Download the voice of an elk for hunting. Moose racing, hunting features

Hunting elk, weighing up to 600 kg, is possible only if you have experience and certain knowledge. Only with the right approach is there a chance to lure and shoot the animal. A good hunter knows different tactics, for example, using a bait, a decoy.

It must be remembered that moose have a rutting period when their behavior changes. If an elk is hunted by roar, the animal approaches the sound made by the elk, after which the hunter can fire a shot.

When does the elk rut begin?

For most wild ungulates, the rut occurs in the second half of the year. The first to enter this state are the roe deer (late July-late August), the last are the musk deer (November-December). Moose and deer are subject to the rut in September; it ends by mid-October, but the very first signs may appear at the end of August.

In Russia, the exact time of the rut may vary depending on the location. In regions with a harsh northern climate, this period starts 2 weeks later; in southern regions it can begin 2 weeks earlier. In the middle zone, the rut usually occurs in September, but may be delayed due to warm weather.

Behavior of moose during the rut

Hunting during the rut - while roaring or groaning - is quite dangerous for the hunter. Adult animals begin to look for a mate even before physiological signs appear. Having found a female moose, they exist together until the end of the heat. After the female “pushes away” the male, he may begin to look for another female moose, but not always. Occasionally, elk “harems” are identified, where several females are with one male.

Signs of rutting in an animal:

• The elk gives voice, roars, emitting a cross between exhalation and mooing, which is why this sound is called a groan;
• the roar of an elk can be heard from a distance of less than a kilometer, it is drowned out by the sounds of wind and water;
• Animals are more active in the early morning (at dawn), at sunset, and are silent during the day;
• During the rutting season, the horns are clean of wool, smooth, and bone.

The elk becomes 100% ready for the rut after the arrival of the females, when it smells the secretion of the gonads. The animal senses it from the urine that remains on the grass, and follows the tracks to find the female. It is during the search that the animal is dangerous to humans - it beats the ground with its hooves, breaks branches and young trees.

If the male is ready for mating, his appearance is different - the neck is thick, the eyes are red, and everything seems to be swollen in size. The elk’s body secretes a specific “aroma”, for which the gonads are also responsible.

Important! Why do hunters prefer to look for animals during this period? It is during the rut that hearing and smell for other odors are dulled, so you can track the elk and get closer.

Features of moose hunting

On the Internet you can watch a free video of exactly how hunting for an ungulate takes place. There are rules and specifics for searching for it, because the habitats of moose in the rut are different in other periods of the animal’s life.

Hunting dates

According to the law, moose hunting for adult males is permitted from 09/01–09/30; during this time it is strictly prohibited to kill females and moose calves. All groups of animals can be hunted 01.10-15.01, and in January only young animals up to a year are killed. In some regions, the duration of the hunt is limited to 90 days. If we are talking about trophy hunting, which is carried out for beautiful antlers, it is usually carried out 01.09-30.09.

Hunting time

How to properly prepare for a hunt? First you need to purchase a license, otherwise hunting will be considered poaching. The ideal time to search for an animal is early morning or evening - then moose are active in relation to females. In the wind or rain, attempts will be unsuccessful - the animal will hear and smell the hunter.

Hunting places

Every year, the places where the animals “get to know each other” remain the same; they constantly return to the same areas. There is no point in choosing open areas; the moose will not come here. Signs of a moose current:

• trampled clearings with “bald” areas;
• sour smell floating around;
• broken branches, trees;
• antler marks on trees;
• dug holes.

In harsh areas, animals prefer to roar along the outskirts of moss swamps, in dense forest young growth, along overgrown hayfields, floodplains of rivers and streams. In mountainous areas, moose gather in intermountain valleys, floodplains, and along the banks. In sparsely populated areas, animals prefer river shallows and islands covered with pebbles.

Hunting tactics

There are many options for hunting - driven, on salt licks, with dogs, with approach. They all give results, but hunting with a roar decoy is considered the most effective. Thus, many hunters unsuccessfully go on driven hunts for years without finding the animal.

Important! Roar hunting allows only one hunter, although it is better to go with a huntsman or in a group.

Weapons, position, equipment

Elk is a powerful animal that can kill a person. Sometimes life depends on the correct choice of a hunter. The gun should not be new, only one that has been shot will be convenient at the right time. Since the shot distance is short, you should take a smooth-bore weapon of 12-16 calibers. You can also take a 12-gauge rifled shotgun, although this option is also suitable for a longer shot. Rifled shotguns with good optics are the best choice for trophy hunting. For shooting at dusk, a night sight is useful.

The cartridges must also be reliable - from 308Win and more, 7.62 * 51, 9.3 * 62 are suitable, bullet weight - from 18 g. You can even take “elephant cartridges”, if the hunt is for a trophy, the result will be 100% m, but the meat will remain spoiled. In any case, the cartridges must have high destructive power. This is due to the safety for the hunter and the difficulty of finding a wounded animal during the snow-free period. By the time of the rut, animals become more resilient to wounds, which confirms the need for good ammunition.

When choosing a position, pay attention to the fact that the elk does not like to go out into open places. The animal prefers to move more often, so it is better to intercept it on the paths. When hunting is carried out in a group, they build a chain perpendicular to the movement of the animal, which is likely to stumble upon the hunter.

