Preferred Elk call?

[DarekG]

This year will be my first year of hunting where I am going for Elk, I've been doing a lot of research and seeing that they are very vocal creatures and receptive to calling I was researching one to buy and practice with.

If you could only buy one type/style of Elk call, which one would it be? (Reed, bugle, grunt, hoochie mama, etc). Bonus points if you can recommend a brand as well!

Am I thinking about this the wrong way, would you carry multiple calls on a hunt? Looking to soak up any knowledge and experience you're willing to share.

[ACE]

Abe & Sons USA . . . . diaphragm in bugle tube. Grunts and chortles. Very good call.
Reed calls are one dimensional.

Have a cow/calf call in your pocket. Elk Talk works well for the close-up heart stopping stuff. Hold it in your mouth . . . both hands are free.
Good luck . . . . it's a learning process.;)

[todbartell]

You have enough time now ahead of your hunt to practice up with a mouth diaphragm call. Get a few different types of single reed, they're they easiest to use. Good for most vocalizations , and get a bugle tube like the Phelps or Wapiti River

[BRvalley]

I find the Primos dome diaphragms are a bit easier to learn on....I still got a lot to learn with diaphragm calls

The Elk Reel is a very easy to use call, can produce different pitches, can be used hands free but is a bit bulky to hold in your mouth for extended time

and then of course the hoochie mama, probably the easiest call to use, and everybody has one lol

[Ron.C]

There is probably thousands of posts and articles on elk calls. I'm by far in no way and expert here but have been pretty successful with elk given the limited time I've had to hunt them.

I still use an older E.L.K bugle, worked very well for me. For cow calls I use several but my favourites for estrus cow are still the primos hyper lip single and a similar carlton call. I always have a primos ivory plate call in my mouth ( a throw back to my bowhunting days) but have killed 2 elk including my bull last year because a little squeak from that call stopped the elk in its track and gave me a shot. A few years back it, my buddy had that primos (Imaka da Bull crazy) call. I thought it sounded horrible but that particular week, it was the only call we used that would get bulls bugling at us.

I carry about 6 cow calls hoochie mama and a couple other varieties at any given time and when nothing is working, I change it up and try something different. Or I can sound like several different elk chirping " this has worked for me when I bump elk".

I also don't do a pile of calling in big open country. In my limited experience, I've seen many pull into a big cutblock and from the same spot as the guy before them bugle and cow call. I'm a believer that the elk learn where to avoid these spots.

My personal take is that calling at the right time, right amount, from the right location is more important then which brand call you use. Always expect that an elk will show up, every time. Screwed up a few good opportunities in the past where I stopped to let out a call and withing minutes had an elk show up silent.

[dirtyminer]

It’s good to have both a bugle tube and a cow call. If I could only have one it would be a cow call.
Some areas get over bugled and the elk get wise. If other guys are running around bugling it can be very affective to stick to cow calling.

[Rieber]

I find diaphram calls work better for mt that the red domes Primos - that sucker doesn't feel right to me and vibrates me to no end. I can't seem to get the hang of it despite people saying it's one of the easiest to use.

Practice, practice, practice. Being able to hit that call with confidence every time seem critical to me. In my mind if I don't hit that call just right the first time, I feel as if I've blown it and I might as well go try somewhere else. No use broadcasting to the Elk that you're a hunter looking for a good time.

Get your tones and pitch correct and then start introducing the growls. I found that starting each practice sessions with chuckles seems to help me find the right spot for the diaphragm in my mouth and the right pressure.

Please, don't nobody say that "if you got the diaphragm in your mouth, you're doing it wrong" I've heard that a few times but it still makes me smile.

Nice thing is the great you-tube stuff out there that you can immediately have reference to copy. Also use your phone recorder to listen to yourself and compare to the real elk recordings.

certainly every situation and day out there closer to the peak of the rut is different but I've blown my opportunity too many times with over-doing it and calling too much. Everyday out there is a learning experience but man that first time you get a direct response back is the best feeling ever.

[albravo2]

diaphragm are by far the most versatile and realistic, usually combined with a tube to carry the sounds.

I'm going Phelps this year because I wasn't pleased with the cheap ones I bought last year. It takes a good while to get the hang of them but I think it is worthwhile.

I got cow calling right away, still working on a realistic bugle.

In my opinion the Elk101 course was worth the money, for calling and strategy for a new hunter.

[madcalfe]

wapiti river mouth reeds. don't even bother spending money on primos. buy a domed pink lady and 2 more of your choosing and a bugle tube and practice practice practice.

