Good luck comunicating with the elk. It is a fun language to learn.

I never did answer the real question. What is the best elk call, ME! Truely a diaphragm and grunt tube are the basis for my elk calling. But I do use Carlton and Primos bit & blow cow calls. As for calling in elk I don't just cow call and I don't just bugle, I use both calls. A lot of the guys here are using Elknut1 method of calling, very good choice I recommend it highly. But I am a wild child and am more aggressive than some maybe most of the guys here in my calling. I don't recommend this to most guys, but it works for me. I put extreme pressure on elk, god what a kick, I love it. Learn from Elknut1's videos, then you can be like them or be like me.
Gselkhunter

I guess I should read all the posts more often, I've missed out on a lot with this thread.

I don't know Paul very well yet but I know the information he gives out to us on these boards that is.......well........uuuuuhhh.........FREE!!!!!... ......is absolutely accurate. Not only does it sound good when he writes it but it makes sense in the gaps I have in my knowledge and of course the ultimate is it actually works when you put that knowledge to work for you. And whenever it didn't work for me, the problem was my execution of it. Paul has to be on of the most most knowledgeable elk hunters I've seen. I think we can call him an expert and sleep fine at night. Looking forward to swapping some info with you Paul in SLC this year.

I've spoke with gselkhunter and I like his style of calling as well. He likes to be the thorn in the bulls side. He likes to irritate a bull so much that the bull has no choice but to come in and run off the young hot shot who insists on dogging the herd bull. I like it and usually am not so aggressive but this I'm going to give it a shot.

RBH---Thanks for the kind words, I too look forward to meeting you along with the others as well. If I remember right you are less than 30yrs old, I could be wrong, just look at when I said Corey won his elk calling championship, I was off by a whole year!!!! <grin> You too have a good knowledge of elk, and ones should listen to your advice. You are one of the rare ones that knew what the "popping grunt" was and didn't confuse it with a bark. I remember you making mention of it being an elk asking another one to identify or show itself. You were right, and I was impressed that you knew it, because most folks scoffed at me when I first brought it to their attention when I was new to this and other "sites". See you in UT!!

gselkhunter--- So you think you have a whole different style of calling elk, do you!!

I used to dog bulls no doubt the way you still are. Talk about a rush!! There's nothing like challenging bulls to the point of making them feel they've got their backs against a wall & must defend!! Yes, I did this for years and will be the first to say it's very high energy & not for the weak of heart!!! As you know there's an art to challenging bulls, most greenhorns can't keep up, because to be effective you must get on the bull & not let up, you must hound him, and at the same time not be seen or smelled. This type of an adventure can cover all different types of terrain & one must be in reasonable shape, as I'm sure you can attest to.

The reason I don't make that style of calling bulls foremost on our videos, is because of the use of "The Threat" for me it has changed everything and all but eliminates the need to dog herd bulls like we used to, although it's great fun & challenging. In Vol-1 we talk a lot about challenging & how to do it, at least we touched on some of the more popular ways to do this and not turn bulls into runners.

I believe for many, their dogging bulls to the point of pi$$ing him off & making a stand can't be done because of age or not in the best of shape or bad legs or knees. Therefore many need to seek other avenues of calling methods to still bring that herd bull into bowrange without trapsing all over kingdom come, although it's exciting!!!!

I could mention many examples where the threat can be injected to avoid that pushing the bull to seemingly ends of the earth. Afterall, our main objective is to harvest bulls, and have fun at the same time. More times than not, when the threat is used correctly the bull will never run, except try to run over you!!!!! This too is a very high energy method and most deadly!! Not saying you shouldn't use your high energy methods, just showing you why I didn't make it the main point or subject in calling in bulls!!---I will say that a couple times a year I still do nothing but use bugling type sounds in challenging bulls to bring them into range as I too enjoy the art of challenging.

Of course you know I speak these things with the utmost respect for you and your thoughts, not in any way minimizing your style!! --------------ElkNut1

Gosh Elknut1, see how much I can get out of you by one little statement, fun isn't it!
Gselkhunter

Yeah, you got me all worked up you ole dog!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heck I just couldn't stop ramblin!!! There is something you do that I don't, that's give that 5 note bugle. Can't wait to hear it in UT. Go getem big-guy!!!!!!!!!---------------------ElkNut1

gselkhunter, what are Paul's DVD's and how could I get me a set?

Also, I know little about calling, but I notice nobody mentioned E.L.K. in Gardiner, MT. They seem less commercial than Primos, and I would have assumed that if anyone knew elk calling, it would be them. I was getting ready to order my first ever call from them.

Good posts, I'm already learning. Thanks.

jones123, Elknut has a site marker on the post above yours. Click on My Site and it will take you to Pauls online site. He knows his stuff.

Jones123, Elknut1/Paul has one of the best calling dvds I have in my collection. And I have been calling for a long time. If you can't use a diaphragm, I can teach you how to get started, it isn't that hard. But once you learn to use a diaphragm, buy Pauls tapes. He will lead you through the calling process and give you tools to call in elk. www.elknut.com Well worth the cost.
Gselkhunter

Thanks for the replies Elk8 and gselk. Will definitely take your advice. I said I knew little about calling, should have said I know nothing about calling.

gselk, you can start me on a diaphragm over the internet? What do I need to do next, get some diaphragms with a tube to learn?