Elk Diaphragm Basics #1: Cow CallsUpdated 4 months ago

So you've decided you'd like to begin using diaphragm calls to talk to elk? That's awesome, and here at Phelps Game Calls we love to see it! That said, calling with diaphragms is a life-long learning endeavor, so don't expect to be Dirk Durham or Jason Phelps overnight! 

In this article, we'll cover the basics of using a diaphragm reed—starting with simply making noise. From there, and by following our guide below, you should be making cow elk sounds in no time! 

1. Positioning the Reed

   • Place the reed toward the front of your mouth, latex side up against your tongue.
   • Find the middle of your tongue for the best control—too far back may trigger your gag reflex, too far forward might tickle.

2. Creating Sound

   • Seal off all air with your tongue, then slowly release it while flexing your tongue to create pressure on the latex.
   • Aim for a high-pitched "mosquito noise." If it’s too weak, increase tongue pressure.

3. Maintaining the Note

   • Take a deep breath and hold that high note consistently throughout your exhale.
   • Adjust tongue pressure as air decreases to keep the tone steady.

4. Turning Noise into a Cow Call

   • Start with the high-pitched note, then relax your tongue slightly to let the pitch drop naturally.
   • Avoid shaping your lips into an “O”—elk don’t sound like that. Keep them relaxed and slightly open.

5. Calf & Mature Cow Calls

   • Calf Call: Use less air and let your tongue drop only slightly.
   • Mature Cow Call: Hold the lower note a bit longer.
   • Estrus/Hyper Hot Call: Exaggerate the pitch drop for a pleading, drawn-out tone.

6. Hand Placement & Projection

   • Cup your hands to direct sound and create variation.
   • Experiment with shaping tones to make your calls more authentic.

Practice these techniques until your tongue instinctively finds the right position. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you can start mimicking an entire herd. Make sure to watch the video created by Dirk Durham below as well. Dirk is one of the best elk callers in the world... and he's not too bad at bringing them down on the mountain either!