Via Gord Nuttall
Via Gord Nuttall

Bull Moose Hanging Up? Try Using a Life-sized Cow Decoy

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Calling Set-up

Gord Nuttall
Gord Nuttall

Calling moose is a common hunting strategy and, at times, a near-magical way to get bulls to venture towards you. But moose are always on the alert for potential danger, including when they hear the sound of another moose, but can’t see or smell it. This is especially true with big, mature bulls. They’ll often come to the edge of a clearing, but will stop if they don’t sense another moose. So when all you do is call, you’re asking the animal to ignore its survival instincts and enter a situation it’s just not comfortable with. The bull may cross into the insecure area, but more often than not, he’ll remain at the edge of the cover, leaving you with no shot.

The ideal moose-calling set-up starts with placing yourself in an area where bull moose will feel safe, and not hold up outside your shooting range. These types of areas include small openings and meadows within your effective shooting range. But in the field, ideal situations often aren’t available, and that’s when a decoy is helpful. For years, I called without using decoys, but I didn’t know what I was missing. A well-placed cow decoy provides the visual confirmation and trust the bull needs, stopping him from hanging up.

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