Doug Crabtree -  2004 Canada Moose Bowhunt
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DAY #1 - Calling A Bull Moose
After a quick oatmeal breakfast we loaded our gear in the boat and headed down the waterway to Mon’s lake where we had placed tree stands yesterday for Coon Dog to hunt in and my dad to video my hunt.

The morning air was cool but the wind was calm -- perfect for calling moose. Coon Dog went to his treestand on the south end of a point and dad and I were set up about 60 yards to the north. I set up my Double Bull blind by a moose trail near the water's edge and waited for daylight.

At day break I took a picture of the best sunrise I have ever seen. (Larger Sunrise pic.) The sun was reflecting of the water as the morning's fog was coming off the lake.

At 7:55 Owen began moose calling from the ground. A while later he began splashing the water and cow calling. Immediately a bull responded from the north across the lake with a load, unmistakable grunt.

It sent chills down my spine!

The bull continued to grunt, the sound got closer with every second. It was as if the bull was on a string and Owen had the other end, reeling him in.

The bull appeared way out in the water ... a very large bull ... he started walking in our direction --  grunting every step. I took a few pictures as he worked his way closer to us. 

At 60 yards he stopped and stood quiet -- not making a sound, looking our area over, searching for the cow he came across the lake for. Owen called again and the bull went on the move again. I took one last picture of this big bull moose.

I put the down the camera and traded it for my bow. This huge bull was a record book animal and if he presented the chance I wanted to be ready.

Owen made another cow call and the bull returned with a grunt and closed the distance between us. He came out of the water and into the brush. The bull sounded like a dozer coming through the bush -- breaking limbs and sticks with his huge horns -- while continuing to grunt on every step. Soon he was 30 yards away, walking down the same trail that I was set up on.

My heart was racing and I could feel it in my throat. 

I couldn't believe this was happening on the first morning of our hunt. 

The bull stopped just fifteen yards away, but behind some small pines. His horns were sticking out from both sides with his body totally covered by the tree trunk. I needed him to take two more steps to clear the brush for a shot. 

He stood still and did not move or made a sound. Then the wind shifted and he bolted to the west -- breaking everything in his path. 

As quickly as it started it was over. I guess that's why he was so big -- react and questions later. Owen waited about ½ hour and started calling again with no response. 

Still, what an experience.

At noon the temperature rose to 78 which is not good for moose hunting. We still tried in the evening with no luck. I wasn't disappointed knowing that this was just the first day of our hunt.

And if I hadn't been out there I would have never seen that beautiful sunrise. That's what most of the non hunting world doesn't understand about hunters. It's not just the harvesting of the animal that we enjoy. It's to experience what nature shows you every time we're out there. See ya tomorrow.

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