From what I have experienced with it, they do work. I always have one hanging close to my left hand while hunting for easy access to stop an elk. It's just another tool in the tool box, and it's not a one call fits all. I like to let off a mew when walking and I step on some noisy to cover my sound. I've done that before and got answered from elk close by that I didn't know were there. You can get a lot more creative with other calls but the HM does have it's nitch.