Elk recognizing mouth calls?

[The Harbor Master]

Drew a cow tag and will be heading into the elk woods on October 5th. This will be the earliest I've hunted elk, and I imagine there will still be some rut activity. I plan to do some cow calls while moving around, and might try some locator bugles (bulls should still have some cows around, right?). Ive pretty much always stuck with diaphragm, but was thinking of using some reed calls as well, especially since my hunting partner has little experience with diaphragms.

I've had more than one person tell me the "popular" calls that have been around for awhile will actually drive game away (hoochie mama, etc). They've heard those same calls for decades now and recognize them. This was explained to me as well known fact. Is this common knowledge I've just never heard, or typical hunting FUD?

 

[Gerbdog]

Folks got a lot of theories and it makes them feel better about their time in the elk woods.

My friend went for his first archery elk hunt 2 years ago with no experience and no help... just some words of encouragement from me and a location to check out.

Called in and shot a bull using the hoochie mama exclusively.

My step dad sounds like a canada goose when he bugles... have experienced him calling a bull into my lap even though i figured i was in for a miserable day in the woods cause his calling made me think "better just put that thing away man"

I personally use a mouth diaphragm and bugle tube for bugling but have had more luck using a reed for cow calls and calf calls when compared to my mouth diaphragm cow calls.

Use what your confident with, not every elk is gonna respond to every call, but some elk may respond to some calls.

 

[The Harbor Master]

I appreciate your response, thank you!

Folks got a lot of theories and it makes them feel better about their time in the elk woods.

My friend went for his first archery elk hunt 2 years ago with no experience and no help... just some words of encouragement from me and a location to check out.

Called in and shot a bull using the hoochie mama exclusively.

My step dad sounds like a canada goose when he bugles... have experienced him calling a bull into my lap even though i figured i was in for a miserable day in the woods cause his calling made me think "better just put that thing away man"

I personally use a mouth diaphragm and bugle tube for bugling but have had more luck using a reed for cow calls and calf calls when compared to my mouth diaphragm cow calls.

Use what your confident with, not every elk is gonna respond to every call, but some elk may respond to some calls.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Get a Hoochie mama call. Imitates calf call. Great for locating cows.

 

[Read1t48]

As you know, elk don’t live for decades and the ones that die of old age don’t share their experiences with the hoochie mama with the grandkids. A friend was with a guide this week in CO. One would think the guide would sound better. It’s his livelihood!
However, the bull would only respond to my buddy’s cow calls. It was very apparent which cow call the bull preferred.
Carry several. Change it up. Don’t worry too much about a certain call being overly popularized. I would also argue that, when you call, making sure it fits into the specific scenario is so much more important than what it sounds like. Example: a bull calling cows bugle can vary a lot from bull to bull. Some sound downright terrible. But every single time they use it, the vocalization means the same thing to the elk and all the elk know it.
Lastly, some calls can allow you to express more emotion, etc. and this can help differentiate you from the human made sounds.

 

[trophyhill]

As much bad press as the HM gets, it still gets elk kilt

 

[The Harbor Master]

As you know, elk don’t live for decades and the ones that die of old age don’t share their experiences with the hoochie mama with the grandkids. A friend was with a guide this week in CO. One would think the guide would sound better. It’s his livelihood!
However, the bull would only respond to my buddy’s cow calls. It was very apparent which cow call the bull preferred.
Carry several. Change it up. Don’t worry too much about a certain call being overly popularized. I would also argue that, when you call, making sure it fits into the specific scenario is so much more important than what it sounds like. Example: a bull calling cows bugle can vary a lot from bull to bull. Some sound downright terrible. But every single time they use it, the vocalization means the same thing to the elk and all the elk know it.
Lastly, some calls can allow you to express more emotion, etc. and this can help differentiate you from the human made sounds.

That's funny, that they have their own little preferences and language almost. Thanks for the insight, I think I'll be bringing a couple different diaphragms, and a couple HM or similar.

 

[hereinaz]

It’s easy to blame the gear when the hunter sucks or it wasn’t in the cards. Excuses can make us feel better…

The rut started slow in my unit, and was very quiet until the last few days. I killed one of the first bulls that I heard bugling, besides the bulls taking their ladies to bed, or summoning them out to feed in the evening.

I would have sworn several bulls were Doug Flutie out there. They didn’t sound like the bugles I practiced. Some were low, some were high, but the elk sure knew what they meant. I followed them for miles as I chased them. They weren’t people moving that fast.

Now, I have exactly one hunt as my sample, but I heard bull elk use very different vocalizations as they called to their cows. And, the cows rarely talked as they went to bed each am. Nothing a hunter could have done would have turned them elk away from their mission to get to bedding.

