Top 5 Elk Sounds To Master!

[Elknut1]

  With the upcoming Elk Season upon us many hunters especially newer ones are trying to bone up on their elk calling skills but don't have all the time in the world to work on them! So as not to be over burdened with too many sounds let's look at the most important ones that can get the job done in a variety of situations & encounters & why!


 Consider focusing on the most commonly used sounds many of us use every year to call for location or attract elk to us in certain situations. I like having 5 sounds which all are important & have their place! Along with these sounds raking a tree/brush rolling rocks or foot stomping around can add to the picture you are trying to paint in the minds eye of an elk!

  Location Bugle -- Used for locating or finding where elk are! You are not trying to call them to you with this sound!

  Advertising/Challenge Bugle -- This sound can also be used as a location sound but is primarily used once bulls are located & you are within 125yds, closer is better! This sound is used by bulls when trying to attract cows to them that they know are nearby, especially cows in or nearing estrus, these cows are generally with another bull so this intruder bull (possibly you) will give his best efforts with advertising himself bugles to draw these cows over his way. This is done because it's the cows who choose the bulls that will breed them so they are looking for the more dominant qualities in a bull.

  Nervous/Popping Grunt -- This sound can be a reaction sound by any elk if they are startled by noise or unidentifiable movement. It's commonly used by all elk asking for a visual or identity to an elk they've heard but cannot find or see as well. This is my # 1 sound that all should learn, it will stop a moving elk for the shot at nearly any distance where elk are within earshot to even a few yards away!

  Cow & Calf Chatter - Used to imitate social herd talk & movement to mom & junior keeping tabs on one another. If separated junior can get quite chatty looking for mom or any elk for assistance.

  Estrus Buzz -- Also a good location call used on high volume with demanding tones! This sound is used in several instances such as when elk are separated & trying to regroup. It's also used when they are in search of other elk they've heard & cannot find. It's also an invite with more moderate tones with much less intensity used such as when within earshot of other elk groups. This is not a sound used by cows to attract bulls to breed them! This sound is used throughout the year by elk for communication.

  These 5 can be mastered & their use understood by both us & the elk, meaning we know why we're using a certain sound for a certain occasion! Each one has a specific use & meaning to the elk so representing them correctly as hunters is important. Just because we can make certain elk sounds doesn't mean we will call a lot of elk in. Understand the use of each one & it will aid you & give you confidence in your hunt! -- As you become a confident caller in the future & would like to incorporate additional sounds to your arsenal then consider the more difficult sounds such as Grunts, Chuckles, Glunks, etc. Like the other sounds know their meanings as well & you will know when to apply them or understand what you're hearing when the elk themselves are using them, this will help you to form a solid game plan in what to do next!

  ElkNut1

[stormin85]

Awesome info Elknut! I was shooting the bow last night got done and started reading over some of the other info I have printed off that I have saved from your posts on here and AT, just reminded myself its never too early to be working on calling and the different sounds we should recognize.

[Elknut1]

Thanks, & you are so right! We all need practice, not to be world champion callers but to simply be believable to the elk! Right sound right time!

  ElkNut1

[Yankee]

Thanks for the info!  One thing I'm struggling with after listening to your elk sounds a couple of times is distinguishing between a bull location call and a regathering bugle? Any tips?

[Bean Counter]

 

[Elknut1]

Yankee, yes there are things to look for & you are correct they sound very similar because in both cases their sounds are directed towards the cows! In the Location Bugle a bull is in "search of" other elk groups especially cows! In the gathering mode or calling cows to him the bull knows there are cows present, his! The way to tell the two apart as mentioned in the PlayBook is to look/listen for repetition! The Location Bugle is generally given by bulls every so many minutes or every 10-15 minutes apart & many times they are on the move in search of other elk. The Gathering or calling cows to him is much more persistent & the bull pretty much remains in the same place as the cows regroup to him! You will hear this sound 2-4 times a minute until he's satisfied his cows are returning! If this bull with the cows feels his cows are not coming quick enough he will then add more intensity to his message, this is where a Lip Bawl can be heard as he gets more demanding & wants immediate action & results.  Hope this helps!

  ElkNut1

[Bean Counter]

So how does one bull know that he's hearing a challenge bugle and not a regathering bugle?

[RadSav]

So how does one bull know that he's hearing a challenge bugle and not a regathering bugle?

Sort of the same difference as your mother calling you to dinner and your mother calling you when she found Playboy's in your room.  My mother only called my name but it was pretty easy for me to know when to run toward home and when to run away from home. 


IMO the hardest and most useful elk sound for hunters to make is the "Silence" sound!  Knowing when and how to "Shut The H&ll Up" is as important if not more so than knowing how to bugle or make a sleazy estrus call.


Good post ElkNut1

[Yankee]

That helps a bunch, thanks!

[Optimusprime]

What's a good call for mouth Reed users when trying to get a cow to investigate or move closer? What will this do when it is used in a large herd scenario?

[Expedition Scout]

Elknut1, thanks for taking the time to pass on this information! Excellent!

[Maverick]

thanks for the info!

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Elknut understands elk better than anyone I have known.  The Elknut playbook is a must to have.  When I ordered mine I called "elknut" Paul to confirm my purchase and he was more than willing to help me with elk calling questions.  He is a wealth of knowledge.  Thanks for your dedication and sharing of info Paul!

[Elknut1]

Guys, thanks for the comments! RadSav, you bet, there are times to shut things down completely & go into stealth mode, that's as much of a challenge for many of us as is good calling! (grin)

  I shared these 5 sounds as a reminder that we can be effective elk hunters with these 5, we do not have to make every sound an elk makes to hunt them with success. These top 5 can be used on their own or use 1-2 or 3 depending on the encounter, thing is you can tailor these sounds to about any elk encounter you come across when calling is needed by us! Let's keep it simple & have a ton of fun! (grin)

  ElkNut1

[RadSav]

Let's keep it simple & have a ton of fun! (grin)