What are the best cow elk calls?

[t-roy1127]

It has been a few years since I have been elk hunting. I need a new elk call for my trip to Oregon this year. The elk seem to respond better to the cow calls compared to the bugles

It seems a lot of people get the Hoochie Mama but I was curious is this mainly because of the ease of use? I can use the diaphragms if they are better sounding.

I will probably get at least 2 different calls so I am open for everyone's ideas.

I tried calling Primos and asked what the better sounding cow call would be since they had a large selection. She referred me to a bugle and said that was the best cow call. At that point I realized the conversation was pointless and thought I would post the question here.

I tried to do a search on this subject but wasn't able to find much on this question. Thanks for the help!

 

[ORElkBow]

The elk seem to respond better to the cow calls compared to the bugles

Depends. Last year was all bugles. Four bulls total in our group and all came running in to bugles.

Primos new I-Maka-da-bull-crazy call is a plus. For OR coastal, stick with the green nozzle. For eastern OR, get both green and orange. Hoochie mama is easy and yes, everyone here uses it so I would stay away from it if you can use mouth diaphrams, IMHO. Primos new sonic dome series are okay but I still like the sound from their improved pilate plate series more. The (red) hyper double reed is all you'll need for bugles and cow calls.

My answer: The green I-MAKA-DA-BULL-CRAZY, the red improved hyper plate, and a grunt tube. I have all Primos elk calls from grunt tubes, to hyper lips, to diaphrams, to hoochie mama, and those ontop are the only ones I really ever use and recommend.

Have fun in OR and best of luck to you.

 

[easymoney]

As has been said, the bulls will let you know what they want.
I love diaphrams because they can be finessed to sound totally different than what everyone else is blowing. Sometimes they just stay quiet and don't bugle at all.

 

[SDHNTR]

I'd get a bite and blow type, an open reed type and a mouth call or two. Each make slightly different sounds and can sound like multiple cows. With Primos, the Cowgirl or Lead Cow for the bite and blow, the I Maka Da bull Crazy for open reed, and the Sonic Domes for mouth calls are what I like.

 

[warren nelson]

+1 SDHNTER you want a couple of different call hanging around your nek so you sound like a herd as you change calls, Hoochie Mama call works great, I like carring it in my pocket so the sound is quieter as I walk I will squeeze it I have had cows and young bulls run up on me as I was walking. Cow in Heat,Lead cow,Cowgirl are all good one to have.
I carry 4 on a lanyard and reed call in my mouth and the Hoochie mama in my pocket. Plus a bugle slung behind my back. It seems towork for me.

 

[sancho]

i have a hoochie mama. when your heart is pounding with excitment, it is a no-brainer to "squeeze the soft end". my mouth went dry, and my mouth call was a choking hazard. even with the hoochie, i was squeezing it unknowingly, so fast and hard that i sounded like a slut cow. i remember my brother hitting me, and giving me that "STFU!" look. i still shot the bull, and i credit it to my slutty cow calling. ahhaha.

now i practice with a mouth call during my long commutes. i think that is the ticket with my plan for putting an arrow into a bull. handfree. i use a primos mouth call.

 

[bpnclark]

Primos Cowgirl.

 

[MJB]

The Hyper lip single reed is what we are using for an Elk hunt in Utah plus a diaphragm. The Hyper is very versatile it can go from a predator to duck to cow elk to doe deer all in one call just got to practice and take off the Tone Converter.

https://shop.primos.com/pc-573-15-hyper-lip-single-with-tone-converter.aspx

On the diaphragm call push the call to the roof of your mouth and make a "S" sound with your tongue. The air will go between your tongue and the diaphragm and your on your way.

 

[t-roy1127]

Thanks for all of the ideas. Looks like I will place an order for a few different types and give the bugle a try.

 

[wmidbrook]

I have had far more bulls respond to reed cow calls and bugles than anything else. +1 on the imperial palate diaphrams too.

 

[elkguys]

I swear by my jim zumbos cow call but then no two hunts are the same.

 

[AZ Jim]

The "Hoochie Mama" works great !

AZ Jim

 

[Rick]

Carlton cow calls work for me.

 

[Huntr Pat]

Primos Cowgirl.

What bpn said.

 

[7mm MAGNUM]

I've got a Carlton bite n' blow that is my favorite, a Primo's single reed, and a Hoochie-Mama and I carry an use all 3 of them. Nothing like sounding like a community of cow elk who have lost their big boy and are looking for a replacement bull. All have different tone values and work great together.

I like the bite n' blow because you can keep working it (like a diaphragm call hands free) if you need to without feeling like your going to swallow it when things get exciting.