What is your favorite elk call??

campmorgan · May 3, 2004

I'm hunting Idaho October 15 - 25.
Will a call do any good then.
What would you use??

c3 · May 4, 2004

I would say that calling that time of year is a waste of time. But......

Two years ago my buddy was cow hunting in mid October up on Utah's Wasatch unit, south east of Soldier Creek dam and had the bulls going crazy for 6 days straight. The slightest cow call or bull grunt would get them firing off and some coming in. Go Figure!

During the archery season, I seem to have the best luck with cow calls like a hoochie mama for what ever that's worth.

Cheers,
Pete

txhunter58 · May 4, 2004

Definately take a cow call or two. I wouldn't take a bugle that time of year. Cow calls are useful anytime, sometimes to call them in and sometimes to calm them after they have seen or heard you.

Sceery, cow talk or Primos would be good calls. Most of the guys I know have switched to the primos, but they take a little practice to master.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

TheHunt · May 4, 2004

I have heard bulls bugle at this late date. But the scenario I think is happening is the cows that did not get pregnant in September go into heat in October. So if a bull or a couple of bulls get a piece of cow they will get vocal. So I would assume there might be a possibility of one going off, but sure would count on it for the success of my hunt. The idea of bringing a cow call is very important and you should bring a couple.

RLH · May 4, 2004

i always pack a bugle. even in november or december. we are talking bull hunting here? you never know when an ol' lonely bull might answer. probably won't call him in. but he might answer. there have been many times in november that i've cracked off a call in a big canyon just for hell of it and got an answer. cow calls work good to stop running elk or to bring one in close. in the peak of the rut a cow call may be all you need. seems to me that all elk are getting real call shy. pretty hard to get one to come in real close. i'd rather just have one answer me and than go to him than to try to get him to come to me. rifle hunting anyway. bow hunting i'll try to really close the gap close first too, but you have to work things a lot different.

NMRaptor · May 4, 2004

About any diaphram call will do for me. A quick cow call can come in handy if you want to stop an elk or conceal your noise.
-Raptor

ELKMASTER101 · May 5, 2004

FIRST RIFLE SEASON IS STILL HAPPENING IN COLORADO FOR ELK,
but after the first couple shots they usaly go silent.
cow calls are your best bet.
though like mentioned above you might get a bull to answer a bull call,
be carfull using the bull call, it also brings in other hunters that might think your the one for their wall.
hoochie mama & the hyper lip are my favorits, and i use them as i stock thru the tember.
they make a good coverup for the sounds your making.
but before the hunting season i use them as i'm watching my hunting programs in the evening.
i'll sit right there and imitate the calls they are using.
it's annoying to my wife, but like i tell her you cannt get better if you don't pratice.