My moose antler decoy

[Herdbull]

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 Vines]

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

[John Havard]

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.

[amicus]

Herdbull, that's a great Idea. I would love to give that a try.

Gilbert

[FerretWYO]

That is pretty dang cool.

[newhouse114]

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.

[Herdbull]

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.

[Herdbull]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/94ao8y98aq70twq/moose.MTS?dl=0

[Herdbull]

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.

[Jayrod]

I bet if you would have had your moose antlers on your head it would have been a whole different story...

[Hawkeye]

You make me smile, Mike!

I hope your new tactic is successful- just not TOO successful!!!   :rolleyes:  

Daryl

[Daniel G. Banting]

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.

[jr1959]

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

[njloco]

I think you should change your avatar name to bullwinkle !

Very cool and ballsy.

[Terry Green]

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

[Herdbull]

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.

[Terry Green]

Good stuff Mike....thanks for sharing!!!

[Herdbull]

Thanks Terry and all. Now don't confuse my Mikey Moose hat with Mickey Mouse hat. Ha ha !