Slaughter places

The best killing spots are the area of ​​the shoulder blade, the chest in the heart area. Usually, if there is a bullet of a serious caliber, the animal falls immediately. You can also shoot in the neck, lungs, spine, but you must be prepared to finish off the animal, which can still travel some distance due to excess adrenaline.

Hunting with decoy and bait

You can lure an elk on a waboo - this is. The meaning of the application is this: moose claim territory by possessing a female, and the sounds of a rival force them to rush in to contest the place. Usually fights occur at night, calming down by dawn, and in the morning the elk are not too careful. When the hunter begins to lure (reel in), the animal rushes towards the opponent. Only a foreign smell can scare him away.

In addition to waba, wind decoys are used. They resemble horns into which they blow. More expensive models even come with a training disc. Some decoys make the sound of a cow moose, others - a buck. The price varies from 500 to 3000 rubles depending on the sound quality.

The hunting process will be like this:

1. A hunter with a huntsman, a group of hunters approach the chosen place.
2. The lure operator begins to call the animal, periodically changing position.
3. Hearing the moan of the elk, the beckoning one goes behind the shooter (if it is one person, he prepares the gun and takes a position).
4. They stop beckoning, waiting for the animal.
5. After the elk is spotted, they immediately take aim at it, without making unnecessary sounds.
6. They fire a shot.

Interesting: if wabs and decoy are not available, some hunters scrape along the tree trunk, attracting the animal. Often this also works, and the elk comes to the call.

For a successful hunt, it is very important to take into account all factors: the timing of the rut and the behavioral characteristics of elk, choosing the right place and hunting tactics. It is necessary to study all the nuances and prepare in advance for a responsible task.

