Sports & Outdoors

The Best Elk Calls & Lures

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Our picks are based on Amazon bestseller rankings, verified customer ratings, and product availability. We update our recommendations regularly to ensure accuracy.

Successfully luring elk requires the right equipment to mimic their natural sounds and scents. Choosing the best elk calls and lures can significantly increase your chances of a successful hunt. Understanding the nuances of different types and how they work in various situations is crucial for any serious hunter.

No. 1
Phelps Game Calls AMP Elk Diaphragm | All Skill Levels | Signature 3-Pack
  • Complete Elk Vocalization System: The Phelps AMP diaphragm elk call produces the full range of elk sounds, from soft cow chirps and calf mews to aggressive bull bugles and chuckles, all from one hands-free mouth call so you stay ready with your bow or...
  • Built On The Proven AMP Frame: Every AMP diaphragm rides on the signature aluminum frame with precision-stretched latex for a comfortable seal, consistent tone, and long calling life. The reeds break in and sound better the more you run them.
  • A Reed For Every Caller: Pick the latex and stretch that fits your style, from easy beginner reeds to competition cuts run by World Elk Calling Champions. Lighter latex needs less air for cow and calf sounds; tighter latex drives loud, high location...
  • Hands-Free When It Counts: Keep the diaphragm in your mouth while you draw and hold, so you can stop a bull at the moment of truth without reaching for another call. Ideal for archery and rifle elk hunting through the September rut.
  • Designed, Tuned & Tested In The USA: Phelps Game Calls builds and tunes each reed in Washington State, trusted by champion callers and backcountry hunters. Store your calls in a cool, dry case to protect the latex and extend their life.
No. 2
Phelps Game Calls Unleashed V2.0 Bugle Tube Elk Call - Professional Grade Elk Bugling Call with Corrugated...
  • Professional Sound Performance - Delivers devastating bugles, thunderous chuckles, mind-bending screams, and realistic elk vocalizations that challenge bulls and locate elk effectively
  • Thick Wall Construction - Built with thick walls that produce extreme volume without plastic sound, ensuring your bugles carry authentic tones across vast terrain and thick timber
  • Over-Cupped Exhaust Bell - Features over-cupped exhaust bell that creates optimal backpressure and resistance, making it easier to use all types of diaphragms with precise articulation
  • Corrugated Chamber Design - Large corrugations in the chamber provide exceptional resonance and structural integrity while delivering the authentic elk sounds needed for successful hunting
  • Complete Bugle Tube Collection - Choose from Unleashed V2 with dual mouthpiece system for all calling styles, compact Renegade for experienced callers, lightweight Unrivaled for backcountry hunting, or classic Unleashed for traditional bugling
No. 3
Slayer Harem Elk Call – Hands-Free External Cow Elk Bite Call
  • Hands-Free Operation Ideal for use when you're at full draw or on the move, no need to set down your bow or bugle
  • Intuitive Bite-and-Blow Design Easy to use, making this bite call suitable for both beginners and experienced elk hunters
  • Authentic Cow Elk Sounds Tuned to produce a high-pitched, nasal mew that mimics the natural call of a cow elk
  • Portable and Compact Small enough to fit in your chest pocket or pack, take it anywhere without extra bulk
  • Complements Other Calls Enhances herd realism when used with diaphragms or bugles for a more convincing setup
  • Consistent Sound Reliable tone and pitch, no need to worry about mouth placement
  • USA Crafted Built tough and tuned in the United States for hunters who insist on field performance
No. 4
Phelps Game Calls AMP Elk Diaphragm | Hands-Free Mouth Call for Cow, Calf & Bull Bugles | Reusable Latex Reed...
  • Complete Elk Vocalization System: The Phelps AMP diaphragm elk call produces the full range of elk sounds, from soft cow chirps and calf mews to aggressive bull bugles and chuckles, all from one hands-free mouth call so you stay ready with your bow or...
  • Built On The Proven AMP Frame: Every AMP diaphragm rides on the signature aluminum frame with precision-stretched latex for a comfortable seal, consistent tone, and long calling life. The reeds break in and sound better the more you run them.
  • A Reed For Every Caller: Pick the latex and stretch that fits your style, from easy beginner reeds to competition cuts run by World Elk Calling Champions. Lighter latex needs less air for cow and calf sounds; tighter latex drives loud, high location...
  • Hands-Free When It Counts: Keep the diaphragm in your mouth while you draw and hold, so you can stop a bull at the moment of truth without reaching for another call. Ideal for archery and rifle elk hunting through the September rut.
  • Designed, Tuned & Tested In The USA: Phelps Game Calls builds and tunes each reed in Washington State, trusted by champion callers and backcountry hunters. Store your calls in a cool, dry case to protect the latex and extend their life.
No. 5
Slayer Enchantress Push Button Elk Call – Cow Call & Bugle Combo
  • CONSISTENT ELK CALL EVERY TIME – Precision-designed push button system delivers a reliable elk cow call and elk bugle every time, unlike reeds that vary hunter to hunter and call to call.
