By James Barnes
I met Jason Phelps at my first World Championship Bugling Contest in 2018. He was standing at the back of the room.
I saw him watching several competitors. They were using calls with the letters "Phelps" on the side of their bugle tubes. The calls produced some of the most authentic sounds I had ever heard.
I introduced myself and he hooked me up with my first Phelps Amp Diaphragms and the Unleashed Bugle Tube. Since then, the Grey Amp Diaphragm and other elk calls have brought many curious large mature bull elk close to me.
Phelps Game Calls are the best because of their reliability and authenticity. The Diaphragms hold up exceptionally well and are extremely comfortable in your mouth. The thicker latex calls are great for producing the perfect pitch that elk need. They can handle pressure and create a loud sound, making them sound like a dominant bull.
A Legacy of Innovation
Phelps Game Calls was founded by Jason Phelps. An Engineer by trade and life-long elk hunter, Jason worked for the State of Washington as a Fish Passage Engineer until Meateater bought Phelps Game Calls.
He now works full-time in the game call industry. His creative call designs have resulted in some of the best grunt tubes in the industry. These include the Unleashed, Unrivaled, Unleashed V2, Renegade, and more.
The EZ Suk’r is a completely innovative idea. You simply suck in through the call to make a sexy cow sound.
My personal favorites are their great single latex mouth diaphragms made in the U.S.A. They are known for their durability and consistent sound throughout the fall. My personal favorite for years has been the Grey Amp. The Pitch Black Series calls, composed of a single black latex, come in a close second.
Precision Craftsmanship and Design Innovation
What sets Phelps Game Calls apart is the craftsmanship that enters into each product. The team meticulously designs and tests every call to produce the most accurate and elk-like sounds.
When Dirk Durham was testing out signature Maverick Diaphragm, he bugled on it 767 times just to see how much it could take. He soaked it in water for three days. Then he blew it to test how it would perform during the wet days of fall. He wanted to see if it would produce consistent sounds, even with the hunter's saliva on the call.
He then placed it on the stove at over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for one or two days. He wanted to see how it would hold up under conditions like those in a vehicle. After all that testing the call held up extremely well. That’s the kind of testing that allows them to develop the best products for hunters. The Phelps staff also understands what elk hunters need because they are elk hunters.
Versatility for Every Elk Hunter
One of the key strengths of Phelps Game Calls lies in their commitment to catering to the diverse needs of elk hunters. Do you like using cow calls or bull calls? Do you prefer external cow calls or internal mouth diaphragms?
If those options don’t work, do you want to try the EZ Suk’r? It lets you make cow and calf sounds. You do this by squeezing the call with your teeth and sucking in air.
When it comes to bull sounds, do you prefer to use the very versatile mouth diaphragms? Or do you prefer the external mouthpiece on the Unleashed V2? Do you prefer plastic grunt tubes or aluminum?
Large or small? Phelps offers many types of elk calls. You can use them to attract a big bull within bow range. If you are hunting with a rifle, these calls can help you find a bull. They can also encourage a bull to step into the open for a shot.
The Proof is in the Pudding
Hunters want the most realistic sounds and the calls that work best. The proof is in the bull elk taken with a bow or rifle. At Altitude Outdoors, we have personally taken well over 35 bulls using Phelps Game Calls.
In the fall of 2023, we called in several bulls. Brad Carter successfully took a huge six-point bull in the remote Wyoming backcountry. This year I was able to again, call in and arrow a big 360 class bull in Wyoming's rugged mountains.
We used the Gray Amp, the EZ Suk’r, Pitch Black #2 Diaphragm, Tony Gilbertson Signature Call ( All-American Series) and other Phelps Calls to close the deal. I also called in several bulls other bulls, one was a 350 bull. I filmed him as he came into 12 yards. This happened during the pre-rut on September 3rd. I used the Pitch Black #2 for this.
Phelps Game Calls - Elevating the Hunting Experience
In the realm of game calls, Phelps stands as a testament to the marriage of tradition and innovation. They continue to produce newer and better elk calls as time goes on. They stay up to date. You will see their team and other callers using their products at this year's World Elk Calling Championship. This event is hosted by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
From the tall mountain peaks to the dark canyons, elk calls create a tune. This tune reminds us that Phelps Game Calls is a must-have for hunters. They seek both authenticity and effectiveness. Phelps Game Calls is dedicated to quality, flexibility, and new ideas. They are shaping the future of hunting. Every call they make sounds like the true voice of the wild.
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