Effective cow calling for elk

[Wapiti]

Hey guys we are constantly getting asked "What calls do you use to call in bulls". There are multiple ways to call in elk so we thought we would post the simplest way first !!

Effective cow calling is the most basic and easiest way to start out.

This clip is from August 24th. First day of bow season. Clip was shot on my phone so it is narrow on the screen but it still gives you an idea.

This video is filmed in actual time with no editing. This shows in true life how long it can take for elk to come in. Spiker comes in first then cows and then the herd bull.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STo2HqG ... detailpage

Trav

[WapitiTalk1]

Great little VID Trav! That spike looked like he was ready to jump into somebody's arms . Really liked your economy with the cow calling.. just enough to keep interest going but not excessive (I need to take note of this and not get so chatty when I'm cow calling). Thanks! RJ

[Njdiverdan]

Can you give a little more info about the situation.
Time of day
Did you know the elk were there before you started calling or was it a total cold call?
Wind
What made you set up where you did?

Thanks,

-dan

[Wapiti]

Ya sure Dan

It was an evening hunt as we heard bugling in the morning coming from down in the creek bottom. Wind was in our face as we knew where the elk were at and could walk in close using the wind in our favour.

Bull was bugling all on his own and chasing that spiker back and forth down in the dry creek bed. It was way to thick to go down into the creek without making a bunch of noise so we set up there and started with cow talk.

That spike came in so fast that he caught me at half draw with my bow. He was on the dead run coming up the creek. That is why he peeled out to the right. They don't usually come quit that fast !!

Herd bull knew something was up but still came for a look. You can't tell but he was broadside while he was watching us. There was a willow tree covering his vitals.

Looks further on the phone camera but he was only 13 paces !!

Thanks for the questions.

Trav

[Njdiverdan]

Thank you for the follow up. It really helps put it into perspective.

[mongopino915]

Travis, I like the soft simple elk calling.

I think one of the biggest mistakes that most rookie elk callers make is calling too loud and calling too much/often.

The reason is that these folks want to make sure that the elk hear their calling. The elk can hear soft cow call just fine, especially when the elk are quiet and not vocally responsive.

[Wapiti]

Thanks Mong !!

Countless hour spent with elk and observing there language has helped me. If a person would just sit and watch they will learn from the best teacher's....the elk !!

On another note many guys frown upon calling in spike elk. While I have learned more than my fair share from spike elk !! If more folks would watch they would also learn more than they think and that spike will one day be a 5-6 point !!

I now know give them what they want to hear and then be quiet !! That is a fundamental that elk have taught me over the years.

Thanks again !!

Trav

[msd1228]

I now know give them what they want to hear and then be quiet !!

I think this is one of, if not the most, important pieces of information regarding successful calling. Once you have an animal moving towards you its time to be quiet. It doesn't matter if they were 200 yards away when they started towards you - they know exactly where you are! Continuing to call once you've successfully set the scene is just asking for trouble, in most cases.