Do electronic calls outperform hand calls for moose?

Electronic Calls: A New Era in Moose Calling

Electronic calls have revolutionized moose hunting in recent years, offering unparalleled consistency and volume. These devices can produce perfect, high-quality sounds of cow calls and bull grunts that can be heard from great distances. When it comes to attracting moose, sound quality and loudness are crucial. Electronic calls can achieve levels of up to 120 decibels, which is comparable to a chainsaw or a rock concert. This level of volume can be crucial during the September rut, when bull moose are actively searching for mating opportunities. In a study by the New England Moose Hunters Association, electronic calls were found to be 3 times more effective in attracting bull moose than hand calls.

Hand Calls: The Art of Authenticity

Despite the advancements of electronic calls, many expert hunters still swear by hand calls. The authenticity and range of hand calls cannot be replicated by electronic devices. A well-tuned hand call can produce a wide range of sounds, from soft cow calls to loud bull grunts, and everything in between. When used in conjunction with raking, hand calls can be particularly effective in attracting bull moose. Raking, or making contact with the moose’s antlers with a tree branch or a stick, can stimulate the bull’s natural mating behavior and make it more receptive to calls. In a study by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, hand calls were found to be 2 times more effective when paired with raking than when used alone.