New To Elk Hunting and am already obsessed
 

I have been learning to do calls with a Primos single and double reed. I have worked extremely hard on getting my cow calls down but it seems that I have kinda left out the Bugle. My buddy, who has 20 years experiance says I have the cow down pat. He says my bugle is ok. If I understand it right many say you don't wanna sound like the biggest bull anyway, Is this true? If ElkNut1 is reading this I'm really interested in your dvd or Cd's. I want to see it but I think if there is no differant in the subject I will probally buy the cd for cost purposes. So if anyone has any Idea's for learning the bugle better I am all Ears.

RE: New To Elk Hunting and am already obsessed
 

Welcome to the clan. Elk hunting is worse than crack. Just ask elknut. You are doing right by getting one of his videos. Can't beat em for content. Call along with Paul while watching the video. If you sound like Paul does, get ready, they will come a runnin'.

RE: New To Elk Hunting and am already obsessed
 

Calling elk is a great time and rewarding to boot. I wouldn't worry as much about how your bugles sound, as opposed to knowing how to communicate with elk and when and what to say. Frankly, if I hear a "classic bugle" while I'm hunting I always assume it's another hunter. Elk bugles in the wild sound terrible a lot of times. I sound better then most of the bulls I hear. In fact, I worked the last two years at sounding like an elk, not like sounding like somebody in a calling contest. However, I personally would rather be "called in" by another hunter, then let a big bull go because I thought it was a hunter. In general you are right that you don't want to sound like a big bull and push away lesser bulls. I have, and I'm sure others on this board have, run into bulls that don't give a crap how big you sound. These bulls in my opinion are just mountain studs. They will scream back at you and come in because they just know there the baddest thing in the drainage. Most bulls are not like this, they would rather scoot up the slope with their herd then risk losing a cow. I primarily use bugles to locate bulls then slip in close and try to cow call. I'll use every call in my possession depending on the situation. I too am going to get elk nuts videos but I'll wait for him to come on here and tell me where to send a check as I never use credit cards.

RE: New To Elk Hunting and am already obsessed
 

Bugling, and learning to bugle are two different things. Most hunters can give the "classic" bugle, it's 3 notes. But if you asked them what they just said or asked, most would say, not sure, but have heard elk do this!!

The question seems to always come up to as to how good do you have to be? You'd better be pretty good to fool most public land bulls when encounters are close and personal. The point is you must be in control of your sounds when both looking or talking to elk, this is where proper or good bugling comes in.-- If a bull asked you to show yourself when in close, would you recognize this sound so you can reply properly or are you just going to throw out some sort of cow call or bugle? No you don't have to be of Championship Caliber, but you should not be downright embarisisng either.:) You're on the right track though to want to do things right, many here can help!

The primos calls you're using will work just fine!

Out address on our website can be found on our "Ordering" page so for those interested in ordering that way, that's just fine, or over the phone!!

ElkNut1

RE: New To Elk Hunting and am already obsessed
 

Elknut1 is right on the money! You have to understand what is happening, because elk have and use a language. Many guys in the woods don't grasp what that is and mess them selves up. Maybe I called to big, maybe that was a bark, maybe, well maybe is not helping them. Learn as much as you can! Do I still screw up, sure, but I know why. Just got a little too excited and stopped thinking for a second. But I would rather that, than to just blunder in. There are two elements in elk bugling, 1 the call, 2 your voice and you have to be able to use both to make it work. The tube doesn't make the call, you do. The tube enhances the call you make. You are getting sound out of a call already, that is good, now all you have to do is refine it. That is where a good video or CD comes in. Elknut1 will set you up, so not only will you hear the sounds, you will know what they mean and how and when to use them. Have fun!
Gselkhunter Elknut1, Christmas yet?

RE: New To Elk Hunting and am already obsessed
 

Elknewbie, Thank you, I am glad you liked my story. When Keaton was the age of your boy, he was already calling elk. Elknut1 talks about competition callers/ championship callers, I am one of those, any way Keaton would practice when I did. If you do the same with your boy he will call in an elk for you soon too. And the time you spend together is worth it's weight in gold. I figured you would see this here.
Gselkhunter

RE: New To Elk Hunting and am already obsessed
 

Thank everyone for all the help. I am definitly going to purchase some of ElkNuts video's I think I wil just go and buy them all, I could use the info I'm sure and for gselkhunter that is cool I will try to get my son to practice with me. This when my wife throws me out for the noise I will still have a parner to practice with in the woods:D