Video

Good and predictable results in terms of accuracy and lethality are given by bullets from Russian designers Viktor Polev (Polev bullet 1, 2, 3, 3E, 5, 6, 7) and Viktor Shashkov (PPS-E, Grizzly-35, Grizzly-36 , "Grizzly-40"). Bullets “Grizzly-35”, “Grizzly-36”, “Grizzly-40” are intended primarily for shooting from “paradox” weapons, but can also be used in smooth-bore weapons. The PPTs-E bullet is produced specifically by order of the Tula Cartridge Plant (TPZ) under the name “Target sub-caliber bullet (expansive)”, abbreviated as PPTs-E. The Tula Cartridge Plant equips WOLF cartridges with PPTs-E bullets. When independently loading the above bullets, it is better to use Sunar-42 and Sokol gunpowder.
Bullets for smoothbore weapons Polev, PPTs-E, Grizzly bullets Good and predictable results in terms of accuracy and lethality are given by bullets from Russian designers Viktor Polev (Polev bullet 1, 2, 3, 3E, 5, 6, 7) and Viktor Shashkov (PPS -E, “Grizzly-35”, “Grizzly-36”, “Grizzly-40”). Bullets “Grizzly-35”, “Grizzly-36”, “Grizzly-40” are intended primarily for shooting from “paradox” weapons, but can also be used in smooth-bore weapons. The PPTs-E bullet is produced specifically by order of the Tula Cartridge Plant (TPZ) under the name “Target sub-caliber bullet (expansive)”, abbreviated as PPTs-E. The Tula Cartridge Plant equips WOLF cartridges with PPTs-E bullets. When independently loading the above bullets, it is better to use Sunar-42 and Sokol gunpowder. Polev sub-caliber bullets and PPTs-E bullets can be fired from smooth-bore weapons with choke constrictions up to full choke (1 mm) inclusive. All of the above bullets can be used from semi-automatic and magazine weapons without restrictions. To kill a large (300 kg or more) elk, it is hardly advisable to use Polev bullets (except Polev 1; 6) at a distance of more than 70 m, despite the excellent accuracy indicators.
Rubeykin bullet The prototype of this bullet is the famous Blondeau bullet, invented in France by engineer Roland Blondeau. The Rubeykin bullet is not manufactured industrially and is not chambered for industrial cartridges. Bullet material is brass. Bullet qualities: 1 – good stopping effect. Even if hit in the wrong place, the animal quickly dies. Thanks to the sharp edges of the head, the wound does not heal and always bleeds profusely; 2 – good accuracy and accuracy of combat even when shooting at extreme distances; 3 – the bullet confidently overcomes the bushes and does not change its flight path. Equipment: 1 – match the diameter of the container with the bullet with the diameter of the barrel; in this case, the stiffening ribs in the container that prevent the free placement of the bullet must be removed; 2 – separate the seal from the container and remove the jumpers connecting them; 3 – cut the container with the connecting jumpers removed lengthwise into two parts. 2.3–2.5 g of Sokol gunpowder is poured into a cartridge case, preferably a plastic one. A plastic seal without a hole is applied to it with a force of 5–6 kg. A set of thin cardboard spacers with a total thickness of 2 mm is installed on it. One wood fiber wad is placed on the spacers; if you use felt, it should be soft, and it should be cut lengthwise into 4 parts to soften the impact of the bullet during the aftereffect period. A set of thin cardboard spacers with a total thickness of 1 mm is placed on top of the wad. The thickness of all wads should ensure that the height of the sleeve neck for the twist is approximately 5 mm. The halves of the container are folded together, a bullet is inserted, sent into the cartridge case and rolled with a regular twist. The petals of the container should not protrude above the bullet; the protruding part must be cut off. A cartridge equipped in this way guarantees an accurate shot. Bullet Sauvestre (BFS – Balle Fleche Sauvestre)
Until recently, only a few types of bullets for smoothbore ammunition were most popular in Europe - Brenneke, Gualandi, and McElveen bullets. All of the mentioned bullets at a distance of 80 meters show an accuracy of 5–8 cm. The only exception is the French sub-caliber bullet, designed by engineer Jean-Claude Sauvestre. The Sovestra bullet maintains a flat trajectory of up to 100 m, which allows it to be successfully used for shooting large animals. In this case, there is no need to make vertical corrections when shooting at a distance of up to 100 m. The probability of a hit in real conditions greatly depends on this. We can say that the flatter the trajectory, the less the shooter’s error in determining the range to the target affects the probability of a bullet hitting. In rapidly changing hunting conditions, it is easy to make a mistake by 10–15 m, and as a result you may miss. The difference between the impact points of a Sovestra bullet at distances of 50 and 75 m is only 6 cm. The decrease in trajectory at a distance of 100 m from the aiming line is 18 cm. The Sovestra bullet is not a cheap pleasure, and this seriously hinders its widespread use in Russia for animal hunting. It should be noted that reviews from hunters about the accuracy of the bullet are far from ambiguous. In a word, each barrel needs to select its own cartridge. To confidently shoot at a distance of 100 meters or more, you must use an optical sight. When shooting a Sovestra bullet in winter, when the air temperature is -25 °C or lower, it is not recommended to use choke constrictions of more than 0.25 mm, since the container may rupture, which will affect the shooting accuracy. Time-tested examples of imported bullets include bullets such as Brenneke and Gualandi.
Brenneke Bullet Although the Brenneke bullet was patented over 90 years ago, it has not undergone significant changes. The Brenneke bullet has proven itself well in our country and abroad, giving good accuracy and lethality up to 80 m. The classic Brenneke bullet was specially developed for shotguns with chokes. And the best performance, according to the manufacturers, is achieved precisely from full chokes (for the 12-gauge - 1 mm), this statement also applies to the Brenneke-Magnum bullet weighing 39 g. Cartridges with 12-gauge Brenneke Silver, Bronze and Emerald bullets are equipped with companies "Tehkrim" and "SCM". For game hunting, I would still like to recommend cartridges from Brenneke-Classic and Brenneke-Exakt from RWS, because all experiments in our country with this bullet often led to inadequate results. This bullet is too simple in design, but as experience shows, this “simplicity” has ruined many attempts to recreate it elsewhere.
The Gualandi bullet is available in three versions: Gualandi 28 g; Gualandi 32 g; Gualandi 40 g. Gualandi bullet 28 g. Sub-caliber bullet, designed for firing from barrels with choke constrictions. At the same time, complete safety of the choke constrictions is guaranteed. Comfortable recoil when firing a sub-caliber bullet will undoubtedly contribute to shooting accuracy. It is not recommended to use this bullet in weapons with choke constrictions of more than 1 mm, due to the possibility of dismantling the plastic bullet tray in the choke, as well as in weapons with an under-barrel magazine.
Gualandi 32 g bullet This is a typical representative of a 12-gauge hunting bullet. This cartridge can be used to catch medium elk and large wild boar. It must be remembered that the effective firing distance of such a cartridge does not exceed 50–60 m. The cartridge can be used in most 12-gauge shotguns. Frequent shooting of a Gualandi caliber bullet weighing 32 g from a barrel with a 1 mm choke is not recommended. This bullet cannot be fired from guns with a barrel with a “reinforced choke” choke (more than 1 mm). It is better to use choke constrictions of 0.5 and 0.25 mm. Gualandi bullet 40 g The Gualandi bullet weighing 40 g has a good stopping effect. At a distance of 50 m, the lethality of the bullet exceeds the stopping effect of almost all bullets from 7.62 mm caliber rifles and is practically equivalent to a shot from a 9.3 mm rifled weapon. The cartridge with the Gualandi 40 g bullet can be successfully used for hunting large elk and wild boars. This bullet is used in magnum class cartridges, so your weapon must have a chamber of at least 76 mm. The good ballistic characteristics of the bullet and excellent stopping power allow it to be used effectively at a distance of up to 70 m. Due to the design features of the forty-gram Gualandi bullet, shooting from guns that have any kind of muzzle constriction (cylinder only) is strictly prohibited. Recently, the number of different models of bullets made from materials alternative to lead (steel, brass, bronze) has sharply increased. Steel with a specific gravity of 7.8 g/cm3 is a material that is resistant to deformation at the moment of firing, and allows you to give the bullet a complex shape that is favorable from the point of view of flight aerodynamics. It should be noted that most of these bullets have a good stopping effect, acceptable flatness and accuracy at distances up to 100 m, a reduced probability of ricochet, as a rule, the ability to shoot from any drill barrel, and the ability to overcome obstacles in the form of branches and grass without changing the trajectory. Steel bullets framed with polyethylene elements are well proven today. The most successful bullets from this group in terms of design are: the Ivanov bullet, the Udar bullet, the Blondeau bullet, the Rubeykin bullet, and the bullets from the D Dupleks company (Dupo 28; Monolit 32; Monolit 28; Rossa 32; Hexolit 32). To improve energy delivery efficiency, the front of these bullets is straight and flat. Such bullets partially lose their aerodynamic qualities, but have a strong impact effect due to the wide and flat frontal surface. Experience and statistical data on the range of shots in hunting show that the deteriorated aerodynamic characteristics of a flat frontal surface cannot have a negative impact on the fairly strong impact of a bullet even at a distance of 120–140 m. Despite the fact that the high aerodynamic resistance of a flat frontal surface of a bullet is undeniable , tests have shown that the stopping effect of a bullet with a flat frontal surface is effective at very long distances. This is explained simply: the large frontal surface of a bullet, even at a great distance at the moment of impact, provides a more efficient return of kinetic energy than a small-diameter bullet. In addition to high drag, other factors are decisive for accurate and successful shooting at a long distance - the initial speed of the bullet and the nature of the weapon’s recoil, which determines the angle of the bullet’s ejection relative to the weapon’s reference point. These bullets are indispensable, especially when shooting wild boar in driven hunts, stealth hunting and shooting from under a dog. To shoot confidently while hunting, you need to know the anatomy of the animal. Shooting practice shows that the most successful and guaranteed shot is either a shot at the lungs or at the front shoulder blade. It is desirable that the bullet expands, holds mass, hits vital organs and leaves a good wound channel. This allows you to more effectively search for an animal using its blood trail. Choosing the right bullet type and caliber for a successful shot is very important. And, of course, the weapon must be well-shot with the type of cartridge appropriate for hunting.


