whats your favorite elk bugle?

[bloodhound]

im looking to buy a new bugle and was wondering what ones everyone else likes and thinks is the best?

[vanhornhunter]

Heres the one I use.. Its pretty bad ass!!

https://buglingbull.com/gamecalls/126-bully-bull-grunt-tube/

[RadSav]

Might have more people yelling and calling name about this than a post on rifles and bows.

My favorite is the one that brings that bull closest.

Before you call me a "Smart Ass" let me explain.  I carry about 20 different calls with me when guiding.  On year I had a client from overseas that had never even seen a live elk before.  First thing in the morning I called in an unusual 8X5 using a LDJ Persuader which the client missed at 40 yards.  That afternoon I called in the same bull using a Carlton double reed and the client missed him at 35 yards.  That evening I called in the same bull to 10 yards using my voice. FINALLY! Elk dead.

After being shot at that bull would not respond to that call again.  But, with a dramatic change in tone and cadence he would light up just as fierce as the first time.  So you may be working a bull with a call for the first time but someone else may have worked him with the same call.  So one may not be any better than the other just different and that could be the difference.

I no longer guide, but I still carry a wide variety of calls with me for that reason.  I do lean towards the less popular calls first.  Wife drew a Toutle Bull tag this year!  So I guess I'll be seeing if I can still get 'em close.  Should be fun.

[Dan-o]

I really like my Berry Thunder bugle becasue it's super easy to get good sound from, and I've ad good luck getting bulls to respond to it.

Then again, it's the only bugle I've ever mastered.... but it works for me.

[Crunchy]

I carry about 10 cow calls and 3 bugles.  Haven't found the bugle I truly love.

[Instinct]

I used that wayne carlton when i first started, didnt sound natural or laud enough for my likeing. Now i purchased a terminator by primos n sounds more realistic. Havnt used it on the elk yet but see how it goes later n the year.

[carpsniperg2]

berry for me. Don't use a bugle to much in this neck of the woods. One bugle and the bulls grab there cows and take off for the rez  

[jechicdr]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Hunting-Game-Calls/Big-Game-Calls|/pc/104791680/c/104725980/sc/104212980/Hunters-Specialties-Mega-Mac-Daddy174-Elk-Call/944767.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fhunting-hunting-game-calls-big-game-calls%2F_%2FN-1100094%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104212980%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104791680%253Bcat104725980

I like this one...would gag if I ever tried to use a mouth diaphragm.  This one has a diaphragm in the mouthpiece and you control the pitch with your hand.  You can also remove the mouthpiece and make cow calls.  I also have the smaller grunt tube but like the deeper tone with this one.

[bloodhound]

ty all for the info. so far ive never carried more then one bugle, and one cow call, and my dad who i hunt with only carries one bugle.so theres 2 bugles and a cow call between us. how do you guys deal with the bulk of calls on you while putting yourself in a shooting position, and not getting tangled up? """Rad""" do you just leave all but like 2 at camp? im assuming you dont carry all 20 bugles on you at one time.

[Crunchy]

Most diaphrams in pockets, spare bugle in the pack and two closed reed cow calls around my neck with the other bugle.

[bucklucky]

I love my Custom Reeds and Custom bugle 

[carpsniperg2]

ty all for the info. so far ive never carried more then one bugle, and one cow call, and my dad who i hunt with only carries one bugle.so theres 2 bugles and a cow call between us. how do you guys deal with the bulk of calls on you while putting yourself in a shooting position, and not getting tangled up? """Rad""" do you just leave all but like 2 at camp? im assuming you dont carry all 20 bugles on you at one time.

I carry 3-5 cow calls they are light weight and sometimes one will be a sweet note to a certain bull. I carry my bugle slung at a 45 under my right arm pit so when I draw its not in the way. I have a pack on my back so it doesnt work to throw it over my back.

[Instinct]

I got a diaphram n my mouth at all times, a hand call n my pocket, and a hoochie mama hooked to my belt on my right side when i go out in the woods.

[foambeetle]

Do you plan to use a mouth reed? or an external reed?  or have the option of both? . . . and is 'packability' an issue? (Sometimes a large tube can become bothersome in the woods, but some guys seem to like toting around the wiffle-ball bat type tubes - you can belt out some nice sounding (loud and "big") bugles with them, no doubt).

