The name moose is derived from the Algonkian name meaning "eater of twigs". Moose
are the largest of the deer family with seven different sub-species
recognized in the world, four of which inhabit North America. They are
the Alaskan, Shiras, and the two which inhabit Ontario, the Eastern
and Northwestern moose.
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The Rutting Season
All moosehave an urge to mate in the autumn of each year.
Little activity is observed before the fully developed antlers are freed of
velvet. This process generally takes 1 to 1 ½ weeks in the latter part of
August. Immediately following the removal of velvet, males enter a pre-rut
period and increased travel follows. As a rule, the mature males come
into rut several weeks before the younger bulls. This ensures that most of
the breeding occuring from mid-September to mid-October will be done by
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the genetically superior bulls.
The peak of the rut is when the majority of cows
come into oestrus and conception occurs. Individual females may experience
three or four consecutive oestrus cycles if not bred.
There are several factors which can advance, retard, prolong or shorten the
mating period. These include temperature (hot weather dampens the rut urges
and significantly reduces travel and vocalization). Rain and wind also reduce
the rut activities. Bull to cow ratio affects the greatly the rut; an area
which a good population of breeding cows greatly decreases the need of
prime bulls to do much travelling or calling, and could advanced the
season somewhat. The abundance of food will provide help the animals to
come into rut earlier while starving and unhealthy moose might not come
in heat at all. Stimulation by smell, sound, sight or touch is a
bio-stimulation process whereby the introcuction of a male to a female
can advance her oestrus via ocular, auditiory, and pheromonal
stimulation. Having a bull court a cow by licking, calling, urinating,
and wallowing in a rut pit can bring on a cow's oestrus and result in
mating.
Moose Hunting Technics
The most common use methods for hunting moose are stand hunting
near a well used trail, and spot and stalk. Those methods are often combined
with calling. When mastered, calling in a bull moose will prove very
efficient and most exciting. Binoculars are widely used to locate animals
and then they are individually hunted. Animals seen near the shores during
a float down one of the many northern rivers are stalked. In some areas,
baiting with salt is commonly used to keep moose within a hunting area
all through out the summer.
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During the rut, mare-in-heat urine is also
used to bring in rutting bulls during the coldest days of the hunting
season
Calling Techniques
I call every 10 minutes (if I don't get an answer)
with the vast majority of calls imitating the cow bawl. The call resembles a
domestic cow bellow, but using an "URRRR" sound (as in urban) instead
of a "MOO". It should also be as loud, or
louder, than a domestic cow. Better to stay in camp than show up at daybreak
overlooking a promising dry swamp and give out with a little "meow".
When using a cut-off JAVEX bottle (moose call) for a megaphone, I've been heard
2 ½ miles away. You can, and should, modify the volume if you have an interested
bull coming to you.
How can you Tell if a Bull is Coming?
Generally, you'll hear a short nasal, throaty grunt, sometimes alone or more often a grunt every few seconds all the way into you.
Some hunters use a bull grunt to bring in bulls, and with success, but I've found that a bull (or any male of that matter!) will come faster and more directly to a hot date than to a fight. Bulls will sometimes circle to pick up a scent and "size up" a rival. A receptive cow bawling out her pent-up sexuality is all a bull has to hear to convince him attendance is required. Facing the possibility of a long fight cannot be as attractive as facing a short sexual tryst, can it?
Use the bull call sparingly or when a bull "hangs up" a hundred yards out in the bush. The thought of another bull messing around with the cow might induce him to come in and lay claim. It's worth a try and you've nothing to lose.
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Field Notes About Moose Hunting