  • COMPLETE SLAYER ELK CALL SYSTEM – Bundle includes the Enchantress cow call, attachable bugle tube for a full elk bugle call setup, military-grade paracord strap, and a backup replacement reed.
  • EASY TO USE FOR EVERY ELK CALLER – No diaphragm, gag reflex, or experience required. Simply push the button to control air pressure, volume, and tone — perfect as a first elk caller or a backup system.
  • SEASON-LONG DURABILITY BUILT IN – Includes a replacement reed engineered for long-lasting use, so this slayer elk call keeps producing authentic cow and bull elk sounds all season long.
  • MADE IN THE USA QUALITY – Crafted with pride in the USA for hunters who demand performance and reliability from every slayer elk call and bugle tube they carry into the field.
No. 6
Phelps Game Calls Metal Elk Bugle Tube | All Skill Levels | Conifer
  • One-Piece Aluminum Construction - Manufactured from solid aluminum for superior sound projection that's louder and crisper than plastic alternatives while engineered to meet bull elk frequency
  • Dual Mouthpiece System Included - Comes with both standard flared mouthpiece for traditional diaphragm calling and interchangeable EZ Bugler external mouthpiece for all skill levels
  • Professional Finish and Design - Features sandblasted, anodized black finish with closed-cell neoprene sleeve to eliminate glare and unwanted noise during hunting
  • Weight-Conscious Compact Design - Available in two configurations: EZ Bugler at 16 oz/20.5" length or Flared at 15 oz/19" length, both with 3.25" diameter
  • EZ Bugler External Mouthpiece - Utilizes AMP frame technology allowing hunters of any experience level to produce realistic chuckles and grunts without diaphragm calling skills
No. 7
Phelps Game Calls AMP Elk Diaphragm | Hands-Free Mouth Call for Cow, Calf & Bull Bugles | Reusable Latex Reed...
  • Complete Elk Vocalization System: The Phelps AMP diaphragm elk call produces the full range of elk sounds, from soft cow chirps and calf mews to aggressive bull bugles and chuckles, all from one hands-free mouth call so you stay ready with your bow or...
  • Built On The Proven AMP Frame: Every AMP diaphragm rides on the signature aluminum frame with precision-stretched latex for a comfortable seal, consistent tone, and long calling life. The reeds break in and sound better the more you run them.
  • A Reed For Every Caller: Pick the latex and stretch that fits your style, from easy beginner reeds to competition cuts run by World Elk Calling Champions. Lighter latex needs less air for cow and calf sounds; tighter latex drives loud, high location...
  • Hands-Free When It Counts: Keep the diaphragm in your mouth while you draw and hold, so you can stop a bull at the moment of truth without reaching for another call. Ideal for archery and rifle elk hunting through the September rut.
  • Designed, Tuned & Tested In The USA: Phelps Game Calls builds and tunes each reed in Washington State, trusted by champion callers and backcountry hunters. Store your calls in a cool, dry case to protect the latex and extend their life.
No. 8
RIVEN Tremor Elk Call for Hunting | Perfect Reed for Calling Elk & Producing a Diverse Range of Bull, Cow...
  • INCREDIBLY DIVERSE: The Tremor has a variety of sounds such as: locator bugle, chuckle, crisps bull sounds, and cow calls that are unmatched in the deep timber.
  • HAND BUILT in the U.S.A to Provide the Best Experience in the Woods.
  • TOP QUALITY Tape and Latex for a Long Lasting Season.
  • DURABLE Clamshell Case for Protection and Pack Storage.
  • PERFECT MOUTH PLACEMENT: The dome design adds ease to call positioning, making it perfect for beginners as well as experienced hunters.
No. 9
RIVEN The Rebel Series Elk Call Small Dome Combo 3 Pack for Hunting | Perfect Variety of Reeds for Cow, Calf...
  • HUNT RIVEN|HUNT PREPARED: The Rebel Series Combo Pack offers callers everything they need to mimic an extensive range of cow and bull sounds for every scenario.
  • HAND BUILT in the U.S.A to Provide the Best Experience in the Woods.
  • TOP QUALITY Tape and Latex for a Long Lasting Season.
  • DURABLE Clamshell Case for Protection and Pack Storage.
  • PERFECT MOUTH PLACEMENT: The dome design adds ease to call positioning, making it perfect for beginners as well as experienced hunters.
No. 10
Slayer Calf External Elk Call – High-Pitched Calf & Cow Elk Hunting Call
  • REALISTIC CALF & LOST CALF SOUNDS – Designed to mimic delicate calf mews and high-pitched lost-calf calls. The modified tone board and reed deliver lifelike vocals that draw bulls in with authenticity.
  • CONSISTENCY ACROSS CALLS – Each call is built to match strict specifications so that every time you use it, you get the same dependable tone. No surprises in the field.
  • DURABLE FIELD CONSTRUCTION – Made from rugged materials to withstand weather, impacts, and repeated use. Built for the trail, the ridge, or deep backcountry hunts without failing.
  • EASY TO USE FOR ALL HUNTERS – As an external diaphragm call, it’s simple to insert and use. No complicated setups — just position it, breathe or push air, and let it do the work.
  • PLUGIN-READY FOR FULL CALLING SYSTEM – Use it standalone or integrate it with your existing bugle / external call systems. Works well as a supplemental call to complement cow, bull, or bugle calls.

