Berry Mini Thunder Bugle

Berry Mini Thunder Bugle by Kevin Gardner
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The use of an elk bugle is a fine art that many never fully achieve greatness at. Diaphragms that insert in your mouth, hollow grunt tubes of various sizes, external reeds the options seem endless. In the end you hope to find something that is comfortable and more importantly, that you can execute with as close to 100% accuracy every time you hit the call. Not even addressing the volume and pitch which are largely manipulated with each calling sequence, it would seem there is a million ways to call that bull in with about as many product options.

The folks at Berry Game Calls have, in my opinion, streamlined this process into one very easy to use elk bugle called “The Berry Mimi Thunder Bugle”. Don’t let the name fool you; I was skeptical at first as well. I have always been told not to sound like the biggest bull in the woods and when you say thunder bugle, it sounds like you are going to really be shaking the ground. I have found this bugle to be as user friendly and as effective as any of the best bugles readily available.

The unit is compact when the accordion style tube is not extended (28” extended and 10” when collapsed), which makes for a happier hunter. The fixed diaphragm style reed has a convenient cover that keeps it out of the elements until you are prepared to use it. Once the time to bugle is at hand, simply remove the cover (a convenient string attaches the cover to the unit base) place the reed to your mouth, bite down slightly and blow through the diaphragm. The diaphragm can be removed for easy cleaning and storage if you chose not to leave it in the call. There are three diaphragms to choose from that change the pitch and intensity, and can be ordered separately from the manufacturer. This style of call has been very popular since so many folks have a problem working with or even keeping external diaphragms in their mouth without a gag reflex.

Pro’s: The pro side of this call is extensive. I have been fortunate enough to have used mine over several years of calling elk for myself, friends and for photography in the Colorado mountains with incredible success. The range and pitch this call produces are as varied as you could ask for. Using the Berry Mini Thunder Bugle limits the caller only to their own particular understanding of elk communication. I have used it as a locator call, then gone silent and worked toward animals as well as to banter back and forth with herd bulls until they were convinced I had some cows to steal and it worked fantastic in both extremes.

Keeping the tube extended to the desired length when in use is the best option for this call. Opening and closing the call in the woods can make some very unappealing noise, however this would likely be true of most any collapsible grunt tube call. The reeds available for the call are as follows: (From the Berry Game Calls website)

Item # RT-W – White Single Thin Replacement Reeds – The RT-W has a single layer of thin latex. It takes very little air pressure to produce a high pitch (Small – Medium Bull).

Item # RT-B – Black Single Thick Replacement Reeds – The RT-B has a single layer of thick latex. Reproduces the sounds of a medium to large bull elk.

Item # RT-G – Green Double Replacement Reeds – The RT-G consists of two layers of latex. The thick/thin latex combination is designed to produce the sounds of an excited bull elk.

Item # RT-R – Red Criss Cross Replacement Reeds – The RT-R consists of three layers of latex. The RT-R is designed to get more volume and a medium range of tones.

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