Yes, I've heard this sound several times but even more importantly I use it a lot! It's a great sound for Blind/Cold calling setups. It is not a grunt at all it's more of a Buzz or controlled bawl, at least to me it is! (grin) I call it the Estrus Buzz. This sound is on the new CD that is coming out in a couple of weeks & is the sound I refer to in the PlayBook quite a bit for particular situations.
This cow is looking for the group she heard at a distance, she is using a demanding tone looking for a visual or response from the other elk she knows she heard from a distance away. This is a great sound for any elk hunter when used at the right time! It's best imitated with a mouth reed, this is the best way to imitate the buzz/mews combination.
It should also be noted that this is not an "estrus" I'm ready to be bred sound at all. I call it the estrus buzz for lack of a better name! (grin) This sound can be heard in June & July quite regularly if cows are separated. In addition to this it can give direction to other elk in the herd as to which direction the herd is moving in heavy cover where they cannot see one another or if others are just lagging well behind. It can be used in a controlled tone or a very urgent tone when it wants immediate satisfaction as to where the group is or in a hurry up & catch up with us type tone.
It takes a bit of practice to imitate but once mastered it's good one, we brought in many elk just this past season with this sound alone!
ElkNut1
