Elk Call Inventory

[WapitiTalk1]

Succinctly, what calls do you currently plan on carrying into the elk woods? Unless something changes between now and hunting season, I'll have the Berry red, double reed diaphragm for bull noises and the Berry blue, triple reed diaphragm for cow chatter. I also pack a Hunter's Specialties Bull Hooker reed cow call to mix things up as needed.

What do you cats have in your kit bag for elk noises this fall?

[Glacier Country]

Glacier Country Hunting Calls. All of them. No surprises here.

[Glacier Country]

Well of course I will be using Glacier Country Hunting Calls. No Surprises here. I have used so many different brands of calls over the years.Some very good ones. There is seriously something to the tone and pitches of our calls. I took my bow out of my bow case for 45 minutes before I shot a bull last season.Orange Enrager High Heel Hottie combo on that bull. We are calling in bulls from over 800 yards with our High Heel Hottie bite call. It takes 3 minutes to learn how to use this call. I like to locate bulls with a bugle.I like a call with quite a bit of backbone so you can make tons of bugles on it. I usually get closer, and then switch to a different call, cow /calf call, or a versatile call or a call that is geared more toward bugling. It just depends on the situation and the scenario I am trying to paint in the mind of our intended target.I like to ( match the hatch) so to speak.I make a bunch of versatile calls. Diaphragms you can do cow and bull sounds on.I think if you only buy 2 diaphragm calls a year, you will probably sound like you buy 2 diaphragm calls a year. I am not trying to step on any toes here. Most people need way more practice than that. If you practice you will wear out diaphragm calls and you will have to replace them. I have 5-6 calls in my pocket on a hunt almost always. My strategy relies on calling them in though.
You should also realize if you are using a diaphragm call (Without) a pallate plate, a single reed is more of a cow call. A double reed adds backbone for longevity to the call. Imo at least that is how I make them. I started out making single reed calls.They are easier to build! I have a single reed recipe that several guys have used in the RMEF World championships. It is really very good. I don't market it though.Maybe I should?? I do not though because,I really like the bull sounds I get with a double! You may have your own preference.
Changes in latex thickness and stretch will dictate to a point how much air is needed to blow the call.

If I was to only take 1 call it would be the Watermelon. Then probably the Orange Enrager.These are easy to blow,versatile Double reed calls that are proven elk slayers.That being said...
My favorite call is Troys Secret Weapon.I almost did not market this recipe it is so good. It starts out as more of a bugle call but works into some pretty good cow calls.The Bull Scream is off the charts fantastic. I know how well this call will work.
If You are Joe Elk hunter and are not sponsored by a company. I think you should have several calls from a variety of company's in your pocket.
I don't know about you but I go fly fishing with more than just an Adams and a prince nymph. You might want to have at least one Stimulator, or an elk hair caddis also. Match the hatch, and you will raise the odds more in your favor. Say the right thing at the right time And MATCH their sounds. Your success will go up. I did not say MIMIC their sounds I said Match them. I know the better you call the better your chances. IF you have a working understanding of what to say, to elk, what it means,and when to say it. It all comes down to creating opportunities. More opportunities = more Success.
Hope this helps.---> Troy GCHC

[elkaholic]

Bugling Bull game calls: Allstar, Closer, and Estrus Excited mouth diaphragms. Temptress hand call. Bully bull grunt tube.

[JGH]

I've had the most success this summer practicing with Bugling Bull's palate plate calls, and so will have them with me most likely, particularly the blue challenge call. A Mellow Yellow will also come along. A chuckler tube will be along. I've got an old Hoochie to add simultaneous calf sounds when doing herd-talk.

Troy ... I did try one of your calls (the red ripper), and, I've got to say that it did have the best sound of any I've tried. The trouble was the size. I had to seat it much further back in my mouth as it was so wide. Do you make any calls that are narrower? Or, do you have any advice for me here?

I've never really had much of a gag problem with diaphragm calls, but that one did come close, and it made the calling inconsistent.

[BrentLaBere]

Mellow Yellow, Raging Bull, Chuckler Tube and Imaka Dah Bulls Crazy external reed

[elkmtngear]

Mellow Yellow, Closer, and Little Chuckler Tube

Knight and Hale external reed for backup

[Trophyhill]

I have an assortment of Corey's calls including the temptress, an assortment of Carlton's calls and some Phelps calls on the way.

[PHELPS GAME CALLS]

Phelps Game Calls (what a shock). With that said use whatever calls you are the most comfortable and confident with.

[Wapiti]

well i'm heading out tomorrow to do a calling seminar with Rockie Jacobsen. I grew up using his calls and love them to this day still. Now I do own my own call making company and I will be using my own calls for elk season........but I will still have a couple of Bugling bull calls as well.

