Elk Calls for Partner-Help Needed

[Kessler10]

So my buddy is joining me on my back country elk hunt this year. He has never been elk hunting and will not have permit. he is coming just to help.

there is great value in having a partner with you for calling setups (and elk packing of course), however, he has never used an elk call before, nor does he even really know what an elk sounds like.

With that being said what call should i try to teach him to use? I will be doing all the calling but think it could be valuable if he at least can make some basic cow sounds so i can set him up 50-100 yards behind me when the scenario calls for it. Not going to mess around with trying to teach him to use a bugle, but felt there are some easier cow calls I could teach him to use fairly quickly. even thought about using the Old reliable COW TALK call that has been around for the longest time. the most basic call i can think. i know its old but old timers and people like my dad have called in elk with this bad boy since the 60s. So feel it might be the best fit for someone who is just trying to make a couple basic cow sounds so he can help me on my setups if need be.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/spor ... /cat100398


Thoughts?
thanks!

[Swede]

The Cow Talk is good. You can use it for cow and calf sounds. I am concerned about putting him 50-100 yards away from you. It is likely he will call in the bull, and you will be sitting there scratching your head when it is all over.

[WapitiTalk1]

Luke, yes I agree with Swede about the Cow Talk call. I used one many moons ago with good results, and, folks still swear by them to this day. The Elknut store also carries the Cow Talk (plug here to support WT sponsors . Link: http://stores.elknut.com/e-l-k-cow-talk-call. There are a bunch of other "bite and blow" cow calls that would work well also (Berry Sleazy Cow Call, Wapiti River Outdoors "Easy Girl", Carlton Bull Hooker, Carlton Long Ranger, etc.). Don't forget about having your buddy just do some old fashioned tree raking and ground stomping; many elk are lured in with non-verbal sounds each year. Another thought may be to get your buddy practicing on a diaphragm with you. Heck who knows, he may just pick up the diaphragm thing pretty well before season! Lastly as Swede mentioned, ensure your set up distance between you and your buddy relates to the type of cover/terrain you're in (it can be anywhere from 20 yards to much farther, again, cover/terrain dependent). Best of luck to you this fall mister!

Cautionary note: Make sure you check the regs for the state you're hunting and ensure it's OK for your buddy to be calling elk without a license in his pocket.

[Swede]

Luke: It sounds like you have a buddy that wants to go with you, but is not an elk addict yet. I like that. It is possible that after seeing and hearing elk up close he will want to be all in next season. For now I would keep things simple for him. Keep him close to you, and don't try to get him to be fancy with the calling. If you want him to sound like a cow with you the bull, have him cow call some. Have him stay out of sight and make an occasional cow call, and then in a few seconds make a calf mew. I think you should do all of the bull sounds. I like to listen and wait more than make calls. Plant the idea that you are a small bull with a cow and her calf. Patience and perseverance can be productive. Don't be in too big of a hurry.

[CurlyTail]

Primos Hyper-Lip Single - super easy to blow, most realistic cow call I have heard, not very loud with the tone converter on, quite loud with tone converter off

[Elkhunttoo]

It's still a while before the season. I would get him started with as many as you can, never know what he will pickup. I would also start having him watch videos that show the way you want to hunt so in the heat of the moment he knows what you're saying. Good luck

[six]

Kessler10

I have one of those elk calls in my pocket at all times when I am in the elk woods. Easiest elk call I have ever used and should be pretty easy for him to master. I actually bought the call at Elk Inc in Gardener, MT.

I took a friend who didn't carry a weapon one year and he has hunter every year since. Good luck.