Elk calls

DeerMadness · Jun 30, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Jul-01-11 AT 00:51AM (MST)[p]I would appreciate some of you if you could share the names of the best calls (cow and bugle) for a novice like me. I have drawn a decent tag and I haveonly shot one elk in my life.
I have shot many deer but didn't hunt much for elk.

I'm going to need to work hard for this opportunity.

utahbigbull · Jul 1, 2011

Probably the best IMO would be
1- Primos Hoochie Momma. The easiest best sounding cow call
2- Primos Hyperlip single
3- Mossback widow maker
4- Primos Imaka da bullcrazy

me_rob2011 · Jul 1, 2011

I would say that the hoochie mama is the best cow call for a beginner. It is the easiest to use. I have a Primos pack bugle that makes good sounds after a little bit of practice. Don't call too much though. Sometimes it is better to let the elk make all the noise. Good luck!

http://www.outfitterfocus.com

Sparky27 · Jul 1, 2011

I'd highly recommend using to learn a diaphragm elk call... you'll get very realistic sound and it's totally hands free. My favorite diaphram is the All-Star from Elk101.com. It is very versatile and can do both cow calls and bugles. My favorite grunt tube would have to be the Chuckler or Lil' Chuckler from Elknut.com

Good luck!

CRC · Jul 1, 2011

I personally like the Primos hyper lip single for calling elk in. I called in 6 different 6 point bulls last year. I would recommend bugling for locating only (I use the Primos pack bugle). I always have a diaphram call in my mouth to stop the bull. If you haven't used a diaphram before, I recommend the white Primos one. It's the easiest one to use IMO. Good luck on your hunt!

wymoose · Jul 1, 2011

IMO don't use the hoochie Mamma. Everyone uses it and it sounds more like an alarm call to me than a mew. Use mouth reeds and learn to use them well. It will set you apart from all of the other calls.

WYmoose
#####.com

sagebrush · Jul 1, 2011

I use the Primos Bull Horn. It's the easiest bugle call you can imagine. Sounds so realistic it will bring in hunters from miles around! I use a Carlton's Lonesome Cow bite call for cow calling. It'll make every sound you need and is easy to learn. I also use a Primos Hoochie Mama. That dang thing doesn't sound like an elk to me but I have had unbelievable responses from the elk. I think its too loud to use up close for bow hunting but I've stopped whole herds within rifle range and kept them there while I debated on taking a bull for what seemed like five minutes.

dleonard3 · Jul 1, 2011

I think the best elk calls are the ones the elk are making themselves. Use your ears. Listen quietly. If you make noise, even if it is an elk noise, they will know you are there and it is very difficult to sneak up on them when they know you're there.

With that said, I occasionally use a bugle to locate herds from a distance. But once I get an answer, I quiet down. I don't want them to herd up and leave. My bugle call is an "Abe & Sons" grunt tube with a "Power Bugle" mouth piece. It's easy make a good bull call with it, and it is consistent. It has lots of volume, and great tone. It sounds like a big chested bull when you want it to, but you can also make it sound like a squeeky spike too. I carry a cow call and use it if I spook an elk unexpectedly. Sometimes it works to stop them, but not always.

hatrick · Jul 1, 2011

I love my Abe & Son bugle but cant find replacement latex.... any ideas- Hatrick

DeerMadness · Jul 1, 2011

Thank you all so much. I saw the Hoochie Mama and a coupke reed brands with CD's for instruction. Maybe I will buy 2 or 3 kinds and try to attend a seminar if I get the chance. Otherwise I guess I can search out a couple hunters I know and see what they think of my novice calling skills, lol.

one_dryboot · Jul 1, 2011

I love the Primos hyper lip. I have used it for the past 4-5 years and have called in more bulls with it then all other calls together. But I use it more cuz it works. Its good to have a mixed bag and make different sounds. try out a few and see what calls you can get the best sound out of. The biggest thing is learning when to make certain sounds, be aggressive, or when to hold off.

rugarm77 · Jul 1, 2011

I love the Hoochie mom. I have tried others but scared the chit out of them. Sounds like I need to give the hyper lip a try.

Boot good advice!!!

Anaconda · Jul 2, 2011

As for a brand of calls;

"Bugling Bulls" game calls

Where to buy them, get advice and DVDs;

Elknut

TINEBROTHER · Jul 3, 2011

+1 wymoose . hoochie is an alarm in popular areas. mouth calls are best. do a somewhat fast calf call and you can walk right into a herd with as much noise as you want.

Tank · Jul 3, 2011

I agree that the Hoochie Mamma is easy to pick once you have heard it a few times. But my experience is in areas where you don't have the pressure, they are a great way to go. I had a greenie 2 yrs ago who had one. We sneaked into a group of cows during the rut and was trying to bring the bull to us. The cows wouldn't react to my diaphram cow calls, but reacted every time to the Hoochie Mamma. I bought one as soon as I got home.
On the flip side, in areas that get a lot of pressure, when I hear the Hoochie Mamma (every 2 minutes all day long), I sneak in. Every time it is a hunter. I bet the elk do the same.

