elk calls
 

what are some of the best bugle calls, and cow elk calls I can buy?

RE: elk calls
 

I rarely use my bugle tube and I don't remember exactly which model it is but it is made by Primos and it's thier smaller bugle that they make, but it works good enough for its purpose. My favorite cows cows are the hyper-lip, single and double and beleive it or not I still use the hoochie moma alot and the other call I use most of the time is actually a custom open reed predator call which does a wonderful selection of different pitched cow/calf sounds.

RE: elk calls
 

Bugle call of choise (and used very sparingly . . . to locate mostly) is the Power Bugle by E.L.K. Inc. in Montana. They have a large variety of hunting videos as well.

My favorite cow call is the Hyper lip single and double by Primos.

Elk calling is not the answer to successful elk hunting. Most elk huntersin my corner of the elk world will tell you the elk are becoming call shy. They know it ain't one of them AND exactly where you are! Anymore I'll use the bugle IF I hear them first to locate, then it's run-&-gun. Go to them using the cow call to cover my noise and movement to get in close. Not likely to Bring one in like on T.V. Alot of those shows are on private property or even (God forbid) high fence ranches.

RE: elk calls
 

Not always true game4lunch. Our group killed 3 elk last year and all of them died because they came to cow calls, on public land. We took two bulls and a cow and we should've had a 4th tag filled, but the kid missed, at 32 yards,the largest elk that we got called in last year.

RE: elk calls
 

yeah I deff want to spot and stalk em, but I want to be able to locate them first.

RE: elk calls
 

We killed 2 with the bow last year, 1 wyo,1 NM both were bugled in and the 3rd in wyo with the rifle came in to a series of Hoochie Mama calls

RE: elk calls
 

Anything made by primos! I only usediaphram calls now because they free up both hands and they sound better.

Knowing how to call elk can help you become very successful elk hunter! They can be used to call in elk and to cover your noise as you stalk! Knowing you called one in and killed it is much more satisfying than just being there when they walk by!:)

RE: elk calls
 

Calling elk is an art, just making elk sounds is not! A bugle is an important part of ones needed tools in the elkwoods. If one wants to do more than just blow a high pitch classic bugle sound then mouth reeds with a grunt tube are best. Most external reeded bugles are easily picked out as human bugles, although many times they can get elk to respond it's tough at times to finish them off with them without tons of practice, & then only a few can get it done. Go with the mouth reeds & put in your time, in a few days time you'll do good with dilligent practice.

Rockies calls are best, primos calls are good but I prefer the others. The Scream N Tormentor is user friendly & can make all needed elk sounds by both cows & bulls.

Spot & Stalk as you mention is a good way to locate & find elk at a distance along with selective sounds that will get elk or ask elk for a response. It's the sounds you use that will make the difference. Most who say bugling is not good & only chase away the elk, can't bugle themselves or have little confidence in it, they lack the practice & confidence that's needed to sound like an elk. More importantly one needs to be equipped with all needed calls to be versatile & ready for all encounters. Making sense to elk with the right sounds at the right time is no accident. It comes with knowledge & a real desire to be good at your game! Here's a real life example of being prepared for any situation!!!

Your Spot & Stalk takes you to a herd of elk with a decent shooter bull in it, you wait for them to hit the timber so you won't be seen & Indian in on them, you get the wind right & proceed. You've done no calling to alert the herd of your presence, not even cow calling. As you get ahead of them you see a few cows making it your way, you need to move to a slightly different location to get in their path for a shot, especially if you're bowhunting. As you move to better your position you're caught by 2 unseen cows that were there feeding, they're staring you down hard & are ready to bark & blow the whole thing! Now What????

