Elk Calls?

[iRem]

I am highly intrested in learning correctly on how to call elk, and want to purchase an elk call that would be the best for a beginner. I know that there are a lot of calls out on the market and I would like to find some thing other than what all Big Box stores carry, which is usually the same Primos type calls. I would like to purchase a call that not most or all of these hunters have, do to the fact that the elk have been trained to these type of calls. I would just like to purchase a call that I can learn on at home that would be suitable for me start practicing with. I have done some calling in YEARS past with my father ( 15 years ago ) and want to start over do to bad habits. Thanks, Paul

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Well.....
As far as what I have tried (just about all of them)
Buy diaphragms, it really does not matter at this point, but practice as much as possible, try as many diff ones as you can find, you will find one brand that you like.
as a beginner, you will probably do best with single reed, but.. 
I swear by my Sceery cow call, still has the best sound (in my opinion) and I can keep the volume at what I like.
Check out Elknuts stuff.

[BallisticsNut]

http://phelps-game-calls.primetime-outdoors.com/

Take a look.

[bearmanric]

I make a awsome louder elk call with my RR1 Toneboard. Very easy to learn it is a openreed call. I can make it out of any antler. or I can make one out of any of the exotic wood's I havall kinds of wood's or I have Laminates colored wood's. Turkey huntinting right now in colville. Can help with sounds. Rick

[wildmanoutdoors]

Give me a Raging Bull and a Mellow yellow diaphragm with an Elk nut chuckler and thats all I need. The Mellow yellow sounds soooo good and easy to manipulate.
You'll have to practice with a Diaphragm, but man is it worth it!

[pianoman9701]

Use a diaphragm cow and calf call. Best thing for a beginner. Also get a Larry Jones CD to learn what it's supposed to sound like.

[JPhelps]

iRem,
I make custom elk calls and can tune it how ever you would like.  They make very good cow and calf talk but more importantly great estrus whines.

Check out my new webpage to give you some ideas on what my calls look like.  You can also look under the sponsors forum to see some of my past calls and reviews from the members, as well as pricing. 

If you would like get a hold of me.  I am always willing to talk elk calling.

Jason Phelps
Phelps Game Calls
360.402.2617

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

diaphrams are the way to go if you ask me.  Jason i would like to try one of yours this year.  I will get ahold of you next time I head out that way. 

[iRem]

Looks like I have a lot of research to do. I really like the idea of having one made for myself. I will definitely look into the diaphragm for both cow and bull. I will also look into getting some thing made just for Me.
Thank you so far for the advice.  I will have to make a decision soon, so that I can pratice, practice and yeah.

[gasman]

Give me a Raging Bull and a Mellow yellow diaphragm with an Elk nut chuckler and thats all I need. The Mellow yellow sounds soooo good and easy to manipulate.
You'll have to practice with a Diaphragm, but man is it worth it!

Gotta go with "Mello Yellow" 

Very easy to use, especially for a beginner. I buy a few every year and use them religiously. Rocky makes sone great calls, thats for sure.

http://www.buglingbull.com/

[ponyboy156]

^^^^ Ditto, mellow yellows my favorite. I use only Rocky's calls. Just havent been able to find what I want when I try other calls.

[Elknut1]

     If you're wanting to use a mouth reed & bugle combo then that would be a great way to choose, you still have ample time before your hunt if you're willing to put in the practice! If this is to your liking then do yourself a favor & start with user friendly reeds. Most single lightly stretched latex reeds are your best bet for quick results. As you produce sounds in a positive way this will motivate you to push forward in your practice sessions, do not easily give up!

Consider the Bugling Bull Calls, they are some of the best we've all used here. I would recommend to you to pickup a Mellow Yellow & the All Star reed. These two are extremely soft tensioned latex reeds & will work very good for you or any caller for that matter. This is important to have the right reed for the job at hand or you can be easily discouraged with the wrong ones such as  too tightly stretched reeds that will mislead you into thinking that all reeds are difficult to use, this is not so! Start off right! These reeds are available by us as well as instruction on them if needed!

If all you want to use are external calls then seriously consider bite & blow calls like the Estrus Whine or Hyper Lip Single, these are very good cow call choices!

For external bugles, (if you do not want to use mouth reeds) The thunder bugle is a good choice but I believe just about any of them will suffice for you as a novice caller.

As some have mentioned, it's much more important to know what you're saying when using any elk sound than blindly calling & just hoping for the best! Do your homework & you will get out of it what you put into it. Do not rely on luck but instead make your own luck!

  www.elknut.com
  ElkNut1

[THEBUGLER]

iREM,
  Bugling bull game calls are the best calls out there hands down. They last long, and the sound is authentic. In fact their calls took all the 1rst place honors at the RMEF World Elk calling Championships in 2011. Learning to call is tough but is definitely worth while. I would have never been a successful elk hunter without calling. For tips & techniques for calling elk, check out this link http://elk101.com/
 
Dirk

[JPhelps]

I agree on the mouth calls and I use Bugling Bull diaphragms.  The all star made for elk101 is an awesome call.  I don't make diaphragms yet.

Now, I have Bugling Bulls who's your daddy and who's your daddy signature series and I will put my calls up against them any day.  Now I will not lie I could take his or my calls out and kill elk with either (as a matter of fact a few of the bulls I have killed heard a bugling bulls call last) .  The difference is my call is one of a kind and about $10 cheaper.

Here is a little more about my calls:
http://www.outdoorblog.net/pnwbowhunting/2011/03/06/interview-jason-phelps-of-phelps-game-calls/

I will make you a deal iRem I will send you a call and if you like it you can pay for it if not I will pay for shipping back.

[washelkhntr]

I agree on the mouth calls and I use Bugling Bull diaphragms.  The all star made for elk101 is an awesome call.  I don't make diaphragms yet.

Now, I have Bugling Bulls who's your daddy and who's your daddy signature series and I will put my calls up against them any day.  Now I will not lie I could take his or my calls out and kill elk with either (as a matter of fact a few of the bulls I have killed heard a bugling bulls call last) .  The difference is my call is one of a kind and about $10 cheaper.

Here is a little more about my calls:
http://www.outdoorblog.net/pnwbowhunting/2011/03/06/interview-jason-phelps-of-phelps-game-calls/

I will make you a deal iRem I will send you a call and if you like it you can pay for it if not I will pay for shipping back.

Now that right there is customer service.