I posted this on another site too, but i'm sure i'll get alot more info here since there's so much more traffic on this site... I was wanting a Diaphragm elk call that's easy to use. I would like one that cow calls, maybe calf calls, bugles, chuckles, etc. Aka the whole works. But if it's too hard to find one for a beginner that does all of this, then probably just an easy cow call diaphragm call would be about all that I need. I know this is how alot of people have success elk hunting is just using a cow call. With archery season only a month away, just not sure I can master all of the sounds in time. I have a Point Blank "Locater reed" diaphragm call now, but just can't get it for some reason, no matter how much I try. Is there easier ones out there to use? Like some of the Primos ones? I just say primos because I know I can pick one of those up without having to order a call or drive an hour to get one. My local store has a few versions of that brand.
Thanks!!
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.