[xlcc]

Last season I tried many times using a reed bugle.No answers.It has worked for me in the past.I just changed tactics.
Found a good spot to sit well hidden quite a ways below a long ridge that is a bedding area.Started blowing a small reed call like a lost calf from the herd.15 minutes later up along the ridge a squirrel was going nuts.I blew the calf call once more.Another squirrel chattering away much closer this time.Another 5 minutes goes by and a young 4 point bull is standing 25 yards away from me wondering where the lost calf is.Another 10 minutes goes by with the same squirrel talking up a storm and a 5 pointer is directly in front of me near the 4 pointer.
No more calling on my part as I didn't want to give myself away.I hear more squirrel activity on the ridge.Probably another 15 or 20 minutes goes by.The 4 and 5 pointer wonder off then a young 5 or 6 pointer shows up about a hundred yards from me down this trail I was watching.He was walking away from me and I wasn't sure if he was 6 points so I just let him walk down the trail and disappear.
I did shoot a big dark antlered 6 pointer a few days later.
That lost calf call worked very well for me when the bulls were not responding to a bugle.There are times when you get an answer from your bugle.If you don't get more bugles happening switch to cow and calf talk.You can have a whole herd around you.Elk are noisy so don't worry about sneaking around

[jamfarm]

Phelps- Amp grey & Amp white

As other have said. Practice

I also recommend the ElkNut app.

[Imdone]

Wayne Carlton, various mouth Reed diaphragms, and a grunt tube.

Bingo

[J_T]

There is probably thousands of posts and articles on elk calls. I'm by far in no way and expert here but have been pretty successful with elk given the limited time I've had to hunt them.

I still use an older E.L.K bugle, worked very well for me. For cow calls I use several but my favourites for estrus cow are still the primos hyper lip single and a similar carlton call. I always have a primos ivory plate call in my mouth ( a throw back to my bowhunting days) but have killed 2 elk including my bull last year because a little squeak from that call stopped the elk in its track and gave me a shot. A few years back it, my buddy had that primos (Imaka da Bull crazy) call. I thought it sounded horrible but that particular week, it was the only call we used that would get bulls bugling at us.

I carry about 6 cow calls hoochie mama and a couple other varieties at any given time and when nothing is working, I change it up and try something different. Or I can sound like several different elk chirping " this has worked for me when I bump elk".

I also don't do a pile of calling in big open country. In my limited experience, I've seen many pull into a big cutblock and from the same spot as the guy before them bugle and cow call. I'm a believer that the elk learn where to avoid these spots.

My personal take is that calling at the right time, right amount, from the right location is more important then which brand call you use. Always expect that an elk will show up, every time. Screwed up a few good opportunities in the past where I stopped to let out a call and withing minutes had an elk show up silent. Good advice here.
I've evolved through all the calls over the years. Presently I use the Phelps products. The Amp reeds.
As stated above, there is no one call. Most calls can work, but more important is timing and location.
I pack about 6 reeds with me (of course I have my go to) and I carry about 10 hand held calls with me. Some loud, some quiet. Like fishing lures, changing up a call from panicked and searching, to soft, to erotic, to aggressive can make the difference and turn a bull.
Learn to identify the situation you find yourself in and the call appropriate for that moment.

[Island Idiots]

I have no talent so I use a hootchie mama cow call. I know it’s basic but I have had some pretty good luck. Bulls have come in from a ways off. Timing is key.

[nelsonob1]

i wouldn't over think it. Bull elk at the right time will come to pretty much anything. Even someone pulling on a chainsaw.

[sames14]

Go to Can Tire, buy the 2 pack Hoochie Momma calls for 39.99. They are 39.99 for just the Cow call alone anywhere else.

[sames14]

Sorry I sent before finishing my reply.
The two pack is a cow call and a calf call, those two and I maka da bull crazy calls have worked for me. Just keep changing them up. Best buy is the CanTire two pack.
.

[Bugle M In]

Well, this all depends.

Lots of folks, the 1st time around, cant use a reed without some serious practice.

So, for a cow call, i like the Primos Hyper Lip.
It sounds like like the Primos Hoochie Mama, but way more reliable!!
BUT, it is fairly quiet.
Also, Buglin Bulls make a cow call by hand (cant think of the name or #), but is louder if you get the plastic version. (think it
comes in wood as well?)
As for a diaphragm call, a cow call is way easier to learn, so any Primos or HS or Wayne Carleton or Buglin Bulls cow call reed
will do, not a big difference, imo.

