Which call to buy?

[billythekidrock]

If you are referring to me, most of the bear pics I have posted were called in.

As for your experience the other day, my guess is you called too loud or the bear just didn't want to come in.
I don't think you need another call, you should be able to blow fawn distress with any closed reed call.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Referring to all the bear call masters  So you think I was to close because I was within 100 yrds ? You would think since I was in his living room he would have came to see what is up unless he did hear - smell or see me which I seriously doubt he seen me ..Do you do better in spring or fall when calling bears ?  Now I be talking to you 

[billythekidrock]

Referring to all the bear call masters  So you think I was to close because I was within 100 yrds ? You would think since I was in his living room he would have came to see what is up unless he did hear - smell or see me which I seriously doubt he seen me ..Do you do better in spring or fall when calling bears ?  Now I be talking to you 

I have done better calling in the fall but I spent way more time hunting in the fall.

You said you ran to within 50 yards of where it went in and started calling as hard as you could. That may have been too loud and too close for the bear or it may not have been interested in the call.

I have started calling (loud distress) at bears under 100 yards and have had them take off like a rocket. Especially small to medium sized bears. I have also started calling to bears inside 50 & 75 yards with soft cow calls and had them walk right in.

Every situation is different, but hindsight being what it is, in your situation it might have been best to try some soft fawn bleats, cow mews or rodent type distress. Start with something soft that doesn't scare it out of it's hide for a few minutes and then work up to full blown distress.

[Machias]

The bear was roughly 50 yards away and you called as hard as you could?  That bear was probably running as hard as he could away.  I imagine you absolutely scared the crap out of him.     I ALWAYS start off my calling softly and work my way into full blown, all out, as hard and as painful sounding as I can.  When I have a bear coming to the call, I tone it down, volume wise the, closer it gets.  I'll sneak up 30 yards from you and crank out a distress call and you tell me what your initial reaction is.     I've called in 15 bears so far, killed 3 of those myself and a person I was hunting with killed one.  I also missed two bears, one with a bow and one with a 30.06 at 25 yards.     Not every bear I have called in gave me a shot.  Not every bear was big enough to kill.  It's not automatic, but it has happened with enough frequency I have high expectations every time I set up and call.  I keep notes on all my calling setups and I average a bear roughly every 20 hours of calling.

[runamuk]

Bearmanrick and Phelps I still need a rainshadow call

some of my calls......

my favorite is my purple and yellow one followed by the pink one.....the two cabelas ones rarely get used at all, the green one is a bugger to blow....