Bugling, though not exclusively, has a lot to do with the "bugler" more than the bugle itself - this is not an earth altering statement, I know.  I've been using a Terminator (Primos) tube for a lot of years with a mouth reed and called in plenty of elk (and other hunters).  I do have a "tube tamer" (Bugling Bull) on the end that I think helps make the sounds more 'organic.'  You can also, for the most part, tone down any troublesome 'plastic' sounding tubes with hand pressure, but I like having the "tube tamer" (or something along those lines) on the tube.  A mouth reed and varying hand pressure (and/or cupping) can really alter the sound of the call coming out of any given tube.

I also have a Primos Bull Horn (very packable), which I like to use when 'packability' is desirable - again, using a mouth reed w/it mostly.  The Primos external reeds get a bad wrap to some degree (for reasons similar to the Hoochie Mama) because it is easy for most anybody to get a bugle out of it (though, for novices, not necessarily a very good one).  So guys run around the woods "playing the same note" (often badly, and too often) so to speak, and it is identifiable when you hear it.  However, I've heard guys like Chris Roe (Primos Prostaff - www.roehuntingresources.com) use the external reeds that Primos makes to make some great calls - so the "snap on" reeds aren't inherently bad.
 

Only 76 days to the archery opener!!  Best of luck getting geared up and ready to go!

[RadSav]

I have one tube and two exposed reed cow calls around my neck.  The others I have in the pack.  Carry at least three diaphrams in my pocket.  I try to make adapters so all bugle heads will work on one or two tubes. Lots and lots of moleskin to keep them all from rattling together.  I also carry a small spool of 30# clear fishing line - about 20 yards.  Like calling crows it is sometimes a good idea to let them see movement in the brush if they get held up.  I want that movement a long way from me so I use the fish line.

That bull in the story I could not see when the client shot it.  He held up at 80 yards.  When he turned to walk away I jumped into a thick patch of alders and started shaking them loudly.  I'd stop, bugle, wait and do it again.  Client said once he saw the movement he came at full speed.  That bull was five yards from me and I could not see it.  Luckly the hunter was out front and had a clear shot.  AND!  With the way he was shooting I was glad he didn't shoot me.

I'd carry the kitchen sink if I thought it would give me an edge.

[bloodhound]

i have a persuader now but if there is a better more effective call out there or a better way to call in animals of coarse im all ears!   always looking for a way to become a more successful hunter.

[RadSav]

Ahhh the Persuader!!!  My all time favorite.  A lot of dead elk because of that call.  I think more effective now that few are using it.  No glitz and glamour just blood and bone.

Regardless of what call you decide on remember to tell a story with it.  Some guys have real good tone and produce nothing.  Others sound like a gut shot Hereford cow and experience great success.  A lot like musician in that way as the great story tellers are the biggest stars.

Don't go into the woods just to throw a bugle into the mist and hope something answers.  Ask yourself, "What's my story?"  Are you horny, mad, lonely, seductive or answering the morning bell?  What ever it is you need to tell that story through your bugle.  And remember - elk don't do crack or smoke weed so don't sound like you are on either of those.  When the call hits your lips you are the king of the deer species around these parts.  Women love you and and men fear you!

[colockumelk]

For my mouth diaphrams for Bugling I have three Rocky Jacobson calls.  I have "The Remedy" which is my go to call.  I can use this for mid-size bulls and cow/calf sounds.  I have my new one called "The Challenger" which is a Steve Carlton edition.  This might be my new go to one.  And then I have The "Screamin Tormentor when I want to sound big and bad.  The grunt tube I use is Elk Nuts Chuckler.  This thing has worked great for me.  Couldn't be happier. 

[RadSav]

Wow!  I thought this thing would go on for a while.  Maybe it's too early.

[bloodhound]

yah i bought a brand new hoyt crx 32 and im stoked to go kill somethin with it. i wish it was september already. i also cant wait to hear that first elk scream of the season. always sends chills down my spin with excitement.

[JPhelps]

I have used Primos, Bugling Bulls, Abe and Sons and ElkNuts.  All of these work fine.  Since I use a diaphragm I settled on a $5 plastic bat.  Sounds awesome!

[Bucks2Ducks]

If you don't have alot of time to invest to learn bugling, primos blue reed design is money!

[RadSav]

If you don't have alot of time to invest to learn bugling, primos blue reed design is money!

Sort of the New Persuader.  That would be a good next step.  Does cow calls better than the LDJ call.

[billdo5]

primos the terminator or the satelite one forget what its called

[bench beast]

I have used Primos, Bugling Bulls, Abe and Sons and ElkNuts.  All of these work fine.  Since I use a diaphragm I settled on a $5 plastic bat.  Sounds awesome!

this work with any diaphragm, and it is money!

