In the thick heavy brush of Ontario, I can see the need for calling and a decoy to get the bulls to come to you, but on many remote solo moose hunts to Alaska I have found visibility can be less of an issue. With that said, bulls still tend to hang up especially if they have cows. Flashing a white trash bag, scapula or shed found during the hunt may get stubborn bulls to commit to your calling, but if some do hang up, I have found you have to make them think you are another bull. My bull grunts and portable antler decoy mounted on my head may give me just that mobility to move into them. My first recourse is to call or decoy them to me, but when all else fail, I move in.
I used my photo of a 64 inch bull I arrowed in 2004 and had my friend print it on corrugated plastic. The new image of the rack spanned 47 inches, but I cut off each antler palm and overlapped the center piece with reinforced corrugated with attached Velcro for ease of carrying in my day pack. A decoy is of no use if you don't have it when needed. Like many homeless people who sleep on cardboard in the city of Chicago, my decoy can also be used as a moisture barrier should I have to spend the night away from my tent.
The antlers are attached on the head strap used to mount a GoPo camera. I cut a hole in the antler center piece above my left eye to facilitate the use of a GoPo while drawing and shooting with the antlers on. If needed, I can mount the antlers quickly to a bush or tree and back away, if during the approach the bull I'm after advances. The use of grunting and posturing while wearing the antlers, may grab the focus of a rut crazed bull enough allow my approach. The use of a mobile decoy is nothing new, but is typically used with a pair of hunters, one being the shooter. This design allows the solo hunter to do both. Again there may be hazards related to this tactic, should the bull charge, a bear is in the area, or a distant hunter makes an identity mistake. You are a moving decoy. That movement is key to a triggered response. In this case, if the response to do nothing allows me to move in among a group of cows with a bull, that's OK too.
I would prefer not to use a decoy, but if you are pressed for time and need to get within bow-range to make an ethical kill, this may be an option to consider. Mike
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/moose%20antler%20decoy%202_zpskfbv6xxr.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/moose%20antler%20decoy%202_zpskfbv6xxr.jpg.html)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/P1070494_zpskbvysibv.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/P1070494_zpskbvysibv.jpg.html)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/P1070500_zps6z2vwoyk.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/P1070500_zps6z2vwoyk.jpg.html)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/P1070508_zpsnpnkjxjm.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/P1070508_zpsnpnkjxjm.jpg.html)
THAT could produce not only some exciting moments, but some awesome hunting stories. Nicely done Mike.
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/moose%20detached_zps63yrfkxx.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/moose%20detached_zps63yrfkxx.jpg.html)
It's ready to drop into my daypack. If pack size changes, I can easily trim the tines or edges to make fit. I included this decoy on my last moose hunt where I was limited to only seventy pounds of gear for a trip scheduled for over 2 weeks. A testament to portability, and utility. If a firmer more controled attachement is needed, I can swap out the elastic head band with a non-strech nylon one with quick velcro fit.
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/moose%20detached%203_zpsrjha95m7.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/moose%20detached%203_zpsrjha95m7.jpg.html)
Now that is truly awesome!!!
Bart Schleyer and Paul Schafer both used taxidery deer earliners attached to their heads to gain an advatage by calming sitka deer during stalks on Kodiac Island. I'm sure they felt as silly I did when first donning these pseudo animal parts.
On my last moose hunt I was able to get close without useing them, but when a difficult situation presents itself, its kind of like "what do I have to loose?"
that is very cool
just dont find a moose on the fight- could be fun- kinda be like hiding behind a buck decoy in rifle season :eek:
You are Nuts. Still pretty cool.
Just a HEADS :help: up but I hope this doesn't happen :notworthy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhxPl_hzOsI
In the peak of the rut , that could be more excitement to fast .
Still cool though . :thumbsup:
Very cool. I watched a documentary many years ago on Nat-Geo or the Discovery channel on Canadian moose and the rut. They had made a huge set of antlers and a much smaller set.... Then set out to challenge some bulls.... I remember where the larger fake rack intimidated some of the smaller bulls. They did get a few large bulls to come charging and in one case the guy wearing the rack had to ditch them and run for cover ;) ....
I'm sure you'll have some excitement!
Yes if time presents, I would definately prop and step away from decoy. I would certainly pay close attention to mannerism of aproaching bull, or my main goal, a bull that allows my closing the gap. Paying attention to any cows is also quite critacle. Hunting any rutting moose is hazardous, and I don't take this technique lightly.... last resort. But the frustration of watching a great bull with its harem, with no options, is pain that is also very hard to swallow.
Hey Mike. Have you seen the "Language of Antlers" video produced by I believe a Canadian wildlife researcher several years ago. Can't remember his name.
It leaves little doubt that an antler decoy works. Even in Alaska though, I'd be worried that some fool would shoot me. Also, though bulls usually do some posturing before they actually lock horns, I would think the decoy would tend to create more head-on views of the moose rather than broadside shot opportunities. Of course, if they're bigger than you, they might also just decide to stomp on you. That's one of the things the researcher found out. Littler bulls kept their distance. Bigger bulls kept on coming.
Hunting solo in the back country of Alaska becoming a little sedate for you? :goldtooth:
You make an impressive looking bull Mike!
Would a smaller set of antlers be less intimidating to a real moose? Of course, I don't expect to be in the company of the caliber of mouse you typically hunt.
They tend to approach to a posturing distance and then give a broad side. I haver done my share of hiding from lesser bulls I did not intend to shoot. Cows keep big bulls in place, often physically.
Once the big guy has "haremed-up" the hunt is over. Again, this is a problem unique to a bowhunter, and especially trad. Ha!
Mike,
Slick idea !! Thanks for sharing.
Joebuck will be jealous of that contraption.
OK. . . THAT is cool. If I ever go moose hunting I WILL make me one of those.
Thanks
ChuckC
Whip, that is the beauty of it, easily trimmed in the field. The initial size is for vissibilty, trying to get a bull to come from great distance. Trip that trigger. Utility on windy days is also a consideration. But simply flashing a palm (that is >3 times the size of a scapula) may be all that is needed.
Hunting... a game of pauses and hesitations, by both prey and predator.
The hard part would be getting a good shot while you are rocking head side to side. :)
very cool, thanks for sharing, may have to build one myself.
My neighbors think I'm crazy, one minute I'm mowing the lawn with 80 # of dog food on my back, and the next I'm shooting arrows with 47" of moose horns on my head. Ha Ha . The decoys are actually quite light, but I definitely have to focus on target.
You never know it's so realistic you could even seduce a cow moose!
LOL.......your crazy........but I like it!!
Herdbull, did you know Bart Schleyer? I knew him for several years in Alaska, not well but as an acquaintance. I would assume that you are aware that Bart was killed by a griz in the Yukon several years ago.
newhouse114- Yes I even wrote a tribute article about some of his life.
http://www.brothersofthebow.com/html/solospirits.html
I dedicated my last moose hunt to Bart. See my thread about Solo hunt and Tribute posted in Sept. this year. It was the ten year aniversary of Bart's passing. Please consider sharing any interesting events you had with him sometime. But only if you want to. I know all relationships are special. Thanks Mike
Nice moose antler dekes Mike!
I anticipate some exciting action with those horns....
Keep the wind in your face!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
I just got a brainstorm Mike. Get a big bull coming with the big set. When he steps behind some brush, quickly switch to a 20" wide version of the same rack and he'll think you are 75 yards farther than you really are! Ha!
My father always said that I had a head for horns - except that they don't grow on wood...
When you keep mixing things up, it's always more interesting. Good luck and be careful.
Thats pretty slick!
Great idea......could be tough in a high wind.
NIce, As you know John and I have been using an antler hat for a few years on moose not. Yours is pretty dang impressive.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v79/mwestvang/moosehat-1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/mwestvang/media/moosehat-1.jpg.html)
I would suggest that it takes a guy with a certain set of....attributes....to wear those antlers while approaching a mature bull. Mike (Herdbull) undoubtedly has that base covered!
I love stuff like this. I've thought several times about a similar concept with a set of cow moose ears and some type of dark brown upper body/head cover.
Great concept and creativity Mike!
Dang it must be a long cold winter where you guy are. Yall have to much time on your hands. Those are over the top.
That's pretty impressive Mike, I cant wait till you have the chance to put them into action.
David
I thought about the cow moose ears and maybe even an entire face, but just didn't think it would be enough for the "trigger". Native Americans used this type of mimicry, but us modern hunters, we usually only have a finite time frame to get it done.
Mike - I see John's antlers have kind of evolved over the years too. You guys are blessed to have more opportunity to test them. The idea is for them to be so much "in your face" above the pucker brush that the bull focuses only on the antlers and not the lack of body mass. I know it worked for guys and maybe even Steve over the years.
Kevin- A set of anlters like this or portable cow decoy might work from your tree stand look-out. But a cow moose is very camo and might not stand out as much as the shape of these antlers. Back in the early 90s I made a full broad side cow elk decoy out of heavy double felt. I rolled up in my pack, and I hung it on a line when needed. Had to sleep on it as a ground cloth a few times too. Ha! But I think this antler concept sells because it is mobile.
Hey, I can rip them off my head much quicker than they go on. Ha!
Mike, If I get skunked this year, could I get a set of those to stick on my wall?
That's pretty darn cool!
Bisch
A great decoy set up Mike. I've used something similar but certainly not as realistic. As you well know, moose have an amazing ability to precisely pinpoint where a call is coming from. Moose are not small. So when a bull comes out and does not see a moose where he KNOWS the sound was coming from he'll get spooky and hang up. If he sees a moose where the sound was coming from he will calm down. Very well done Mike! I like it a lot.
Herdbull, that's a great Idea. I would love to give that a try.
Gilbert
That is pretty dang cool.
I used to carry a set of dried moose scapula, they doubled as brush rakers and antler decoys. I brought the last bull I killed into about five yards. He trotted out to thirty when I drew my bow, and only went twenty yards more after the arrow went through him.
Yes I quickly touched on many of these points and advantages of calling and decoying in a bull using items I have on hand such as scapula, old sheds and even using the fiberglass or birch-bark megaphone call to flash and scrape trees simulating a fight. If the right bull, in the right frame of mind is encountered, then all of these will work at one point or another. But as John mentioned, the bull that hangs up who is looking for more confirmation or the huge master bull with seven or eight cows that won't budge, are the times where this mobile decoy could help me get a bow shot.
Being from the Midwest, does not lend itself well to gaining a lot of decoy experience, but I have watched many interactions between bulls of different stature. Real small bulls can get chased away from cows easily, while larger bulls require more respect and caution. Slow and deliberate posturing usually results. I hope to gain that with these mid-sized antlers. I can effectively disappear by simply turning side-ways, dampening the situation. My goal would be to work slowly within 2219 range in a non-threatening fashion, by staying down wind and trying not to get between the bull and his cows.
People talk about the anxiety of missed shots or failed chances, but having been there, the frustration of seeing a giant bull cowed-up with no way to get closer can be just as mentally draining.
Even though I hunt for two to three weeks, the rut doesn't really get going until a little later, some days are lost to bad weather, and many of the management units close around Sept 20th. This does not leave much time to find lone responsive bulls.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/94ao8y98aq70twq/moose.MTS?dl=0
The above video I took from my last hunt where a bull locked up following calling, but no vissibile bull was seen. Since he may not have been legal, I did not take it to next level calling or decoying.
I bet if you would have had your moose antlers on your head it would have been a whole different story...
You make me smile, Mike!
I hope your new tactic is successful- just not TOO successful!!! :rolleyes:
Daryl
For peace of mind, I think I would install a "Rear View" mirror!
For a little entertainment watch Dwight Schuh and/or "Rackman" on youtube get close to Moose.
Great idea! I agree you are a little crazy but cool. Wear them at the booth at K-zoo you will surely bring in the crowd. You could paint the back neon green or hunter orange, be careful out there. My buddy Bob from Anchorage used to hunt Kodiak Island with Brad and the late Jeff and I remember the deer ear story but I thought they were a real deer. Jim
I think you should change your avatar name to bullwinkle !
Very cool and ballsy.
I'm going to read pages 2-4 when I get time...but I have to say...now I can honestly say that someone has MY hat beat!!!
:D
I will be at the Sitka booth at K-zoo, so please stop by. Beleive me, the last thing I want to do is put these silly things on, put if the time presents itself they would be nice to have.
Its tough to lay in my tent at night knowing that a huge bull "blocked me out". Again its all about frustration. Ha! During the last recording period only one Alaskan/Yukon moose was entered. This speaks to the scarcity of bow-kills, no matter the reason.
Good stuff Mike....thanks for sharing!!!
Thanks Terry and all. Now don't confuse my Mikey Moose hat with Mickey Mouse hat. Ha ha !