Elk Calling Techniques

Learning to communicate with elk using various calls is a crucial skill for anyone wanting to interact with these magnificent animals. Different calls are effective at different times of the year and for different purposes. This guide provides an overview of essential elk calls.

1. The Cow Call

The cow call is a primary and highly effective call. It mimics the simple, maternal sound a female elk makes.

How to Execute

This call is often described as a soft, short, mewing sound, typically lasting one to two seconds. It is designed to sound curious, not urgent.

• Use a diaphragm call or a simple external reed device.
• Start soft and end soft.

When to Use

The cow call is a versatile call that works well throughout the season, especially outside of the peak rut when aggressive bull calls might scare off wary animals.

• Locating: Use it to prompt a bull to respond, revealing its Place.
• Decoy: Use it to mimic a small herd, adding realism to your calling sequence.

2. The Chuckle (or Grunt)

The chuckle is a deep, guttural sound made by a bull. It often accompanies a bugle or is used when a bull is rounding up its cows. It is a sign of dominance and excitement.

How to Execute

This call is a series of low, rhythmic, and raspy grunts. It must sound powerful and realistic.

• The sound comes from the back of the throat.
• Use a bugle tube without a reed, or a bugle tube with a mouthpiece.
• It is often performed right after the end of a full bugle sequence.

When to Use

Use the chuckle in the pre-rut and rut to challenge another bull or to reassure and gather your 'imaginary' cows.

• Challenging: A bull that hears a chuckle nearby may come to investigate and protect its territory.

3. The Spike Bugle

The spike bugle is a high-pitched, often less-aggressive bugle made by a young, less dominant bull.

How to Execute

The sound is a high-pitched, two-to-three-second squeal that does not have the deep, guttural growl or "end-note" of a dominant bull's bugle.

• Use a short, quick blast of air through a bugle tube.

When to Use

This call is perfect for calling in a dominant bull that might be intimidated by a challenge from an equally large bull. The dominant bull sees the young, less threatening bugler as an easy target to chase away.

4. Estrus Buzz/Whine

This is a specific, drawn-out cow call used during the peak of the rut. It signifies that a cow is ready to breed.

How to Execute

It's a longer, more desperate-sounding cow call, often with a slight, wavering "buzz" or "whine" to the sound.

• Hold the note for three to four seconds.
• Let the note trail off naturally.

When to Use

Use this sparingly and primarily during the peak rut to attract a highly motivated bull.

Elk Call	Primary Use	Sound Characteristics
Cow Call	Locating, Decoying	Soft, short mew
Chuckle	Challenging, Rounding up cows	Low, guttural grunts
Spike Bugle	Attracting dominant bull	High-pitched squeal
Estrus Whine	Attracting highly motivated bull	Long, wavering buzz