The hoochie mama is a pretty good call. I like to use the reeds also and can produce all of the sounds with it but it is hard to chew at the same time as using the reed. In my ealier days of using the reed(5 yrs old) I used to imitate roosters, pea-cocks crows etc. Calling elk came easy as I was accustomed to making all possible sounds with it. The reed is the most versitile of them all as you can switch back and forth from cow to bull without hesitation. With the reed it is also easier to "throw" your voice from one direction to another by directing your hand. I prefer the reed in competition also as you can make yourself sound like several elk in different directions. Mix it at the same time with a hoochie mama in your hand and through in a few blow style calls and it sounds like a whole herd of elk wound up.