What do you think about cow calling

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

Tell us your experience using cow calls. Things like when and how you us them and how much success you have had using them.

I'll give this post a couple of days and then I'll chime in with my thoughts.

[Swede]

I don't cow call much. I keep a Larry D. Jones cow call around my neck to try and slow down or stop a bull I have shot. I have had bulls answer a cow call, but they don't come in. They expect me to come to them. I have had bulls come in silently to a cow call.
I prefer a location bugle that can reach out a long way. Generally, I make one call then climb into my stand and wait.
It has been my experience that going around calling leads to tag soup in the winter far too often.

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

Thanks Swede for your response. Come on guys! So far 18 lookers and only Swede was brave enough to post. Cat got your tongue? There was a reason for this thread. Well, I suppose number one would be to stir up a little activity here on WT. But really, I was trying to get the opinion of what you real hunters thought, not just the game call makers, video makers, and seminar talkers. After all, these so called pros are all in it to make money with their new gadgets and techniques. Can't really blame um for that! That's just part of the way they make a living.

But lets get down to basics and find out what really works, or for that matter, what doesn't work for you. I was planning on doing a series of different types of calls and calling methods just to sort of stir the pot and get everyone thinking about what works for the average hunter. So bring it on

[RanchoSueno]

When I have cow called, as Swede said it's like they are asking me to appear but when I did some advertising bugles and raking I got a heck of pissed off bull charged in.

[Tigger]

Have had success with cow calling quite a bit. One thing is that I have never scared them away with cow calls. I have with bugles. It really sucks when you bugle and they all take off. I was about 20 yards from his cows when I did it so plenty close. I have had them take off from 200-400 yards as well. They don't want the competition. Other times bugling works. I would say varying your cow sounds works well. having a cow party with your buddy calms some down at times. Best use of a cow call was when we heard a bugle, answered with cow calls and then he bugled with chuckles at the end. he was calling us to him. My buddy stayed behind me and we let him call us right in. His rack hangs in my garage. One of the most important calls to know in my opinion.

[WapitiTalk1]

I use cow sounds pretty much daily in September. I use them to locate elk (bulls mostly), use them during cold calling set ups, use one or two cow mews when close to a herd to pull a satellite in, I also will throw 2-3 very whiny cow sounds over my shoulder or into the ground followed by a bull scream directed at a herd when in close (I’ve got your cow mister) in an attempt to to dislodge a herd bull (pose a close threat to big stinky). The wapiti rut pretty much revolves around the cows. The bulls are in constant search of hot cows, trying to steal cows from established herds, and/or trying to keep the cows they’ve collected. Certainly discretion must be used with any elk sounds, verbal or non-verbal and used properly and timely, as the event/situation calls for (pun intended) . I would guess the majority of elk tags are bull tags during September in (insert one of the elk states here) and it’s pretty important IMO to have some cow sounds in your toolkit. Good thread WW.

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

OK! Now we're cooking! So here's my take on cow calls. You can agree to disagree if you like. But these are strategies that have worked for me.

(1) I use excited cow calls and often throw in a young bull bugle when doing a cold or silent calling sequence. But when I think about it, I wonder if my excited calls may sound more like a lost cow begging for companionship. I know lost calf calls will bring them in. So. I wonder if my excited cow call may actually sound more like a lost calf. Who knows!?!?!

(2) I'll often give out a cow call when I think I'm moving too quickly and making too much noise.

(3) I don't think cows talk all that much unless they are on the move and trying to keep track of each other. So I don't use them all that much.

(4) A cow call can be deadly on a spike or just about any lone youngster who is lonesome and looking for another elk to partner up with. They'll come in on a string almost every time.

(5) Many guys think a cow call will stop or slow down a bull for a shot. Hmm! Maybe it will work but I'm betting it won't. Try a bark instead. It will get their attention and stop them on a dime every time.

[Swede]

Based on experience I can certainly agree with WW on the value of covering a noisy walk through the woods, etc. by making a cow call every 30 seconds or so. When moving around don't hike like a human on a mission. Walk like an elk feeding, and give a cow call every so often. Look and listen as you move forward and stop frequently to observe the situation. A bull may call out to you or come into your location.
I do not do that much anymore as I try to have a clear path to my tree stand before the season opens. When I go to my stand to hunt, I just get there observing things as I go. When I arrive, I hang my bow on my drop line then go to a preselected, nearby, hidey hole. There I bugle once before moving away and climbing up into my stand.