I’m looking to learn from bowsiters, and get suggestions for additional resources, books, videos, especially in the calling strategy aspects. I understand they can be not so smart in the rut, but I can be not so smart year round, so I need all the help I can get!
Thanks, —Jim
Find a place with moose sign. Use wicks or NON-scented cotton balls and “chum” an area by hanging a line of wicks as close to ninty degrees to the prevailing breezes as possible. Or run a long L shape. Or run a line along the bottom of hills to take advantage of the thermals. Freshen them in the mornings and evenings as you call and wait. Give moose along time to come. We often have responses first thing in the morning, after calling and chumming an area the night before.
Sometimes the bulls are tired after a long night of rut activity in warmer weather, so be patient and listen for a quiet approach to.
Moose pee is the only scent I use and believe in. Deer scents have all been a total fail for me.
Nothing like a good bull grunting and smashing his way right to you!!
I called in a really nice bull for my buddy in 2016, starting with cow bawls. I was set up about 50 yds behind my buddy. He came in, but hung up just out of range, so I started grunting and raking to try to pull him in the last few yards. He ended up wading back across the oxbow from us and would never fully commit to coming back across to us. He would get in the water, then turn back around and pace back and forth about 90 yds away, which he did for over an hour.
He had a long bell, which I had a couple of moose guides and hunters tell me, can indicate that it was a younger animal. IMO, I think this bull wouldn’t commit to my cow bawls and grunting/raking because he was intimidated and didn’t want to get his butt whipped. I think if I had stuck with only cow call, my chances of him committing would have been better.
We’re gonna try again this fall in AK. as well. Good luck on your hunt, Jim! Moose hunting is a ball!
Highly recommended
Scott.
I had not even considered moose scents. A quick cursory search makes it look like natural deer (and elk and moose) urine scents are not legal, but synthetics are. Do NOT quote me on that, and I’ll be digging a little deeper on that.
Thanks for the start, and I’m certainly interested in any other tips/comments.
—Jim