learning to call...

[FitToHunt]

Hey fellas, I'm looking for some resources like videos or DVDs, or maybe even seminars on learning how to elk call like a pro.

I've had some decent luck with hand held cow calls, but I'd really like to use mouth reeds and be able to bugle.

I've turkey called with reeds before and picked it up fast, but last year when I bought an elk reed and bugle tube, I couldn't get it to sound even close.

Help!!!

 

[2rocky]

Paul Medel from McCall, Idaho has a DVD series out that is very thorough. www.elknut.com

The Jim Horn Cd's are good if you can find them.

I've heard good things about Rocky Jacobsen's Bugling Bull series.

 

[FitToHunt]

Alrighty, I just checked out elknut. Looks like they have a step bY step mouth reed DVD. That sounds perfect.

Thanks

 

[Retterath]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uszcTU1DbXE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzWh3KCoIXE

 

[Retterath]

Im trying to educate myself on getting better at elk calling and those are some good video's. Take the time and watch them. Lots of the experienced elk hunters might not learn much but i though they were good video's

 

[missjordan]

I am a horrible caller too who has zero experience with using any types of calls up until last summer. I bought a primos tube and it sounds the most "elky". Even though it's still bad. They work off lip pressure. I tried reeds once and almost swallowed it! I know at some point I'll need to use them but I'm really nervous now

 

[FitToHunt]

I wonder if any of the reeds are supposed to be more "user friendly" than others? Really not sure why a turkey reed was so easy for me and an elk one was much harder.....

 

[laxwyo]

Just remember you don't need to be perfect. Elk make some crazy noises. You'd probably look at me funny if you heard me cow calling.

 

[25contender]

I have learned what might sound funny or odd to you will often sound great to elk.

 

[jjenness]

Just remember you don't need to be perfect. Elk make some crazy noises. You'd probably look at me funny if you heard me cow calling.

This is very true, along with what 25contender said. I would start by trying it put as much pressure on the reed as you can while blowing air over it, and are still able to get some sound. Once you figure out how much pressure it takes to get the high pitch sounds then all you have to do is ease off the pressure while still getting sound. I try to say.....keeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyy...eeeeeeeelllllllllllkkkkk. Lastly reed calls are very handy to use while at full draw, but I always carry 3 or 4 different cow calls with me, you just never know what will work from day to day so practice with different calls.

 

[FitToHunt]

I feel like I can get the cow calls, plus I feel ok using the handheld ones too. It's the bugles I have no clue how to do. I bought a primos all in one bugle/tube last year. I sound terrible with it. I've practiced a ton. I wanna do reeds and a tube. That's what I've seen the best sounding guys use.

 

[Iron Mike]

I have learned what might sound funny or odd to you will often sound great to elk.

Spot on Mark.
And how many times has that "Must be a Hunter" turned in to an Elk. I am in my 3rd decade of bow hunting elk and walked away from a nice bull this past year I swore was another hunter. The only reason I know is I circled around to see if I could spot the idiot that didnt know how to call. You would think I would know better. Came in from upwind and watched the Bull take off. Point being you definitely do not have to be perfect - They aren't.

 

[jjenness]

I feel like I can get the cow calls, plus I feel ok using the handheld ones too. It's the bugles I have no clue how to do. I bought a primos all in one bugle/tube last year. I sound terrible with it. I've practiced a ton. I wanna do reeds and a tube. That's what I've seen the best sounding guys use.

Got ya I missed your original point. I wouldn't get to hung up on trying to slide from low notes to high notes and into a grunt, very few bulls actually give you a "full" bugle every time. Start with making the same high pitch sound you make while cow calling and just maintain it for the length of your breath, and if you want you can growl with the back of your throat for the last second. Most of the time I stick with high pitch "squealer" bugles, if I happen to bugle. Play around making all sorts of weird noises, and always try to control your output of air, as that is a lot of the time the hardest thing to get right. Good luck!

 

[FitToHunt]

Alrighty, thanks man. I'll try that.

 

[Fink]

I wonder if any of the reeds are supposed to be more "user friendly" than others? Really not sure why a turkey reed was so easy for me and an elk one was much harder.....

This! Not sure how I can rip up a turkey mouthcall, but can't use an elk diaphragm to save my life. I know with turkey calls, I could probably enter competitions with a Woodhaven mouth call, but I sound pretty bad with any other brand. So maybe just keep trying calls until one fits?

 

[ssliger]

Get a couple different mouth diaphragms, and a good tube, I really like the Bugling Bull calls. Then watch some youtube videos and practice while you are driving, or watching TV. That's how I learned. Disclaimer " This will drive your wife nuts, and cause your dogs to jump on you"

 

[jjenness]

Also don't buy the triple reeds or "mature" bull elk reeds, as they are definitely harder to use. Practice with a single reed and you will have a lot more success early on.

 

[25contender]

I very seldom bugle anymore. I think last year I only buggled once the whole trip. Really learn your cow calls and even limit those and know when to call and when not to call. Especially if you hunt public land. I listened to two guys calling non stop last year for two hours straight drove me nuts and I watched the Elk in that drainage head through a pass into the next drainage. I really think knowing when to call is more important than what it sounds like (as long as it is close). Elk are very curious.

 

[libidilatimmy]

Got ya I missed your original point. I wouldn't get to hung up on trying to slide from low notes to high notes and into a grunt, very few bulls actually give you a "full" bugle every time. Start with making the same high pitch sound you make while cow calling and just maintain it for the length of your breath, and if you want you can growl with the back of your throat for the last second. Most of the time I stick with high pitch "squealer" bugles, if I happen to bugle. Play around making all sorts of weird noises, and always try to control your output of air, as that is a lot of the time the hardest thing to get right. Good luck!

This is great advice. When I bugle (which is not very often), I don't try to sound like I'm king of the mountain cause you'll run more bulls off trying to protect their harem by fleeing than you'll get to challenge you. Instead, you'll have better luck sounding like an immature bull trying to "sneak a piece of the pie".

 

[goatpoop]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-Pqzrc7YJY
There are lots of great instructional videos on elk calling using a mouth call. The link above IMHO is the best free video about how to bugle and do cow/calf calls.

I wonder if any of the reeds are supposed to be more "user friendly" than others? Really not sure why a turkey reed was so easy for me and an elk one was much harder.....

I would look at the tone top reeds from bugling bulls and primos. Make sure you find one that fits your mouth.

http://buglingbull.com/shop/c1-elk101-all-star-tone-top-elk-diaphragm/
This one I use for everything bugling and cow/calf calls. I even use this one for turkey.