this is going to be my first elk hunt, & my seasson starts aug. 30th and my ? is will useing a call work that earlyor do you use calls during rut only. thanks for any help jeff

Calls will work. They will be starting to bugle. I'd use a bugle call sparingly and only to locate. Move in, then stick with cow calls. Let a buddy work the calls about 70 yards behind you if possible, and have him use more then one.

Good luck.

Learn how to use a cow call, the "Hoochie Mama" is pretty easy, Bugles are okay for locating them, but depending on where you go, you may run into call-shy elk. Best advice is probably to glass a lot, locate a heard and try to work in on them. You can put a LOT of miles under your feet looking for sign, before you find it. If you hear a bugle, work towards it, looking and listening, don't bugle back, you may make a herd bull pick up and move out with his harem. Rather than risk that work close and then whine a lost cow call to him, if he doesn't pay much attention, then you can bugle off a small inferior sounding bugle maybe just a couple grunts and the lost cow again. Check out www.elknut.com , and his videos, and you'd better get busy learning if you don't know how to call yet. The Primos Bugles are also as easy as anything to learn on if you don't have one yet.

Check out this link:
http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ent=Video7.flv

thank you. i did buy this call by primoss its called imaka dabull crazy have you herd of this & what do you think about it.

Not a bad call. I use primos calls, and I love them! I use mouth diaphram calls because they are so versitile.. I wouldn't start throwing out bugles right away, or cow calls for that matter. Just get in the woods and listen. The elk will tell you what they want to hear? Are you hunting Idaho? That's openeing day back home. A few years ago I shot a 5 point on openeing day, it was pretty hot and he was bugling like crazy! Came in and gave me a 20 yd shot! So really you won't know until you get out there! Typically where I hunt in Idaho the Bulls don't really get talking until the middle of September "or" the first cold front! Good Luck!

i will be hunting southern oregon coast. temp here is 65deg. and mostly wind. thank you all for the help. the call i have imaka dabull crazy what thy of sounds should i be getting out of it.