what calls-how many do you carry?

[muleycrazy1]

I am a firm believer on making something happen when calling to elk. Therefore I carry an aray of cow calls with me when calling. Never hurt to sound like a herd af elk. What do you guys think and what calls do you carry with you.

 

[proutdoors]

I always have several different calls with me, I'll use just about any call/brand. My only exception is the hand held calls like a Hoochie or Squeeze Me, I detest them. I keep at least 3 different diaphram calls, 3+ open reed calls, a grunt tube, and a Lead Cow call from Primos. I like to mix it up depending on the 'mood' of the elk I am working on how aggressive to be and how many calls to use. I almost always start lowkey and adjust as the situation warrants. Nothing funner than calling in big rutting bulls on the planet.

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.

 

[slamdunk]

+1 on what Pro just said.

Being a sucessful elk hunter is like being a good mechanic....you've got too have a tool box full of the best tools money can buy, and know how to use them.








Skull Krazy
"No Bones About It"

 

[NMRaptor]

I carry two open reed cow calls and a couple diaphragm calls and a grunt tube.
-Raptor

 

[coloradooutdoors1]

Well I like to have a few different calls as well. I personally like to use a Hoochie Momma call. I use it in conjunction with my diaghram call, giving me the sound of more than one elk simultaneouly. I always have a call in my mouth, being an archer, you almost always have to stop them before you take the shot, and you can't do that with a hand held call. When setting up, I like to use my diaghrams, hoochie, and whatever else I can use to sound like as many cows and smaller bulls as I possibly can. I have had good success with this method during the archery season, not a rifle hunter so not sure what works the best during that time of the year. Everyone has great ideas, take a bit from everyone and you should do just fine. Good hunting and let us know how you do.

 

[AWHOLELOTTABULL]

+1 on Slam and PRO! I use an array of calls including a new weapon in the arsenal this year.....my 12 year old daughter. Unbelievable how good she sounds.

It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com

 

[CAelknuts]

I've usually got a couple diaphragms, a Primos open reed call and a woods wise open reed call with me. I'll use all of them at one time or another. I always try to have a diaphragm in my mouth when anyone is going to get a shot, as we've stopped quite a few bulls with cow calls after we've shot them. That sure makes for short trailing jobs. I do not care for the sound of the hoochie momma or other hand operated calls, so don't use them.

 

[Silentstalker]

I really like the Primos palate plate? Diaphram calls-usually double reeds. I also have had very good success with my Sceery ace-1 cow call. As stated above by better callers than me, it is all about knowing which call to use at the correct time. They will all call in bulls. But not 1 call will work all the time! Good luck!

Chad

 

[HKShooter]

Two cow calls and a kick butt bugle. I've called in literally hundreds and hundreds of bulls (not braggin', just sayin'). I can't use mouth diaphrams so I use a "cigar" type for when I'm at full draw (small Sceery). But if I forget to put the cigar in my mouth, a "mew" from your voice works really good to stop 'em. I think the Abe & Son bugle and cow call is the best sounding on the market. They are hard to find, but flippn' amazing. So amazing that Pimos copied them eeerrrr...I mean came up with their own version. I have a junk drawer full of crappy calls. With practice one can make ANY elk sound with those three calls. One of my good buddies has called in many bulls for me with that Hyper Hot call, but it tickles the top of my mouth, so no go there, but he can play that call amazingly and the bulls love it too. Good luck.

Go Hard Kore or Don't Go At All.

 

[completesportsman]

Just wondering why so many don't like the hoochie mama call? And are the diaphram cow calls hard to use? I use diaphram turkey calls quite well, are the elk calls similar?
I've never hunted elk during the rut but am going to get a chance this fall.

 

[MrKrabs]

I have the same questions as completesportsman.

I also have one more. I applied for a cow tag this year during the 2nd rifle in CO. Will a cow call help or hurt my chances or will the cows just ignore it?

 

[skyline_driver]

The hoochie revolutionized elk calls for the average man, kind of leveled out the playing field in my opinion because it is so easy to use. The tone sounds good, but when you are out hunting everyone and their dog has one and it is easy to tell who is calling and where they are. Elk don't make the exact same sound each time and when JOE Schmo only has a hoochie you can tell it's not an elk and I'm sure elk can figure out the same. Personally I like the hot lips calls by primos, I have diaphram calls but need a lot more practice to not sound like a heat-stroked calf dying. I think having calls with a lot of different tones is key.

