Elk Calls?

[fishnfrank]

I am going Elk hunting in Colorado for the Oct. 15-19 rifle season and I am looking for any suggestions on what kind of calls I might want to carry. I have heard that they will propably be out of rut and I would need to use a cow call more vs. a bugle. If anybody can help me out, I would appreciate it.

[M.T. Pockets]

I don't think I'd even carry a bugle. I think you'd be well served with a Primos cow call, get the one that you just have to squeeze, it has some variable settings to sound like a calf & other tones.

[300 RUM]

I agree I have always had better luck with a cow call even during the rut. I use a bugle more as a locator but its the cow call that brings them in. I also have seen more hunters bugle in other hunters than elk. Its quite funny to watch thru the spotting scope

[grayghost]

I'm guessing your heading out for "over the counter" 2nd rifle season? I've had Bulls blowing their lungs out on opening day/2nd rifle as late as Oct 21st. They were worked up to say the least, and remained that way for 24 hours (until shooting and human contact shut them up). But unless you are skilled at Elk language, heed the guys advice; Cow/calf talk is the rule. Elk make a lot of noise, not only vocalizations but truly, NOISE. They can sound like a heard of Buffalo going through the woods but a savvy old Bull can sneak up on you with no problem. Concentrate on Elk language before you go. If you have a satellite Bull in heavy cover, try scraping a pine tree with another piece of wood. Most of the time the Bull will either come straight towards you or try to sneak in down wind of you. (You want him to think your a young Bull rubbing a tree, so don't overdo the branch breaking. No calling is needed.) Watch for your first open shot you feel comfortable with. Always be listening. Mature Bulls sometimes "huff" when on the move. Very hard to hear something alien to our ears, so get yourself some of the excellent calling DVDs now available. Woods Wise Call company produces some good video. Don't focus on "Watch us kill 10 Bulls on 10 hunts" or anything like that. Concentrate on calling video's. You'll learn more. Mature herd Bulls aren't interested in fighting as a rule. Most of that was done early; before prime rut. Now he's more interested in hanging onto the Cows he still retains in his harem. Fights mean bad things to an old Bull; death, injury and his worse fear: losing his Cows. He's thinking; "I got em, you don't, I'm outta here." He leaves the younger Bulls that are full of p*ss and vinegar to do the fighting. Cow calls when done correctly can get your Bull. But remember; Cow calls can and will call Cows! Learn what your saying before you head into the wilderness. You want to imitate a mature, lonely Cow in heat. Not a lost calf, or a whinny Cow. This draws the wrong attention. If your hunting with a partner (I never hunt Elk alone) let them do the calling; at least 50 yards behind you! When the Bull hangs up (and he will 90% of the time) you should have a good shot at him and a very reasonable range. I can't say enough about good video; get all you can and watch them over and over. As for calls, my favorites are the Power Bugle and Cow Talk by Elk Inc., Gardiner, MT. and Woods Wise calls; Hyper Hot Cow etc. They are in Franklin, TN. Good luck this year and good hunting, grayghost

[fishnfrank]

Thanks a lot gray ghost. This being my first hunt, the advice will definitly come in handy. I have been reading as much as possible about it as I can and I plan on getting some videos when I get back home. Thanks again.