If you are prepared & have the needed confidence/knowledge & the right tools, bugle--cow call--or mouth reed, then that's a dead herd bull. This isn't a what if! It happens quite regularly to many hunters, few kill the bull, most cow call & watch the herd bolt off, bad decision! Some bugle & get a quick response but don't know how to follow up & eventually lose out as well. --- Point is, be prepared for any encounter & be willing to adapt to the immediate set of circumstances, make sounds that make sense to elk per encounter, your freezer will be fuller if you do! (grin)

ElkNut1

RE: elk calls
 

The MASTER (elknut) responds...he can answer ALL your questions. Now bow down as I do. :D

RE: elk calls
 

use the Hootchie Momma

RE: elk calls
 

Thanks elknut, ive got about 3 months to practice my diaphram calls before elk season. I appreaciate everyones help:D

RE: elk calls
 

My experience calling bull elk is limited. I have had success though. I purchased elknuts videos and found them to be a wealth of knowledge. Its nice to get insight into what you are trying to sound like.

I equate it to turkey calling because I have extensive knowledge of that sport being from missouri. I know a ton of people can make better turkey calls than me, but I some how always get my birds to come in. I believe that its because I make the right sound at the right time. I'm not just out there making noise to hear myself. You have to be able to read the birds. Elk are very similar.

My dilema was that I'm not from the part of the country where I could learn the nature of the beast. I was up against it. I purchased the videos and watched them obsessively prior to my hunts. I picked up on some key voices and some "tells" to listem for to key me into what the bull was listening for. It worked on both my trips. Maybe it was luck. Maybe it was the fact that I paid an outfitter to get me into the "back country" where pressure was less. Or maybe it was a slight amount of skill that closed the deal. But, most likely it was a combination of all three.

Learn the language or at least some of the language. Use what skills you have to play the wind, get in close, and try to be higher than your quarry. Try to hunt where the pressure is lightest. And lastly you have to get a bit lucky!

2004 300" 6x6


2005 320" 6x6


Dad's 2005 300" 6x5

RE: elk calls
 

Mouth reeds my choice Primos or Rocky Jacobson
Bugle Tube Rock Jacobson with tube tammer
Hand calls Wane Carlotons Squeeze Me cow call
Mouth Calls Primos Hyper lip and Carltons fighting cow call
but I pack many more,these are just some of my favorites.
BBJ

RE: elk calls
 

Screery calls work good if it ain't cold. All reed calls tend to get screwy with built up frozen spit. I carry two, and keep one inside my shirt at all times to thall.

RE: elk calls
 

Diaphragms calls get to be a very personal thing, what works for one won't do well for another. Every body has a different shape to there mouth and not all calls fit well. If it doesn't fit you won't use it well. The number of reeds makes a huge difference also. 1,2,2.5,3,3.5,4. The thickness of each reed makes a difference in the pitch a reed can make, the 2 standards are .003, .004 although some are making .0035. The other issue is how the latex is stretched, they stretch from side to side and front to back. This is known as tinsel strength and plays into pitch and volume. The tighter the reeds the more pitch and volume is possible. But the other things that play into this is air speed and tongue pressure. As Elknut stated[HI Paul] this is an art form and requires great amounts of practice to have great control of the reeds vibration against the tongue. To be good you must be able to control pitch going up and down, also volume. This is no easy trick, time and effort are the key to success. As others have already stated Elknut is the one to teach when and what to say, HE IS VERY GOOD! A small piece of info, there is one call on the market that is not made from latex, High Plains Call, it is made from dental rubber. This call is made by John Sarkisian and comes in doubles and triples and youth reeds. I have watched John bend the frame to fit peoples mouth and have them making sound in less than 3 minutes, pretty good trick.
Back to calls I use, HS 3.5 in .004 reed thickness and a double High Plains call. With these two calls I can cover the gambit of elk calling. I will use and do carry other reeds in my pack of calls, but these are my go to reeds. I also carry external calls one given to me by my friend Wayne Carlton and a couple sent to me from Will Primos. These should not be over looked they are very fine calls and do have a purpose in elk calling. For a field tube I have used a Carlton tube wrapped with polar fleecefor the last 20yrs. But for being big and bad, a 4" wiffle ball bat cut at 24" long.
Gselkhunter