Last update on 2026-08-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How to Choose the Best Elk Calls & Lures

Types of Elk Calls

Elk calls primarily fall into two categories: diaphragm and mouth calls, and external calls like bugles and cow calls. Diaphragm calls are compact and allow for hands-free operation, ideal for quick responses. External calls often produce louder, more realistic sounds, but require more practice and manual operation.

Understanding Elk Vocalizations

Different calls mimic specific elk sounds. Cow calls imitate the sounds female elk make, often used to attract bulls. Bugles are the signature sound of bulls, used for communication and dominance. Learning to use these sounds effectively requires practice and understanding elk behavior during different seasons.

Lures and Scent Control

While calls attract elk through sound, lures can enhance your presence. Scent attractants can mimic natural elk odors, drawing them closer. However, proper scent control is paramount. Maintaining a scent-free hunting environment is just as important as using effective calls and lures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a bull call and a cow call?
A bull call mimics the aggressive bugle of a bull elk, used to challenge rivals or attract cows. A cow call imitates the softer sounds of a female elk, typically used to locate or attract bulls.
Are diaphragm calls difficult to learn?
Diaphragm calls can have a learning curve as they require proper tongue and lip placement to produce clear sounds. However, with consistent practice, many hunters find them to be very effective and convenient.
How important is scent control when using elk calls?
Scent control is critically important, often as vital as the call itself. Elk have an exceptional sense of smell, and any human scent can easily alert them and send them fleeing, negating the effectiveness of your calls.
Can lures be used in conjunction with calls?
Yes, lures can complement calls by adding another sensory layer to your hunting strategy. The combination of realistic sounds and appealing scents can significantly increase your chances of attracting elk.