Re: First Post: Moose Hunting tips 7-03
Pretty successful season for first attempt I would say. Seems to me that you should be dispensing advice and not the other way around.
"I have read that in mountainous terrain the bulls go up high to get away from the bugs as their antlers grow but then when the rut comes where do they head? Do stay on the lower area of that mountain area? Or would they tend to come all the way out to the flats around Fraser river? I know there aren't a lot of fresher logged areas in this area so should I stick to older timbers beside creeks with older cut blocks near by... Just at a loss on this whole things ".
It will be weather dependent on where the moose go when it comes to the rut. In a mountainous region, if it's hot, the bull moose never seem to be in that much hurry to hustle down to cows even if they are in estrus. They can get the jump if the cow is in estrus the 2nd or 3rd time around if she had missed being bred in the first estrus. If there are some young bulls around, they get the pleasure.
On calling. It is a game of patience. You just cannot grunt out a call or two and expect bullwinkle to come charging out with fire in his eyes and his pole a smokin'. You call like that and you are not likely going to find a moose at all.
I tried those tin can calls and quite frankly I never scored with one of those, although others have claimed great success. I learned to use my hands and mouth, or more specifically my diaphragm to call moose. It takes some practice but it is not as hard as some think. Learn to do a cow and bull call. The cow call is much more effective but bulls just might take their time before sashaying over to have a gander. However, you can hurry their pace by giving a bull grunt so they think there is some competition.
If you notice, bullwinkle has ears about as sensitive to sound as a radio observatory listening to the stars. Therefore, keep this in mind while you are sitting waiting for the bull to respond to your sonic love gestures. It you are shifting, farting or whatever other sounds humans can make, chances are bullwinkle can hear. Bullwinkles nose is just about as big and sensitive as his ears, so keep the odors to a minimum. Like no smoking or for that matter, no cigarette smoke or bacon fat smoke on your jeans.
A word about bacon odors. Remember earlier this year about a thread one of our members wrote about his grizzly hunt. He said that the bear showed up for breakfast as he could smell the bacon frying. So remember this when you're sitting on the stump waiting for bullwinkle, narly the grizz might show instead.
The way I like to call. I make cow calls in on direction only. A call is made every two or 3 minute interval. Long and plaintive, like, "Hey big boy, I'm looking for yooouuuu. Come and git it." That kind of call. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes and then wait. Wait a few minutes and listen. Nothing, give a bull grunt in the opposite direction and then listen. It nothing happens, quietly wait for 15 minutes and repeat the process. If you have done it three times and nothing happens, it ain't going to happen this time. Comeback in the evening and do it again. Then again the next morning. I should also mention. When you come to your "spot" and you have hunkered your ass down, wait at least 10 to 15 minutes before you start calling. While you are doing this, keep your ears open and listen to the sounds of the forest happenings around you. They heard you come in and will remain quiet until they are satisfied they are okay with your presence. And that damm squirrel that seems to be telling every critter your there, ignore him. Everyone knows he is just a loud mouth and eventually will shut up.
And that's my 2¢ worth.
".....It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of a Trudeau government than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their prime minister......"
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Originally Posted by Steelpulse
