There's many various cow calls on the market today, most are perfect in the fact that they will do the job they're intended for! The more versatile the call the better off you will be, this is especially true when the hunters best odds are using a cow sound that fits the encounter! Hoochie mamas & like calls have their place but are by no means an end all or fit all situation type call. They give off "contact mews" & nothing more, you are very limited in its use. On some occasions that's all that's needed, other occasions require a different cow sound or tone that fits the encounter. The hoochies are a very good call to add an additional cow sound such as trying to sound like a small group of elk the hoochie just being one of those sounds, not all 3-4 cows.
The mouth diaphragm is ones best choice as it is versatile & can be used to make any sound a cow can make. External reeded calls are the next best thing for both those that want an additional or different tone or just can't use mouth reeds! Ones such as the Hyper Lip Single, Whose Yrr Daddy, Estrus Whine or Fighting Cow Call are all good choices & can deliver realistic cow tones & sound.
The important factor to really be concerned with is what you're asking for or saying when using any elk sound! Learning to understand what each sound means to the elk is of far more importance than just spitting out any ole cow sound or mew. Learn when & how to use a "contact mew/chirp" "pleads" "create pitchy excitement" "estrus buzz" "re-gathering sounds" "separated sounds" & so on. There is where your success will lie! Find a cow call you're happy with & fits then master the various sounds & you will see that your close encounters with elk along with a good setup & good wind will be enhanced considerably! Keep it simple & Good Luck!
ElkNut1