Bullets for rifled weapons All cartridges of the listed calibers work well against elk and wild boar in combination with Norma bullets (Oryx; Vulkan; Alaska; Nosler Partition; Swift A-Frame; Barnes Triple-Shock bullets).
Oryx Oryx bullet - has high accuracy, good expansion in the diameter of the projectile, high penetrating ability and very high residual weight (up to 96%), as well as high effectiveness on all European ungulates.
Vulkan The Vulkan bullet is a classic, time-tested bullet with a thin jacket in the front part, resulting in rapid expansion in diameter and high energy return (residual weight up to 78%).
Alaska The Alaska Bullet is a classic among Scandinavian elk hunters. The proven lead-tipped, tombac-jacketed projectile is known for its fast and good expansion.
Nosler Partition Nosler Partition bullet – with controlled (limited) expansion (residual weight up to 64%). For a large and wound-resistant animal.
Swift A-Frame Swift A-Frame bullet – with very high residual weight (up to 98%) and high penetration ability. For a large and wound-resistant animal.
Barnes Triple-Shock The Barnes Triple-Shock is a new bullet that has the highest resistance of any similar projectile on the market (100% residual weight). This is a bullet for high speeds and hard bones of large game. Oryx, Swift A-Frame and Barnes Triple-Shock bullets allow you to take elk and large wild boar from any angle with high efficiency where a flat shot is also required. Cartridge 308Win. It is better to use for catching elk weighing up to 200–250 kg with Oryx, Nosler Partition, Swift A-Frame, Vulkan bullets. RWS cartridges give the best results when hunting wild boar and elk in combination with Evo, DK, HMK, Uni Klassik, KS, TMR bullets.
Evo The Evo bullet is the new Evolution bullet and is highly accurate. The Evolution provides very good stopping power even at long ranges, and its high penetration power makes the bullet particularly effective when hunting large animals. Thanks to the design of the Rapid-X-Tip ballistic tip, the deformation process of the bullet begins immediately after hitting the target. Already at the very first stage, the Evolution bullet transfers a sufficient amount of energy to the target, providing the required stopping effect. The residual mass of the bullet after impact is close to 100%.

Some hunting bullets have a negative impact on barrel survivability. This is due to the design of the shell. The new Evolution bullet does not have this drawback. Due to the presence of a notch in the bottom, the bullet has less rigidity and causes less wear on the bore. Nickel plating of the bullet prevents the formation of deposits in the bore.

DK Bullet DK – with a double core, consists of two lead cores of different hardness and a bullet shell made of tombac. The weight ratio of the cores is 50:50. Features of the bullet: – good and clear trace of the affected game; – very short distance for game to escape after a shot; – the design of the bullet (cutting edge) ensures even cutting of hair at the entrance hole; – optimal expansion in the first half of the game’s body; – slight damage to game meat.

HMK HMK bullet – a feature of this bullet is the famous H-bridge, which defines the exact deformation limit in the middle of the shell. Two cores of different hardness are responsible for the double action of the bullet. The front part, after hitting the body of a game, unfolds very quickly with great expansion and the formation of a large number of fragments. The cylindrical rear part separates along the H-groove, providing end-to-end penetration even when hitting the bone of large game. Features of the bullet: – limited formation of fragments, thanks to the H-shaped jumper; – reliable provision of an outlet; – slight damage to game meat; – rapid death of game from shock.

Uni Klassik The Uni Klassik bullet has high rigidity and good residual mass. The design of the bullet consists of two cores of different hardness, where the rear, harder part, enters its end into the front, softer one. This design, when hit by game, leads to a mushroom-shaped deformation of the front part. The rear part of the bullet, which has an area increased by more than a third, provides good external ballistics of the bullet. Features of the bullet: – good and clear trace of the affected game; – the front part of the core is characterized by fragmentation with limited formation of fragments; – the rear part, which is more rigid, retains its shape and reliably provides the required outlet; – the design of the bullet (cutting edge) ensures even cutting of hair at the entrance hole; – slight damage to game meat.

