Using calls to hunt cows?

[kellama2001]

I drew a muzzy cow tag for the Manashtash this year and I am wondering if calls can still be useful when not hunting bulls?  All of the educational resources I've been utilizing focus on using calls to locate and draw in bulls.  I haven't found any information on using calls to locate/attract cows. (I apologize if this topic is covered here somewhere, I did a topic search and couldn't find anything useful) Or is calling not as essential for cow hunting, and I should focus on scouting and locating food/water sources, bedding areas, etc.?  I've been doing my due diligence and think I'll be able to locate the elk, just wondering if calls can be added to my arsenal.  Any help is appreciated, thank you!

Full disclosure: Last year was my first time hunting elk with no harvest.  Got close to a big bull and several cows, but no spikes (true spike only unit).  I learned a lot and have spent the last year trying to learn as much as possible.  I'm doing my homework and reading books, posts, joined elk101.com university, talking to elk hunting veterans, physical training, google-earth and boots to the ground pre-season scouting.  I really want my fist elk and I especially don't want to waste this tag!

[pianoman9701]

Get one of Phelps' EZ Estrus calls and do a lost calf call. If there are cows around, you should be able to get close.

[rtspring]

Cow calls are effective in any season, use more than one. I carry 5 diff ones and it works.   

Just always be ready for a elk to come in quickly no matter where you call from. 

My spike this year covered 1500 yds in under 2 minutes... 

[theleo]

Sounding like a lost calf can make those cows do some crazy things. I was following a heard of about 20 head last year that were on the move, I sat down and decided to try some lost calf calls and one cow broke loose from the heard and she came 600 yards at a dead run. She stopped at about 10 yards, looked at me for about 5 seconds, and took off back to the heard. Would have been a dead elk with a muzzy or rifle, but she didn't give me much much of a chance with a bow.

[kentrek]

Calf noises are a go to....start off crazy soft and go from there...don't be afraid of getting really excited with em

Primos hot lips can make some good tones

[7mmfan]

Calf noises are a go to....start off crazy soft and go from there...don't be afraid of getting really excited with em

Primos hot lips can make some good tones

I haven't had any experience with elk, but while using a lost fawn/fawn in distress while bear hunting, I've had numerous does charge in on me looking for the fawn. My assumption is that a cow elk would have a similar reaction, especially earlier in the season. Be ready for predators to come too.

[Thefisherman83]

I was blowing some estrous calls on Monday and had a dozen or so cows come in on a dead run to 10 yds. I was going to shoot one, but a bull stepped out so I took him instead.

[kellama2001]

Great advise, thanks guys.  I already have a few Phelps calls and really like them, I'll have to add the EZ Estrus

[turkeydancer]

I have calls coming in every year when I'm cow calling for bulls.  They are very social animals.  Last year I had one come out of a brushy bottom on a dead run to within 15 yards ... 

[Rainier10]

Get one of Phelps' EZ Estrus calls and do a lost calf call. If there are cows around, you should be able to get close.

Like others have said they are social animals and I have found acting as a solo calf brings them in the best.  This time of year calves get orphaned or just separated from the group.  Other elk will try to help them relocate the group, call them in that way and you will be good to go.  Calf sounds are often softer and shorter, less lung capacity, and a little higher pitch than regular cow calls.

[kentrek]

Calf noises are a go to....start off crazy soft and go from there...don't be afraid of getting really excited with em

Primos hot lips can make some good tones

I haven't had any experience with elk, but while using a lost fawn/fawn in distress while bear hunting, I've had numerous does charge in on me looking for the fawn. My assumption is that a cow elk would have a similar reaction, especially earlier in the season. Be ready for predators to come too.

Cows can get very very worked up over some Calf noises.....locate the herd, get them worked up, close the distance, then maybe swap to bugles....cows are more reliable then bulls

[Jpmiller]

I have a cow tag this year and never even thought of that. We used to be in the habit of cow calling every so often as we walked through the woods just to pretend we were elk but I never really thought of calling specifically for cows. Going to have to give this a shot in a few weeks.

[kentrek]

You can also bugle in cows too, try nothing but chuckles

[kellama2001]

Thank you all so much for all the help.  I'm getting REALLY excited to get out there now!