Now, for bulls, and using a diaphragm call, i only use the Wayne Carleton Tone Trough these days....period.
I like it in a 2.5, but that is me.

Now, if you dont use a diaphragm for bull call, then there are many bugles out there.
Most common would be Primos or Thunder Bugle.
I like the Buglin Bulls stuff myself.
And yes, Abe and Son make one too!
I cant say about how their mouthpiece part of the call works, but have always been interested in buying their product for the
tube and chamber they have designed on there.

One other cow call would be Primos I maka da bull crazy (something like that).
Orange is quiet, the green is louder and for longer range, fyi.

[The Hermit]

I like the Phelps calls with a tube... I totally suck at calling though. Gotta start practicing again in the truck where people can't hear me! LOL At least I'm not chocking on them now... getting there.

[bigstew]

Great Thread. I have been practicing in my truck as well. I have a couple phelps reeds. i think i have the cow calls down. I need to pickup a bugle tube soon.

I have used all sorts of external calls and bugles. i have had good success, but it like others have said practice.practice.practice!

i think variety is best for calling. make it sounds like you are more than one cow. Don't sounds like the biggest bull otherwise you limit your challengers...

[dapesche]

I really like the AMP calls to. Seem to be louder.

When I bought my first calls they were the primos 3 pack. I liked them and they seemed to give very good control over the tone but weren't as loud. Those AMP calls are loud and get better with time. They also last a long time.

[Bugle M In]

Has anyone tried these new diaphragms called Native Ripit?? (400, 450, 500)
Just seen them on Basspro. (not cabela's ca)

Damn expensive, but i am always game to try at least one to see.

Also, on a side note, those Montana decoys work.
Had one set up, and a 5pt bull just couldn't resist.
With all the calling, he came right out in the open, exactly what i had hoped the decoy would do.
When they get close, they know to a hair where the other elk should be standing and they should be physically seeing.

I am not going to lie.
I "forgot" a couple of times that i had it set up.
And when getting up to take a piss and taking a few steps, i suddenly got "pumped" because i thought there was an elk that
walked in silently on me....lol (had it 20 yards or so away form me)
Old age, what can i say.

Hopefully i will get around to editing the vid i took of that bull bugling while standing there and post on HBC at some point.

[BiohazardHands]

I really like the AMP calls to. Seem to be louder.

When I bought my first calls they were the primos 3 pack. I liked them and they seemed to give very good control over the tone but weren't as loud. Those AMP calls are loud and get better with time. They also last a long time.

I took your advice and ordered the amped grey and white. I am a beginner elk caller and have been practicing on the elk 101 diaphragm calls for the last 6 or so months. I can tell you that these amped calls are of higher quality and I found them much easier to use.

[Bugle M In]

I took your advice and ordered the amped grey and white. I am a beginner elk caller and have been practicing on the elk 101 diaphragm calls for the last 6 or so months. I can tell you that these amped calls are of higher quality and I found them much easier to use.
Got a link...never heard of them...who makes em.

[BiohazardHands]

Got a link...never heard of them...who makes em.

https://www.greatnorthprecision.com/PHELPS-AMP-ELK-CALL-GREY

https://www.greatnorthprecision.com/PHELPS-AMP-ELK-CALL-WHITE

[Bugle M In]

https://www.greatnorthprecision.com/PHELPS-AMP-ELK-CALL-GREY

https://www.greatnorthprecision.com/PHELPS-AMP-ELK-CALL-WHITE

Thanks.
Basically have that tone trough the carlton makes except looks like metal.
I think HS made the originals but then Primos sued for some sort of copyright, even though i only saw HS selling them long
before Primos ever came out with them.
I never like the Primos....too thin.

But, the tone trough (plastic or metal dome) makes it a lot easier for most folks, imo.

[hawk-i]

Mouth diaphragm is IMHO the only way to go... just have to put in the time to practice.

[willyqbc]

PLENTY of success in our crew with the berry "thunder bugle" and assorted bite style cow calls. The berry is easy to get going with, but more importantly, its easy to get LOUD!!!! Sheer volume to carry that sound out as far as possible is the name of the game IMO. We only use our cow calls for a little extra realism when the bull is getting close.

[Bugle M In]

True, mouth diaphragms aren't the "loudest".
(depends on where and if you get good acoustic from echoes or in a bowl)
Power bugle probably does carry the furthest or a mouth one from Primos.