Pre-rut moose calling?

MD

MD

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I'm still under the 3-year curse for moose draws, but I'm going to apply anyway.

But what I was wondering was if I got the Sept. 10 to 30 draw again like last time if cow calling maybe wasn't the best strategy before September 26.

I know after Sept. 26 last time two years ago in region 5 I started to get some ploughed up ground action where I had a mare's urine stink bomb hanging and finally had a bull moose respond to cow calling, but only very close to the end of the month.

Anyway, I didn't end up with a moose that trip, but since then I have read that issuing challenges using bull moose grunts and raking trees with a scapula in the pre-rut might get a bull to come in more than a cow call.
 
We've had lots of bulls come in to cow calls between Sept 20-30 in NW Ontario and Central Manitoba.
Most of the bulls I've killed have been between those dates, and were drawn in by cow calling.
 
My advice, get some cow urine, find tracks or better yet rakes (don't look for rakes on the ground, look up) and even better yet a rut pit, scent an area up, cow call before dark, be there before dawn, cow call, rake with scapula, kill a moose. It'll likely come in quiet and go away the first time. Listen Close and don't make a sound, let it leave. Walk downwind a half mile without making a sound, on your way back cow call and rake alternately. That's my advice.

Best of luck.
 
There are tonnes of tricks I have learned over the years but there is never ANY guarantee that calling will work.

Sometimes it's magical....

Other times fruitless.

It depends alot on how much a particular Moose has been messed with in the past and during that season.

In areas where Moose are not exposed to alot of hunting pressure calling works better.

Alot of times a Bull will be with a cow that is just about ready to breed, so calling a Bull away from a Cow is pretty difficult.

I subscribe to a theory that when a cow is calling 9/10 she is being harassed by an immature Bull.

That's where alot of hunters make the mistake if they get a Bull to respond sometimes they hang up. They will come into 200 yards and rake trees, IF they do not get a response from a Bull they can become suspicious.

Alot of times when suspicious Bulls will circle downwind.

IF you find an area with good sign.

Old sign, medium old sign and fresh sign your in a good area.

Keep working that area, moving your calling sites 3 or 400 yards, making mock scrapes or rakes on trees accompanied by scent is effective.

Don't call too loudly(#1 mistake) and don't call to often(#2 mistake).

Mix up calling sequences, add water splashing, simulate browsing noise, pop brush and break branch's.

Every once and awhile try and throw a couple Bull grunts.

As the morning or evening progresses you can increase volume of your cow calls and add an agitated tone as in the Cow is really being harassed by the immature Bull..


Another tactic I use is to is to check the morning roads, I usually try to cover any old tracks, and I look to cut a fresh track...

If you can cut a fresh track in the morning try and get an idea of where the Moose might have went or bedded....and try to set up close by and call.

Good luck.
 
You did not specify where you are from or where you are hunting (sorry but Region 5 could be in any province or territory), but no worries.

Best to contact your regional fish and game biologist and find out when the local rut is for Region 5.
The rut is keyed to the amount of daylight received by the retina of the particular animal species' eye, and dependent upon where your Region 5 is, then you will be able to get the best dates for the rut timing in that area.

For example, in more northern areas of my hunting region here in northeastern BC, the rut for the moose kicks in about Sept 15th, but where I live it starts almost two weeks later about Oct 1st, as I am almost 5 hours travel time south of where the rut starts Sept 15th, within the same hunting region.

This will help you with all the species you may be hunting i.e. deer and elk, etc.

The Montana decoy tip above is a great one. I have been using them successfully for over 15 years, and I use them with the appropriate Buck Bomb scents. Works great!
Just remember to set them up upwind or crosswind from you the hunter, and in a location where that bull is expecting to see it. Best with a caller at or hidden as close as possible to the decoy, as that bull moose knows exactly where that call is coming from and will key in to that exact location, even when responding from a long distance away.
 
MD said:
I'm still under the 3-year curse for moose draws, but I'm going to apply anyway.

But what I was wondering was if I got the Sept. 10 to 30 draw again like last time if cow calling maybe wasn't the best strategy before September 26.

I know after Sept. 26 last time two years ago in region 5 I started to get some ploughed up ground action where I had a mare's urine stink bomb hanging and finally had a bull moose respond to cow calling, but only very close to the end of the month.

