Hoochie Mama and Baby Hoochie Mama?

[Mark251]

Hi Folks,
I've been a deer hunter most of my life but this fall I'm getting my first opportunity to hunt elk.  I drew a cow  tag (an antlerless tag) for an early November hunt here in Eastern Washington.  A hunting buddy has suggested getting and practicing with a Hoochie Mama to prepare for the hunt.  I know that it's a great call for bulls but would any of you use that call for an early November antlerless hunt?  How about the Baby Hoochie Mama?  Any ideas?

Thanks for the help!

[Jonathan_S]

It's good at creating a chirp sound, which in general is a "all is well" sound made by elk.  If you are still hunting it might help you locate or keep elk calm.

They are awfully expensive.  I have one but don't like that I cannot inflect and make different sounds.

For that hunt and time of year, a call becomes much less important.  Almost completely unnecessary but it is good to have if you are trying to stop a spooked elk I suppose.

[Tbar]

Great calls for young children.  For adults I think there are far better and less limiting options, get a Phelps call.  He's a sponsor on here.

[Jonathan_S]

Last year I called a young bull within range (like 8 ft) with a Hoochie Mama but I wish I'd had a diaphragm in my mouth to use instead.

Nothing bad about them really but like TBar said - limiting and really only make the chirp sound even though they advertise it to make and estrous sound.  For $30, you could get a few calls and see what works for you.

[Taco280AI]

I used both to call in a bull from 297 yards down to 42 yards. Had them behind me, pointed in different directions. He called back a few times then made his way down the hill.

[vandeman17]

I got one for free when I renewed my eastmans mag a few years back and I sometimes carry it in my pocket. When I am doing a calling sequence I will throw it in sometimes along with my reed call to try and make it sound more like a herd of elk with different tones and inflections. Can't say I would use it as a stand alone call though as it is limited in sound options

[trophyhunt]

They for some reason get crap flipped about them, but the work just fine.  I like my phelps reed calls because you can change tones and munipilate the calls, but I used the hoochie moma and baby hoochie for years and had success.  They are simple to use and do sound good, I preferred the baby over the mama myself.  Still use the baby in synce with my mouth call if I want to represent myself as more than 3 or 4 cows. 

[WapitiTalk1]

Wouldn't waste the dinero on one of those goofy things. As vandeman said, it can be used to add a bit of a different tone during various calling sequences (cold calling or breeding sequences) but they're really not the best choice as a stand alone call.  Elk talk year around... yes, even into November and beyond.  It would serve you better to obtain a call that not only makes casual cow/calf sounds (herd talk) but can also make lost or regathering cow sounds.  That would serve you better in elk battle.   

[MADMAX]

I like mine
But I also REALLY like my sceery

[kentrek]

There's never a bad time of year to have a cow call handy ! The hoochy moma can sound redundant if the button pusher doesn't very things up a bit...and it will sound un natural

But with that it mind it's easy to make good calls with it and may be all it takes to locate a group of beded cows in a draw

Get one ! Or jump up to a hyperlip single and bring them in on a string !

[CP]

$14.99 - doesn't seem too pricey

http://www.amazon.com/Primos-Baby-Hoochie-Mama-Call/dp/B002KEMVCY

[DOUBLELUNG]

I'd be ok with one for a rifle or muzzy hunt.  If archery, it's a great secondary/locator but there's really no substitute for a diaphragm call when you are trying to an animal in close - be it turkey, elk or whatever.  That said, I'd much prefer one to no call at all.

[dscubame]

I love my hoochie even with my various mouth calls.and I like to say hoochie.

[rtspring]

Better than nothing.  I had one for years for modern rifle season. I've called in a heck of alot of spikes with one.  It all depend on each individual elk. Is it the sound they are interested in at that exact time or not. 

I use a cow call during rifle alot. Sometimes out of pure boredom but mostly as I walk through the woods. 

Are there better calls on the market? Yes but these hoochies do work. 

Try to learn to cow call with just your mouth, its amazing how you can stop an elk dead in his tracks with a simple mew with just your mouth. 

[Mark251]

Thanks for the insights.  I think I might start out with a Hoochie Mama and then begin practicing with a reed call.  I've never used a reed call but I'd like to learn.  I appreciate the advice!