Elk Calls
 

I was lucky enough to draw a CO bull elk tag this year and wanted to get some suggestions from you all on elk calls.

On all of my past elk hunts I have had others calling for me and I have noticed they have preferred the Primos line of calls. I have no bias but they were all successful hunters so it must be working for them.

For someone just getting into the elk calling realm, what call(s) would you recommend?

I've seen kits such as this one which contains a bugle, cow call and instructional DVD. Would the addition of the instructional DVD be advantageous?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Calling Elk can be either easy as can be or frustrating enough to make you want to choke whoever is within reach. Using a diaphragm call for SOME people is hard to learn. Elk vocalizations are fairly simple to emulate but getting that diaphragm just right in your mouth and getting the vocals just right without the "squeeks" takes a good bit of practice. That DVD would probably help you a good bit. Good sound on your TV so you can "match up" will help. Knowing when to "shut up" is one of the most important things I have found in both Elk and Turkey calling. Too many people out there tend to go bat crap crazy over calling and "educating" Bulls and Toms enough to make them 100% shut down.

What weapon will you be using and what are the dates of your hunt. Especially the dates will determine what calls are best

I don't think the diaphrams will be an issue as that's what I primarily use for turkeys. I'll take any help I can get so I didn't figure the addition of the DVD would hurt.

It's during ML season which generally falls during the rut.

Then that package should be a good one, but you will need to buy extra diaphragms. I use the exact one that is in the package, so just buy extras. But you already know that from using them on turkeys.

For the novice I would say bugle very little and then only to get a response/locate a bull. Then put up the bugle and move in with cow calls. Yes, there are guys that can effectively use the bugle up close, but there are so many pitfalls, that a newby is better off not trying it.

I take 3 cow calls. Two are in that package. And the third is the Primos Hyper Lip Single with Tone Converter Call. I use the mouth diaphragm the most, but sometimes you have to mix it up to get them interested.

I recommend the CDs by elknut at elknut.com These are not polished videos and there is no hunting on them, but he tells you what the elk are saying and what to say back. Worth a look.

I greatly appreciate all the help, txhunter58.

Some of us like the challenge of never calling. I don't even own any calls.

I don't like giving up my position, and elk are vocal enough on their own during the rut.

It is challenging enough for me! And when hunting during the rut, that is a big part of the allure. If you can actually call a rutting bull in, there is nothing that beats that feeling. Last time I hunted with a muzzleloader, I had already got mine and called for my friend. Called in 3 bulls in one morning and he shot the 3rd one.

And when I move through the woods, I always make some noise. And if you mix in some cow calls, the elk don't spook at your sounds. So even if I don't lure one in, I can keep them calm. Yep, if you are totally silent and move so slow that you always see the elk first, you don't need them. But I like to know that when I step wrong or crunch really loud by accident, I can cow call and the elk should accept my sounds as natural

And cow calls can be use in any season.

Thanks for the input from everyone. I've ordered a couple calls. Now time to see how much I can drive the neighborhood dogs crazy as I practice :s2:

LMAO I have 4 hounds in the back that go absolutely NUTS when I break out a slate call and start on yelps. It's hilarious. They try to chew through the kennel fence when I work on Bugles :violin: