Moose calling tactics Colorado

[loopmtz]

I drew my Bull moose tag finally and don't know much about hunting them. For those of you who have hunted them in Colorado, when will they come or reply to calling? Season opens 6 Sept, is that too early or will they only respond during the rut late September early October?

 

[wytx]

I've called in a ton of moose just over into Southern Wyoming , they come to calls eagerly.
Sept through Oct, tree raking works too during the rut.
Get an old scapula to use for raking, elk works well.
I've called in bulls by putting my bow over my head and waving it like antlers.
You could wear dark clothing too but it really doesn't matter.

Good luck !!

 

[Beendare]

I've had my best luck locating moose by glassing from a high nob.

I've personally seen one nice bull called from appx 3/4 mile away...but I like glassing first.

 

[loopmtz]

Wonderful, thank you both!

 

[Coveyleader]

I called a dandy in on my tag, passed him, and still live with that one every day. That was mid sept. Got video of him at 28yds thrashing trees.

If you're hunting Archery, I'd find one early on say in August, and get him the first or second day on the patch of willows he's been in every night for the last month or so, especially if your unit has high country. That was my plan, but the year I had the tag, we had 3 feet+ snow the opening 4 days, and killed my summer scouting. That was an off year though. I had bulls A, B, and C located, that snow moved all of them down, and I only saw one from my summer scouting after that point. Some of those bulls were at 12k during the summer, easy to find until they hit the timber, then it's a completely different game. Good luck, a couple from the many I had been watching all summer. I passed the first one and still think about that often. He was killed with a rifle that same season after me, 52" shiras.







Good Luck!

 

[FlyGuy]

Never tried it in CO, but calling worked for me in ID. Calling for moose is fairly easy IMO compared to elk, watch a couple YouTube videos and you’ll have it down in less than an hour. For sure use your glass, but there’s no reason not to use calling as well.

 

[cnelk]

Last year I employed my Alaska moose calling technique when hunting Colorado.

I called every evening from camp, just after dark.
Then again at 2am when I got up to pee.

Every morning there was moose around camp. But I had a cow tag and only bulls were coming in.

My bet is you’ll see a bull and put a stalk on in it before any calling works to your advantage

Good luck

 

[cnelk]

If you want to mess around this summer and call for moose, they will come in like this

 

[loopmtz]

I called a dandy in on my tag, passed him, and still live with that one every day. That was mid sept. Got video of him at 28yds thrashing trees.

If you're hunting Archery, I'd find one early on say in August, and get him the first or second day on the patch of willows he's been in every night for the last month or so, especially if your unit has high country. That was my plan, but the year I had the tag, we had 3 feet+ snow the opening 4 days, and killed my summer scouting. That was an off year though. I had bulls A, B, and C located, that snow moved all of them down, and I only saw one from my summer scouting after that point. Some of those bulls were at 12k during the summer, easy to find until they hit the timber, then it's a completely different game. Good luck, a couple from the many I had been watching all summer. I passed the first one and still think about that often. He was killed with a rifle that same season after me, 52" shiras.

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Good Luck!

A couple studs. Wow!

 

[TheRepeatOffender]

Like others said calling can work in CO in early Sept., but you'll be much better off putting in a ton of summer scouting and glassing to know where the moose are. When I drew a tag in CO, I had a nice bull located in a basin the week before the season opened. However, the season choice tag I had started the same day as muzzleloader season and the place was crawling with other hunters, trucks, horses, etc. that seemed to push them around. Took me a few days longer than planned but I got another one down a basin or two over. If you can find one fairly close to the season, you should be able to find him again and easily sneak up on him. I wouldn't worry about needing to call them in. Also - even though Shiras are "smaller" moose they are still damn heavy. Make sure you have a good plan (i.e. some buddies, horses, knocking it down next to the truck, etc.) in place to get him out of there. Like you, I knew nothing about moose hunting when I drew a tag but it was one of the best experiences I had hunting. Enjoy it and good luck!

 

[loopmtz]

Awesome thanks.

 

[akcabin]

I'LL say this. I live in AK but have been around moose for quite a while. And have tried many different calls at different times. I have never felt that calling in a moose successfully was just going out n making some kind of moose sound or waving things over my head. Maybe I just don't know my stuff. But I believe I do.
A big bull moose doesn't get big being dumb. They can be very cautious. And when they think something is wrong, they split fast. And can dissappear fast too. And using the correct types of calls at the correct time matters. And yes visual aids that imitate antlers can help. Can hurt.
I'd suggest that you continue to research as much as possible. Learn different types of calls and when they are used. Along with what types of body movements they make.
I've heard folks call moose names to indicate it is not hard to hunt. I'd disagree, skills do matter.
We don't always get to pick the times when bull moose are in full rut. Pre rut hunting can be productive. Find the cows. Find habitat that is good for moose. Sounds easy but seems few hunters know preferred foods. And fresh feeding signs. Id say finding the best habitat in the area you are hunting is a priority. Again that's where the cows will probably be. And moose generally only stay in estruss a day or so. And will come into estruss in another 30 days or so. So knowing where the cows are is important. If you can hear some cow in heat calls, and learn them and when to use them is important. You gotta get the bulls interested and willing to come. But they tend to hold on the perimeter a lot. And can get spooked fast.
Id suggest trying to spend time in the field when possible. Nice to take others along that may want to learn, kids n adults. A good field book on plants and trees identifying can help locate favorite food sources at different times of the year.
All these different skills will help you to learn different types of calls and when, how to use them. Or not. To me, getting busted by a moose is not hard no matter how much I try not to. Watch videos. They can spot you from a long way off in the middle of a heavy rain storm in the fog when you're standing still. Particularly the cows. If she spooks she's taking the bulls with her. Stealth is important.
Hey most important is to get out. You'll learn. And get more comfortable in the habit you're hunting in. And the area. And the different critters in the area. Things like wolf and bear population effect moose survival. And wariness. Guess my point being is that learning different calls n tactics is great. But just a part of the package.

A little trick I've learned. Almost every moose will react to a calf chirp. I've put my hearing enhancers on and can sometimes hear the calfs communicating with the mamas. When they are not in view of each other. A sound like a dairy cow calf. A short bawl. Baahh. Since we usually have moose around most of the winter I get to kinda play with different sounds. A chirp will get the attention of most moose, either sex. I guess it's because they tend to be be semi herd animals.
Good luck n have fun

 

[Zriley]

What unit did you draw? I drew my Colorado tag this year as well 22 years! Unit 55.

Great thread btw. Lots of good info!

 

[loopmtz]

361 good luck