Pre Rut moose tactics.

[Keegan4123]

We are up in 514 this year for Archery. There's lots of fresh moose sign, multiple bulls and cows on the cams. One bull on the road by camp this morning.

My question is, whats the best way to hunt pre rut?? Ive watched lots of videos, read lots, but it seems like everything is based in the rut. Open season ends in 6 days, so dont wanna waste much time by Trial and error. Called and sat in the willows today for a few hours and nothing. No replys, and no activity.

First year going after moose so any advice is appreciated.

[jip911]

This time of year moose are still shedding their velvet and roaming their range to figure out who their competition is going to be to court the ladies... Sparing is common as well so I would suggest if you want to attract a bull in the early season you have far greater odds mimicking another bull and not a cow.

Grunting, raking the willows, even rattling will draw them in to see what all the rukus is about and who might be competition for the ladies. Focus in on locations where the signs are the greatest and put on your best bull impersonation...

YMMV
J

[husky7mm]

I like to stand near the tree with the trail cam in it, lol but on a serious note moose like walking trails. They meander, when feeding but they walk trails. They dont walk too far this time od year either. Any crop land near by, recently cut alfalfa or fescue? Moose in the bush like to eat where the groceries are good, they follow draws and small creeks cause that is where the water courses are and thats where good browes is. Check google earth for these features.

[3blade]

Be in place well before light, soft grunts and rake willows as you walk around, but don't overdo it. Be close to water, esp. beaver ponds and river valleys.

There is a reason the rut is the big draw. Right now, a bull may grunt back at you but isn't likely to come running. You have to cover ground and find him.

There is also a reason it's still general. Low odds of success.

[Keegan4123]

Yeh, here its pretty much 3 types of terrain. Bush. Muskeg. And roads.. Proving difficult.

[BigRackLover]

Originally Posted by Keegan4123

We are up in 514 this year for Archery. There's lots of fresh moose sign, multiple bulls and cows on the cams. One bull on the road by camp this morning.

My question is, whats the best way to hunt pre rut?? Ive watched lots of videos, read lots, but it seems like everything is based in the rut. Open season ends in 6 days, so dont wanna waste much time by Trial and error. Called and sat in the willows today for a few hours and nothing. No replys, and no activity.

First year going after moose so any advice is appreciated.

with the hot weather, I'd sit on a trail leading to/from water.

[albertadeer]

Only way is over food or water.


If not feeding in fields your only hope is to find a lick.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by jip911

This time of year moose are still shedding their velvet and roaming their range to figure out who their competition is going to be to court the ladies... Sparing is common as well so I would suggest if you want to attract a bull in the early season you have far greater odds mimicking another bull and not a cow.

Grunting, raking the willows, even rattling will draw them in to see what all the rukus is about and who might be competition for the ladies. Focus in on locations where the signs are the greatest and put on your best bull impersonation...

YMMV
J

spot on