Need some basic calling help

[Jweav308]

I have been reading as much as I can about calling and most of it is over my head. Going on my first DIY elk hunt this September and i have a bully bull and a couple primos cow calls and have been practicing mimicking elk sounds but want to learn more about what sounds to make and when. For example -calling blind vs. calling once elk are heard or spotted. How often to call- when someone says to bugle a lot or cow call pretty often, is that every 30 seconds or every 5 minutes? responding to a bugle- right away, or wait 30 seconds and make sure youre set up where you want to be? I know its hard to answer questions like this because every scenario is different


sorry for the amateur questions. Coming from a guy with zero elk calling experience, I'm just looking for some basic information. Thanks in advance and I love the site so far  8) it has been very helpful with planning our trip 

 

[Jweav308]

And also,  what calls and how many would you recommend carrying for a spike camp/bivy trip? I've been reading what guys carry and some are listing a 12-15 calls.

 

[cowboystl1]

i use mostly diaphragms so how many i carry doesnt really matter just grab my tube and couple calls and roll. now calling you really have to play it by ear in my opinion. i cover a lot of ground, cow calling every couple hundred yards and bugling every 800-1000 yards i keep my bugles short and weak to sound like a lesser bull with a small herum of cows. once i make contact it depends on the bull if i can cow call him in i will but i have strait challenged a bulls authority so he would come try and kick my butt. lots of different variations of this will work another way is to locate them shut up and work the wind to get in on them for the shot. your gonna have to find what suites you and the terrain and the elks mood the best 

 

[beran_10]

Buy or get a hold of the Elk Hunting University DVD sold on this website. It is packed full of a lot of good Elk hunting Tips and Tactics, including calling!!

 

[montanaelk31]

The most important part about elk calling is doing the calling where there are elk.  I know it sounds basic, but the mountains are an enormous place.  Scouting is vital, google earth or boots on the ground. 
Now that you are hunting where there is elk, locating is next.  Personally, I hike 3-5 miles in the dark and get to a high point where I can hear sounds from a big drainage or something. Locator bugle away.  Once you locate a bugle, get after them (obviously watch the wind).
I don't call to the elk until I am well within 150 yards. If I can't smell or see them, I don't call.  ONce you are in this zone, its just a matter of seeing what the elk are "biting on".  Some days its the cowcalls, some days it's the bugle. If you've turkey hunted, act like your calling to a tom.  Good luck and have fun.

 

[eltaco]

Rockie also has a good instructional CD that would be worth picking up if you haven't already. We'll worth the $10.

As for the scenarios you asked about, experience obviously is the greatest teacher. That said, when we're cold calling (no known elk in immediate area) we'll run a sequence of cow calls for about a minute followed by a location bugle, then sit quiet for 5+ minutes to give a bull time to sneak in. Run that sequence for a half hour minimum if you think you're in a productive area. You might be surprised how many bulls try to sneak into your 'herd'. Once in a while you'll find yourself in a heated challenge match with a bull who doesn't think you belong in HIS area!

Setup is always critical, so I'd recommend not ever calling unless you have a good setup. You could have a bull 50yds away and on top of you before you ever knew what happened. Always call as if that bull is coming at you so you don't get caught in the open!

I'm kinda an instigator in the elk woods. Generally, I start the elk talking... rarely am I fortunate enough to walk into a bull who was already bugling... but it does happen. Some people are afraid to call unless they hear elk first, and I say they're missing out on some great action! Now, I don't recommend walking thru the woods bulging every 5 minutes, but don't be afraid to set up some scenarios and play the area out before you move along!

 

[turbo1967]

if your a beginner or not University of elk hunting is worth the money,Corey does a great job. I have been on the elk for over 35 years and taken over 30 bulls and even I picked up a couple ideas from this one.

 

[KBar70]

+1 on the University of Elk Hunting...I'm so looking forward to graduating one day 

 

[frankh_541]

When you are walking in, you don't have to be super quite, a heard of elk are not... the mouth reeds are my favorite just so my hands are free for a draw and shoot... You can make cow calls with your bugleing reeds too which is super handy if you want to stop a bull dead in his tracks...