 

[HKShooter]

I have tried many, many diaphrams, but my mouth is too small and too arched I guess. As for the Hoochie, in a mix of cow calls it sounds amazing. On its own it sounds like...well...a Hoochie Mamma. When 3 out of the 4 of us are tagged out and my wife runs her push button Squeeze Me call along with my buddies on their calls, there is nothing sweeter. Hoochies/Squeeze Me calls are excellent for people who are just starting out and don't know what they are saying when they are blowing on a reed call. Wayne Carltons' Squeeze Me call is higher pitched and is less heard in the woods (less mega-marketing), so if you need a push button call and want to sound different, I would suggest to give good ol' boy Wayne Carlton the money.

 

[proutdoors]

'Elk' diaphragms are just turkey frams with different 'cuts' in the latex. I used to have trouble getting them to fit right in my mouth, now the first thing I do is trim down the outside of the fram to get a better fit. The main reason I dislike the hoochie is, as stated by others, they sound the same EVERY time. Diaphrams each have their own sound and each caller makes different sounds with the same call, just as each elk sounds different, making the sound more 'real', IMHO.

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.

 

[completesportsman]

Definitely good info on the hoochie, thanks.

Kinda like turkey hunting here in the east, when I'm out and hear Joe Schmoe turkey hunter running a box call I know immediately its not a turkey!

 

[proutdoors]

And if you can tell it's not a turkey/elk, you can bet the real thing knows as well in most cases.

PRO

Define, develop, and sustain BOTH trophy and opportunity hunts throughout the state of Utah.

 

[elk_horn]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-09-08 AT 02:00PM (MST)[p]I have a hyper lip single by premois and mouth reeds...and I have a Mossback Cow call I love.

 

[TK]

Can't have to many calls. I prefer reed type calls and a hyper hot call. Always carry a Grunt Tube. A word to the wise. I also use my reed calls for predators to imitate a dying rabbit call. Don't make this call at night. I was showing off to some buddies on how I could call up some yotes. After my second series of calls a Great Horned Owl swooped down and almost took out my right eye and carved up my forehead and scalp. That thing hit me so hard it felt like I was hit with a 2x4 across my face. OUCH!

 

[Spencer]

>I think the Abe & Son bugle and cow call is the best sounding on the market. They are hard to >find, but flippn' amazing.


Hey HK,

Here is a very reliable dealer of Abe & Son's elk calls!
[http://www.sagecreekoutfitters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=ABE]



Scott

 

[coolarrow1]

I use the diaphram call with a open reed call, and for a bugle I prefer the Abe and sons bugle. That combination has worked for me..

 

[slamdunk]

TK, that's nut's man, your lucky that's all that happened to ya!!

My good buddy and fellow guide Ralph Stayner from Arizona (sage antler reproductions)was calling yote's one time and got hit by a mountain lion from behind....it left a pretty good scar!











Skull Krazy
"No Bones About It"

 

[desertpointbrian]

carltons calls hands down

 

[archerybart]

I carry several different calls, mainly Primos and Bugling Bulls, (made by Rocky Jacobson).

I'm a fan of the Hoochie Mama but I normally mix it in with a diaphram call and an open reed call.

I've called a lot of Elk in with the Hoochie Mama!

Typically my calling sequences include a Primos Diaphram, Hoochie Mama, and a mix of the Primos and the Bugling Bull open reed calls. However, I'll change things around depending on what's getting them going. A couple years ago we were working a Bull and it was challenging getting him to talk with the cow calls. We started bugling and suddenly it was a regular conversation.

 

[elkantler75]

i usually just start moaning like i got my wang in a big bowl of jello and it brings em right in!

 

[CAelknuts]

To answer the question about Hoochie Mama's, I don't like them for the reasons stated above about them sounding the same every time, but also because they DON'T sound real, like a cow elk. You can't get the inflection on your mew like an elk cow really makes, when you're using a hoochie mama. For guys who're just starting out or who can't figure out how to use a mouth call, they're not bad, but if you can learn to use just about any mouth blown call, I think you're better off.

The only way I'd use a hoochie mama is in conjunction with mouth blown calls, and then only to sound like a different cow.