The Language. Do you speak it?

[WapitiTalk1]

Do you speak elk? What would you say your current level is for both interpreting what elk are saying/asking for, and, your ability to throw out realistic sounds to evoke a response for most elk woods situational scenarios is?

A. I pretty much get it completely.... and, can understand what elk are saying/asking for (needing) and speak (when necessary) to the elk appropriately for the given situation, maximizing my potential for success in harvesting a wapiti in almost all situations.

B. Not too shabby. I know the difference between advertising sounds, challenging sounds, chuckles, grunts, nervous/popping grunts, normal herd sounds, alarm barks, glugs, and in most cases, respond accordingly with my own sounds fitting for the situation.

C. I understand the basics but need to work on a better understanding of what elk are saying and/or how to respond with sounds fitting for the situation.

D. Need quite a bit of work on both the comprehension of elk language interpretation, and, my own elk sounds .

E. The only thing I need to know is that I heard an elk and the direction it came from. My style of hunting does not require sound interpretation, or, calling.

F. Other.

[Kevrod3]

C. but hopefully by May I should be in the B. I listen to the ElkNuts Playbook Audio cd literally Hours a day during the work week while I'm on the road.

Listening to the Sounds of the Elk after Chapter 4 has been a huge help for me!

I understand most of the sounds the elk are making, I need to work mostly on my bugles. I do better with the mouth reed over the grunt tube reed that you slide into the tube. I have the cow sounds down pretty well, even just today I got a lot closer to the real sound of the Nervous grunt with the mouth reed. Its nice that I can call in my work truck while listening over and over to the sounds of the real elk.

[Elkonthebrain]

I would have to say C as well. But, just like Kevin I feel I'm improving every day. Listening to the play book,sounds by the Elk and all the helpful info on this site really speeds up the process.

[Toby]

Probably a B, feel confident in interpreting what I hear, need a little more confidence in my responses.

[Fridaythe13th]

Just like high school an easy D+ I have been watching elknuts tips and clips videos. man Paul is good were did he get that bugle from? I am not close to talking with elk, summer class for me. I can improve my calling. the rest is pick up with experience.

[mrganser]

D for me. Going to order Paul's DVDs for late spring. I'm anxious to put it together this fall.

[stringunner]

B. I am definitely getting better but feel pretty confident with answering to B. The playbook and Sounds by the Elk dvd coupled with the many "elk language" threads on this site and others, has really helped me learn the language.

[Wyo67]

Solid B - The Sounds by the Elk CD really helps.

[Lefty]

Somewhere between "B" and "C"
I don't get to hear much elk talk so I don't react quick enough when talking to elk.
But when it comes to geese, somewhere in the "A" category

[elkmtngear]

Yeah I'm a "B".

What, no A students around here (besides Paul)?

[Elkduds]

I'm a C. When I hear bulls chuckle I know they are laughing @ my calling.

[Washington Wapiti]

I'm a C. When I hear bulls chuckle I know they are laughing @ my calling.

[Washington Wapiti]

A solid C moving to a B. I understand what most of the calls mean when hearing them, but don't think I can fully be a B until I'm in the field interacting with elk.

[Trophyhill]

Quick question as it relates to the OP. In your view, is it more important to speak the language? Or to understand and read the encounter?

[one_elk]

Quick question as it relates to the OP. In your view, is it more important to speak the language? Or to understand and read the encounter?

I would imagine I am somewhere between an C and B, certainly always learning more....and in repose to Trophyhill, I would say that understanding the encounter is pretty important and I would guess one could say that, that is part of "speaking the language".......

[WapitiTalk1]

Quick question as it relates to the OP. In your view, is it more important to speak the language? Or to understand and read the encounter?

