Most effective or favorite?

[Jordanskylery]

I'm sure this post has come up before but wanted to get updated thoughts!

Just wondering what are the most effective or peoples favorite elk calls (bugle, cow call, etc)? 

Also I have had some experience calling with coyotes but have never done any elk calling.  I know with certain mouth calls such as turkey or duck calls they can be very tricky to master in a short time and can scare off the animals if done poorly. 
What are some of the easier calls out there that are still very effective?

Any other must bring items for an early september archery elk hunt.... Attraction scents, cover scents, etc?

Final question.  I have a foxpro I use for predator calling and have several elk calls programmed (elk bugle, cow call, chirps).  Even though it is cumbersome has anyone used one on an elk hunt with any success?

Thanks guys, there is always great input on here! Can't wait for September!

[DoubleJ]

Don't think you can use the foxpro for elk calling

[Jordanskylery]

As far as the regs go it mentions only that you may not use an electronic call for turkey or deer.

[kckrawler]

Electronic calls are legal on elk but pretty lame in my opinion.  Grab any grunt tube and start blowing away...you'll soon find out what you like best and what works best for you...trial and error is about the only way to find the right setup 

[pianoman9701]

I've got a call into one of the enforcement guys in Oly. I've gone through the 2012 big game regs and can find nothing prohibiting the use of electronic calls for anything other than deer and turkey. WA is a "by exception" state, which means that if it's not specifically prohibited, it's legal. More to come when Mr. Carroll calls me back.

[kckrawler]

Don't know why you'd need to make a phone call, seems pretty cut and dry to me 

Page 76:
13. Using decoys and calls:
It is illegal to hunt turkey or deer with the use
or aid of electronic calls and battery powered
or other electronic devices as decoys.

[pianoman9701]

Electronic calls are legal on elk but pretty lame in my opinion.  Grab any grunt tube and start blowing away...you'll soon find out what you like best and what works best for you...trial and error is about the only way to find the right setup 

I'd have to ask the question why more lame on elk than other critters? I mean it's like those who think that the sun only sets on longbow shooters. I haven't used electronic calls myself and probably won't, but I can see an application, especially if one hunts alone.

There are plenty of debates in WA about this, baiting, use of certain hunting tools, etc. I think it's important to remember that we all have different standards when it comes to using legal hunting methods. We have those for ourselves, but that doesn't necessarily mean someone else's are no good. If you feel alright about using them, go for it.

[notellumcreek]

So we can use electronic calls on elk, but we cant use a lit notch to track an arrow better and has nothing to do with the actual hunting of the animal??? 

[pianoman9701]

So we can use electronic calls on elk, but we cant use a lit notch to track an arrow better and has nothing to do with the actual hunting of the animal??? 

Yes, that seems to be the case.

[notellumcreek]

So we can use electronic calls on elk, but we cant use a lit notch to track an arrow better and has nothing to do with the actual hunting of the animal??? 

Yes, that seems to be the case.

  Learn something new everyday. Oh well I will be playing by the rules regardless.

[Jordanskylery]

I agree with the stated above.  In my opinion most of the time these rule exceptions only are helping to get the animal into more effective and humane kill range.  I know plenty of hunters who would take a shot at 40-60 yards on an animal knowing good and well that they are not nearly proficient enough to consistently make a good clean kill at that range.

I guess I may have been a bit unclear though.  Even though I have the call I will most likely not use it as this hunt will be to tough to drag along a heavy e-caller and remote, and try to fumble with both and range and shoot the bow.

I guess my main question is what are the easiest and most effective calls for a beginning elk caller?

Sorry for the multiple topics in one post

[pianoman9701]

I agree with the stated above.  In my opinion most of the time these rule exceptions only are helping to get the animal into more effective and humane kill range.  I know plenty of hunters who would take a shot at 40-60 yards on an animal knowing good and well that they are not nearly proficient enough to consistently make a good clean kill at that range.

I guess I may have been a bit unclear though.  Even though I have the call I will most likely not use it as this hunt will be to tough to drag along a heavy e-caller and remote, and try to fumble with both and range and shoot the bow.

I guess my main question is what are the easiest and most effective calls for a beginning elk caller?

Sorry for the multiple topics in one post

Phelps makes one of the best cow calls on the market. He's a site sponsor.

[kckrawler]

Electronic calls are legal on elk but pretty lame in my opinion.  Grab any grunt tube and start blowing away...you'll soon find out what you like best and what works best for you...trial and error is about the only way to find the right setup 

I'd have to ask the question why more lame on elk than other critters? I mean it's like those who think that the sun only sets on longbow shooters. I haven't used electronic calls myself and probably won't, but I can see an application, especially if one hunts alone.

There are plenty of debates in WA about this, baiting, use of certain hunting tools, etc. I think it's important to remember that we all have different standards when it comes to using legal hunting methods. We have those for ourselves, but that doesn't necessarily mean someone else's are no good. If you feel alright about using them, go for it.

Agreed. I own a Spitfire. I ride quads. I was just voicing my opinion.

It's a pretty satisfying feeling when you're sitting in the deep timber blowing away on a piece of plastic tubing and all of the sudden, not 50 yards away, a bull screams back at you. It's just one of those things that gives you goose bumps. Maybe you get the same feeling when he screams at your foxpro, maybe not...

[CP]

Quads are pretty lame in my opinion.

[pianoman9701]

Quads are pretty lame in my opinion.

Hang on. It's going to be a bumpy ride.