KS KS bullet – provides controlled deformation and uniform expansion regardless of the size of the game. The external shape of the bullet creates ideal conditions for high accuracy and flatness. Features of the bullet: – very high accuracy, thanks to the long leading belt; – low formation of fragments; – a groove in the design of the rear of the bullet provides the required exit hole.

TMR TMR bullet – with a very high degree of expansion in the body of the game. Sometimes fragmentation of the bullet is observed, as a result of which a through shot is not always possible. High stopping power and insensitivity to obstacles allow this bullet to be widely used in driven hunts. Features of the bullet: – high breaking ability in hunting small game; – good value for money. Federal Premium cartridges equipped with Barnes Triple-Shock X-Bullet, Barnes MRX-Bullet bullets will cope well with the task of reliably defeating the beast; Trophy Bonded Bear Claw; Nosler Partition.
Dmitry Kopaev Photo by Viktor Kozlovsky

Hunting elk is a popular activity in this type of male hobby. To be sure to track an animal, experienced hunters use a special moose decoy.

This device can be purchased ready-made or made with your own hands. Decoys perfectly copy the sound of a male or female, thanks to which the animal comes to the place the person needs.

Features of hunting elk with decoy

Elks make a lot of sounds during the rut - during the period when their mating games begin. At other times, the elk almost does not use its voice, so it is even developed, or “to moan.” This tactic got its name due to the peculiarities of sounds during the rut. The male's cry resembles a pestering roar. After the end of the rut, the most that can be heard from the animal is a snort. The roar of the elk can be downloaded as an audio file or listened to on video.

Hunting is carried out with a huntsman, a group of hunters, or less often alone. First, the location of the rut is identified based on the following characteristics:

• broken branches, trees;
• potholes, holes;
• strong smell of urine;
• fresh litter;
• audible animal sounds.

You should choose a clear, quiet day, good weather without rain. Having heard the animal, the hunter begins to roar using a decoy, which is also called “waba”. If the elk does not respond to the sound signal, you can imitate the presence of an opponent - crunch branches, hit trees with a stick. During the rut, moose are not as careful as usual, so they quickly come to the sound of a decoy.

Important: the animal must be lured closer so that the shot is successful and you can aim well. One hunter bats, the second shoots. Experienced hunters determine the age of an animal by its voice; elk that are too young are usually not touched. If unsuccessful, change location or continue to wait.

Moose hunting dates

The period when hunting for adult males is permitted is limited to 01.09-30.09. Further, all age and sex groups are allowed to hunt from 01.10 to 15.01. For trophy hunting, the initial days of the rut are usually used - usually 10 days. It is at the beginning of the rut that the largest elk roars, whose antlers are a valuable trophy. Afterwards, the animals actively compete, fight, and the horns lose their beauty.

It is better to go hunting early in the morning, at dawn. During this period, the animal is most strongly attracted to the opposite sex; it searches for a female and roars. It is easier to track a wounded animal during the day, but at night it is difficult to do.

Types of decoys

The use of decoys is very popular. They are technical devices used to attract animals. A homemade decoy works just as well, greatly increasing the hunter’s chances. Experienced specialists can lure an animal even without a decoy, using the palm of their hand and their own voice to attract the elk.

Wind decoys

Typically, a wind decoy is used on elk and roe deer; it reproduces the cry of a male, emitted to attract females. There are also decoys that imitate the sounds of females and moose calves; they even sell sets or devices with different capabilities. More expensive devices additionally create the sounds of breaking branches.

Using semolina is not difficult. You need to blow into the mouthpiece, although you can use the device without a mouthpiece, placing your lips on the device. You can change the sounds by moving the holes, as indicated in the instructions - this will strengthen, weaken, lower or raise the sound. Some decoys have the function of being screwed to an amplifier (horn), which allows you to make louder sounds.

Electronic decoys

An electronic (electric) decoy is a more modern device. There is no need to blow into it; the necessary sounds are already recorded inside the device’s memory. Usually the recording includes a certain set: the voices of females, males, moose calves, a cry for help, sounds of fights, mating. The buttons are responsible for individual sounds, so using decoys is easy.

The equipment runs on batteries and rechargeable batteries, allowing you to adjust the volume over a wide range. Some devices may be able to download additional sounds. You can make a request on the Internet, find recordings in mp3 or other suitable format, download for free and use as needed.

Important: before hunting, you should carefully listen to all sounds. Low quality products may produce false voices that the animal will not listen to. Even in the store, professionals will distinguish a fake from a good product based on sound quality.

Popular models from the list, highly rated by hunters:

1. Cass Creek (elk and deer). The device produces clear, high-quality sound. It allows you to create animal voices that vary in behavior. In an elk it is a male’s call, aggression, mooing, a fight, a female during mating, in a deer it is a moo, an inviting moo, a fight, a lost fawn, an aggressive male. The package does not include a speaker; it must be purchased separately.
2. Buck Expert. Reproduces various sounds of the elk family - bull, cow, calf. The decoy is lightweight, easy to wear and use. The sounds are very authentic.

