who has a Hoochie mama story?

[pointysticks]

my first elk hunt i didnt take serious. no calling practice. at the time, i had no idea how RARE a unit #36 archery draw tag was..i thought they just handed them things out. i literally just stepped out into the woods and ripped my package of mouthcalls out of the package. stuck them into my pocket and hiked into the clouds.

at the top, i gave it a go. it sounded like my mouth was trying to give birth to my tongue. the look my little brother gave me..priceless. he dug into his pack and gave me this crazy contraption..he said, "its a hoochie mama". i was WTF? i gave it a few tentative squeezes, and it sounded way better than i did..so we looked for elk.

we found them. after some discussion with me and my brother against the group that wanted to trespass..i hit the hoochie, more for fun..ROAR! a big bull blasted us from behind us..i ran ducked into a depression, laid prone with my rifle..and i hit the hoochie again...ROAR!! i put the hoochie down..and said a quick prayer. my brother picked up the calling behind me..he had gone into the trees way back. that bull came out of the mist and just started trotting towards me. 200 yards..175 yards..150 yards..aww what the heck..BOOM! when he did a crisscross and offered me a side shot. it flopped over. i think my brother intended to walk that thing into my lap.

to say i was spoiled that first year, on opening morning is an understatement. i spent the evening with a reed call..and got quite good at it. so good, i repaid the favor for my brother the next morning. after he bugled in response to my brothers bugle challenge.

i dont think i will ever use the hoochie mama again..but my first outing didnt suck..hahah.

elk hunting is the most addicting hunting ever. i want that feeling back!! gah..i am practicing now with mouth calls. i'm still not great.

[mrganser]

Keep the Hoochie Mama in your call selection. It's a great one to mix in with the mouth reeds as elk, like humans, have different voices. It may be just the one to elicit a response... Keep at it!

[Trophyhill]

My first encounter with an elk in 2008 was called in with a hoochie mama. I left the mountain pretty shook up that day but that screaming herd bull hooked me for life.

2 years ago I was about run over by a small herd of cows and calves in the Gila while using the hoochie, baby hoochie and Carlton's Squeeze Me along with my reed trying to mimick a small herd. They came running in behind me and hit the skids, turned and bolted before I could draw my bow.

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

I've won several hoochies at calling contest. I either give them to the grandkids or deposit them in the first trash can I come to.

But I will say this for you eastern fox squirrel hunters. Once you figure out how to work one, they are one of the best squirrel calls on the market.

[easeup]

I too have had good results w/ the hoochie. I mix it in occasionally with the reed and call it singing with the choir.

[Jaquomo]

First time I ever squoze one the entire herd of cows looked up at once and ran off.

Second time I used one, same thing happened. I gave that one to a kid, and the two I've acquired since have gone to kid's raffles at bowhunting events. I have no doubt they'd be fine in an an area with little pressure. Where I hunt(ed) there were tons of guys squeezing that thing after they'd already been scented or busted, and the cows became edumacated.

Nothing sounds worse than a guy sitting in one place rhythmically honking on that thing, over and over.

Now if I want to sound like a little herd I use a diaphragm and two different open reed calls. I can do things with them that no 'Spooky mama" can imitate.

[UtPreacher]

First time I ever squoze one the entire herd of cows looked up at once and ran off.

Second time I used one, same thing happened. I gave that one to a kid, and the two I've acquired since have gone to kid's raffles at bowhunting events. I have no doubt they'd be fine in an an area with little pressure. Where I hunt(ed) there were tons of guys squeezing that thing after they'd already been scented or busted, and the cows became edumacated.

Nothing sounds worse than a guy sitting in one place rhythmically honking on that thing, over and over.

Now if I want to sound like a little herd I use a diaphragm and two different open reed calls. I can do things with them that no 'Spooky mama" can imitate.

Almost my exact experiences and thoughts of them. Just too many people squeezing those things all day long from August to October.

[JohnFitzgerald]

Jaquomo - so if you were able to notice all the cows heads come up, then I'm guessing you had a clear look at them. If you had a clear look at them, they surely had a clear look at your position.

Hoochies have there place. Don't leave them behind.

My 2 cents!