DeerMadness · Jul 4, 2011

Thanks guys. I hunt Oct 1st so I will head up the week before and try a couple brands and see what happens.
I really appreciate the help.

muleymaniac · Jul 4, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Jul-04-11 AT 03:43PM (MST)[p]well - i've been elk hunting a few times - ussed a lot of different calls

hoochies are nice but everyone and their mothers have been wearing down the elk with them for yrs.

For the Novice I'd really recommend the MACDADDY buy at walmart comes with dvd

you can do cow/calf and sceamin bugles in minutes.
any 10 yr old can blow this call and sound great! it's that easy!

wstrntines · Jul 4, 2011

Mossback widow maker works well fightin cow call by carlton is awsome to. Primos hyperlip single and hotlips by primos I use there bugles too really easy to use. And estrus whine by carlton thats my starting five and sixth man. Found success in all of them.

THEBUGLER · Jul 7, 2011

IMO.The easiest reed to blow and make great elk sounds with is the "ELK101 All Star". Match that reed with a "Bully Bull" tube and you have a perfect pair, both are built by Bugling Bull game calls and available from their website, or at elk101.com.
For free calling pointers you can check out youtube where Bugling Bull gives a few demos.
These calls give the most realistic sounds on the market, and will totally fool bulls.

elkmanchad · Sep 27, 2011

Would like to bump this topic back to the top as I am curious in what others have to say. Are there any calls that you would absolutely stay away from?

I'm hunting first season rifle this year in Colorado, and hope to get into the tail end of the rut. The rut seems late this year, so I'm hopeful.

Thanks in advance.

f8hasit · Sep 27, 2011

I used Primos maka da bull crazy almost exclusively and had great success with it. Both green and orange.

Tree · Sep 27, 2011

Besides diaphragms I'm a big fan of the hyper lip single. Good range from whiny growling estrus calls to high pitched calf chirps. The widow maker is similar.

If someone in camp shows up with a Sceery call, I'm very happy to stay up late after everyone is in bed to steal it and throw it in what's left of a fire. IMO, it's the most tinny, unrealistic sounding call in existence. That may have been a little heavy handed, but you get the picture.

kingfish · Sep 28, 2011

Anything Primos...

Government doesn't fix anything and has spent trillions proving it!!!
Let's face it...After Monday and Tuesday, even the calender says WTF!

Jbozahunter · Sep 29, 2011

New "Bone Collector" call, named the "Bootie Call", bought it at Wal Mart for about 8 bucks, tried it out, it has awesome range, can do about any kind of cow sound you want, and it's relatively small. It works really well, could just be that it's new to the market, and hasn't been overused YET......

Jbo

Rowiebutt · Sep 29, 2011

Primos Is not the best. every elk has heard there calls learn a diaphragm and call em in it's a blast!

nv_hunter · Sep 29, 2011

>I love my Abe & Son
>bugle but cant find replacement
>latex.... any ideas- Hatrick

You can use the latex from a condom. Bess said that the used ones work best for him!

elkmanchad · Oct 1, 2011

Thanks for all of the responses. It sounds like diaphram calls are the way to go. I'll stick with the one I have, and maybe look into picking up an additional call to mix it up.

MichaelJ · Oct 2, 2011

Learn to use a diaphram and what sounds to use and WHEN to use them... everybody's pallete is different so buy a few different diaphrams and learn what best works for you. Keep 'em in the truck with you and whenever you're driving practice with them.

I love the Glen Berry bugle tubes with the interchangable reeds. The Rocky Jacobson tubes are great as well.

Mike

woodruffhunter · Oct 2, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Oct-02-11 AT 04:17PM (MST)[p]Hoochie Mamas are unreliable pieces of garbage. I have had them go out during le elk hunts. Fortunately, I had backups.

Like mentioned before, use a diaphragm call. It will take some practice but will pay off!

elkhunter2428 · Oct 4, 2011

mossback widowmaker. awesome cow call

TheHunt · Oct 4, 2011

>I love my Abe & Son
>bugle but cant find replacement
>latex.... any ideas- Hatrick

Next time you go to the dentist ask him/her for some medium latex material they use for the rubber dam's. They have heavy and then they have medium. The medium is what you want. You can never get the light from them unless you have them order it for you.

That is what I used way back when before I went to the diaphram call.

Good luck,

Gator · Oct 4, 2011

"Dead Bull Walking" is easy to use, MacDaddy is easy to use, I carry 5-6 cow calls on a lanyard anf Hoochie mama in my pocket (to muff the sound) I use mouth calls more then anything I always change up the calls so it sounds like a few different cows.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
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