Contact elknut1 on here. He really helped me out. Can't say enough good things about him.

 

Here's a good video that explains the different types of diagphragms, and their strengths and weaknesses

Best of Luck,
Jeff

 

The elk101.com All-star call is a great sounding easy to use diaphram for a beginner. It sounds worlds better than my crappy primos 4 pack that I bought.

 

Elknut also sells this reed. It's the easiest reed on the face of the earth to cow call and bugle with. Almost takes no air pressure to get good results. I would say that it's your best bet.

 

The best way to get a comprehensive evaluation of all cow elk calls is to log onto www.roehuntingresources.com. Chris just came out with his cow elk series, it's the best stuff out there.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://youtu.be/2NjeEGo4h_o&h=PAQDXE9A_

 

i got nuthin from going to the link above. what gives. when i tried to watch the videos they were just a short description of the videos that are for sale or something with no actual sounds. and then on top of that i think it asked for $49.95 to be a member of RHR. i got nuthin.

 

Elkslaya - embedded here is the Intro Video for the Series COArcher mentioned. We have all of our Educational Resources on-line, via on-line video streaming; our "recreational" videos are free, the "meat and potatoes" videos are through a variety of options. The Series COArcher mentioned is open right now to Annual Members (what you saw) who have free access to ALL the materials on there - elk, turkey, deer, etc. The Elk Module itself (...just elk videos) "opens" on the 31st. ...at that time we'll also have the Understanding and Using Bugles and Bugle Tubes video series.

...here's the intro, then I'll add a few thoughts in the next post.

Chris Roe - Roe Hunting Resources

 

Not knowing how experienced you are with mouth diaphragms, period, I'll be general and hope I'm not telling you something you don't already know.

Mouth calls have to FIT properly in order to: 1) Give you good sound quality, and 2) Make it so its easy for you to learn. The right sized call makes all the difference. With that said, if you are a beginner, I would recommend getting either the elk call variety pack from Primos or Bugling Bull Game Calls - both use the palate plate, or Dome style calls (which many consider to be some of the best). DO NOT get the variety packs that have all the same size and style, get the packs that have different sizes and styles, so you can find the one that works for you, THEN explore the different calls of that STYLE and SIZE. ...and don't worry about single reed vs. double reed as of yet...some double reeds are just as easy to blow/use as single reeds - FIT is more important right now.

In the mouth call video in our Series, we go over - IN DEPTH - different mouth calls from both of the Manufacturers I mentioned, how to use them, how to get the best sound out of them, and their advantages/disadvantages in relation to other calls. ...obviously that Series covers using them for cow calling, the upcoming Series will go even further into depth on using them for bugling.

Good luck!

Chris Roe - Roe Hunting Resources
http://roehuntingresources.com

 

Mouth calls have to FIT properly

Yep. I have a hard time with all the palate plate calls, but the Primos Mini Sonic Domes work great for me for cow calling. For bugling I haven't found anything that works for me better than the Carlton's standard diaphragms. I prefer the 2.5 and triple for that. His single works great for cow calling too.

 

i tried a few and the one i had the easiest time with was the primos mini sonic dome. they come in single, double and triple reed options. pick up the single reed for a few bucks before getting the double and/or triple. once you get used to it, it is great for cow/calf/spike sounds.

once i got comfortable with that call, it was easier for me to use other brands as well.

 

For a beginner & only one month left you will have to be very dedicated in feeling confident in using a mouth reed or diaphragm, they are both the same thing! Yes, a single reed will be able to do all the sounds you mentioned & more, it's all in the practice & using the right reed for a newer caller.

Stay with a light tensioned single reed call, there's no need to go with a double or triple reed it will only take you longer to master & you will be limited in quality sounds!

Some of the best to use are Mellow Yellow & All Star reeds, they are lightly stretched latex & are very user friendly, you will learn quickest with this type or anyother lightly stretched single reed!

In your upcoming hunt you only need to learn 5 sounds, with these sounds you will be able to mix & match these sounds to any elk encounter you will come across! Grunting & Chuckling are the toughest sounds to master for most callers & are the least of sounds needed, concentrate on others instead! Here they are!