DIY decoy

You can make a decoy yourself. Production is possible from a can or birch bark. Method for creating semolina from birch bark:

1. Take a piece of birch bark 2 mm thick, smooth, without knots.
2. Cut the birch bark in a helical manner to form a spiral.
3. Straighten the tape, cut a strip (wide end - about 17 cm, narrow end - 10 cm).
4. Cut another piece 12 cm wide and make 3 rectangular holes on one side.
5. On the second side of the piece, make 3 triangles so that they fit exactly into the holes when folded.

The second tube after folding will need to be used as a cuff for the wide end of the decoy. The decoy itself needs to be folded with the white side inward, the protruding corners cut off, and a cuff placed on the wide end. Cover the entire structure with tape or tape. When blowing air, you can adjust the sound volume by moving the pipe apart and moving.

The decoy can also be made from a tin of coffee or baby formula, but the shape should be like a truncated cone (the diameter of the top is smaller than the diameter of the bottom). You also need to take a clothesline 60 cm long, electrical tape or a piece of leather. The diameter of the jar opening should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the bottom. The smaller the jar, the lower and louder the moose roar will be. A hole is made in the middle of the bottom according to the thickness of the cord, the latter is inserted into the hole, and a knot is tied on the outside. The top of the waba is wrapped with electrical tape or leather to make the sound more realistic. The inner contents of the jar are loose moss, it is applied before use.

Using such a device is easy. The cord is soaked in water, pinched with your fingers, passed from top to bottom, while holding the can by the base, without touching the walls. As a result, a sound resembling a moose is heard. It’s worth practicing at home so that you don’t misfire on the spot.

For more detailed instructions on how to make homemade decoy, watch the video:

Moose sounds

The roar of an elk resembles the sounds “ua”, “oo”, and in young animals - “oe”. In some moose it sounds like an okaniye, in older elk it sounds more dull.

Moose roar

The sounds of an animal when roaring are produced from the very depths of the larynx. Males publish them in the morning, as well as at sunset, sometimes all night. The sound is deep, reminiscent of a groan, and at the same time it seems to be vibrating, rattling.

Sound of a male

The roar of females and males varies greatly in timbre. The male calls briefly, moaning and grumbling. By the end of the rutting season, the sounds may change to a plaintive, whistling sound.

Sound of a moose

Moose cows, when calling males, make drawn-out sounds; the rest of the time during the rutting period they make weak, light cries. When covered by a male, the elk makes a short neigh. Hearing the male's voice, the female begins to snort in response.

Sounds of a roaring moose in the forest

When a male is looking for a female, he is very dangerous. In some cases, his roar resembles that of a bear and is quite scary. As the rut subsides, the sounds become more dull - mooing, croaking.

How to lure and drive an elk

There are certain tactics for luring elk. They begin to use the waba after the sounds of the animal itself are heard. You can use the roar of an opponent, a cry for help, the sound of a female, observing the measure. If the screams are too frequent, the elk may suspect falsehood and not approach.

Typically, the technique for using semolina is as follows:

• first they use the voice of a young female - e-ee-o-a-a-h, i-i-e-e-e-h, repeating the sound every 5 minutes, then after a minute, increasing the volume;
• if there is no result, the male’s voice is heard - oo-oo-x with approximately the same frequency;
• you can supplement the luring with “croaking” - oh-oh-oh-oh;
• if there is no answer, you should play the sound of branches breaking or beat the tree with a stick.

The lack of effect can be observed if dogs or other hunters have driven the elk out of their rutting zone, as well as in the presence of a young male who is afraid of rivals and several females. In this case, you need to change the area and repeat all the steps - then success is more likely.

Moose hunting is not particularly difficult if you follow certain rules and use the right tools to lure animals. The choice of decoys and wabs should be approached with special care, since the success of the entire business depends on these devices.

This type of hunting has several names in the hunting lexicon: “to roar”, “to wobble”, “to moan”. Hunting is carried out during the rut, which, depending on the region, ranges from mid-August to October. To get beautiful whole elk antlers as a trophy, hunting should begin in the first days of the rut. The optimal time is 20 days before the peak of this period. For the European part of Russia this is September 15–25. The best time of day is early morning in clear weather.

The place where moose are “chasing” can be determined by broken branches and small trees, tracks, characteristic smell, droppings and the animal’s voice. In this area, the bull feels like the owner of both the territory and the female who is with him. Making sounds from time to time, he warns possible competitors that he will not allow a stranger to invade his domain. The sounds made by the male and the cracking of branches in good weather can be heard at 500–600 m.

Hunting for roar is now more often of a trophy nature. Branched, developed antlers appear in elk at the age of 6–10 years. Experienced hunters can tell the age of an animal by its voice. An elk of average age and size is unlikely to risk engaging in a fight with an opponent if the competitor’s roar indicates the respectability of his age. If the jacker's task is to lure the bull away from the female, you should be patient. The male is reluctant to leave the moose, preferring to roll call with the applicant at a distance. The latter is much easier to take out under fire.

In normal times, male moose rarely make sounds. He can only snort quietly when he is frightened. The sound that a bull makes during the rut is completely different from the roar of a deer. It's something between a sigh of relief and a groan. Its most accurate definition was given by our ancestors - “moan”.

Note. During the rutting period, the mooing of strong, accomplished bulls is similar to the sound “u-a” (“oo-o”). It roars dully. The roar of young males sounds like “oh-uh”, its intonation is vibrating and rattling.