[Ridgernr]

My hunting partner and I were walking out one evening after not seeing an elk on that hunt when we saw 5 cows working up the mountain in front of us. So we stopped to see if a shot would present itself. As we waited one of the cows sounded off with a "Hoochie Mama"
So I returned the call and we went back and forth for a few minutes as Scott tried to work in for a shot. As it turned out they moved on up the trail. Later I told him she had a Hoochie in her throat. They do have their place but not to often for us.

[Jaquomo]

John, I never call where anything has a look at my position. That's a cardinal rule of calling, and why I call so many into point-blank range. If I do show myself over the rim or out of the thicket, it's by design, with the elk hat and maybe an Elk Mountain butt slip or something similar.

The Hoochie Plague is a well-known disease in our part of N. CO. Every inexperienced hunter has one and they misuse them terribly. Especially after spooking elk. Think about it - it has the exact same pitch and tone range with every squeeze. The only thing that varies is the cadence and time.

If Big Dan Moore learns someone in his hunting party has one, he'll ask to see it, then throw it out into the woods.

[Fullabull]

My first hunt, my dad and I walked up a hill to what looked like a nice spot. Both my dad and I pulled out our brooches a nd hit them one time. A bull screamed about 50 yards away and came running into us. Only I was hunting at the time, I had him at less than 10 yards but he stopped right behind some small trees and never gave me a shot, but boy was it awesome. They do make a great sound and I still carry it with to change up my read calls. Some people say the elk know these calls but I tell yahoo they sound way better than a lot of hunters out there using reeds.

[JohnFitzgerald]

I'm sure if everyone used a hoochie the elk would probably become wise. But same could be said about any external call. I've seen a few out in the woods but I seldom come across other callers.

Funny thing is I carry two, but rarely use them. But I have called in cows and smaller bulls by using them for aggressive herd talk.

Big Dan is a proven elk killer, but just because he doesn't use them doesn't mean I'm going to follow. I'm my own hunter.

[Trophyhill]

John, I never call where anything has a look at my position. That's a cardinal rule of calling, and why I call so many into point-blank range. If I do show myself over the rim or out of the thicket, it's by design, with the elk hat and maybe an Elk Mountain butt slip or something similar.

The Hoochie Plague is a well-known disease in our part of N. CO. Every inexperienced hunter has one and they misuse them terribly. Especially after spooking elk. Think about it - it has the exact same pitch and tone range with every squeeze. The only thing that varies is the cadence and time.

If Big Dan Moore learns someone in his hunting party has one, he'll ask to see it, then throw it out into the woods.

I wonder what it is about the primo's calls? a hyper-lip has a distinct sound too that I can spot a ridge away, yet nobody ever mentions that call and I hear them every year and have called a few in just for fun

[JohnFitzgerald]

Hey, I just realized what I can get Swede for his birthday! A Hoochie Mama! Yes....Yes....I think I will.

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

A couple of years ago I was working a decent 5x5 bull. Nothing big but an OK bull for the area I hunt. I had challenged him and he was on the way. All of a sudden, I hear this unmistakable sound of a Hoochie. Some dude or dud was trying to call both me and my bull to him. I suppose he was thinking. "Oh boy! First come, first serve"! The problem was, he was squeezing that darn thing every 5 seconds.

That bull really wanted to come my way. But every time he made a step that guy would squeeze of about 10 more times. I swear, that bull looked his way with a WTF expression and got out of there in a hurry.

If I could have figured out how to attach a hose and water bladder up to his Hoochie, I would have given him an enema with the darn thing.

[WapitiTalk1]

Hey, I just realized what I can get Swede for his birthday! A Hoochie Mama! Yes....Yes....I think I will.

Whatever. You know that's what I planned on getting him

[WapitiTalk1]

If I could have figured out how to attach a hose and water bladder up to his Hoochie, I would have given him an enema with the darn thing.

I have encountered a few hoochie honkers also on the mountain also. I think as with any call, they can be productive but certainly not when used like a priming bulb on an outboard boat motor gas line.

[Wyo67]

No more frustrating feeling than sending out your opening locator bugle in the morning and hearing a hoochie in reply. Time to move on to plan "B"...