I think it comes down to whether the sound is close enough to the appropriate scenario that meets the elky situation.

 

[butcherboy]

Another thing to remember is that those elk are around each other all year. They know their sounds. A hunter comes in with a new sound and they usually get quiet fast or leave the country. They also come in quiet out of curiosity for the newcomer. When they come in on a string bugling the whole way they are rut stupid.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Another thing to remember is that those elk are around each other all year. They know their sounds. A hunter comes in with a a new sound and they usually get quiet fast or leave the country. They also come in quite out of curiosity for the newcomer. When they come in on a string bugling the whole way they are rut stupid.

And butt stupid.

 

[Elkfever4]

We have three generations when we elk hunt. Me being the youngest in my thirties, my step father 60, his dad 80. We all sound completely different and take jabs at eachother. I feel like we all evenly call in bulls . I think a lot of people try to sound like some YouTube video they watched. I think the bulls catch on to that. I think cows are the hardest thing to fool. I can trick a calf and yearling but the mature cows don’t pay attention to me. My dad has being doing the same tone and bugle for 20 years on the same ridge, he still gets them in . I always hit voice record when I hear elk, or have any interactions . So I can play it back in the off season and spend the year trying to replicate the sounds as close as I can. I sable with the latest and greatest diaphragm calls and tubes. My dad is on his fourth year on the same worn out diaphragm , he uses a cut up shop vac hose for a bugle tube. I will say if you are still trying to figure it out slayer elk calls has a really decent bugle/cow call combo. It’s used with your mouth and finger pressure. It has worked a few times for me until I got in some huckleberry and lost the top portion.

 

[wytx]

Primos Cow Girl, great little cow call and it works too.

 

[elkguide]

The first bull that I ever called in came in to a "sippy cup" straw. Gave me a wonderful 3 note whistle.
I use random cow calls as I move as well as every so often when I'm still. Most of all, I try and mimic whatever I hear the elk saying. Elk hunting is so much fun.

 

[insanelupus]

If I revisit an area I've had luck calling in that season, I'll often try to use a different diaphragm call, external reed cow call, and bugle tube.

It "seems" to help, but I have no idea. I've got a bag of calls, but usually reach for the same 2 or 3 every season. Same way with tubes.

 

[Beendare]

I've had more than one person tell me the "popular" calls that have been around for awhile will actually drive game away

I think it's true that some calls will drive elk away....but it's not entirely due to the sound of the call.
Many guys I've heard in the woods over call....and if I can tell it's a hunter, the elk can tell.

One example that illustrates it well; I've heard other hunters working in on a herd blow a Sceery cow call 20 times straight; Eeh, eheh, eheh, eheh, eheh x20 all the exact same sound....no elk in the woods does that.

Were those elk educated to that sound- heck yes.

 

[IdahoElk]

I remember when the Sceery cow call came out in the 90's, first year I called in so many bulls it was magic, by the third year using it just about every bull hightailed it to the next drainage. I won't use any call with built in reeds or push type as they all sound the same and Elk don't all sound the same. Sure they may work great for some so keep using what works for you.

 

[dtrkyman]

People have been chitting on the hoochie mama so long it is probably hardly used and might be a top choice!

 

[IdahoElk]

People have been chitting on the hoochie mama so long it is probably hardly used and might be a top choice!

Hey, If it works, use it

 

[Skerhunter]

“The physical call” isn’t an issue from what I have seen, it’s the situation that a specific sound is being used in. The wrong sound in the wrong situation will definitely push the elk away (certain cow sounds will push cows away and a bugle can make the bull want to leave). Calf sounds they will tolerate but may not respond (my hoochie momma is broken theory).

There are 3 specific “situations” I base my tactics off of. First being bulls are being receptive to calls (talking back and forth/answering some of your calls). Just have to determine if he will come look for new cows or if you can convince him to fight/run you off. Lots of options to try here, they won’t be receptive to everything.

Second is they aren’t being receptive (pressured by predators/hunters or bigger bulls). These either go quiet when you get close or never talk. I either stalk these or go find more elk.

And third everyone’s favorite the rut fest where they answer every time and all you need to do is keep the wind in your favor and move in close. Then about anything will work and you think you’re the greatest hunter ever (until next time you hunt).

 

[Ross]

Variation, duration of the call and variety go along ways. Elk have a lot of variety. So many hunters it is 1,2,3,4, repeat, repeat, repeat. A sure way to “why did they hightail it”. Hunters also bugle way too long for the most part.