Elk Calls Help You
Get Up Close

Elk calls are a huge part of the market targeting elk hunters, particularly bow hunters, and for good reason. Elk hunting calls, if used effectively, make it possible to get up very close to elk. Bulls often cannot resist checking out realistic sounding cow talk calls during the rut period.

Related topics available:
How to Make Elk Sounds
Learning Elk Talk
Recordings of Elk in the Wild
Calling Elk In Close
Predicting and Hunting the Elk Rut
Bow Hunting Elk

Go to the "Elk Talk" page by clicking here.

The Versatile, Hands-free
Diaphragm Mouth Calls

The most useful and realistic sounding elk calls are the many variations of latex reed, or “diaphragm” mouth calls. Using these mouth calls, however, doesn’t come naturally the first time you try it. Tongue control is the biggest factor, since variable vertical pressure causes the needed changes in sound with these calls.

A higher pitched note is made with more tongue pressure upward. Air is forced through a smaller area, making a higher pitch. Think of a balloon without the end tied. If you open the exit hole and let the air out quickly, a lower pitch is produced. If you let out just a little at a time, the air escaping makes a squealing noise.

The pressure on the latex reed should be made with the middle of your tongue, not the tip. A lower pitch tone is made by decreasing tongue pressure on the reed. Varied tones are what make all the different elk sounds identifiable. Follow directions on the package regarding which side goes up. (Click here SOON for the practice page with audio.)

If you can roll your tongue (a genetic predisposition, not a learned skill), you can easily learn to manipulate these calls, but it still takes practice. Even if you can’t do the tongue trick, you should try a diaphragm mouth call. Most cost only $5 to $8 each. The latex often does not make it from one season to another, however.

In my family, I find that I can use diaphragm mouth calls to make most elk sounds acceptably, but prefer to use hand held, open reed calls for estrus sounds, simply because it works better for me. My youngest teenage son is well on his way to mastering cow talk with latex diaphragms, but my oldest son just spits all over everyone in front of him while making sputtering, screeching noises. You kinda “have it”, or you don’t.

A variety of elk bugles can be made with these calls, as well as cow and calf chirps, mews and fighting cow calls. The manufacturers indicate on the package which elk sounds each variety of mouth call is designed to make. Bull bugle calls sound best when blown through a “grunt tube” that simulates the wind pipe that produces the throaty bull bugle sound.

Here’s a quick tip: Figure out a way to remember which call is which, because once you take them out of the package, it’s often hard to tell. You find one you like and then forget what brand it was!

After a while, most hunters become accustomed to walking around with one of these in their mouths for long periods of time. Some people have a sensitive gag reflex and take more time to get used to having these elk calls in their mouths. (I tend to let it hang part on my bottom lip when it’s not in use. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dropped them. It seems like they are attracted to cow poop like a magnet!) Thankfully, for those who can’t master the diaphragm calls, the need has been met with a supply of easier to use elk calls.

Hand Held Elk Calls

Squeeze Bulb:

The squeeze bulb elk calls are probably the most popular cow calls around because they are so easy to use. However, my concern with some of them is that they most always sound the same and lots of hunters use them. (The Estrus Squeeze Me design allows some good variation in pitches.) Are we educating elk to be wary of the repetitive sound some of these call make? Nonetheless, a squeeze bulb cow call is probably a great call to have in your arsenal of elk calls, especially if you hunt an area that doesn’t get much hunting pressure.

Hand Held Bite and Blow:

E.L.K., Inc., who pioneered the use of “cow talk” for calling in bulls, have two hand held bite and blow calls that consist of replaceable rubber band ($10.95 and $15.95). They are pretty versatile. A “Cow Talk” was the first elk call I ever owned.

Hand Held Open Reed:

Mistake “squeaks” and errant non-elk sounds can be made without some practice. Sometimes the reed will get wet from saliva and stick, rendering it temporarily useless. Most of them can be taken apart and dried off. The plastic reeds can also get bent in a pocket or pack.

Latex Diaphragm Exterior Reed Calls:

The Berry Game Calls version of an external diaphragm call is the Thunder Bugle ($28.50) and sounds very realistic. Glenn Berry makes all the various types of calls discussed above, as do most of the companies.

The Mac Daddy, from Wayne Carlton ($26.99), makes cow elk and bull elk sounds. It has the higher pitch of a young bull, so it is not threatening. In order to get the variable pitch that is possible with a mouth call, there is a lever on the side of the call. The index finger operates it to change from low to high pitch. It is an easy call to use ($27-48). They also make a Mega Mac Daddy now ($34.95).

Primos Calls has a similar product for bugling with the diaphragm attached to the mouth piece of the grunt tube. The different pitches are obtained with lip pressure against a silicon reed. The “Bull horn”, “Terminator” and “Pack Bugle" are priced at $27-43.

Rocky Jacobson, of Bugling Bull Game Calls makes an external diaphragm call that is operated similar to the Primos call described above, except there is a device available for it that allows you to use your teeth to bend the latex reed, instead of your lip. It is called the Rut Buster ($26.95).

E.L.K., Inc. calls theirs the Power Bugle ($29.95). They also make one called the Royal Bugle ($31.95).

We have not personally hunted with any of the bugle diaphragm exterior reed calls, but have heard most of them at seminars. They do have realistic sound. We have simply limited our bugle calling to diaphragm mouth calls to date. However, because of the designs of these easy to use external diaphragm calls, anyone with lips can use them effectively. Some elk calls come with an instructional DVD.

Variety Increases Calling Success

Most elk call companies have package combinations of various calls to help you cut costs. Go here to practice making the sounds with various elk calls (audio available).

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