[Indian Summer]

I've seen both reactions. Herds hearing it one time and walking off. A 6 point bull all alone coming in to it. But I think it's just something else to carry. Guys talk about their tent or water filter weighing 4 ounces less than some other model... and then they throw that 1/2 pound thing in the pack. I've found Hoochies in the hills. Right away I'm thinking... if there's that many out there it's too many. I think it's worth one's while to just be able to cow call with your diaphragm. You're more versatile and hands free. I do keep a high pitched Sceery handy as a "locator cow call". It has a neck lanyard so it's easy to get to quick to stop an animal for a shot. Much smaller/lighter and you can vary the sound with it somewhat.

Big Dan uses no cow calls at all. Doesn't even carry one. That fact has always amazed me about him. He says he isn't trying to call in cows or satellite bulls. Just looking for the one that owns the place and gets mad & comes over to show who's boss. How a guy could leave such a small handy tool out of his tool box puzzles me. But... when you look at the bulls he has on his wall you cannot question his methods.

[Munkh]

my first elk hunt i didnt take serious. no calling practice. at the time, i had no idea how RARE a unit #36 archery draw tag was..i thought they just handed them things out. i literally just stepped out into the woods and ripped my package of mouthcalls out of the package. stuck them into my pocket and hiked into the clouds.

at the top, i gave it a go. it sounded like my mouth was trying to give birth to my tongue. the look my little brother gave me..priceless. he dug into his pack and gave me this crazy contraption..he said, "its a hoochie mama". i was WTF? i gave it a few tentative squeezes, and it sounded way better than i did..so we looked for elk.

we found them. after some discussion with me and my brother against the group that wanted to trespass..i hit the hoochie, more for fun..ROAR! a big bull blasted us from behind us..i ran ducked into a depression, laid prone with my rifle..and i hit the hoochie again...ROAR!! i put the hoochie down..and said a quick prayer. my brother picked up the calling behind me..he had gone into the trees way back. that bull came out of the mist and just started trotting towards me. 200 yards..175 yards..150 yards..aww what the heck..BOOM! when he did a crisscross and offered me a side shot. it flopped over. i think my brother intended to walk that thing into my lap.

to say i was spoiled that first year, on opening morning is an understatement. i spent the evening with a reed call..and got quite good at it. so good, i repaid the favor for my brother the next morning. after he bugled in response to my brothers bugle challenge.

i dont think i will ever use the hoochie mama again..but my first outing didnt suck..hahah.

elk hunting is the most addicting hunting ever. i want that feeling back!! gah..i am practicing now with mouth calls. i'm still not great.

Ive never used one myself but others in camp have had them and ive seen the same as some others here. Herds running the other way as soon as they hear it. alot of abuse around here too but mostly close to the roads guys are to lazy to hike in will sit on a road and squeeze it off continuously. Ill keep my reads thank you.

I do have a question tho about the original poster. You drew a RARE unit #36 archery tag but shot the bull with a rifle at 150yds? You trying to see if we are awake is there 2 separate stories here?

[JohnFitzgerald]

If I could have figured out how to attach a hose and water bladder up to his Hoochie, I would have given him an enema with the darn thing.

I have encountered a few hoochie honkers also on the mountain also. I think as with any call, they can be productive but certainly not when used like a priming bulb on an outboard boat motor gas line.

Yep, it's so easy for hunters to operate and so they loose focus on what the sequence intent really is. Mew mew mew mew mew mew mew......all day long!

I forgot about your B-Day present RJ. Go ahead and get him a Hoochie and I'll get him the second item on his list. I think he was asking for pink bunny slippers or a Justin Bieber doll? Just to be on the safe side, I'd better get him both.

[pointysticks]

you know there is a baby hoochie now..

get him one of each!!

[Mikeha33]

Hoochies have there place. Don't leave them behind.

That statement alone helped me get through some rough times in college.

[Swede]

I visited a hunters camp one day, before I ever heard of a Hoochie Mama. We got to talking about our elk hunting ventures, when he mentioned he had this new call that really reeled the bulls in. He showed me his new Hoochie and told me how well it worked, and how impressed he was with it. He squeezed it a few times to demonstrate. The following week I found and purchased one.
Soon I went out expecting the same results. Nothing happened. I moved around all that first day with my new secret weapon. Still nothing. The next day when I went out, the secret weapon stayed in my tackle box, where I think it still lays.

