Bow Hunting Moose in Rut

chaser · #1 08-10-2017, 11:55 AM

So I drew a bull moose tag this year, after a 10 year wait. I will predominately be hunting using archery tackle, as I would like to hunt the rut (trip is planned for September 29th - Oct 3rd). I have never hunted moose (personally) before, so was curious as to what my strategy/tactics should focus around.

It is fairly open ground with rolling hills, large pockets of willow/aspen and lots of ponds/marsh.

Do I sit up high and attempt spot and stalk? Can you sneak into archery range on a moose? Do I sit in a marsh and call all day? Or do locate a bull visually first, sneak in close and start calling like I would elk?

Any advice on some tactics guys have used in the past would be extremely helpful.

3blade · #2 08-10-2017, 12:19 PM

I had a tag in similar terrain a couple years ago. Spent most of 2 months chasing them, never got a clean shot. Was my first time as well, I learned a lot.

-If you call, mature bulls will almost always circle down wind. Bulls don't get big by being stupid. Have a caller behind you and get out in front, or if solo, call and anticipate which way he's going to go. Do not stand where you called from. Big bulls will circle up to half a mile down wind though, so expect you're gonna get busted sometimes, it will happen.

-If you get in close and call at them, they frequently spook. It appeared to me that's not how they communicate in open country, as if they know there wasn't a moose there. Calling from at least 300 yards worked best but the angles they approach at make it very difficult for a solo hunter.

-Spot and stalk gave me my best opportunities. It's pretty easy to spot a moose, and they are certainly stalkable.

-An old moose hunting trick is to call at first and last light from a hill close to camp. I can verify it works. Glass the area real careful the next day, as there will often be a bull standing in your tracks looking for the cow. Whether or not it's the right bull is a different story.

-edit: don't spook cows, they tend to stay in one spot and pull bulls into the area. beware the cow with calf/calves, probably the most grumpy and dangerous animal we have.

chaser · #3 08-10-2017, 02:11 PM

Thank you for the advice that is great information!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3blade

I had a tag in similar terrain a couple years ago. Spent most of 2 months chasing them, never got a clean shot. Was my first time as well, I learned a lot.

-If you call, mature bulls will almost always circle down wind. Bulls don't get big by being stupid. Have a caller behind you and get out in front, or if solo, call and anticipate which way he's going to go. Do not stand where you called from. Big bulls will circle up to half a mile down wind though, so expect you're gonna get busted sometimes, it will happen.

-If you get in close and call at them, they frequently spook. It appeared to me that's not how they communicate in open country, as if they know there wasn't a moose there. Calling from at least 300 yards worked best but the angles they approach at make it very difficult for a solo hunter.

-Spot and stalk gave me my best opportunities. It's pretty easy to spot a moose, and they are certainly stalkable.

-An old moose hunting trick is to call at first and last light from a hill close to camp. I can verify it works. Glass the area real careful the next day, as there will often be a bull standing in your tracks looking for the cow. Whether or not it's the right bull is a different story.

-edit: don't spook cows, they tend to stay in one spot and pull bulls into the area. beware the cow with calf/calves, probably the most grumpy and dangerous animal we have.

58thecat · #4 08-10-2017, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3blade

I had a tag in similar terrain a couple years ago. Spent most of 2 months chasing them, never got a clean shot. Was my first time as well, I learned a lot.

-If you call, mature bulls will almost always circle down wind. Bulls don't get big by being stupid. Have a caller behind you and get out in front, or if solo, call and anticipate which way he's going to go. Do not stand where you called from. Big bulls will circle up to half a mile down wind though, so expect you're gonna get busted sometimes, it will happen.

-If you get in close and call at them, they frequently spook. It appeared to me that's not how they communicate in open country, as if they know there wasn't a moose there. Calling from at least 300 yards worked best but the angles they approach at make it very difficult for a solo hunter.

-Spot and stalk gave me my best opportunities. It's pretty easy to spot a moose, and they are certainly stalkable.

-An old moose hunting trick is to call at first and last light from a hill close to camp. I can verify it works. Glass the area real careful the next day, as there will often be a bull standing in your tracks looking for the cow. Whether or not it's the right bull is a different story.

-edit: don't spook cows, they tend to stay in one spot and pull bulls into the area. beware the cow with calf/calves, probably the most grumpy and dangerous animal we have.

This about sums it up, be patient and don't rush anything. Be ready to change things up a bit, nothing is perfect when it comes to hunting.

greywolf · #5 08-10-2017, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58thecat

This about sums it up, be patient and don't rush anything. Be ready to change things up a bit, nothing is perfect when it comes to hunting.

X2 ^^^^

your dates are spot on,
Coming up on a full moon may influence their activity a bit, especially if its warm.