I am not silly or to proud to use someone else's calls. I feel you better be prepared for anything out there hunting as we only have a short time to get things done !! So why limit your self on calls ? Every suppliers call make different sounds and it is in your best interest's to have a variety on hand. Some elk will only bugle back to certain calls.

I hope this helps.

Travis

[JohnFitzgerald]

For internal reeds I'll be rock'n GCHC(Watermelon, Sweet Temptation, Enrager, Secret Weapon).

External Cow Calls will be Primos Hyper Lip Single, Sceery Ace 1 - 3, and the GCHC HH Hottie.

Grunt tube will be a specially modified ElkNut Chuckler.

[Swede]

I will have either the Lil Chuckler or the Chuckler EL and some diaphragms I got from Elknut. I also carry the old Larry D. Jones cow call as a necklace. I have some others including a few vacuum cleaner hose grunt tube loaners, but why would I carry them? I have the Chuckler EL.

[Glacier Country]

JGH Said,
Troy ... I did try one of your calls (the red ripper), and, I've got to say that it did have the best sound of any I've tried. The trouble was the size. I had to seat it much further back in my mouth as it was so wide. Do you make any calls that are narrower? Or, do you have any advice for me here?

Well, I'll tell you what.Get some sharp scissors, Cut the tape all the way around the call... Only leave 1/4 of an inch around the back of the frame, that should help with the gaging problem.Start whittling the tape down little by little until you approach I/4 inch on the back. You can leave more tape near the front of the call if you want. If that doesn't work out send me a PM and I will work something out with you. I will post a picture of a call that I just cut up to show you what I mean... Hope that helps--->
I have had a press to make smaller calls on a Kids frame for a couple of years... I liked the sounds on the turkey frame better ,So I concentrated on making those. So I do not market the kids frame call.Maybe I should rethink my position.I have several recipes, already but if I do market them, It is not going to be this year though.

Wapiti, Say High to Rockie, for us... We here at GCHC, well heck my whole family has always thought the world of him.Rockie has always been good to us. We use our own calls now,but won a lot of stuff at contest with his calls. He is a very innovative guy. No guff!

[JohnFitzgerald]

I've had the most success this summer practicing with Bugling Bull's palate plate calls, and so will have them with me most likely, particularly the blue challenge call. A Mellow Yellow will also come along. A chuckler tube will be along. I've got an old Hoochie to add simultaneous calf sounds when doing herd-talk.

Troy ... I did try one of your calls (the red ripper), and, I've got to say that it did have the best sound of any I've tried. The trouble was the size. I had to seat it much further back in my mouth as it was so wide. Do you make any calls that are narrower? Or, do you have any advice for me here?

I've never really had much of a gag problem with diaphragm calls, but that one did come close, and it made the calling inconsistent.

There is nothing in it for me recommending a GCHC. What I can testify to is the fact that my calling ability has increased 2x by switching. Did I have to relearn the larger framed reed....yes I did. But it only took me a couple days practicing to reteach my tongue.

I made the same mistake, pushing the reed into the back of my mouth, when I first tried the GCHC reeds. For years I used the smaller framed reeds and thought the larger ones just didn't fit my mouth. Before you cut the tap, push it as close to your front teeth as possible and keep working it. The tap will get loose and it will mold to your mouth.

My 2-cents!

[Jaquomo]

My voice, a Bugling Bull Herdmaster diaphragm, and a little wood open-reed call my friend Bill Johnson makes. Also a Lil Chuckler tube.

[JJ Overkill]

I still haven't fully made up my mind but bugling bulls raging bull, a herd master, mellow yellow, and carltons fighting cow. but im going to order the closer, and a couple others to see how they fit and sound for me. I really don't like a reed that doesn't have a palliate plate.

[LarryBud]

Great thread.

I'm a rookie and have been practicing my diaphragm calls to the Elknut CD. The family doesn't appreciate it much so I'm relegated to travel time.

I would like to add a grunt tube. Recommendations for effectiveness and ease of carry?

Thanks.

[WapitiTalk1]

Great thread.

I'm a rookie and have been practicing my diaphragm calls to the Elknut CD. The family doesn't appreciate it much so I'm relegated to travel time.

I would like to add a grunt tube. Recommendations for effectiveness and ease of carry?

Thanks.

Elknut Chuckler EL is what I carry. Works like a charm .. Compact with great tone.

[JohnFitzgerald]

Great thread.

I'm a rookie and have been practicing my diaphragm calls to the Elknut CD. The family doesn't appreciate it much so I'm relegated to travel time.

I would like to add a grunt tube. Recommendations for effectiveness and ease of carry?

Thanks.

Elknut Chuckler EL is what I carry. Works like a charm .. Compact with great tone.

+ 1. But the Chuckler is temporarily out of stock until mid July.