Anyway, I didn't end up with a moose that trip, but since then I have read that issuing challenges using bull moose grunts and raking trees with a scapula in the pre-rut might get a bull to come in more than a cow call.
Click to expand...


MD, I am working on a skunk longer than yours on the LEH Moose draw, but have messed with a young and older bull once or twice.
Tried to imitate this guy, but my French accent was how do you say Je ne sais pas lacking,lol .
Anyways, a couple guys I have crossed paths with swear buy his techniques and even went to far as to buy his video/cd's and paddle.
Seems to work for them.
When I mentioned messing with those moose, it has been to give a grunt call and each time not only has the intended moose turned his head there has been a smack on anatler on a tree off in close proximity.
No time like the present to practice your calls.
Rob
 
I find the young bulls can come in anytime out of curiosity. My earliest bull was called in on September 15 and latest bull came in on October 13, he was a young spiker too, and both bulls came in quietly.
 
BlackRam said:
You did not specify where you are from or where you are hunting (sorry but Region 5 could be in any province or territory), but no worries.

Best to contact your regional fish and game biologist and find out when the local rut is for Region 5.
The rut is keyed to the amount of daylight received by the retina of the particular animal species' eye, and dependent upon where your Region 5 is, then you will be able to get the best dates for the rut timing in that area.

For example, in more northern areas of my hunting region here in northeastern BC, the rut for the moose kicks in about Sept 15th, but where I live it starts almost two weeks later about Oct 1st, as I am almost 5 hours travel time south of where the rut starts Sept 15th, within the same hunting region.

This will help you with all the species you may be hunting i.e. deer and elk, etc.

The Montana decoy tip above is a great one. I have been using them successfully for over 15 years, and I use them with the appropriate Buck Bomb scents. Works great!
Just remember to set them up upwind or crosswind from you the hunter, and in a location where that bull is expecting to see it. Best with a caller at or hidden as close as possible to the decoy, as that bull moose knows exactly where that call is coming from and will key in to that exact location, even when responding from a long distance away.
Click to expand...

I'm in BC too.
 
Hi folks,
I'm an east coast moose hunter, peak rutt here is typically around the 20th to 28th of September.

I find that starting with some low tone cow calls can help pin point if their is a bull around. If there is and he's receptive they will give u a frew grunts just to let you know they are there. It's very important to listen good after each call! What you do next will determine if you get him to come in or not.

Young bulls will generally come in on a cow call anytime during the season unless they've been bothered. So with younger bulls I just keep up with the cow calls as long as he's answering.
Big bulls are a different story, most times you can get them to answer, but allot of times especially in areas with high pressure that's all they will do. They need more proof that you're a legit cow. So that's where I start walking (while staying hidden) towards them and making lots of noise. Having some good scent with you helps cover your scent and give them another reason to believe you're really a cow. Smart big bulls expect the cow to do their part and go to them. So don't be scared to make noise and approach them. But stay hidden. I'll keep using the cow in heat call as long as they are responding well. But If they fetch up or reduce their interest by answering less that is when I pull out the young bull grunt. If that doesn't piss him off, rake some trees, grunt a bit and then throw an aggressive cow in distress call. Cows have a personality and get pissed when little bulls bug them. That should really trigger the big bull to come fight the competition. If you've passed him off enough you'll hear him rake, grunt and maybe even do the horse weaze. That's when you can stick to young bull sounds and copy what he does. If he grunts answer with a grunt, if he rakes then you rake. Eventually you'll see him show up ready to fight, if not then work your way towards him, no dominant bull will walk away from a challenge until they've had a chance to size up the competition. So you can literally walk up to them as long as they don't see you or get your scent.

One good pointer when calling bulls, if he's grunting he's most likely moving, so don't over call him, just listen and let him come. If he stops grunting for like 10 seconds he's stopped moving and IS listening. Good time for a call or two, just to remind him where you are. Don't over call and give him more chances to figure out you're not real.

Ok this is much longer than I originally intended so will stop there.
Using these tricks has gotten me over 90% success bagging bulls. Of the 11 hunts I've been on I've called a 28 pointer 49", a 24 pointer 55", a 17 pointer 52", a 13 pointer 46", and a 11 pointer 44", all over 800lbs field dressed...
 
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