Females also sometimes make sounds during the rut. A sharp sound, similar to a neigh, means that the bull has covered the female. During the day, hearing a male “moan” is very rare. It is most active in vocalizing during the dawn hours or towards sunset.

Some males do not have girlfriends at the beginning of the rut and move around a lot while searching. They also vocalize, trying to find out if there is a free female or “family” male nearby to try to win the moose cow from him. Such loners boldly follow the sound made by the vabel operator. The hunter’s task is to imitate the “moan” of the opponent, awaken aggressiveness in the bull and force him to come out to a clear place under the shot.

How to attract a male with the sound of a decoy

When luring a bull, they not only give a voice, but also accompany the “moan” by tapping a stick on a tree and cracking dry branches. The sound is framed with an appropriate background, creating the impression of the presence of an excited bull.

It is better, of course, to lure out a bull spotted during pre-hunting reconnaissance. But if the search is carried out in an unexplored area, you need to try to determine its approximate age from the voice of the responding male. When an adult bull with a loud, powerful voice “moans”, it is more likely that he will accept the challenge of an opponent who seems weaker by his voice. The young owner of the female will try to quietly leave the territory and quietly take the female away if he detects by his voice the presence of a more experienced bull.

Hunters enhance the power of the sound of a decoy using a birch bark horn about 40 cm long. Experienced hunters can imitate the roar of an elk using improvised means: a gun barrel, a bottle without a bottom, etc. Hunting virtuosos make imitating sounds using their palms, but doing this not being professional can only harm the hunt.

Advice. When hunting, you should not make sounds often. Pay attention to signs of elk. If you can’t hear the male’s reaction to the “moan,” imitate the sound made by the bull when covering the female (neighing). An elk that has lost its vigilance may come close enough to shoot.

Sometimes the dominant male tolerates the presence of younger bulls in the vicinity, but keeps them at a safe distance. In this case, the sound of the decoy may result in a smaller elk, inferior in strength to the owner. Based on the overlapping voices, you need to determine the number of individuals and then select an object for the trophy. In the presence of competitors, the main male often cannot be lured away from the female. And if the target of the hunt is a large specimen, you will have to change your location and look for another candidate for the hunted object.

Despite the variety of developments when hunting elk with a decoy, there are two tactical options for the hunter: waiting for the male to respond to the sound and approaching, or moving towards him while simultaneously luring him. The second option is used if the animal does not move.

The lack of reaction to sounds imitated by the hunter can be explained by the fact that the disturbed elk left the area. Also, you may not be able to wait for an answer when the female is accompanied by a medium-sized, middle-aged male. Having a low dominance rank, he is afraid of rivals.

The sound of the decoy travels only a few hundred meters even in good weather. Therefore, without obtaining a trophy, you should quietly move to another area. Thus, go around the area that you or your huntsman found promising, and count on luck.

Decoy from improvised means

A homemade decoy can be made from an ordinary tin can and a half-meter cord or rope as thick as a pencil. A knot is tied on the cord, and a hole is punched in the center of the bottom of the jar. The cord is threaded through the hole so that the knot is inside the can. After pre-wetting the cord, pull it through the hole. The “tool” will make a sound more or less similar to the roar of an elk. To prevent the sound from having a metallic tint, the jar is wrapped with electrical tape. With practice, you will get the hang of how hard you need to squeeze the can and pull the cord to get the most natural sound.

The diameter of the hole in the jar should be slightly less than the thickness of the uncompressed rope and have the appearance of a truncated cone. A smaller can will produce a lower sound. An important condition is to hold the can by the edge at the base, the sound will be imitated louder.

Branded decoys imitate the voice of both males and females. The sound can be heard over a long distance. Some decoys can also make the sound of antlers rubbing against a tree trunk. To do this, scratch the bark with the wide side of the simulator. In this way, moose are attracted to mark and control the territory.

Elk hunting using electronic decoys is prohibited in Russia everywhere and at any time of the year.

Weapons for hunting with decoy

Both smooth-bore and rifled weapons are suitable for moose hunting. A reliable 12-gauge double-barreled shotgun, used in the years when there was little choice when purchasing weapons, is still relevant today. You should not use a barrel caliber smaller than 16 gauge.

In conditions of hunting in the forest with limited visibility at a distance of up to 50 meters, the destructive power of a 12-gauge bullet hitting a vulnerable spot will allow you not to search for a wounded animal after the shot. Without a good tracking dog and in the absence of snow cover, it will be difficult to find him. During the rut, animals become stronger against the wound, the body's reserves are mobilized for procreation. The killing areas of an elk are the heart, neck, lungs and spine. A reliable shot is in the area of ​​the shoulder blade, in the middle of the front of the body.

It makes sense to use rifled weapons when hunting on the edges, among rare trees without undergrowth, in wide clearings, that is, where a shot from a long distance is required. In such places, the elk moves at low speed, stopping and listening. Under certain conditions, the use of optics is also justified. For a rifled weapon for elk, the required bullet caliber is at least 7.62 (according to the domestic designation system). In any case, the weapon must be sighted and familiar to the hunter.

In areas where males have a lot of competition, shooting bulls during the rutting period will not lead to a decrease in the next year's offspring. Despite its apparent simplicity, this type of hunting is effective only in places with a sufficiently high density of elk, but in terms of emotionality and the lasting impressions it surpasses a roundup.