[THEBUGLER]

If you don't have alot of time to invest to learn bugling, primos blue reed design is money!

 

  If you invest little time practicing, then you wont find any $ using a Terminator . It is like many calls out there and only as good as the guy blowing it. You have to put in some effort on practicing and leaning to make a few realistic and versatile calls. If not every time you blow your call the bull will go the opposite direction. Most people do have time to practice whether its on a 10 min. or 1hr commute to work, or in the other room from loved ones (I know, it annoys the heck out of them)using a pillow to muffle the sound.

  With some dedication, you can pick up some quality calls now and still be ready for season.

  My favorite reeds are the Bugling Bull, "Remedy", and "All Star". They will make any elk vocalization. I complement them with the Bully Bull tube also. These calls together are very realistic and have been the demise of many a bull. 
  If a guy is going to put forth the effort to learn how to call elk, start out with the most versatility calls out there, rather being held back by calls that may make an elk noise rather quickly, but have very little versatility. 

[ridgefire]

im a big fan of the bully bull grunt tube with the bugling bull brown or red reed. you can really reach out there for locating with the tube and makes some great sounds for pulling them in close. gonna pick up a couple allstar reeds to try out but not a big fan of the domed style calls so curious how i like them.

[THEBUGLER]

Previous dome calls from Primos and B/Bull didnt work at all. But the All Star is way different, and really screams!

[RUTNBULL1]

The one that Works!

[colockumelk]

I have used Primos, Bugling Bulls, Abe and Sons and ElkNuts.  All of these work fine.  Since I use a diaphragm I settled on a $5 plastic bat.  Sounds awesome!

If you look at a bugle that's basically all a $30 bugle is made of.  A $5 wiffle ball bat with the ends cut off.  And yep.  Sounds awsome. I no longer buy bugles either.  I make my own.  My 3 year old son wanted a bugle to so I made him one.  One day he had a wiffle ball bat, the next day he had a bugle.  Poof, magic 

[RadSav]

I've got an old Herter's Curly Cue.  Absolutely love that call!  Probably used it over 100 times.  Not because it is any good.  Just thinking that SOMEDAY it is going to work .  30 years now, but someday it will be the right call at the right time.  Just got to have faith

[Crunchy]

Bugles are overated anyways.  I do 90 percent of my calling with cow calls.  Once you locate a herd of elk with bull, then maybe the bugle will come in handy.

[cld40]

im a big fan of the bully bull grunt tube with the bugling bull brown or red reed. you can really reach out there for locating with the tube and makes some great sounds for pulling them in close. gonna pick up a couple allstar reeds to try out but not a big fan of the domed style calls so curious how i like them.

i recently purchased the all star, i was very hesitant because of the dome style, after getting it, it is now my favorite call, it is very versitile. the dome does rub the roof of your mouth, but after a bunch of use your mouth will get used to it, but it is rough on the mouth at first.....

[buglebuster]

When you guys say plastic bat, I need to know what to look for   like length, circumference, narrow handle? What? I'm very interested in trying this. Also what do you use to cover it for camo/noise? Or do you just paint it? Thanks!

[Instinct]

I went to a elk calling seminar few yrs back and the guy had various size wiffle bats. So maybe go out and buy a few and see what works for you for sound/packability.

[colockumelk]

When you guys say plastic bat, I need to know what to look for   like length, circumference, narrow handle? What? I'm very interested in trying this. Also what do you use to cover it for camo/noise? Or do you just paint it? Thanks!

I went to a toy store or wherever and I bought the shortest red plastic bat they had.  I then cut the ends of the bat off.  Where you cut the end of the handle off is up to your preference on how long you want your bugle to be.  I cut alll but about 2" off the handle.  I then took a 4" piece of plastic flex tube, stuck that on the over the handle and duct taped it.  I then drilled a hole in each end of the bat/bugle so I could tie a piece of 550chord for a sling.  As far as camo I just went to the fabric store and bought some camo fabric.  I cut the fabric to fit the bugle and then I wrapped the cut piece of camo around the bugle tightly.  I then glued the fabric together so it would stay tight.  I then took camo tape and taped the ends of the fabric to the ends of the bugle.  Oh almost forgot.  I bought the thickest rubber bands I could find and put them on the "barrel" of the bugle.  I put one every 3" or so.    Voila homemade bugle.  I wish I could take credit for that idea but I stole it from my little brother.