#-1 different levels of volume & pitch cow calling! #-2 Estrus Buzz, #-3 Nervous Grunts in different tones loud to soft, #-4 A Challenging Bull Scream, #-5 A Location Type Bugle! For extra sounds consider Voice groans & squeals & cow calls with your voice! Practice these things & you will be able to adapt to any encounter thrown your way! Now you will need to know when to use each of these, you have time if you are serious & accept the challenge!! (grin)

ElkNut1

ElkNut1

 

Thanks for the thread, I was wondering the same thing.

 

i prefer the mellow yellow from bugling bulls for cow and calf calling and the brown one for bugling. very easy to use and have great results with them.

 

What he said. I kept the mellow yellow in my mouth last year for 3 straight weeks. It worked great and offers a nice "Mellow" sound.

 

Another really easy to master reed is the Primos top pin its the one with yellow tape and pink latex. It's mostly a cow calling reed but you can get some small bull sounds out of it.

 

I am in the same boat, going elk hunting in Co in a month, and have no idea how to call or what calls to buy. I just called Paul Medel (AKA elknut), on the phone, and talked to him about 45 minutes and He explained a lot of different things i should work on. He was very helpfull and willing to take the time to explain things. I did buy a combo package from him, but that was after he had helped understand what i should work on. I am hoping that going through this material will help increase my chances for success. Thanks Paul.

 

Been bugling in my truck on the way to work lately and I am tellin ya... these primos calls are not real consistant at all! I too am lookin for a new mouth diaphram... I guess I am going to have to pony up the cash and talk to elknut... problem is, I don't have the cash... oh well, looks like its gana be a hoochie mama and terminator bugle year again. The primos calls all sound so fake to me, but i guess its all about what an elk hears huh.

 

BowHunter4Lif

If you don't mind me asking, which Primos mouth call(s) do you have, and which bugle tube are you blowing through? Primos reeds break a bit harder (i.e. take a bit more back pressure) than others, and depending on the mouth call (Hyper Plate), it may require a bit of "breaking in" time due to reed thickness. Try the mouth reed with the Terminator tube, but WITH the mouthpiece still attached (without the blue reed if you want, or you can leave it on and not engage the blue reed). ...see what that does for you.

Chris Roe - Roe Hunting Resources

 

Can you get sound out of the call? Does it sound like the air is rushing by the call?
Lets go step by step here. Step 1, chew up the tape, it must be soft to form the needed seal in the mouth. It also needs to fit your mouth. I stay away from any call that has plastic coated tape because it will never seal well.
Step two, horseshoe open end to your nose put the call up in your teeth as close to your nose as possible. Once the call is in position say SSSSHHHHOW, heavy on the SH. This will put your tongue in the right spot on the call and you should get sound.
Step 3 get a single note and hold it, when you can hold it for 3-5 seconds with no breaks in sound you are ready for the next step.
Step 4 learn to raise and lower pitch. This is done by adding tongue pressure and speeding up air flow, the pitch will go up. To bring it back down reverse the process. If you can get 3 clear different pitches from your reed you can do any elk call. The rest is voice and call together.
Let me explain reeds. They come in two main reed thickness .003 and .0035. The companies stretch them in different tensions from front to back and side to side. They add layers and cuts to get pitch, rasp and volume out of the call. For a beginner Chris and Paul start people on a single, I start them on doubles. In my opinion a double is capable of a wider array of calls and you might as well learn to use it.
A .003 is a good choice to start with, the call takes less tongue and air pressure to get it to work. The only way you are going to get good with a call is to practice. The house, car or some other place where you can listen to sounds of elk and repeat them. The single best set of sounds on the market today come from Paul[Elknut1], period! Don't think about getting Paul's tapes and DVD, buy some and listen, then repeat the sounds. I can teach people the mechanics of calling if they are sitting in front of me because I don't make tapes but you need more than that. You need to hear elk and copy those sounds. Talk to Paul.
Again the major way to master a call is to practice. When I was on Hunter's Specialties Pro Staff I practiced everyday to remain polished enough to call against Cory and the other big dogs. Sadly I don't practice enough and am not that polished anymore.
Any one[except maybe Jake or others with serious gag reflex] can be very good callers if they are willing to work at it. You have tools out there now I didn't have when I started, use them and get good.

