Elk bugle is an iconic elk sound that starts with a growl and progresses to a high-pitched whistle or scream that can send chills down your spine if you’re hearing it for the first time. Male elks, or bulls, use this call mainly during the rut season to establish dominance and attract females. After the bugle, you might hear a series of short, throaty grunts. This is what hunters refer to as the chuckle.

Glunking might sound funny, but it’s an essential part of the elk’s communication repertoire. It’s a popping sound made by bulls while they’re tending to cows. You don’t need to replicate this sound, but remember that a glunking bull is likely to be difficult to call in.

Cow mewing is a common sound of cow elk. It’s a soft, nasal sound, similar to a kitten’s mew, used by cows to communicate with each other, their calves, and bulls.

Calf elk sound is very similar to cows. It’s a lower-key, high-pitched bleat akin to a lamb’s cry. This call is usually a distress signal, letting the mother know they need attention.

During the rut, cow elks in heat make a unique whining sound. It’s a long, drawn-out call that signals to bulls that she’s ready to mate. This sound can also attract other bulls in the vicinity, leading to intense competition.

Early Season: The Calm Before the Storm

In the early season, elk herds are generally peaceful. The bulls are still in velvet and aren’t very aggressive. Cows and calves stick together, while bulls may form bachelor groups. The most effective calls during this time are soft cow mews and calf bleats, used primarily for communication within the herd.

Pre-Rut: The Tension Builds

As we move into the pre-rut period, things start to heat up. Bulls shed their velvet and become more aggressive, often bugling to assert dominance. Satellite bulls hover around the herd, waiting for an opportunity. Cow calls become more intense, and a well-timed estrus whine can lure in a hopeful bull.

Peak Rut: The Battle Begins

During the peak rut, the forest is alive with the sound of bugles, chuckles, and intense cow calls. Herd bulls are at their most aggressive, defending their harem from satellite bulls. Cows in estrus make long, drawn-out whines, which can be mimicked to attract bulls.

Post-Rut: Winding Down

Some experienced hunters only use cow calls, avoiding bulges due to the risk of scaring off timid bulls. They suggest that this strategy can be effective in areas with a high bull-to-cow ratio where competition isn’t a driving force.

There are two basic types of cow calls: subtle social mews and aggressive cow whining. Subtle calls are useful when navigating through thick vegetation or when first encountering bugling bulls. Aggressive cow calls are more effective as competition increases, especially in attracting desperate satellite bulls.

Diaphragm/Mouth Elk Calls

Placed on the roof of your mouth, this call type produces a variety of sounds by controlling the airflow. Narrower frame widths are generally preferred because they require less air pressure to create elk sounds, allowing for both loud and soft calls. This also prolongs the lifespan of the call because it doesn’t have to be forcefully blown to produce sound. When comparing calls with the same frame width, consider the latex thickness, type, and tension during manufacturing. Also, elk calls with a “palate plate” are recommended due to their tonal quality and user-friendliness.

Bugle Tubes

While a grunt or bugle tube isn’t classified as an elk call “type” since it needs a mouth reed or voice to produce sound, the tube you choose can significantly alter your bugling, chuckles, and grunts. When used with a mouth call, the tube generates an impressive elk-like resonance. Specifically, it creates “back pressure,” a crucial element in producing 3-dimensional elk tones when bugling with a mouth reed.

Reed Elk Calls

Reed calls are typically hand-operated devices, using different reed configurations to produce a range of sounds. From the softest calf bleats to the most intense bugles, reed calls can do it all. Medium-to-wide width reeds with suitable thickness often produce a more nasally, 3-dimensional tone, which is more likely to elicit responses from bulls.

Manual Elk Calls

BUGLING BULL Select “A” Bull Calling System

This call is a fantastic option for those seeking a do-it-all elk call. This system includes a tone selector that allows you to switch between different elk sounds and features an external mouthpiece for more versatility. Whether you need to mimic a cow’s mew or a bull’s bugle, this set has got you covered.

BUGLING BULL Bully Bull Extreme Elk Call

This is one of the best elk bugle tubes is designed to be paired with a mouth call to produce deep, resonant tones that mimic the bugles and grunts of mature bulls. Еhe call’s durable construction and easy-to-use design make it a favorite among seasoned hunters. Perfect for the rut.

BUGLING BULL Raging Bull Elk Call

An excellent option for those looking to mimic the aggressive sounds of a dominant bull, this mouth elk call ideally pairs with the bugle tubes mentioned above. Its patented Tone Selector allows you to adjust the call to produce a variety of sounds, from the high-pitched bugle of a young bull to the deep, throaty growl of a mature bull.

PRIMOS Sonic Dome Single Elk Call

This is another popular elk mouth call among hunters loved for its design that automatically gets positioned in the mouth. It features one latex reed and boasts a consistent distance between the reed and the dome roof, which translates into an outstandingly consistent elk call.

PRIMOS Lip Service Elk Call