Elk Calls?

[TheHunt]

IREM,
This question is simular to the Ford vs Chevy thread we have all be reading lately.

I would suggest you buy the ElkNut CD on elk sounds then try to find a combo that matches your mouth and personal technique.

Each mouth is roughly the same but different.  So one person can use a diaphragm and make a sound and another will sound slightly different.  Think of it like the sounding chamber of a guitar. 

Matching a CD audio real sound images to what you can call is the ticket. 

Good luck

[TheHunt]

Here is one last thing..

Look at the quality of the diaphragms you look at.  I will not trash anyone on this publicly but grab 10 of them calls off the rack.  If they are not anchored exactly the same location and they look like the tension of any of them is different.  Then you need to ask yourself can you trust the quality of the call?   Will there be inconsistency of the call that will mess with the tone you are trying to achieve.

[fair-chase]

Hopefully this doesn't get this thread too far off topic. As a newb to the mouth calls I was curious what you guys rec comend for diaphragms in different size categories. Apparently I have a very narrow jaw and the only diaphragm I have ever been able to fit is a Primos Mini Sonic Dome (not talking about fit on the piece you can trim but the actual frame). Even at that size the metal is wedged tightly between my upper teeth and is very uncomfortable. Obviously a guy cannot go into a store and start putting these calls in his mouth to see which one fits the best. So in the interest of saving some dough are there any sizing recommendations. Not just for me, but what if someone had a extra wide jaw structure? I'm sure the results would be just as bad due to the diaphragm not seeling properly and falling down. So how would you go about sizing a diaphragm for those who have either an excessively narrow or wide jaw?

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Don't really know the answer to that, but I try several different ones every year, don't actually believe that one is really better than another, it is just whatever you can make work.
Some of the worst elk sounds I have ever heard came from REAL elk, Although I miss the Original Berry Best, Big Bull Diaphragm you used to get back in the 80's before they changed them...

[Prime Time]

I've always big a big fan of diaphragm calls and that's all I used for years. I bought one of Jason's calls from him last year and it made me a believer in his calls. I never thought I would like hand calls because none of them really sounded very "elk-ish" to me. Jason's calls are some of the best calls I've heard and they look really good as well. You can tell he puts the time into each call because every one I've seen has turned out great. For the price, I don't think you can go wrong with purchasing one of his calls. Great call to have around your neck when that big bull screaming at ya. 

[TheHunt]

Some diaphragm are aluminum some are plastic.  The aluminum ones you can bend... But then again you mess with the tone.  Some make two types and wider and then a narrower.  You will need to find the one that meets your needs.

[THEBUGLER]

Bugling Bull makes a small frame dome call( the mini master single) like the one primos makes. IMHO, B/B sounds better.  The other reeds  that B/B make, have a more narrow frame in comparison to others like H.S. and Berry's.
 
Dirk

[PlateauNDN]

All great advice.  I picked up a bunch of different reeds and practiced different calls until I was comfortable with one that was very similar to elknuts.  I would even practice in the truck on the way to work and I didn't care if anybody was looking dumb at me.  I also got a primos with the blue reed and my daughter and wife are both practicing on that one.  My daughter loves trying to spit out some calls and she's 3!!!!  I had to hide it for a while because she was trying to take it to school and daycare.

[bearmanric]

go with Jason my call's cant compare to his so i hear good luck. your on the right track pactice all summer. Rick

[JPhelps]

Rick,
Your calls are great!  I would never say that your calls can't compare.  Your calls are a work of art.  I use your sound boards for alot of my predator calls.

Our elk calls just give two different sounds is all.

[iRem]

All good advice, I really appreciate the input. All I need to now is Pratice.  Thanks Guys

[vaz,,66]

 What i would recommend to get all kinds of calls, why ? from my experience you never now what call will attract that elk .I remember one time i was after  a good size bull for about 4 days in a row and every day he respond to a different call, good thing i have bunch of them and they are not too big and not heavy at all , when i call him he would respond but would not come you can tell that he was not interested , then I started change calls until i hit one which fired him up then i stick to that call, and every time i had brought that bull to a  close range , not close  for making shot but he did came almost from 600-700 yards away , this is what i realize during that hunt; that before i used call  i like and i did hunt were i like but the deal is i didn't hunt after myself and i was not trying to call myself but elk , that's why need use call what elk like and hunt area were they like to be . what is absolutely most for every one especially bow hunter now how to use a diaphragm calls that's absolutely right , when you rady for shot and both of your hands holding your weapon and you need to stop that elk to make that shot happend you need to make a cow/calf call at this moment the best way to do that use a diaphragm call . I'm not trying to teach anyone just shering with my expireens that's all

[iRem]

What i would recommend to get all kinds of calls, why ? from my experience you never now what call will attract that elk .I remember one time i was after  a good size bull for about 4 days in a row and every day he respond to a different call, good thing i have bunch of them and they are not too big and not heavy at all , when i call him he would respond but would not come you can tell that he was not interested , then I started change calls until i hit one which fired him up then i stick to that call, and every time i had brought that bull to a  close range , not close  for making shot but he did came almost from 600-700 yards away , this is what i realize during that hunt; that before i used call  i like and i did hunt were i like but the deal is i didn't hunt after myself and i was not trying to call myself but elk , that's why need use call what elk like and hunt area were they like to be . what is absolutely most for every one especially bow hunter now how to use a diaphragm calls that's absolutely right , when you rady for shot and both of your hands holding your weapon and you need to stop that elk to make that shot happend you need to make a cow/calf call at this moment the best way to do that use a diaphragm call . I'm not trying to teach anyone just shering with my expireens that's all

I was able to pick up a few calls and I have been praticing each one. I have a couple of diaphragm call, box and reed and have been learning how to use them in my house and car on the way to work. I really like the idea of listening to the different calls on U-Tube with my iPhone through my stereo. 
Can't wait till the results from the permits to start scouting exactly were I'll be hunting this year!

[Estrusscream23]

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

[OlympicElkJunkie]

I just picked up this call that Jason made. It is beautiful. I gave him a piece of Pacific Yew that I had to cut down to build my house and he turned it into a masterpiece. It has a really nice tone too and is easy to make the standard mew and estrous whines. I use diaphragms most of the time, but this reed call will really reach out and get some attention very well.