Great question David! IMO, I would say that both are necessary, and, both are important parts to any given situation/encounter, but, understanding what is being said or "going on" down there is paramount to determine your next move and subsequent action plan. My mom used to tell me that God gave me two ears and only one mouth for a reason and to use them proportionally I think a hunter who is pretty darn good at understanding/interpreting elk vocalization will "probably" get more shot opportunities. That's my story and I'm sticking to it

[Screaming_btf]

B, working on being more aggressive when in close.

[wewarev]

Somewhere between a C & a D I think. I've had the Elknut cd's & DVD's for a few months now and am slowly working up the alphabet.
The subtilties between some of the calls are the hardest to me.

[Toby]

Quick question as it relates to the OP. In your view, is it more important to speak the language? Or to understand and read the encounter?

While both are important, for me, understanding what the elk are saying is most important. I don't necessarily have to or want to respond every time

[Trophyhill]

Quick question as it relates to the OP. In your view, is it more important to speak the language? Or to understand and read the encounter?

While both are important, for me, understanding what the elk are saying is most important. I don't necessarily have to or want to respond every time

I think along those same lines. There are times to call and times to move in un announced and kill him. Getting it right when reading the encounter is the trump card either way I think,

[ElkNut1]

Dave (Trophyhill) spot on!! You want to understand what you're hearing far more than being able to replicate countless elk sounds! 5 sounds to master will get any elk hunter started in the right direction!

ElkNut1

[ctdad]

What are the five sounds to master?

[jmez]

I would say B.

Always room for improvement. Working on the intricacies of the sounds. Mainly bull sounds, trying to get better with some of high notes and the more musical type sounds in the bugle. Basically to get them more realistic.

I think this is mainly for my benefit rather than the elk. IMO understanding what they are saying and what to reply with is more important than being a championship level caller. If you can make the correct sound in the correct situation I don't think the quality is all that important.

[ElkNut1]

Jmez, I couldn't agree more! Good calling gives us confidence in the field knowing we can produce the needed sounds on demand with rarely a mess up, this comes with practice like most things in life if you want to be good at it! Being in competition or pro style calling certainly is not needed to hunt & kill elk, most of us here have proven that at some time or another. It's no excuse not to be decent for sure & polish up our sounds to be believable to the elk!

ctdad - The 5 sounds are -- Location Bugle -- Challenge Bugle -- Cow Talk Sounds -- Estrus Buzz -- Popping/Nervous Grunts -- Here's the reasons why & how to utilize them!

Location Bugle -- A location bugle is exactly as it is described by its phrase, it's for finding or locating other elk, not calling elk to you! Use this sound frequently with some creative twists to it like moans, groans, 2-3 short notes & it is now an Advertising sound, bulls will do this to draw attention to themselves in the hopes of drawing cows to themselves. One stems from the other.

Challenge Bugle -- This sound is used as an intimidation or warning to other bulls & depending on your coarse delivery or not it can shed light on your maturity or lack of it to other bulls, used at the "proper time" & closeness to other bulls can be very effective!

Cow Talk Sounds -- These will include social cow & calf talk, separated sounds, regathering sounds, excited whines & pleads.

Estrus Buzz -- This sound is bold & is a great Location sound for locating other elk at great distances, again at this time you are locating not calling elk to you. It's also great to use in a blind cold calling setup or Breeding Sequence. It's a kick butt sound that should be on everyones radar!

Popping/Nervous Grunt -- This sound is used in a variety of occasions, from stopping bulls or cows in their tracks from 10' away to hundreds of yards away, it's our # 1 elk killer sound by far! Learn this sound with a single reed mouth reed like the Raging Bull & also ones voice! You never know when you will need it but be prepared whether you have a reed in your mouth or not, things can happen quick & unexpected in the elkwoods!

Once these 5 sounds are mastered you will boast with confidence that you can use any one of them or a combo of them to fit about any encounter you will come across. Add in Raking, stomping & voice pants through your bugle & there will be no elk encounter you would not be prepared for! Know how to make these sounds & what they mean so you know their use, all other sounds elk make are best understood, you do not have to know how to make them all as many are rarely used by us hunters.

ElkNut1