elk calling practice

[Mike_Parson]

I was wondering if anyone practices any of their elk calling while scouting or in prehunting season while out in the woods, or do you just practice at the hosue while the wife is our shopping??

[Rangerz]

I practice anywhere I can. Home, hiking, scouting, in the truck.

I try and listen to Elknuts tapes and then mimic the sounds I hear. Great to have someone listen to each and critique your calling. Also try and mentally put yourself in different situations and make the calls you would need for that scenario.

Like many things, the more you can practice, the more second nature the technique will become.

[Mike_Parson]

im really mostly worried about calling while scouting as im worried it will screw things up for when im out there hunting. I guess i am worried that maybe the elk will remember my sounds and know im not a real elk or something like that. maybe i am just over thinking it....

[WapitiTalk1]

I personally don't carry/use my calls when scouting "unless" I happen to be in one of my areas towards the end of August. In that case, I may carry a diaphram only and throw out a few locaters to see if the bulls in that area are starting to squeak as the rut nears. I agree with RangerZ on the practice, practice, practice thoughts. I practice at least a few times each week in the offseason and increase it to usually daily as we get closer to September. I/we usually have some "post up your elk sounds" threads going but it's been a whirlwind of a year and haven't had the time to start some up. Feel free to start some up if you'd like. If you search in the forum here, you can probably find some threads from the past few years and see how we worked them. Basically, you just start a thread and ask folks to post up a certain type of elk sound for viewers to comment on. It's a great way to practice and receive some positive feedback from some pretty dang good callers. Just a thought.. RJ

[Wapiti]

I always call while scouting. Mostly cow and calf talk but when I'm on the river I also bugle at certain places I like to stop and have called out bulls to the shore to see what's going on. You can call elk all year long as they are a herd animal and are used to hearing elk talk every day..

Trav

[Mike_Parson]

i am listening to the Elknut audio CD's every few days and watching his videos every week to keep things fresh in my mind. i am also practicing as often as i can get a few min to do so. I was just really wondering about the calling while scouting and what the chances are that it might mess up things for my hunting if im in there calling like some wierd deranged elk wtih sounds that dont make a lot of sense to them while im scouting the areas i want to hunt.

Thank you all for the helpful tips and advice.

[Lefty]

I learned a short-reed goose call in my pickup to and from work everyday. A Highway patrolman pulled up from behind me, staring . Im sure he thought I had something illegal . I held up the call, and and could see him laugh and he drove off.

I learned a turkey and diaphragm elk call in the pick up and with CD/ DVD in front of the TV while others were gone from the house

[bowhunter04]

I spend a ton of time driving and blowing elk reeds and short reed goose calls in my truck. My wife would kill me if I tried to call that much in the house.

[Trophyhill]

I hear the term "educated elk" alot. Why educate them anymore than you have to while in an area you may hunt? Particularily those of us who aren't world class callers? Just asking the question

[Gselkhunter]

I have spent many days in June and July following herds of cows and calves listening and learning but also talking back to. Great practice. Once August hits I am less inclined to do so. Where elk were very laid back in June and July, once the hormones start to flow in August their manor changes. I don't wish to have them more keyed into human presence and calling until I am ready to shoot, they are nervous enough already.