how much is to much, calling?

[bankwalker]

I'm very curious how much everyone uses their calls while out elk hunting. Talking more so with cow and calf calling.

I don't do very much calling. I rely on vision mostly. If/when I get with 100 to 75yds or close enough to hear the elk I willing accordingly to how much they are talking.
But all my experience is on the eastside where it's a lot more open then over here on the westside.

[bloodhound]

depends on how "in the rut" they are. if its a quiet rut with no bugling then i will do a few cow/calf back and forths and then wait 15-20 min, then rinse and repeat looking around a lot and listening very carefully for a sneaky bull while moving 20 yards each session.  i will call much, more aggressively on a bugling bull type situation. 

[Button Nubbs]

I like to keep em curious and let them come to me.

[TommyH]

Depends... I cow call alot, and if im moving threw the thick and making noise, even more. Step on a twig and i will let out a call, might just keep them curious long enough.

[boneaddict]

Very little

[Hornseeker]

Totally depends on the bull. Period. Had ones that shut up after one call....had them bugle and come in or stay put while I was calling almost constantly to him...

[Fullabull]

I call quite a bit, I always let out cow sounds when walking around and every year have had a bull or two let us know he was there. You could be walking by lots of elk and if you don't do your best to let them know you are there (as another elk) then you might miss out. they are very social so take advantage of it. In the early morning hours I like to use location bugles every 100 yards or so. Sound only travels so far so every 100 yards seems to work out pretty well. Once they sound off.....go gettem

[WSU]

I call a lot.  I locate elk using a buggle, and generally cover ground until I get a response.  Once I do, I move in close and attempt to kill said elk.  Seems to keep me in elk more days than not.  I usually come out of the woods wondering how in the hell I didn't kill one.

[bankwalker]

This is good to know. I always feel like I call to much at times so I try to avoid using my calls. I feel like I'm jist spooking them off when I cow call very much.

[TommyH]

Depends... I cow call alot, and if im moving threw the thick and making noise, even more. Step on a twig and i will let out a call, might just keep them curious long enough.

The above, if im trying to locate elk. Once located i will try to get in as close as possible without a noise. Once in close, will let out a call and try to see how the elk are responding, last year i had a 5 point bugling bull with cows that would bugle back but herding his cows away from me, lots of bugling and scraping got the cows intrested in possibly a bigger bull. The cows kept trying to see the bigger bull(me), The real bull finally had enough(4 long and intense hours later) and stepped out for a fight to keep his cows.

[BULLBLASTER]

When I am still hunting through the brush I will let out cow and calf sounds every few steps and wait a couple minutes. Sound like an elk. I have called in numerous elk that I didn't even know were there until I heard or saw them coming.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I agree with BullBusters method  turkey and elk hunting are so much a like .. Basically taking the temperature of the turkey or elk and act accordingly ...If he is hot and screaming at me then I continue to do the same sounds that is making him respond to me ..moving slowly and calling once in awhile is a sure way of firing off any bull or turkey in the area you are traveling.....