I have zero experience with Elk Bugle calls - never even put one to my mouth...I only have 3 different types of cow calls. If I were to pick up a bugle call for this september - any recommendations for a beginner? Brand/type? Advice? Sure wouldn't hurt to have one in my pack, even if I only used it as a last resort...
The easiest, best sounding, and longest lasting I have found are the Primos Calls. There are a few more out there that can sound better, but the Primos is the easiest. The best part about them is the reeds. Most companies will use a latex reed, which means stretch. You be making a different sound from day to day! You will get a silicone reed from Primos which will never change tune. They have several models/sizes to choose from. Listed from smallest to largest Bullhorn Super Pack Bugle Baffle Bugle Terminator Sorry, could not get links as the Primos website is down at the moment. Have you tried diaphragm's? I would highly suggest investing in one ($5) and begin using it. The advantages of using a diaphragm is countless.
The Primos Super Pack or even Pack bugle actually make a good sound for no more than there is there. Remember, it's more about WHAT you're saying when you bugle that how it actually sounds!!!
+1 on the Diaphragm Calls. For about $5 each, you can't go wrong. I found a decent tube for $2.99 and the diaphragm call for about $5. It's a great way to practice and play around. Do it in your car or someplace away from the family. I drive my wife freakin' crazy when I do it in the house so I go outside, in my shop or in the car! For the price, you can't beat the little buggers. And on top of all that, you've got all year to practice until next season. They're a little difficult to learn, but you can find a multitude of videos on youtube and other resources like that!
Bugles calls really don't matter how good or bad they sound. Some of the biggest bulls here in Ky sound like crap. They rarely sound the same twice either. I've been guiding elk hunters for 3 years now and have called in a few bulls. What you need to be weary of is a call that sounds like a big bodied mean nasty flaming nostril monster. It can intimidate the one your after into going the other way. You want a call that you can change the pitch on. I prefer the Macdaddy over any I have used so far. Its true about the problems with the reeds stretching and getting wet from the humidity in your breath but replacements are cheap and easily done in the field without tools. Normally if you have that problem your over calling anyways. Bugles are normally only used as a locator and then a challenge. Then you switch to the cow call to get him good and mad. Then he becomes careless and will come a stompin thru the trees in a perfect world....lol
I've chewed the hell out of my diaphragm calls and can't even get them to sound mean and nasty. I can, however, change the pitch on them pretty well! I love working with and playing with them!!
I would probably suggest the diaphragm calls, they do require practice, but you can keep them in your rig and practice all year while driving... Plus, just about every bull I've harvested required me to stop them for the shot via the diaphragm call. I seem to gravitate towards bugling bulls by rocky jacobsen.
Can anyone find those Elk Talk calls anymore that were made in Gardiner, MT? Seems that something like that would work great for someone who hasn't ever used any type of elk call before. I don't know if those calls are still in production any longer, but they worked great from what I can remember!!
I have a Mossback, thing is great for long distance and the reeds last for a long time..comes with 5 replace too
Oldcarp, you reminded me of a time my wife and I were getting something at the local fast-food drive-thru. I was playing with a cow call and the lady at the window heard it and asked: "Calf in distress or cow in heat??" My wife and I busted up laughing, because it isn't too often that a woman recognizes an elk call!!
Ecorrigan, My little grandaughters were playing buy an elk I have mounted. I went outside by the window and bugled. They come runing to me yelling. The funny part is one of my grandaughters wanted to get my bow and shoot it so she could have it at her house That is impressive that a woman would regonize a cow call:D
Your granddaughters sound like they need some calls of their own! My three boys all want some kind of diaphragm call since they see Dad playing with one or two all the time. I figure a cow call would be best! They could play with those. My daughter isn't old enough for one yet. She squeals enough on her own. She's only 16-months old!!
We've used the Hoochie Mama calls a lot with success. The bugles are used for locating them and when it gets serious we switch to the Hoochie. It's easy to use. Here's my 340 Arizona bull and my wife's 310 Nevada bull. She shot hers at 40 yards with a 42 lb bow using cut on contact heads (Magnus). I only shoot 52 lbs. Just shows you don't have to shoot 70-80 lbs for big game.
Ecorrigan, Thats a good idea. There mom may kill me but there dad (my son) would die laughing. My oldest grandaughters are only 4 years old. My one granddaughter see's me and her daddy shooting and she asked me for a bow for her birthday:D I think I may have a bowhunter there. Keef, good job on the elk. I still pull 65 pounds. I have 4 boys and all of us but one shoots 65. My one son shoots 70lb's and has a 31" draw length. If he didnt look so much like my dad I would think my wife cheated on me :D
