Rocky Mountain/Bugling Bull Game Calls

[Buckskin91]

Hey everybody been browsin the forum for a while now but finally bitin the bullet. Pretty impressed so far seems to be some pretty savvy elk hunters on here, so I was gonna pick your brains.

I've been using bugling bull diaphragms for about 4 years now. Love them and have had good success pulling bulls in but I've been noticing some slight inconsistency in the calls the last 2 years or so and this year there was a good bit of difference in the sound/tone/pitch from my last round of calls. Has anyone else noticed this or am goin crazy? Thanks in advance and look forward to talkin elk with y'all in the future!

[elk.addict]

I've been using the raging bull call for a while now, and I haven't noticed any differences in tone or pitch. I break them in first (until I have 1 wrinkle in the latex, and when I get to 2 wrinkles they usually start sounding like crap).
What I can say is that I noticed that they don't last as long as they used to, to the point that I am going to try another brand this year (WRO). Last elk season I was burning through 1 almost everyday.

[Buckskin91]

I didn't think about breakin em in so I'll give em a few more days and see. Been seein good things about the WRO calls thinkin about tryin them. Sure hate to give up on bugling bull though they sure were some fine calls, did me well just think they've fallen short lately.

[Gypsumreaper]

Also could be the difference in the latex over the years, I remember watching a video on YouTube of someone saying how when he buys calls he will buy 5 or 6 of the same one cause if he likes the sound they should all be from roughly the same batch, and that way he won't have to worry bout the difference in the latex they use over the next year or so. If he doesn't like the sound sells all the un used ones on eBay or donates them to kids to learn, then goes out an buys 5 more from another store trying to get a different tone

[Trophyhill]

I tried to like those calls but blew them out in a day or 2 of heavy practice. I've so moved on and haven't looked back.

[Heartwood]

I've been using BB calls for probably 5+ years and haven't seen any variation. My favorites are the raging bull, mellow yellow, closer and challenge(blue). I have tryed the all star twice but either got dudds or can't figure out how to use. I like the single latex because the latex wont stick together as with doubles and triples. I have tryed WRO and GC calls and liked them, just not ready to switch yet. I'm going with what i know for now. (used to the BB calls and am confident that i will get exactly the sound i want when i blow them. As for longevity, they usually last a season before the sound quality drops off. I was just blowing a raging bull from last year and it still sounds ok.(cow sounds actually got better but bugles and screams not quite as good as a fresh call but still useable. I have noticed that when keeping a call in mouth for hours at a time, the latex seems to stretch and get wrinkley but goes back tight when dry. I generally try not to let them get that waterlogged, also the tape can get loose if soaked for to long. Don't know if other calls get this way but overall i have been pleased with BB calls. Also have noticed that some calls take some break in before best sounds are achieved. Don't know if others have had these same experiences or not.

[Wapiti]

I agree use what ever call you are comfortable with. With any reed you should never keep it in your mouth for hours on end. Some guys tuck them into there cheak and I actually hold it with my lips a lot of the time. But when I'm not using it I like to hold it between my thumb and index finger. If I'm not going to use it for awhile I always put them away in the pouch that I provide when reeds are purchased from me.

One tip on making the reeds last long and this works for all manufactures. Before putting them in your mouth and getting them wet. Always get in the habit of pressing the tape down tight onto the frame. This does two things. First it seals the tape back down onto the frame as it can pull away especially in hot weather. Second by pressing the tape down you are also squeezing the frame to the latex. If you look close at how the frame sandwiches the latex you'll notice if you press the two halves of the frame together you will keep unwanted moisture away from the latex !! Most people don't think about things like that but believe me moisture kills latex !!

Get into this habit and you'll find the reeds last longer.

Most people do not know that I also used BB reeds before I started my own company. They are still one of the best reeds out there and Rockie is a great person and believe it or not he has helped me on my own calls !! With these few tips your reeds should hopefully last you guys longer !

On a side note I see guys all the time saying bend the frame and make it fit better. Being a manufacturer we put countless hours into getting the stretch perfect for the sounds we want that reed to make. So when guys bend the frame that stretch is all but gone and from that point on you'll never have the same reed again. It doesn't matter how many reeds you buy of the same reed bending it brings in to many variations. If you must bend the frame you should be looking for a narrower frame reed and it will fit you better.

Hope this helps you all out and good luck putting some tasty elk meat in your freezers !!

Trav

[LckyTylr]

This year, for the first time, I noticed a difference in the usability of the Raging Bull reed. It took MUCH longer and more effort to break in than my last two. The reed seemed to be stretched much tighter. My Yellow Mama seemed to be a little higher pitched out of the package than normal.

[Buckskin91]

Thanks for all the replies fellas all sound info! Been on the road the last couple hours and havent checked back in. Heartwood thats my line up as well! Wapiti thanks for the tips! Gonna give BB the benefit of the doubt but may be gettin a hold of wapiti also! Thanks again!

[NoWiser]

Heartwood, those are the exact same calls I use. I'm working on breaking in my new ones right now so they are ready for the season!

[Csrbowhunter]

I agree use what ever call you are comfortable with. With any reed you should never keep it in your mouth for hours on end. Some guys tuck them into there cheak and I actually hold it with my lips a lot of the time. But when I'm not using it I like to hold it between my thumb and index finger. If I'm not going to use it for awhile I always put them away in the pouch that I provide when reeds are purchased from me.

One tip on making the reeds last long and this works for all manufactures. Before putting them in your mouth and getting them wet. Always get in the habit of pressing the tape down tight onto the frame. This does two things. First it seals the tape back down onto the frame as it can pull away especially in hot weather. Second by pressing the tape down you are also squeezing the frame to the latex. If you look close at how the frame sandwiches the latex you'll notice if you press the two halves of the frame together you will keep unwanted moisture away from the latex !! Most people don't think about things like that but believe me moisture kills latex !!

Get into this habit and you'll find the reeds last longer.

Most people do not know that I also used BB reeds before I started my own company. They are still one of the best reeds out there and Rockie is a great person and believe it or not he has helped me on my own calls !! With these few tips your reeds should hopefully last you guys longer !

On a side note I see guys all the time saying bend the frame and make it fit better. Being a manufacturer we put countless hours into getting the stretch perfect for the sounds we want that reed to make. So when guys bend the frame that stretch is all but gone and from that point on you'll never have the same reed again. It doesn't matter how many reeds you buy of the same reed bending it brings in to many variations. If you must bend the frame you should be looking for a narrower frame reed and it will fit you better.

Hope this helps you all out and good luck putting some tasty elk meat in your freezers !!

Trav

What is your best double reed call that you have? I'd like to try one. I just bought a bunch off elk nut and like his but I used to use primos but like bb better

[a3dhunter]

I've been using BB game calls for 6-7 years now and I've noticed a difference in the last two years as well. So bad that one of the last yellow reeds I received was horrible. I threw it out. Tried for about 2 weeks to get it to sound right and it was inconsistent and squeaky with the higher pitch.

[Screaming_btf]

on the ALL Star tone tops I notice a huge quality discrepancy, after slight use on some the glue comes undone rather quick and then the sound goes to the buckets. I try not to keep them in my mouth to long for fear of this, I haven't noticed it much on the non tone top diaphragm calls I have from them.