[Broken arrow]

My name is Jason and I own a hoochie momma. Used it to kill my first elk along with a bite and blow and diaphragm Most of the time I think it's the caller not the call. I've killed more turkeys with a box call than any other call. Public land isn't TV land and we aren't all Will Primos.

[Vids]

They have their place but I certainly wouldn't have that be my only call. My one direct experience was during rifle season two years ago when a 6x6 came crashing through the trees behind me, then went around a small hill before I could get a shot. I had the Hoochie Mama handy and gave it a squeeze, he stopped in his tracks and looked back out of curiousity.....unfortunately for me he stopped 20 yards in front of my buddy. I only got the pleasure of packing him out....

[Washington Wapiti]

Hoochies have there place. Don't leave them behind.

That statement alone helped me get through some rough times in college.

LOL!! I was just reminiscing about my "hood rat" days.
I've squeezed on one in Cabela's and that is about it. Up until this last season, where I used only a diaphragm (some location bugles, and lightly mewed twice from my stand, and then one good strong one after shooting my bull), I used a Lil' Dog Predator call for all cow calling. It comes with two mouth pieces, both of which attach to a horn. One has a thicker reed for longer distance calling, and the other has a lighter reed. I found the green one to be to my liking for cow calling as you can control volume and tone a little better, due to the lighter reed. As far as a bite and blow call, I have found it more effective for elk than for 'yotes. LOL, don't it figure. The diaphragm is so much more versatile though, and allows for greater nuances in your calling. I'm glad I was finally able to start getting some damn sounds out of one!

[rudyc]

If someone out there wants to unload one of those nasty Hoochie Mamas, I'm interested in trying one out.

[Csrbowhunter]

The first time I went elk hunting I wasn't very good calling with a mouth call, I sounded like a cat in heat! Lol I went out to Montana to hunt with my wife's cousin. I thought he was going to do most of the calling so I didn't practice like I should have. All I could do was a real squeaky bugle and use the hoochie. Needless to say my wife's cousin only hunted the weekend with me and went back to work so I was on my own. On the last day my wife's brother went out with me but he was not a hunter. I was walking down this logging road and this bull does a scream bugle back at me when I hit the hoochie. I could see him across the valley standing on this ridge. I hit the hoochie again and here he came! I told my brother in law to stay on the logging road and stay out of sight. Then hit to hoochie 2-3 times every 3-5 minutes. I went down the steep embankment about 60yds and set up 20yds from this trail. The bull came out where I thought he would but stopped behind a tree. I pulled back my bow 2-3 times and the bull kept bugling at the hoochie but I couldn't get a shot. The next thing I knew the bulls head rared back and off he went. I looked up where my brother in law was and there he stood in the wide open giving my the bull winkle ears! I wanted to shoot him at that point!!! Later I ask him why he did that and he said he just wanted to see an elk before he went back to Ohio. I told him if would have just give me a few more minutes he could have touched one! But hey I wouldn't have got that close if he wasn't there with me to hit the hoochie in the first place.

[Heartwood]

I"ll admit it, i own one and have called bulls in with it but it does take up lots of room in the pack compared to a diaphragm. Seems like i remember it making a strange shreeking noise every so often and with no warning. Thats reason enough to leave it in the archives with many other calls from the past. If it was the only call i had, it could get the job done but not very versital. Yes they do have a very distinct tone, impossable to get any kind of variation out of them.

[ishy]

I have had one great experience with a Hoochie Mama. My last jog we had an older gal that we called the enforcer. We'll call her Ethel for the story. She was very over bearing about her beliefs, and not content that any one else could possibly live any other way and had no problem telling anyone and everyone how they should be living. I'm a church goer to and love nothing more than to see someone turn thier life around and find lasting happiness, but this lady did nothing but push people the other direction. So we were in the break room discussing this new call that a coworker was interested in for his kids when Ethel walks in and hears the name "Hoochie Mama". Now this is all she heard of the conversation and has no idea what we are talking about. You geussed it she just had to pass judgement and made all of our days. She she says and I quote, "What is that some kind of blow up doll?" We all lost it just hearing the words blow up doll come out of her mouth. We eventually explained it to her after we recovered enough to speak clearly.