Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Mouth calls and gag reflex

I would like to learn to make some elk sounds for fun and to consider archery hunting once I get comfortable.
Went and bought a Primos single reed and stuck it in as the directions say and began gagging.
Not sure what it is, but can't seem to figure out to get it seated to try to make a noise.
How much of the fabric like tab can I cut off and still make it useful?
Any other tips to try as having my hands free might be useful if trying to lure an elk in closer?
Thanks

screw diaphrams...... cow-talk by e.l.k. inc is your friend.

Trim the latex exactly the same width out from the metal frame. In other words, if the frame is 1/8 an inch, go 1/8 out and trim it parallel all the way around. When you use it, keep it pressed up against the roof of your mouth when blowing. I keep it bit between my teeth out of my mouth when moving between positions.

I can't use diaphragm calls. The gagging and dry heaving seems to scare the elk off. The call the works best for me is the Primos Hyper lip single. It is the only one that I can make the same sounds consistently and elk respond as well.

I would suggest to never use the Hoochie Mama, I have seen more elk scared off by those things than road hunters.

Yep...amazing call ain't it!

They are hard to use ,if not impossible if you have caps on your front teeth.

In cold weather, you need to keep them inside your coat or the plastic gets too hard to squeeze.

I had to go to reed call. I like the Lil Chuckler from Elk Nut Productions as you can take the reed part out of the tube and use it as a cow call.

I also keep two other reed calls on a lanyard about my neck to make different sounds

HI Jon--FWIW--At least for my turkey mouth calls...It helps me if I concentrate on breathing through my nose....not my mouth. It seems to greatly help extend the time I can keep a call in my mouth. I remove it for a few minutes periodically to relax the gag reflex. If I can avoid reaching the gag point at all by frequently taking it out, I can continue using them a lot longer. I usually take them out while moving from place to place to give it a rest. Also...conditioning the reflex by practicing with the call at home for short periods, but working to extend the time as I do helps me. Seems some of it is mental...when you get to the point where you sort of forget about it..it becomes much easier. Good luck. Joe

Linda Lovelace used a different method of 'conditioning'.....

Trimming is the way to start I keep in my teeth when moving as well. I never had the problem. It is meant to be in the roof of your mouth. The advantage is your hands are free. Blow calls are ok when your at a distance. Were we hunt the elk get very call shy its easier for me to call softer with a reed and vary the sounds pitches. I guess bottom line is keep practicing. I prefer mouth calls I can bend to fit the roof of my mouth. Good luck

I've always been lucky, in the fact that I can put any diaphram call in my mouth and make it sound like what I'm trying to call and other critters. I can elk bugle with turkey calls like nobody's business.

Gargle with some Viscous Lidocaine or spray some Cetacaine Spray in your throat prior to calling and it will knock out your gag reflex .

Be sure and use the reeds with the extra piece that fits up against the roof of your mouth. That is the only way I can take the vibration. I use the primos "palate plate"


http://www.cabelas.com/product/Primos174-Palate-Plate-Elk-Diaphragm-Calls/740005.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dprimos%2Belk%2Bcalls%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&Ntt=primos+elk+calls&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

The primos palate plate make a difference to me, much easier use than a flat diaphragm. A diaphragm's ranges, variations and nuances is invaluable. I do have different blow calls, even a hochie, to add in the mix. But the diaphragm is 80% of my calling.

The sonic dome is too one dimensional.

You never know which call or note a specific bull will key on... but the more you sound like a herd and not blowing the same tune, the more bulls you'll call in.

Kent

I have never had a problem using a diaphragm and always have one in my mouth when turkey hunting and most of the time to locate a Elk . I believe my Elk call is made by Sceery

Does the hunter have any heart irregularities? Llver and kidneys function? Is the hunter allergic to any anesthetics?

Lidocaine viscous has a usual effect of approximately 30 minutes and probably should not be used more than 4 to 6 times per day. It is typically used one time quick procedures or for short term conditions.

Casually recommending the use of Lidocaine viscous for the short term is questionable and for what may be a long term hunt perhaps dangerous.

It has no long term effect i have used it on a number of patient over many years and we prescript it to patients who have throat cancer or chronic throat pain . When mixed with water it has no real effect on the heart sinus rhythm.

I'll bet rubber dicks and the Linda Lovelace practice method of gag reflex suppression, would be hard on those kinda guys... method

Thanks. We use it in the hospital on a short term basis and as a Pharmacist I'm always cautious of warnings and adverse reactions.

I use 1% Lidocain when changing out trachs to keep the patient from having bronchospasms. I put 10 cc down the trach and the new one will go right in with no problems or spasms . I also use Viscous for all Bronchs

I've seen enough of the new residents attempt that procedure on infants and children to know it respectfully borders on art.

For those gagging, how far back are you putting it? It goes just behind your front teeth. Some diaphragms I have issues with sealing the air behind... again, for me the plates from primos are easy to seal, giving me an infinite combination of tones and volumes.

Kent

The secret to using a diaphragm call is for it to fit the roof of your mouth when you put sight pressure on on it with your tongue. It should be very close to the back of the upper front teeth. Then just follow the instructions on how to make the calls from the manufacture.

Thanks for all the tips, I'll give a few a try and see if I can get over it or just gargle some lidocaine
I appreciate all the advice on favorites and why.

Most of the time when you gag on a mouth call you have it to far back in your mouth .

Diaphrams are the only way to go. "Hands free"

yes when they get in close

I had the same problem but after trying it a few more times my palate quit acting up.

Like others have said, trim the fabric around the call edges to fit in the roof of your mouth. It takes a bit to get used too but I prefer to have a diaphragm in now for the hands free close in work on turkeys.

I can't get the right sound if it's to far forward. I have a small palate and have to trim some brands more than others but the sound produced is about perfect.

I still gag sometimes if I don't push it to my front teeth to hold. My favorite was an "ivory Plate" I have a few now but none seem to be "it" for me since. The Primos with the extra little plastic thing is my favorite right now.

Practice, Practice is all you have to do now. Record yourself and listen and you will get it right.