Elk Calling: Essential Techniques & Sounds
Elk hunting is a challenging pursuit that requires significant time in the field, but becoming proficient at calling can make a massive difference in your success. Unlike turkey calling, elk vocalizations rely more on finesse and power, utilizing a continuous "roller coaster" of sounds within the same octave rather than choppy notes.
Professional Caller Beau Brooks breaks down the fundamental elk calling techniques and elk call sounds to help you get started practicing for your hunt.
How to Call for Elk: The Essential Sounds
Learning how to call for elk starts with understanding the basic vocabulary of the herd. Elk vocalizations are largely emotion-based, and mastering a few core sounds will allow you to hunt successfully anywhere in the country.
The Cow Elk Call
If you only learn one sound, make it the cow elk call. Whether you’re calling to calves, a bull, or other cows, this is your foundational tool.
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The Technique: Place an elk diaphragm call comfortably in the roof of your mouth
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The Execution: Imagine you’re hissing like a snake. A standard elk cow call transitions from a high pitch to a low pitch. Simply drop your tongue on the call to change the pitch.
Expert Tip | You must smile when making a cow call. Avoid making "O" or "U" shapes with your lips, as this ruins the natural sound.
Calf Calls & the Estrus Buzz
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Calf Calling: This is one of the best sounds to get a bull fired up. Push a little harder on the call, keep the sound very fast and short, and don’t drop your jaw as much as you would for a cow call.
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Estrus Buzz: If a bull is being stubborn and won’t answer, try adding an estrus buzz for realism. You achieve this simply by blowing a "raspberry" over the call.
Mastering Elk Bugle Calls
Bugling can be tough to master, as it requires proper mouth placement to ensure no air escapes over the call. For hunters just getting started with elk bugle calls, using a dome-style diaphragm call acts like "training wheels," making it much easier to hit the necessary high notes.
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The Standard Elk Bugle Call: A bugle relies on constant pressure. Using the tip or the flat of your tongue, create a "stair step" sound going up, hold the high note for one to two seconds, and then drop it back down.
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The Locating Bugle: When you just want a bull to answer, focus on maximum volume rather than perfect realism. Push harder on the call, hold the notes longer, and aggressively stair-step your way down to get into every part of the sound.
Advanced Tactics: Chuckling
Chuckling is typically used as a challenge call to get in a bull's face or to mimic a bull slipping in.
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The Technique: Make the sound as if you’re getting hit in the stomach, using the flat of your tongue.
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What to Avoid: If you pinch your lips, you will create an unnatural, high-pitched chuckle that will easily reveal you’re a hunter, not an elk. Make sure to drop your jaw to the bottom of your bugle tube mouthpiece.
Frequently Asked Questions about Elk Calling
Ultimately, mastering these elk call sounds comes down to consistent practice and confidence. Once you know how to call for elk, you’ll be ready to practice the timing and eventually have a successful hunt. If you have additional questions about purchasing elk calls or tips on how to call elk, stop by your local SCHEELS to speak with a Hunting Expert.