Elk Calling Question

[kyhunter42]

I'm going to take on my first archery elk hunt this year in Sept, either CO or ID. I've hunted elk in mid to late October in the past. My question is, how important is it to be able to call?

 

[137buck]

To me, calling is important, and if you don't, you are severely limiting yourself.

 

[kyhunter42]

To me, calling is important, and if you don't, you are severely limiting yourself.

I'm pretty decent with a diaphragm call for Turkey so I'm going to try to learn how to call elk. My concern is that I may do more harm than good. But I guess I won't know until I'm on the mountain.

 

[DB29]

Cow calling with a reed call is pretty easy and a diaphragm isn’t much harder. I could never get a good bugle with a diaphragm so I use a Berry bugle call, much easier in my opinion.

 

[Swede]

It really depends on where you hunt. In some locations, I would not use one much at all. Where callers have been tooting for years the elk can be very call shy. I might use one just every hour or so there and then wait silently. My calls are short too. Overall spot and stalk and still hunting can be as good. I would rather under call than over do it. Also set up at your call locations is more important than having just the right sound. You can use a good bite and blow call, but if you are calling in from the wrong location, the best sound from the best call is worthless.

 

[Dvidos]

It really depends on where you hunt. In some locations, I would not use one much at all. Where callers have been tooting for years the elk can be very call shy. I might use one just every hour or so there and then wait silently. My calls are short too. Overall spot and stalk and still hunting can be as good. I would rather under call than over do it. Also set up at your call locations is more important than having just the right sound. You can use a good bite and blow call, but if you are calling in from the wrong location, the best sound from the best call is worthless.

+1

 

[kyhunter42]

Cow calling with a reed call is pretty easy and a diaphragm isn’t much harder. I could never get a good bugle with a diaphragm so I use a Berry bugle call, much easier in my opinion.

Thanks for the suggestion. I just watched a couple of their videos. Looks pretty slick.

 

[kyhunter42]

It really depends on where you hunt. In some locations, I would not use one much at all. Where callers have been tooting for years the elk can be very call shy. I might use one just every hour or so there and then wait silently. My calls are short too. Overall spot and stalk and still hunting can be as good. I would rather under call than over do it. Also set up at your call locations is more important than having just the right sound. You can use a good bite and blow call, but if you are calling in from the wrong location, the best sound from the best call is worthless.

I was curious about that. I've been successful spotting and stalking other big game animals, but just recently got into elk hunting. I guess my lack of experience would have me concerned about know when and where to call. I feel confident that I can make the correct sounds, but I'm not sure when and where to make them.

 

[WYCFM1]

All elk I’ve hunted don’t care if you sound like a pro or a dying sheep. Just using the right call for the situation is what you need to get skilled at. It’s much much more important than sounding like the best caller. More importantly if you can find elk just watch them for awhile and watch what they do. It’s pretty amazing and super educational


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[Wapiti1]

Get the Elknut app on your phone. Buy the Elknut playbook. Read them both and practice making the sounds on the app. Elk101 wouldn't be a bad investment either. Roe hunting resources is another good one to check out.

Not being able to call will limit your potential success. How do you locate elk in timber? Even call shy elk will call.

Elk are elk. Call shy elk will respond, but may not do it vocally. They'll respond in the middle of the night too, and then you know where they are.

Is calling critical? In thick timber, yes. In open glassable county, maybe not. Spot and stalk works too, but its a heck of a lot easier if you can get a bedded bull to sound off and direct you to himself.

Jeremy

 

[Marble]

Listen to what wa said above. IMO...the sound quality isnt as important as the type of call you make and at what time. Elknut app, podcast, youtube,

 

[Catahoula]

Calling imo is important to me in September. I use diaphragm and reed cow calls. Bugle calls are also important in the arsenal well. Practice year round.

 

[Nostradamus]

diaphram and bugle, trying to ditch the bugle to reduce number of things to carry. Every piece of gear counts when hiking several miles up and down.

 

[Whiskey_Fish]

diaphram and bugle, trying to ditch the bugle to reduce number of things to carry. Every piece of gear counts when hiking several miles up and down.

But the tube makes cow calls very directional. I got one of those baby Phelps tubes for this exact reason. I love it.


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[Wapiti1]

My opinion, if you aren't carrying some sort of tube you just cut your vocabulary in half. Even the compact ones open up your repertoire of sounds.

I've used a 20" piece of 1.5" shop vac hose for 30 years. It's flexible, easy to stow, and light. Its covered in an old camo shirt sleeve tied with paracord at each end to make a sling. Free, simple, and effective.

Jeremy

 

[5MilesBack]

It just depends on how much fun you want to have. I find aimlessly wandering around the mountains hoping to run into something, or glassing pretty boring.

 

[Nostradamus]

Early September, they don't talk, so best bet is to be quiet, or use cow calls. But then again, it's a different story on private lands and where there isn't much human traffic. They'll respond to any activity.

 

[Wapiti1]

They may not talk a lot in early Sept, but they will talk. Elk talk all year long if you are listening.

Jeremy

 

[aachey]

Get the Elknut app on your phone. Buy the Elknut playbook. Read them both and practice making the sounds on the app. Elk101 wouldn't be a bad investment either. Roe hunting resources is another good one to check out.

Not being able to call will limit your potential success. How do you locate elk in timber? Even call shy elk will call.

Elk are elk. Call shy elk will respond, but may not do it vocally. They'll respond in the middle of the night too, and then you know where they are.

Is calling critical? In thick timber, yes. In open glassable county, maybe not. Spot and stalk works too, but its a heck of a lot easier if you can get a bedded bull to sound off and direct you to himself.

Jeremy

I second the elknut app. Knowing how to call and what elk are trying to "say" are very important.