Bugle Options

[airlocksniffer]

Thinking about picking up a bugle this year for archery in MT. I've never bugled before and definitely don't want to be that guy who bugles more than the elk do. I'm thinking mostly some location calls followed by spot and stalk. I got a set of Primos mouth reeds last year for cow calling but found as the day wore on my mouth would get too dry and the sounds I was making didn't sound too good. What would you suggest as far as an easy to use, realistic bugle? I switched to the E.L.K. Cow Talk and was looking at the Power Bugle but am open to suggestions.

Cheers,
John

 

[Duramax_Diesel1]

terminator from primos works well. you can use the supplied reed and mouthpiece or remove it and use your own reed.

 

[realunlucky]

Berry thunder bugle will work good for this.

 

[muledhunter]

Id get elk nuts bugle with the bugling bull attachment.

 

[MTbowhunter36]

Your going to get numerous recommendations as you can see. If you go with E.L.K.'s Power Bugle, you'll be set. It's one of the most real sounding bugles out there IMO. I would stay away from the Primos bugles personally. This may sound crazy, but it's very easy to tell when someone is using a Primos bugle.

The recommendations above are if you are not using a mouth reed. Otherwise I'd recommend a reed and a Bully Bull tube (it's some silly name like that) from Rocky Jacobson.

Even though I use a mouth reed, I'll have the Power Bugle in my pack as a backup.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Thanks for all of the opinions. With reed vs non-reed, what is the difference? My educated guess would be that the non-reed is easier to use but may not get the variety of sounds you can with a reed. Would the reed be more effective in areas where there is a lot of hunters calling in order to stand out from the basic calls?

 

[whitingja]

If you want to sound different from the common used bugles, then go mouth reed. This is more true in heavily hunted areas. But honestly, I think it is more important to know what the elk are saying and how you should respond than the sound. I have heard some pretty jacked up bugles coming from real elk. Go check out Elknut. It will really help.

 

[lintond]

Thanks for all of the opinions. With reed vs non-reed, what is the difference? My educated guess would be that the non-reed is easier to use but may not get the variety of sounds you can with a reed. Would the reed be more effective in areas where there is a lot of hunters calling in order to stand out from the basic calls?

If you can effectively use a reed I would recommend that. I use a mouth reed for a couple reasons. One is I can use one reed to do a cow call or bugle if needed without having to switch calls. The other is voice. What I mean by voice is with a reed you can produce very different sounds with the same setup by changing volume, tongue pressure, throatiness, etc... With the external reed bugles they all sound similar and are limited in the calls you can do IMO. I use the bully bull extreme bugle tube. The elknut tube looks good this year as well.

 

[ahlgringo]

Your going to get numerous recommendations as you can see. If you go with E.L.K.'s Power Bugle, you'll be set. It's one of the most real sounding bugles out there IMO. I would stay away from the Primos bugles personally. This may sound crazy, but it's very easy to tell when someone is using a Primos bugle.

The recommendations above are if you are not using a mouth reed. Otherwise I'd recommend a reed and a Bully Bull tube (it's some silly name like that) from Rocky Jacobson.
Even though I use a mouth reed, I'll have the Power Bugle in my pack as a backup.

2nd this one, I can tell a primos bugle in about half a second. Not saying they dont work or that elk can tell the difference, but just sayin

 

[camelcluch]

I like the Primos Terminator because you can remove the blue reed and use a mouth reed. It is also flexible and that helps with carrying at times. Also, most of the others are just cut down whiffle ball bats you can make yourself for about $5.

 

[tipsntails7]

I would say, grab some different reeds from different makers and find what works best then grab a tube. I've never run an external bugle tube so I can't help you there.

Unlike the tournament stage bugles from real elk don't always sound good. I've been caught with my pants down more then once thinking " man that guy is terrible" 5 minutes later I'm staring at a bull who has busted me.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Picked up the Power Bugle this evening. First blow sounded pretty good!! I'll need to get some spare reeds and the cap but think I'm set. Now to annoy the sh!t out of my wife....

 

[Flyrod]

I just picked up a power Bugle too…. first call in the morning, the wife thought the toddler had a catastrophic mishap and came RUNNING!

,,,and now the dogs are outright freaked too.

I'm in trouble….