I feel that given the right calls at the right moment, there isn’t a bull in the wood’s that can’t be called in. Confidence plays a huge roll in calling for elk. If you are timid, that will be reflected in your calling. Put some feeling into it! What’s the first thing you think of when I say the word “elk”? Are you thinking of a huge herd bull chasing cows and bugling, warding off all contenders? Yeah, I thought so, me too! To steal a catch phrase from Will Primos, “calling is the heart and soul of elk hunting”. The sound of a bugle in the high country sends chills down my spine!

Let’s get started with bugles. While no two bulls sound alike, there is a definite rhythm and cadence to follow. Most bulls start with a low guttural growl, building to a high note and then abruptly ending with another growl. This may be followed with a series of chuckles or grunts. These are short burst’s that go from high to low quickly.

There are many types of bugles, ranging from a non-threatening “location” bugle that goes from high to low note to an extremely threatening longer growl to a shorter high and then ending with a longer growl. Some call this a “lip ball”, this is a sound a bull will make when he is set to defend his ground.

The last call we need to talk about is the “glunk”. This is usually made by a bull while tending his cows. This may be just the thing a bull wants to hear, before he commits to coming in! You can make this sound by cupping your hand and tapping the end of your grunt tube with the palm.

Try using these and practice, practice, practice!