How Are You Sounding?

[WapitiTalk1]

Hey guys and gals, how are your elk sounds? We're getting very close to when many of us will step into the elk woods. We've gotten into pretty dang good mountain shape using a variety of conditioning methods, we've shot/tuned our bows a ton and have our broad heads zipping into that sweet spot out to 40 yards or further, we're got our area locked down (including options A, B, and C), the time off has been scheduled, the ranch will be on auto pilot during our hunt(s) away from home, and the gear is being checked and chow lists have been finalized. I ask you friends, how are you sounding with your elk noises? After all, isn't that what much of this bow hunting the elk rut is all about; vocal elk, analyzing what they're saying, and responding accordingly to maximize our opportunities? How are your elk noises?

A. Elk is my second language and I speak it fluently; Rosetta Stone has contacted me and has asked me to create an elk language version for them.
B. Pretty dang good. I have practiced and can make the necessary elk noises when required (cow and calf mews and chirps; estrus buzz; nervous or popping grunts; bull screams/challenges; location bugle) and I'm pretty darn good with my chuckles also to really PO big nasty as I try to call his cows to me.
C. Not too shabby but still working out a few bugs. I can make the sounds needed to get the job done.
D. I have my Hoochie Mama at the ready, what else is needed?
E. Making elk sounds during archery season is over rated. I just run at them and take them down with my bowie knife.
F. Other.

[BrentLaBere]

In between B and C. Haven't recorded myself in awhile but have been working on the bugs since the last time I did. Making the calls and understanding when to use them is a different story. The true test is coming.

[twinkieman]

I would have to say that I would be a B-, a little bit more work to go. The real judging for me will begin 32 days.(who's counting them down)

[ctdad]

I feel like I'm a solid b this year. Troy from glacier country calls improved my sounds a lot this year.

[Lefty]

Somewhere between B and C
I have it fugured out which calls to use when and understand the language both ways.

[Bullnuts]

Somewhere between a B+ and A-. Rosetta Stone hasn't called yet, but I'm sitting by the phone. I can order beers, ask where the bathroom is, say, "I stole your girlfriend and she's HOT!" and various other useful terms that cannot be posted on an open forum.

[GWH]

I am at C right now I think

[Trophyhill]

Other, I'll reserve my self critique until I put 1 on the ground. If I go home with an Unfilled tag then I'm not good enough.

[rowdycwby1]

close to C but getting better

[JohnFitzgerald]

Troy from Glacier Country tells me I'm at an A. But I'm modiest so I'll say an A-!

LOL Rosetta Stone!

[ctdad]

Somewhere between a B+ and A-. Rosetta Stone hasn't called yet, but I'm sitting by the phone. I can order beers, ask where the bathroom is, say, "I stole your girlfriend and she's HOT!" and various other useful terms that cannot be posted on an open forum.

This one is my favorite

[GetemDuck]

what's an elk call?

I'd say I'm an F. I have no faith in my calling so try to be quiet and patient

I'm still trying to call but If I do not sound any better by the time i get up on the mountain then the calling will be minimal.

[mtnmutt]

C and D, Yes, D!

2 weeks ago, wearing dark sunglasses and a disguise, I went into Sportsman's Warehouse and bought a Baby Hoochie Mama. I am not sold on it, but it may serve the purpose. In other years, I had tried using a Hoochie Mama with my mouth calls to make herd talk as someone else had mentioned on here. My calf sounds are poor with reeds, so I bought the baby one to use with my mouth calls (cow mews) to simulate herd talk. I guess I will be banned from this site now.

I have the nervous grunt mastered using my voice only and that one is the most important for my ambush setups this season.

F. I can do elk calling with American Sign Language (ASL). I just need to find the deaf elk.

[JJ Overkill]

Im with david on this one. AKA trophyhill

[Bullnuts]

F. I can do elk calling with American Sign Language (ASL). I just need to find the deaf elk.

LOL!

[Washington Wapiti]

F . . . like I swallowed a kazoo!
I'm not a big caller and generally only ever use light cow calling. I'm a little unorthodox. I use a Primos lil' dog predator call for my "cow call." The little green one, with the light reed. This came about because I had bought some other brand of bite and blow cow call, and it was terrible. The reed was installed slightly off-center and it failed me in the field. I had the lil' dog with me, and thought, "Why not??" I've used that thing ever since. I've called in bulls and cows with it. Innovate. Adapt. And overcome. Incidentally, I've never called in ANY coyotes with it. LOL