LAST EDITED ON Mar-26-04 AT 11:03PM (MST)[p]I too go by whatever the Elk tell me they wanna hear, but by far Primos is my favorite brand. On my person or in my pack I carry the Terminator Bugle tube, without the blue reed thing, a Hoochie Mamma, Lead Cow and Calf, Hyper Lip Single, and at least one of each of these diaphragm's- Hyper plate, Ivory Plate, and Sentry Plate.
Now I may or may not use any or all of these, depending on the situation.
I have found that knowing when to be quiet is every bit as important as knowing when and how to call.
That said, my favorite is probably the Ivory Plate diaphragm call. With it I can make both Bull and Cow sounds. I always have one in a shirt pocket so I can slip it in at a moments notice. When an Elk is coming in you can make a little mew and stop him where you want him for an easy shot. After the shot I have "Screamed" on it and stopped about 75% of the Elk I have shot, both bulls and cows. Now they may not stay there till they fall over, but if I can hold them for a couple seconds that means a lot when tracking one.
I would buy as many as you can right now and practice with them throughout the Summer. You will know which ones you are proficient with and only use those. I have also found that if you hear a "perfect" bugle, 9 times out of 10 it is another hunter. Get a good video about calling Elk and watch it over and over!
I forgot to add that I have killed two Bulls after I missed the first shot by quickly stopping them with a diaphragm call, and keeping them there long enough to get another shot off.
Michael