How many Calls Do I need?????

[toasty tiger]

OK Pros - How many diaphragms should I realistically carry to the woods. This is as bad as Turkey Calls in relation to the number of calls available. Based on your experience how many calls does everyone take to the woods and what do you do to make sure you dont put the wrong one in your mouth at the exact wrong time?

[Screaming_btf]

Well I am no pro but I carry 3-4 different diaphragm calls usually. I will also carry backups for each of those in case they wear out, i lose them etc..I have 1 or 2 that I use most of the time. I would recommend breaking them in before the season, and making sure they work. It is more important to have a good sound so getting comfortable with one should come first then add in more.

[under H2O hunter]

I carry Three diaphragm calls (Single, Double, Triple) along with a Bugling bull bully grunt tube. Then I carry Three different cow calls (Primos Hotlips, Bugling Bulls Who's YRR Daddy cow call, Bugling Bulls Trophy wife cow call) Between these six calls there is so much I can do that I feel pretty confident that I can call an elk in. The key is to have variety and understand what you are saying with those calls when you are speaking the language. Good luck and remember that practice makes perfect but you don't have to be perfect to call elk in.

[8seconds]

A variety and duplicate of each with emphasis on cow calls, diaphram and mechanical.

[toasty tiger]

Thanks for the responses. As I have been listening to the bugles and the different grunts chuckles etc that go with them in a set of ear phones is it a realistic question to ask if anyone takes more than one type of tube for bugling? It seems that everyone has three different cow calls and I know that you can change the notes with a different diaphragm using the same tube but would it help in a pressured area to even change the tube as well? I am asking because the deep grunt that is made at the end of the bugle by older elk is somewhat identical to a Red Stag roar. I use a 2 liter coke bottle to make that sound for the "Roar" but I dont know that I can replicate that sound as well with the bugle tube. Maybe I just need to practice some more....

[WapitiTalk1]

A hunter needs to make both cow and bull sounds while in the elk woods. This said, it can be done with only one diaphram to make both sounds (many of the single latex calls are very versatile and you can effectively get both bull/cow sounds out of them). Many folks (including myself) use two diaphrams (one mainly bull/one mainly cow) and an external reed call to "mix" up the cow sounds. As far a varying tubes, I don't believe that's necessary. After practicing a while, you can vary the tone and pitch of your sounds through any good tube. Just my rambling thoughts.

[Swede]

I agree with RJ on this. I carry several, but normally use just one or two at the most.

[Lefty]

I'm a call- a-holic.
Ive kept track of some of those calls I had as kid, duck, goose, crow, squirrel,predator,

I carry a bugle in my pack, yeah I like those cheap Primos blue reed calls.
I generally keep a palate plate in my mouth most of the day. another in my right pant pocket, Two in a case in my left pant pocket with my extra smoke and face mask, then one, two or three buried in my pack.
So 3- 5 diaphams an one bugle.. I do practice the combination of the diaphragms and bugle.
Back at the truck I keep a few different reed calls and a Hoochie momma, My daughters can sort of call with the reed calls and know how to operate the Hoochie

[Toby]

I will be using a Thunder Bugle this year and will also use my palate plate mouth reeds to give a different bull sound. I can turn the Thunder Bugle sideways and bugle through it with a reed. I use my palate plate to cow call, usually carry 2-3, and a couple hand held cow calls, Primos and Hyper hot.

[ElkNut1]

I have one reed that is my All Purpose reed. It will make any cow sound or bull sound I may need, this eliminates confusion exactly as you mentioned as a possible concern. Learn to use a single reed & you're good to go! I'm presently using the Raging Bull but other reeds like the Mellow Yellow & Closer will work the same way for hunters, the difference between them is latex tension. I would suggest as a newer caller to stay with single reeds as they are more user friendly, yes sir one reed for everything equals less mistakes! (grin)

ElkNut1

[toasty tiger]

I really appreciate the responses. I have been studying this stuff for the past 9 months and I have figured more out in the past month than the previous 8. I really appreciate the openess and willingness to tell the truth on this forum.

[Glacier Country]

I always have a tight double reed for a location bugle and bull screams that piss the bull off and make him react and come in mad. Any call that will do the best cow calls will sacrifice too much of this high pitch,IMO and not convey the same emotion in the "Scream" . For me and more advanced callers a double reed call might be better. Especially in this situation. This is why I carry more than 1 call.
A single reed for cow /calf calls maybe some smallish bugles.
A finisher call that will do both bull and cow sounds.
An Open reed bite call like our High Heel Hottie
I also like a bigger bugle tube, more volume equates to more country covered to get a response and more responses equate to more chances to get a bull. Small tubes are OK but do not carry the same resonance, and don't sound as realistic.
This is what I use from late August to early November!
Your ability and skill level and hunting tactics will determine to a degree what calls you can use.

[Wapiti]

I personally carry a bunch of single, Double and Triple reeds as you never know what the elk might like on any given day !! I have had more than One bull want a certain sound and was glad I had a reed that got noticed.

The one day I remember I went through a pile of reeds trying to locate a bull that I knew was there but he would not answer !! Finally my hunting partner ( My wife ) said " why is he not answering any calls ?" " Try the Lucky " which is a triple reed. I gave out a high pitch and loud bugle and he answered immediately ! This was after an hour of silence from him as I ran through every reed I had with me !! " See I told you !! " She says !! LOL

Now when I get in close I always have a single all around reed so I can do cow/bull sounds and my favorite is the Bull Buster. This is hands down the easiest reed to make any sounds which may be needed.

Rarely do I use any plastic cow calls as they are not very forgiving ! This will change soon as I am developing a very easy and forgiving open reed style call. I have the prototype finished and will be testing it this fall during elk season. So far it seems perfect as it doesn't get fouled by spit and makes the perfect sound every time. I want to test it under pressure though before it goes to full manufacturing. I'll keep you all posted !!

[toasty tiger]

I would be interested to see a call that doesnt get fouled by spit. I have had that problem with so many reed type calls - especially when the weather is cold - that would be an awesome inovation - - -

[ElkNut1]

Nick, I sure don't know of any bite & blow cow call that doesn't spit up either? This is why I like the use of mouth reeds over those calls, no issues with saliva & them.

I use one basic reed for cow calls & bull sounds, at times I will have a double as Troy mentions to reach a bit further out when I feel the occasion arises, it rarely arises, the single generally works great! I too have had bulls respond after countless bugles from myself without switching reeds. They finally respond out of annoyance more than because you switched out your reed. When a bull calls countless times from one spot he does it because he knows cows are nearby & most likely there is at least one in estrus or nearing estrus so he does his best to advertise himself & his location to the cow/cows/ in an effort to draw them his way. If there are multiple bulls serenading in all have the same purpose!

ElkNut1

[Swamp Buck]

I have never had the Temptress by Bugling Bull Game Calls spit up in two years.

I like to carry a couple of reeds, a tube and a couple bite and blow for when the cotton mouth and altitude set in and nothing will come out of the reed...