First, let’s define what “roar hunting” means. In fact, it would be correct to call it not “on the roar”, but “on the rut,” since the elk does not roar, but makes moaning sounds during the rut, attracting the female. During the mating season, deer roar, the sounds of which can be heard at a great distance. Among hunters, these definitions were mixed and, in the overwhelming majority, they began to call moose hunting “on the roar.”

The moose rut, as a rule, takes place in September, but depending on weather conditions it can go to October. Perhaps the start of the rut has shifted to the second half of September due to the changing climate, which is affected by global warming. Remembering past times, old hunters notice that they had to “fade” - attract an elk, while dressed in warm clothes, since in September it was already cold in the evenings, and sometimes frosts occurred.

The uniqueness of this type of hunting lies in the fact that the jack hunter, imitating the voice of an elk during the rutting period, is able to lure a bull at a great distance. There are several ways to attract an elk. The most effective is considered to be when a person pronounces similar sounds using the vocal cords. Of course, not everyone is capable of this, and hunters use various kinds of products, such as a tin can with a rope or an old glass milk bottle without a bottom, covered with birch bark. The art of imitating and luring a wild animal out of the forest that is its home is highly valued among hunters and deserves special respect.

How to find and determine the rutting area

During the autumn rainy season, the soil in the forest becomes soft, on which the marks of the elk's hooves are clearly visible. Therefore, it will not be particularly difficult to find places where moose are concentrated, moving along a fresh printed trail. Adult males mate with females in virtually the same places over several seasons. These places are forest plots, clearings and mowing meadows.

You can determine whether the bull came or not by looking at the broken branches of bushes and young trees. If there are a lot of creases and they are of different freshness, then the elk has been there more than once. In addition to creases, the male leaves “combs” with his horns on the trees, by which his presence can also be determined. If the plot has begun to be overgrown with young animals and is difficult to see, you should go around it around the perimeter to find the path along which the elk emerges from the forest.

At rutting sites, bulls dig out rutting pits with their hooves, into which they urinate and then lie down. The smell of urine is specific and so pungent that the hunter can easily determine the place of the rut. The bull walks to the rutting pit in the same place, breaking branches and trunks of young trees. Along the way, having arrived at the place, he listens and observes the situation, after which he begins to beckon the cow, making moaning sounds.

A case from my practice

I want to tell you an incident from my hunting practice. Moving along an old, overgrown forest road towards a promising plot, which was three kilometers away, from the middle of the road I began to observe the printed tracks of a female moose, which had passed in the same direction, several hours before me. Based on this fact, one could make the assumption that the cow is following this course for a reason. Most likely, the male is already in the plot and from where he is calling her to mate. Having approached the plot, which was fairly overgrown with young trees, without having a good view, I began to make a slow and quiet walk around, stopping along the edge of the massif.

Very soon I discovered a well-paved trail with very large tracks from elk hooves. Judging by the tracks, the male was not just big, but huge. Along the entire path along the edges, many trees were broken. Having walked along the animal trail about a hundred meters, deep into the plot, I came to a small clearing in which there was a racing pit. By all indications, the elk was somewhere nearby. After standing in silence for one hour, I decided to start “hammering” with my voice, covering my mouth with my palms so that the sound would go into the ground. Imagine my surprise when the bull responded after about ten minutes, but the sound emanating from the elk was less like a groan and more like a rough groan.

During the roll call, the elk willingly responded to my call each time, but the distance between us did not decrease, it was clear that he was standing in one place and was not going to leave the massif. My assumptions were confirmed; the bull was not alone, but with a cow. Without losing hope, I continued to “fade” and the elk responded, this went on for about thirty minutes, then the angry bull let out a loud roar, hit the tree with its horns and fell silent.

How to lure a moose

You can attract an elk in the morning, but it is best if it is in the evening, when with the onset of dusk the male feels much more confident. This type of hunting must be carried out by two people, a shooter and a lure. The shooter must have the skills to fire in different conditions, both day and night. During the mating season, an adult male is especially susceptible to wounds, so ammunition should be selected with good killing power. Often, an elk comes out to be shot in complete darkness; this requires special devices in the form of an under-barrel flashlight or a night vision scope.

You should also take into account the fact that the autumn period is characterized by evening fogs and shroud. You should arrive at the hunting site in advance, choosing a position at the highest place; you can simply sit there, listening and observing, since there are often cases when the elk comes out on its own and is the first to begin to speak. In this case, the jacker must adapt to the sound made by the elk and try to imitate it, using the capabilities of his vocal cords. The first test voice cast by the voice operator should not sound loudly three times.

After a ten-minute pause, you can repeat five times. If the elk responds and moves towards you, you should stop beckoning, hide as much as possible and not move. Also, in the intervals between serves, you can break dry branches, thereby simulating the presence of an opponent. Don’t forget that any hunt is unpredictable and you never know how it will go or what will happen.

There was such a case during one hunt. A young bull with double horns ran out towards the jacker absolutely silently, bypassing the hunter-shooter. It’s good that he was with the gun from which he got it. You can change positions depending on the situation, since the animal can come out unpredictably from any direction. Weather is one of the main factors for a successful hunt. In clear and calm weather, on a new moon, activity is much higher than in bad weather.