonna throw out lots of bull sounds, lots of cow sounds. I'm going to sound aggressive. ... I'm creating an elk party where I'm at as well.” (Remi, 47:45)
• Memorable Moment: Remi describes the “apex of elk calling”—an adrenaline-pumping day where calls pull in satellite and herd bulls alike.

Scenario 8: Midday, Dead Activity, Spot Lone Bull in Timber

• Situation: Lone bull appears at a distance; everything silent prior.
• Decision: No Call (at first).
• Tactic: “Try to shadow this elk and move in quiet.” If you lose him, try subtle cow calls. (Remi, 53:12)
• Insight: “Crappy part ... he's too far for a shot. ... I’m not going to want that bull to know where I’m at.” (Remi, 54:15)

Scenario 9: Lone Bull Across Canyon, Can Watch His Reaction

• Situation: Lone bull visible across a canyon, mid-September.
• Decision: Call.
• Approach: Throw cow calls first. If he is interested, progress to more aggressive calling.
• Quote: “The best bull you’re ever going to call to is one that's by himself.” (Remi, 56:12)
• Tip: If terrain allows the bull to see your position, be cautious; otherwise, this is a prime calling scenario.

Scenario 10: Partner Calling, You Stalk Close But Bull Starts To Move Away

• Situation: Buddy bugling, you move in quietly; bull starts to take a different route.
• Decision: Switch to Call.
• Tactic: At sub-100/150 yards, now is the moment for you to make a cow call to pull the bull your direction. Consider bugling while backing up if necessary.
• Memorable Story: Remi recounts guiding a hunter: “That was the time to go—okay, now it's time to call. Worked like a charm. Bull came in on a string 30 yards away. Arrow got shot, bull went down.” (Remi, 1:00:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tactical Flexibility:
  “There isn't going to be a right option ... you could do a hundred different things. 99 of them don't work ... that's just the part of hunting.” (Remi, 09:06)

• On Calling in the Herd:
  “For me, I want those elk to move in quiet or move in on me. So I might get an opportunity. This is a strategy that I use a lot. And when this happens, it's the most fun.” (Remi, 48:39)

• On Risk-taking and Adapting:
  “Sometimes I might even completely flip the script and do something different.” (Remi, 33:43)

• On the Value of Alone Bulls:
  “Bull elk to be 100% honest are ... fairly easy compared to other animals to sneak in on, especially when they're by themselves.” (Remi, 36:35)

Additional Tips & Gear Mentions

• Onyx Hunt App:
  Remi talks about the value of mapping, waypoints, and boundaries, especially for scouting and multi-state road trips.
  “You can always use code LIVEWILD. You'll get 20% off, but you got to do it through their site, not through the app store.” (1:06:22)

• Day Six Arrows:
  Remi updates listeners about his acquisition of Day Six gear, custom-built arrows in the U.S., and thanks supporters for their orders and feedback.

Practical Takeaways

• Adapt, don’t default: Just because you prefer calling or stalking doesn’t mean it’s always best for every scenario.
• Watch for behavior cues: Bulls alone, and those moving with purpose, might be more receptive to calling than herd bulls bedded with cows.
• Terrain matters: Open country and visibility dictate whether calling might work or ruin an opportunity.
• Proximity is key: Silent stalking is more effective when you can keep tabs on elk; calling shines when you need to trigger a response or pull elk into range.
• Always be ready to pivot: Don’t be afraid to change tactics on the fly.

Useful Timestamps

• Main theme and intro to “Call or Nah” scenarios: 03:10–09:20
• Scenario 1 (bugling bulls in the dark): 15:01–18:28
• Scenario 2 (single bull, low vocalization): 21:15–23:30
• Scenario 3 (ambush on bull leaving cows): 26:32–29:44
• Tree stand & wallow tactic: 31:09–34:30
• Bedded alone bull stalk: 36:30–38:50
• Bedded herd bull dilemmas: 40:54–44:00
• Action-packed frenzy scenario: 47:45–51:39
• Quiet midday lone bull encounter: 53:12–55:38
• Lone bull across canyon call: 56:12–58:42
• Partnered calling, final approach: 1:00:45–1:03:29

Conclusion

Remi wraps up by emphasizing that elk hunting success is about reading the situation and selecting the tactic with the highest odds for that moment. As the season starts, he encourages listeners to share their experiences and stay flexible in their strategies.
Memorable closing:
“Until next week, I'm just going to say call or not—you guys decide—and catch you later.” (1:13:30)

For more hands-on elk hunting tactics, hunting stories, and to become part of the “Live Wild” community, subscribe and connect with Remi on social media.