Moose hunting tips

When trying to attract moose, many hunters call far too loud and too long. You should only call when you know that there is moose in your hunting area. And when you do call, do it softly and briefly.

Tips from one of our partner for moose calling

When I am calling moose by imitating the languorous call of a cow moose, I never use a call because I think it amplifies too much. I simply place my hands around my mouth and pinch my nose with my fingers: the sound should come slightly from the nose, but also from the throat. The bull moose (buck) has a sharp enough ear and can hear these calls from far away. If you are calling at the right time and there is a bull moose on the territory, it will come directly toward you. You will hear it answer the female to indicate that it is coming: this answer resembles a mix between a soft grunt and short yapping.

I have already waited for an entire hour after having called and during that time I didn't hear anything, even if there was no wind. Then, all of a sudden, I started hearing a bull moose grunting and cracking branches: it was only a few metres away! That is why I recommend that you should wait for quite some time before you call a second time. During that waiting period, you should not move at all, in case the bull moose is closer than you think.

Calling is not only about imitating the languid call of a female in heat! You also need to put on a show. Your calling session should imitate what really happens in nature. Walk in the alders on the lake or river and break dry branches, just like a large female would. When the weather is good, these noises will make the ears of a male stand up! Walk in the water, lifting your legs up high, then create waves to imitate a female drinking and eating. Only after you have created this scene will you softly make your three first short calls. You can also imitate a female urinating in the water by emptying a jar filled with water. Then, return to the alders on the shore, breaking a few more branches and wait: the bull moose will come to you and all you will have to do is fire.

Important detail: if the bull moose responds to your call and comes in your direction, you should not call a second time. You could make a mistake and the bull moose could find out that it was duped by your first call. Try to stay in complete silence to avoid frightening the male. It has already expressed its interest in females and is curious: he will be looking for a female near you.

The best time for moose calling

At dawn, just before sunrise, when there was bad weather on the day before and it settled down overnight. Or, when bad weather is expected soon. Note that you should only call when everything is really quiet. It is even better when it is very cold and there is white frost on the alders by the river or the lake.

The ideal context is when fog lifts above the water and there is no wind. In fact, the call reaches its maximum efficiency when the water is still, like a mirror. Calling can also be effective at other times during the day. There were times when I caught bull moose around noon or late afternoon. But every time that happened, everything was very "still": what you want is "echo" for the "call" to be carried far away.