The Evolution of Elk Calls

[WapitiTalk1]

Here’s a few words on the evolution of the modern elk call:

1. Empty 30-06 (or other round) casing. Folks used to blow into these and get a high “whistle” note that simulated an elk locator high note. This was used way back in the day and really before archery hunting for elk (and the associated calling for elk) kicked into high gear in the mid-70s. Heck, if you were really good, you could get two notes on your rifle casing! To this day, I’ve shown hunters that you can get an answer using the shell casing method.
Pros: Compact; Cons: Extremely limited on the elk sounds one can make with this call and way too easy to lose .

2. Old school “flute” bugle. These were fabricated out of a 12 or so inch length of PVC pipe with a carved wooden piece placed in the mouthpiece end (seems like I remembmer some were made out of a piece of garden hose also). You could get several notes, up and down the scale, with a properly carved piece of wood! Ahh, these were the bomb back in the day. We went to great lengths to camouflage them to match the terrain we we’re heading to.
Pros: Pretty darn decent locators; Cons: Limited on variety of elk sounds you could get out of them, and, you were packing a chunk of plastic that created a bunch of unwanted noise when it contacted any/all material .

3. Old school “curly cue” bugle. Some of the old timers will remember these. They were hollow, corrugated ½” tubes, twisted into the shape of a coil spring, or “pig tail”. These had no reed or whistle insert but when blown through, one could get a ton of high notes, up and down the scale.
Pros: Cool little locator bugle that could make a ton of high notes like nobody’s business; Cons: Inability to make any other elk noises besides high notes and well, they looked kind of silly when hanging around your neck .

4. The early 80s really marked the emergence of the commercial internal reed bugle. I remember that’s about the time I first heard one in the elk woods. They didn’t sound bad and worked great for locators. Modern day internal reed bugles aren’t too bad. When folks who just can’t get the diaphragm thing down ask me which one to buy, I usually lean toward the Berry Thunder Bugle (the Thunderstick as I affectionately call it). It’s worked well for many years in the elk woods. Elknut also carries a very similar model that I’ve also heard good reviews on. I used to have a VID clip of Glen Berry showing how he used the Thunder Bugle and man, he could make that thing dance.
Pros: Very good locator bugle; Cons: As with any other non-diaphragm call, it limits “most” hunter’s ability to make other, realistic sounding, elk noises besides a standard locator.

5. Diaphragm and grunt tube. I started using an old Berry Game Call (Double) Big Bull diaphragm in the late 70s/early 80s and have never looked back. To this day, Glen and Chad still make the same model (although they make many others as well) as that first diaphragm I started with. Yep, it’s still my reed of choice. There are several manufacturers that make quality diaphragms including a few of our sponsors here (Bugling Bull Calls at the Elknut Store, Wapiti River Outdoors, Glacier Country Hunting Calls, Phelps Game Calls). You can get decent elk sounds using most of the modern grunt tubes but I personally prefer Elknut's new Chuckler; man that thing sounds awesome when deployed correctly. There is nothing more versatile or more effective in the September elk woods than an experienced hunter who knows how to use a diaphragm in conjunction with a quality grunt tube.
Pros: Everything is positive about this combination (ability to make any/all elk sounds), and, they never fail unless a. you wear out a reed and forgot to pack extras or b. you lose your grunt tube. Yep, it takes practice to get the diaphragm and tube down but it’s well worth the effort.

Can anybody remember any other types of elk calls from the past?

[Swede]

Here is the advertisement for Herter's No. 531 Master Elk Call, from a bygone era.

"This well known call imitates exactly the call of a bugling bull. It is easy to blow. These calls have called in thousands of elk in North America and stags in Europe. They will call in elk everytime when used according to instructions that come with the call.
Elk call easily much easier than moose or deer. You can bring elk to you and avoid concentrations of hunters. Shpg. wt. each 6 ozs.: per doz. 5 lbs."

1-4 $3.50 each, 5-11 Calls $3.15 each, Per Doz. $30.00 A phonograph record of elk calls cost $2.00 each for 1-4, but were discounted like the calls if you bought more.

I really wanted at least one of these calls, but I had no money to spend on it. Money was real hard to come by back then. $3.50 was more than an hour's wage plus shipping. There was no picture of the call, but I think it was a tube. Never mind wanting one back in the day. I would love to have one now, if they preformed as advertised.
Back then diaphragms, similar to our modern calls were available, but they were advertised for calling turkeys.

[ElkNut1]

Lots of stuff there Rory! You are quite educated there, very nice! Do you remember the Challenger bugle by Larry Jones back in the late 70' & early 80's -- That's the one I cut my teeth on! (grin) I used that same bugle up to 2000, no kidding!

ElkNut1

[WapitiTalk1]

Sure do Paul, those were the high dollar items on the wall at the Libby Sporting Goods store and out of reach for a poor high school kid when I first started. I seem to reminder my pop bought one and used it for quite a few years with good results. My buddies and I built a few of the flutes in our day but at some point, transitioned to the diaphragms and home made grunt tubes out of PVC pipe. Oh, I'll add another variety to the evolution of elk calls. I voice bugled through a PVC tube for a few years with decent success and used to know a few guys that could really throw out some sounds. If I tried it today, I'd choke and fall over, LOL.

Swede, these should bring back some memories!

Herters Elk Calling Book.jpg (9.48 KiB) Viewed 8656 times

Herters Record.jpg (6.25 KiB) Viewed 8656 times

[Swede]

Well RJ does your Herter's call work as advertised? If it works half as good as advertised, I would like to borrow it.
I still have some Larry Jones stuff, but have lost my Challenger. It was a two piece bugle that came apart in the forest somewhere, and was lost.

[WapitiTalk1]

Well RJ does your Herter's call work as advertised? If it works half as good as advertised, I would like to borrow it.

Absolutely! But be warned, you must only use it on half volume or you may be over ran by elk, wapiti, or European stags as the box sais I just dug those pics up here and there (don't own one) but may have to try and track one down now that you've brought it up.

[ElkNut1]

Yes, I used that bugle for years! Here I am using it in this photo who knows how many years ago? (grin)

ElkNut1

[redtop]

I remember the coil bugle well. First day in the field with one I gave it a toot thinking no way is this going to work. That bull must have been 25 yds away when I bugled. He came in immediately and just about ran me over. It was so quick I just stood there with my jaw wide open. I didn't even have time to be scared. He vanished just as quick. Later that day I called in a spike and I shot him. Must have been 1978 or 79.
A bit later I got an E.L.K. Inc. cow call. Little plastic bite and blow with a rubber band for a reed. Worked like a charm. I still have a few of those around and use them now and then. All elk now know the Hoochie Mama but only the oldest of them remember the E.L.K. Inc. call.
Calling was the secret weapon back then. Most hunters back then just waited for snow to find elk. Of course the hunting seasons went a lot later in to winter then too.

[ElkNut1]

Norm, you mean this cow call? I still use one today at times, these have a very unique sound over mouth reeds & most bite & blow cow calls & still work on today's elk, I've used them for 20 years too if not longer.
http://stores.elknut.com/e-l-k-cow-talk-call/

ElkNut1

[redtop]

That's the one Paul. I always have one in my pocket elk hunting. I can't remember the fellows name that invented those but he had a great book on elk hunting too. It was my bible as a young elk hunter. Very down to earth and a lot of good info in it. Life was simpler before the age of the Internet wasn't it? one type of cow call and a book.

[ElkNut1]

I believe his name was Don Lambauch from Gardiner MT. that made the call, it's still a top seller that we carry today! Yes, lots of things were simple before the Internet! (grin)

ElkNut1