Mouth reeds

[Ridgernr]

I have elk hunted for many years and have never gotten past this, so I always use external calls. I am one of those that gag on a mouth reed, So I trim and trim until it is tolerable. I can do OK with cow calls but the length of time to have it in place
for a bugle or squeal is too much. I just ordered Wapiti River reeds as they say they are anti gag. Does anyone have this problem and can it be overcome? I have a narrow high palate so I have to place the reed so far back to get it seal.

[mrganser]

Practice, practice and more practice. I also have kept my sessions short to help alleviate the problem as well.
Good luck and keep at it!

[msd1228]

I was going to suggest you try the Wapiti River calls, so I guess you've already got my suggestion covered haha. Other than that, honestly, just spend as much time as you can with a call in your mouth, even if you aren't trying to call. First I'd suggest getting used to holding your call in the "ready" position for as long as you can and repeating that over and over. By the ready position I mean having it in the proper position in the roof of your mouth and the ball of your tongue on the reed as if you were going to start calling. Just hold it there to get used to the sensation. Once you can hold it in proper position, just start making long single note noises - you don't have to be able to do bugles right away, you mainly need to get your mouth used to the vibration that is likely causing your problem. Making nice bugles will never come if you don't get used to the vibration first. Over time you will become desensitized and things will get better. Don't get frustrated, it may take some time. When you are driving to work and what not, that is the perfect time to be holding your call.

[Ridgernr]

Hopefully theses new reeds will help, I have tried the options asrecommended and I guess I just need to stay with it because I need to be able to call without moving when elk are close. We have been successful the way we call and hunt but this is my year to change a few things and this is one of them.

[Lark Bunting]

LOL, I've had to learn how to call with a dip in. Talk about learning how to avoid the gag reflex!

[Fullabull]

My father had that problem too until he started using the rounded pallet plate reeds. He can now use both but prefers the rounded ones.

[elkmtngear]

LOL, I've had to learn how to call with a dip in. Talk about learning how to avoid the gag reflex!

I used to do that years ago...dear Lord how my turkey diaphragms used to stink!

[Gutpile]

Sometimes during practice the reed will finely find "the" spot and i can make sounds i normally struggle with. I try and mentally concentrate on the feel to develop that muscle memory. Calling in the dark or with eyes closed helps cement those sensations. When i take the reed out, it is in the shape of my palate - with visible ridges. I let the reed dry in that shape instead of flattening it back out in a carrier, so that next time i don't have to work it into that same spot, more like an old shoe that sucks up to the shape of your foot because of use.

[Lark Bunting]

LOL, I've had to learn how to call with a dip in. Talk about learning how to avoid the gag reflex!

I used to do that years ago...dear Lord how my turkey diaphragms used to stink!

Someone needs to make Jolly Rancher flavored diaphragm calls.

[cnelk]

I dont have the gag reflex problem much.
But my issue is that my mouth dries out when I keep a diaphragm in my mouth.
This especially happens when Im chasing bugles or humping up ridge to intercept elk
Im good if I take a swig of water before I call, but if I dont, the chances are good that the sound wont be what I want.

So, there are times I use external reed calls [bugles & mews] , and other times I use diaphragm reeds.