Ware,

Hey I live just over the border from you in Northern Idaho. Our elk should react pretty much the same. I use the hoochie and have been for a couple years now.

Bulls are getting vocal and I have had them answer my hoochie this week. I have been whitetail hunting but occasionally hitting my hoochie momma while on stand because I have a bull that has gathered up all the cows in my local area and they are hanging around.

I like to give off 2-3 mews with it and then hit another one of my cow calls.. that has a different tone. I have a scerey for that. I listen to elk alot and as cows talk you will hear different tones...so I try to recreate a cow talking to another cow. So far this season I have had about 50% success with getting a bull in my area to at least bugle or chuckle at me. Now if a bull has cows, he will most likely just talk back to you and wont leave his cows..He want you to come to him...if you get answer from a bull that doesnt seem to be moving your way..go right at him.. and use your cow call like a lost cow trying to find the herd. on the other hand if he is moving at you..hold tight.. he's lone bull satellite looking for love. Many bulls in our areas will also come in SILENT..so give your calling some time.. I give mine 45 min minimum..before I move..

Like I said I am busy hunting whitetails right now and have the cow call incase the right elk gives me some attention..You should do very well this week in the mornings..before daylight locating a bull, just like you would a turkey.. then at daylight go after him if he doesnt come your way.. most of the big bulls are all hearded up in my area now..moving in on any herd bull is tricky.. use your cow call..move very carefully and dont blow a bugle at him unless your in his herd ... if you blow a bugle to early he will gather his cows and leave.. if you wait until you get right in with him and his cows (this isnt easy) but if you do and then rip a bugle off at him..suprising him..he will be in your lap ready to fight..

As for the hoochie and tones I mix them up all the time..so that the TONES sound like different elk.. I have had very good luck with this call in regards to getting bulls attention...its pretty much idiot proof..thats why I use it! I cant screw it up!

like I said... mimic a cow talking to another cow or a lost cow..looking for herd and be PATIENT..if there is a bull in the area he will most likely speak or at least come in silent and check you out...

Try locating your elk before daylight.. heck I even will go at midnight and get my elk located and then know where to be in the morning.. I usually dont get bulls to say too much in my areas in the evenings until almost dark.. here is link to a little video of a bull last week on my property.. that I had called in the night before with the hoochie..he wouldnt leave his cows though..he hung up at about 50-60 yards..facing me until dark..

http://www.huntingfootage.com/showphoto.php?photo=1668