Determining what call to use when you are hunting elk is not a matter of what time of the year you are hunting, but which sex and age class elk you want to attract. Cows don't normally respond to any call, preferring to stay with the herd and their young. However, lone cows may come to a Social Mew, Low Mew or other cow/calf call to join a herd; or to the Bugle; remember it's the cow that chooses and responds to the bull. Older cows may respond to Distress calls and Maternal/Neonatal calls out of maternal instinct. All bulls respond to any call that may lead them to an estrus cow, especially a Social Contact Mew or Low Mew. Herd bulls also respond to Roars, Bugles, Chuckles, Contact or Aggressive Grunts, and Gurgles out of dominance. There are basically four different techniques for calling elk that can be used anytime. The fourth technique is not as effective after the rut because the bulls are exhausted, not as aggressive, and not as interested in breeding.

1. For cows and young bulls; Distress Call or Fighting Squeal.

2. For any elk; Contact/Cow Mew, Fighting Squeal or Contact Grunt.

3. For any bull; Contact/Cow Mew, Contact Grunt, Fighting Squeal, Glug or non-dominant Bugle.

4. For dominant bulls; Social/Low Mew, Contact Grunt, Fighting Squeal, Loud Inhale/Exhale, Cough, Glug, Dominance Grunt, Gurgle, Growl, Roar, Bugle, Chuckle or Full Bugle Sequence