elk calling practice

[ctdad]

How many are practicing their elk calls this time of year? An experienced veteran might not need much practice to make the calls they need. A new hunter, who has never used a diaphragm call may be trying to overcome how to sound like a duck at this point.

I'm somewhere in between. I pulled out some diaphragm calls this week and threw a couple into my truck for some practice. I can make elk like sounds already, but I'd like to be better. Elknut (and a number of other veterans on this site) will teach us that what you say and when you say it (in elk speak) is more important than perfect sounds. I buy into that completely. I'm just at the stage where saying the right thing at the right time AND sounding a little more "elky" is my goal.

I have the soundcloud app on my phone so I record myself and listen back quite often. It is very helpful for me. Also elknuts advice.

The downside to practicing right now is it makes me really want to go elk hunting....right now!

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

I saw an article written by a multiple time world champion elk caller once. He stated that there are only three calls you need to know to be successful at calling elk. Location bugle, challenge bugle, and cow mews. And he is pretty darn close to right on. Just about everything else is variation or emotion added to these three calls. But I'll add one more to the list. And that would be the nervous bark.

Forget all the fancy stuff the pros can do, at least in the beginning. You can always learn those things later on if you want to get into contest calling. For now, just learn those four basic sounds and you'll find success in the woods.

I think you will find that once you have it, it is kinda like riding a bicycle. Not much practice needed!

[BrentLaBere]

I have been practicing and trying new diaphragms. Really stepped up my practicing lately and really want to improve my calls for when they are needed. Knowing when and how to react with what call is right on the money. I record myself while using sound cloud and play it back. Just like ctdad said, it helps you tweak things you wouldn't otherwise hear. Lately after hitting the gym on the weekends I head to the office to watch you-tube when no one is around and practice. Just got a little weird last Saturday though when the cleaning lady walked in and I couldn't hear her due to the bugling.
New improvements for elk language in the September 2014 is to use calling sparingly and respond accordingly.

[Lefty]

I think I do a good job of sounding like an elk,.. but really dont speak their language .
Big bull with cows and satalite bulls in a strong wind, and a cow mew didnt carry,.I blow a high pitched locate bugle from 200 yards, the big boy gets up and trots off with his girls
I should have know better

[Toby]

I practice a few calls every day, I have a diaphragm sitting on my work bench and do a few when the wife isn't home, although the dog gives me funny looks. Volume of my bugles have been my biggest problem, I think I was blowing too hard, ctdad helped me with this. I have a herd of about 80 penned elk across the road from my house, so I get to hear a lot of elk calls.

[ishy]

I'm not allowed to anymore...atleast not when certain people are home.

[Elkonthebrain]

I try and and call everyday on my way to work. Really struggling with my grunts and chuckles. Hopefully practice pays off.

[Trophyhill]

my own personal opinion is I want to make the best sounds I can as well as making the right sounds at the right times. I believe (and I could be wrong) that in heavily hunted otc units where anyone and everyone is calling, elk can spot a phony (bad caller) easily from a couple hundred yards and closer. I think the better you sound the more serious the elk will take you and more curious he will be which will make him more susceptible to becoming a victim of death by arrow. simply put I want to be the best I can be in all aspects ie shooting, calling, set up, decision making etc when the "moment of truth" is at hand. having control of your reed is paramount in a killing situation. for some it's like riding a bike and for the rest of us we need to practice.

[WapitiTalk1]

Nicely put David.

Are you folks ready for me to get the 'post up your elk sounds' for comment going soon? Was gonna wait a bit longer but if there is enough interest, we'll get them going. For the new cats, it works like this. I ask you to record a certain elk sound and post it. Some pretty darn good ears comment in your sounds and provide positive recommendations on how to improve. We have a former competition caller or two that will chime in, some very experienced elk hunters, and perhaps 'the' Elknut himself. Let me know by a show of hands and I'll kick them off

[JJ Overkill]

like this RJ ? remember this pic? count me in

[BrentLaBere]

"Are you folks ready for me to get the 'post up your elk sounds' for comment going soon?" Phantom16

I guess I wouldn't mind waiting awhile here to get it started. Only because I had a few calls I wanted to break in and work out before bringing to the table. If others are ready I can sure step up to the plate.

[ctdad]

I'd wait. Seems like they weren't to popular last winter but by late spring and summer people were into it again

[WapitiTalk1]

Let's give it a bit longer to start the post em up threads. Keep the practice sessions going though

[ElkNut1]

Yes sir, practice year around to maintain confidence & play with all sorts of sounds. Seems like I'm always tweaking something, it's entertaining at best! (grin) Right now I'm tinkering with the Chuckler Bugles, I'm mainly messing with the base, lots of base to medium base, it's amazing how easy it is to change the sound of a tube with wraps!

ElkNut1

[Herb]

Gosh, I rarely do, you guys are giving me a guilt complex!!