Gbuss · #6 08-10-2017, 05:35 PM

At that time of year find their wallows and rubs. Normally looks like a tornado hit the area. The bigger the area destroyed the more often come back to check for cows. Use scent control and don't be scared to call from their with a cow call and bull grunts. Make some noise as if you are a bull scraping trees. Also if you have a tree near by you can hang a stand do so. As you can just cow call from up high and you can hear them coming in better. Don't be worried if it sounds like a freight train coming through the bush it is just a horny bull.

Gordon

Hooter · #7 08-10-2017, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3blade

I had a tag in similar terrain a couple years ago. Spent most of 2 months chasing them, never got a clean shot. Was my first time as well, I learned a lot.

-If you call, mature bulls will almost always circle down wind. Bulls don't get big by being stupid. Have a caller behind you and get out in front, or if solo, call and anticipate which way he's going to go. Do not stand where you called from. Big bulls will circle up to half a mile down wind though, so expect you're gonna get busted sometimes, it will happen.

-If you get in close and call at them, they frequently spook. It appeared to me that's not how they communicate in open country, as if they know there wasn't a moose there. Calling from at least 300 yards worked best but the angles they approach at make it very difficult for a solo hunter.

-Spot and stalk gave me my best opportunities. It's pretty easy to spot a moose, and they are certainly stalkable.

-An old moose hunting trick is to call at first and last light from a hill close to camp. I can verify it works. Glass the area real careful the next day, as there will often be a bull standing in your tracks looking for the cow. Whether or not it's the right bull is a different story.

-edit: don't spook cows, they tend to stay in one spot and pull bulls into the area. beware the cow with calf/calves, probably the most grumpy and dangerous animal we have.

Excellent advice! This will be your best strategy.

Passthru · #8 08-10-2017, 10:35 PM

If a bull circles you and you have been busted. Keep an arrow on the string if you walk out. He may bed down and might have another chance at him on the way out.

chaser · #9 08-11-2017, 10:09 AM

Thank's for all the advice. I will definitely incorporate all these tactics.

wildwoods · #10 08-11-2017, 10:21 AM

great replies!

Smokinyotes · #11 08-11-2017, 01:21 PM

If you arrow a moose do not leave it overnight, it will be spoiled. Get the hide off and split asap.

Moo Snukkle · #12 08-11-2017, 02:37 PM

Lots of foliage in early season can make for tough tracking. If you hit one and are having trouble acquiring its direction, just remember they always go back to where they came from. I've yet to see one differ from that plan. The only variable is the size of loop it may make to achieve getting back there. After all, they were just there 2 minutes ago and they weren't dead, so it's the first safe place they know.

Ronji · #13 08-11-2017, 03:21 PM

Try to keep the cows close. Call the bulls to you, they will come.

dfrobert · #14 08-11-2017, 04:25 PM

Do not over call. Cow calling every 20-30 minutes has worked for us. Never had much luck if it's windy either.

Bigwoodsman · #15 08-11-2017, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronji

Try to keep the cows close. Call the bulls to you, they will come.

Be wary of the quiet bull. They can and will sneak right into you. Had one beller at me from nine yards had no idea he was behind me. It scared the bejesus out of me. It was the closest I ever was to a live bull! Let's just say he got away with out a mark, but I sure had skid marks.

BW

LBB · #16 08-11-2017, 11:26 PM

Can I ask what zone?

calgarychef · #17 08-12-2017, 05:28 AM

I'd suggest to move your trip dates a little more toward the second week in October.

honda450 · #18 08-12-2017, 07:06 AM

Not bow hunting but in rut. Here is a moose that my son shot on Sept. 29/15. No camo needed. he he. I will tell ya it was very warm out. Full rut. Dang did that thing stink. At first I thought it was the standing water near by, nope. Never smelt a moose like that ever, but also was never out that early. That smell got into all our clothes, trailer etc. Meat was excellent though. That one had a cow right beside him. 7-08 bout 100 yards. Moved about 10 feet after that. Yup pulled it to the road with a quad to load onto the truck. Tell ya they pull a lot easier with snow on the ground.

35 whelen · #19 08-12-2017, 11:42 AM

I've had three or four encounters in my inexperience where another Bulll came in behind us and didn't know they were there till it was too late

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hookset · #20 08-12-2017, 04:18 PM

Have had multiple encounters with bulls when still hunting archery for deer. In thick brush I would often spook one and have it pop out around me while I slowly make my way through trails and brush.
During the rut I could play around with bulls for 10 mins or more keeping them less then 50 yards while I do grunts and scrape a tree or the ground. Even in plane sight they seem too curious to leave and show no fear. A few times I would have to yell at the moose and wave my arms around to even get it to leave when it got to close for comfort (5-10 yards).
Have had some amazing experiences that got the heart pounding with bulls in the rut; of coarse I have never had a tag for one as its 10+ year wait in my area. haha

Another thing to keep in mind is the smell, often smell a moose around before you hear or see it. Smells like BO and is quite strong. Do a few grunts or break a couple branches if you smell this and one might come in.

Good luck