4 basic Elk sounds at every hunter should know how to make.

[WapitiTalk1]

So campers, what are the four basic Elk sounds that every elk hunter should know how to make before they step into the elk woods this elktember? I’ll give you the first, cow mews/calf chirps. Next? Try not to cheat and look at Elknuts tips and clips

[RanchoSueno]

Location bugle, raking and chuckle(?)
... grunts or alarm bark would be good too.. especially if you bump an elk and it doesn't quite know what you are

[Swede]

I forget Paul's top picks, probably because I have adapted calling to what I have found works with my tree stand hunting.
I use location bugles 90% of the time. I want to be loud and reach out as far as possible. If I am in no big hurry, I will rake before I bugle.
For close in elk, I will go with a cow call. I do not use calf calls. I like chuckles but rarely get into a situation to use one. To stop a moving bull, I will occasionally go with a nervous bark.

[Lefty]

I heard that podcast 6 weeks ago,,,, so Ill wait,,,

[>>>---WW---->]

This should be interesting. I have company visiting now so I'll be sure to chime in later. But this one will definitely separate the elk callers from the elk talkers.

[Swede]

But this one will definitely separate the elk callers from the elk talkers.

Interesting for sure. I do not consider myself much of an elk caller, but I suspect that I bring in and kill more elk than most with just the location bugle. Most calls are situational. There is a downside, I guess, to just using a location bugle. I do not get herd bulls to come to it. To get a herd bull you will need to chase them. At my age, I will stay patient and let them come to me. I will then take the first legal bull to come around.

[Lefty]

This should be interesting. I have company visiting now so I'll be sure to chime in later. But this one will definitely separate the elk callers from the elk talkers.

Ive met a few great elk killers,, One would only use a bugle,,,another only a diaphragm and cow like calf sounds. And one fellow who bugles all the way through December/muzzle/late season. some guys I wish I could experience time with each
I can make a lot of different sounds,,, my problem is I all too often mess it up when it may be happening.
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Years back a neighbor kid asked if he could bring a buddy to my goose pit. The kid was a champ goose competition caller, he could make incredible sounds,, but knew nothing about how what and when when there were geese,,,sure was fun to coach him

[>>>---WW---->]

I always liked to start my day off with a location bugle. I make it as hi pitched as I possibly can and extend it just a little bit longer than a normal bugle. ( no grunts) If I get an answer, I know which way to go. If not, I'll go over the hill and try another spot with that same location bugle.

My next one would be something like a bull calling cows bugle. I try to make a bull think I'm trying to steal his cows away from him. Or, make other bulls think I have a band of cows myself.

The next one would be a lost calf call. Put a lot of emotion into it. This will bring in both cows and bulls. I used to use a fawn in distress call on mule deer. Works like a champ. Elk are no different.

And my forth call that absolutely works 99.95% of the time is the bark. It doesn't matter if it is a nervous bark or a warning bark. A bark will put any elk on alert and will stop them on a dime every time for the shot. I could tell you a few stories about this call. But, I'm a two finger search and destroy typer so it would take me all afternoon to type them out.

So there's my main list. Location Bugle: Talking to Cows Bugle: Lost Calf call: and the Bark.

Sometimes, just for the heck of it, I'll throw the whole book at a bull just because I like to mock them and see how good I can be. I like to do this after the season is over and usually in an area I don't normally hunt. But when it comes to putting meat on the table, I stick with the four calls I listed above. No Fancy Dan Stuff! Just four simple calls that work for me.

[Elkhunttoo]

Great topic…..the 4 sounds for a basic beginning caller can be as basic as this


1. Cow call
2. Bugle
3. Chuckles
4. When to make sounds 1-3 and when not too