 

I do agree with most on here about Bugling Bull calls. The All Star 101 makes really good cow/calf call and Mellow Yellow the same, I can do without the Raging Bull. I received 2 All Stars, 2 Mellow Yellows and 2 Raging Bull reeds, two weeks ago. Here is the problem, I've literally had these reeds in my mouth TWO times and they are already bad. The latex on all three calls that I have unpackaged and used, tore loose on right hand side. Latex separated from loop. Paul, I'm not certain if I got a bad batch or what....but I can assure you that after using diagphrams for 32 years, I know how to use them. I most certainly can't have a failure like this, especially this year in the woods with my dad's mobility impaired tag.

 

Jacksss, Wow, this is a 1st! We use countless numbers of these calls & have no issues at all with them, I've never had one tear so not sure of the issue. Please PM me with the ones & how many you feel are no good & I'll replace them immediately! Were these new reeds that you just received? Thanks! Here's my email if you want to reach me directly--- elknut@elknut.com

ElkNut/Paul

 

I haven't had any issues with the Raging Bull other than, I need more practice. They do ware out a little quicker than the Screamin Tormentor though in my experience.

 

The Raging Bull has great tone, it just has a different feel than I'm use to. The Mellow Yellow and All-Star have absolutely perfect tone and great control. I think I just got a bad batch for longevity and Paul is second to none with his response to help out. I'm far from giving up on any of this calls.

 

BTcory,

I made the transition to mouth reed calls last year. I'm not even close to being an expert but have to say that all of the advice on here is dead-on. I've benefitted from buying trial packs, starting with Primos sonic domes and then moving on to Bugling Bulls and Elknut diaphrams. I also just ordered elknut videos and will be checking out Roe videos. Elknuts playbook is also invaluable.

 

Have absolutely NO interest in making this a p!ss!ng match between ROE fans and Elknut fans, but...FWIW...

I just got done watching the Understanding Cow Calls video on Roe's elk mod. and it is by far the most comprehensive I've ever seen, and I've "watched them all." He did a great job.

The advice on here so far is spot on though (although I haven't played with some of the calls mentioned), and I agree it helps to WATCH someone who knows how to teach you, and even better to WORK with someone who knows how to teach you.

 

I have the worst gag reflex on the planet and the only one I can use is the Primos Mini Sonic dome.

 

You can't have the worst, because Jake can't even use those.:wink:

 

It's so bad, I'm not even sure how Jake eats. Maybe that's the ticket, just tell yourself you're putting food in your mouth instead of a mouth call. Heck, I chew mine up right after putting them in anyway, they might as well be food.

So, throw one in and start chewing on it. Then just start trying to make sounds with it. Perhaps you should try a piece of gum first.:wink:

 

Just got two All-stars from elk nut (elknut.com) today and I must say even with years of experience using this type of call I will admit it's the easiest I've ever used, takes very little pressure for chirps, mews, etc. and even very short low volume calf calls as well. I recommend this call.

 

Ive used the Bugling Bull calls for years. The raging bull with practice, can and will make any elk noise you need to make. The Elk101 All Star is a little easier to blow, and can make the highest pitch screams you ever heard. Just my 2 cents.

 

Hello all. I had to register when Google brought up this thread. I'm a frustrated novice diaphragm user. I went to talk by Rocky Jacobsen last night, and now I want to learn more than ever. I have an extremely high and narrow palate, so a few years ago I got one of the real small Primos calls. I feel like I'm still doing some basic things wrong.. not so interested in the various vocalizations so much, just the dang mechanics of the call and the fit. I'm pretty good with a hand held call reed call, but try using one when your at full draw!

So with this small Primos call, is the aluminum horseshoe supposed to rest up on my palate, the open end of the horseshoe fitting inside the inner surface of my upper teeth? Even as small as the Primos is the outer corners of the open end of the horseshoe don't come close to fitting up there.. I have to move it waay back which then makes me gag and salivate.. I can reach a finger back and in and fit it between the dome and the top of my palate.. I'm guessing that's way too much room.

So what's the deal here? I can actually pinch the thing between my lips and off to the side and get decent sounds between the reed and my lower lip.

Thanks,

Mike