Alot of people worry about which calls to buy. People need to learn the way to use their call in the field. I've heard the worst bugle in the world come from elk not hunters. Perfect bugling is only done at the RMEF world championships. So get your bugling down to a decent call and forget making it sound perfect. If you don't really know much about bugling pay attention to what people have to input in this column.

Okay here's the basic don't do's in public land bugling.

Never use a bugle or cow call as a constant cover sound while walking through the timber. (A cow mew's at you, you mew back once and stop moving and calling until the elk go back to being calm.)

Never call from one constant position unless the elk are less than 50 to 100yds depending on cover.( The elk will bust you and you'll never see them coming.)

Don't let the myth of having to call as a smaller bull ruin your chances at getting MR Big. (Respond the same way the elk does with the same bugle, chirps, and growls.) ( If the elk is nervous then your call is a nervous call, it will convince them everything is okay faster.)

Never call while in movement towards the elk.(Always stop so you can hear the elk's position and move on.)

Locater calls. People will call forever at a bull trying to get them to come out of their safety zone and to the hunter. ( Bad mistake, call 1-3 times just to pinpoint the bull and then go right at him using the best opportunity for wind and cover.)

Best opportunities for calling in a bull elk
Find an area where the elk are not harrassed and calm to begin with.

1. Being able to get ahead or in the middle of the bull's harem before ripping off a big bugle.

2. Beating brush, rolling rocks, or splashing a wallow while calling.

3. Calling a smaller bull off a herd using a cow call.

4. Keep track of all the elk while stalking or calling.( If possible this is you #1 ally in the calling process.)

5. Back off and circle the herd when they about to head off into bedding area's.

There are times to move and times not to move only you can be the judge of that in the situation. Alot of times while calling for someone else I've had to make things happen in a instant to make things work out right. Alot of times things go wrong and the deal is blown. But for each blown attempt there's a mark in my experincethat prepares me for the next incounter.

Let situation dictate calling. If the elk are not active in calling then locate and stalk. If the elk are very active then rip up the mountain side like a big bull would do.

good luck and share your knowledge

dont toot too much, the elk will come to ya

good tips

* always watch for silent bulls coming in

* I like to bugle very softly, almost a squeal grunt that mimics small bulls. If I get close to a bull ( within 150-200 yards) and do that, I'm in his bedroom and that sometimes works very well

* walk, walk, walk

* I like to hunt the steep mtn areas, nothern slopes, and places where no one else wants to go



* I'm sold on the hoochie mama and mac daddy calls

*

Don't over call,when a bull awsners back and is coming,call now and then to get his location and movment.If call a couple time and he calls back and is coming and then all of a sudenly shuts up,DONOT move,check the wind,get your bow ready and your eyes peeled,he's close and checking out for the cow he heard.

Also if you call and getan answer to your call(say you usinga cow call),don't change it unless he hangs up.The bull my brother-in-law shot last year was this way.We bugled twice and nothing,cow called and he came running,you could hear the trees and brush snapping and cracking,he stopped 80 yds away cow called again and he ran in to 7 yds,turn and walk about 10 or so yards out turned braodside.That gold Tip sailed through him and landed another 20 yds the other side,he didn't even feel it.
Another thing,when I bugle I try to sound bad,hardly call with a challange,always a weak squeal,or a short bugle.I will usaly whack trees and stomp my feet,rub the bark,make it sound like I'm a young bull all worked up,follow with fighting cow and excited cow/calf calls,then a screaming bugle.Make'em think here is a young bull with a few cows that are hot but not ready,add a little sexual fustraion on his part,throw up a decoy and wait cause here come my hat rack.

I'm one of those guys that has about 10 calls on him,I will cow call with a diaphram,and havea hootchie in one hand and squeeze me in the other and a hot lips haging on my neck,don't be afraid to change it up.
BBJ

Good stuff! Thanks.

and if your new too calling I would recomend elknut's calling dvd's they are the best tell ya what the elk are actually saying and how to respond .