The early moose season presents a unique challenge. Bulls are transitioning from summer patterns, and the pre-rut atmosphere is building. A well-timed cow call or a curious grunt can be the key to drawing a massive bull from the thick timber into range. Having the right call in your pack is as crucial as your rifle or bow.
With so many options, from traditional birch bark to modern reed calls, choosing the best tool can be overwhelming. This roundup focuses on calls proven to produce authentic, convincing sounds that early-season moose respond to. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned caller, these eight selections offer the reliability and sound quality needed to tip the odds in your favor.
Our Top Picks for Early Season Moose Calls
- Quaker Boy Moose Mate Moose Call
- Primos The Original CAN Deer Estrus Bleat Call
- Phelps Game Calls Phelps EZ 1 Compact Elk Cow Call
- Carlton’s Calls Premium Birch Bark Moose Call
- Buck Gardner Bull Crazy Moose Call
- Quaker Boy Moose Caller with Instructional DVD
- Flextone Bone Collector Bull Grunt Moose Call
- Hunters Specialties True Talker Cow Moose Call
Quaker Boy Moose Mate Moose Call
The Quaker Boy Moose Mate is a versatile and user-friendly choice for early season. It is designed to reproduce two effective sounds: the mating bawl of a cow moose and the lost call of a calf. This dual capability allows you to adapt your strategy based on bull behavior, making it a highly flexible tool in your kit.
Its construction includes a comfort grip for extended use in cold weather and a dual-function cap that protects the reed. The call is known for producing realistic tones that carry well, helping to attract curious bulls before the peak rut. For hunters seeking a reliable, straightforward call that covers essential vocalizations, this model is a strong contender.
Primos The Original CAN Deer Estrus Bleat Call
While designed for deer, the Primos CAN is a secret weapon for many moose hunters, especially in the early season. The estrus bleat sound can pique the interest of a bull, suggesting the presence of a receptive cow. Its simple can design produces a consistent, high-pitched sound that travels effectively.
Features like the raised thumb hole locator ensure an airtight seal for consistent sound every time. This call is incredibly easy to use, requiring just a flip and a shake. Its compact size makes it an excellent addition to any moose hunter’s pack as a secondary call to add a different dimension to your sequence.
Phelps Game Calls Phelps EZ 1 Compact Elk Cow Call
The Phelps EZ 1 brings a significant advantage to moose calling with its hands-free, exhale-operated design. This allows you to keep your hands on your bow or rifle while producing sound, ensuring you are ready for a shot. The exhale method also generates superior volume, which is critical for communicating across large swamps or dense boreal forest.
It comes with three different reeds, offering voice variations to mimic different cows or calves. This versatility lets you adjust your calling based on bull responses and specific hunting situations. For the hunter who wants maximum volume and hands-free convenience without sacrificing sound quality, this call is an outstanding option.
Carlton’s Calls Premium Birch Bark Moose Call
For the traditionalist or the hunter seeking the most authentic sound, Carlton’s Calls offers a premium birch bark moose call. Handcrafted from natural materials, this call produces the classic, resonant grunts and bawls that have lured moose for generations. The organic sound can sometimes outperform modern plastic calls, especially with wary old bulls.
Using a birch bark call requires practice but offers a deep sense of connection to the hunt. The sound is controlled by the pressure of your hands and your blowing technique, giving an experienced caller fine-tuned control. It represents a timeless tool that is both effective and a piece of hunting heritage.
Buck Gardner Bull Crazy Moose Call
The Buck Gardner Bull Crazy Moose Call is built to produce the deep, guttural grunts of a bull moose. Early season bulls may grunt to communicate with other bulls or curious cows, making this a useful sound in your arsenal. This call is designed for ease of use, allowing hunters to generate realistic bull vocals without excessive effort.
Its durable construction can handle rough packing and variable weather conditions. By adding bull grunts to your calling sequence, you can create the impression of multiple animals in an area, which can trigger a competitive response from a nearby bull. This call fills an important niche for aggressive early-season tactics.
Quaker Boy Moose Caller with Instructional DVD
This package from Quaker Boy is ideal for hunters new to moose calling. It includes a reliable moose call paired with an instructional DVD, providing a complete learning system. The visual and auditory guidance can drastically shorten the learning curve, helping you produce effective cow and calf sounds quickly.
The call itself is a proven design, and having expert instruction on its use is a major benefit. You learn not just how to blow the call, but when and why to use certain sounds. For anyone wanting to build confidence before heading into the woods, this combination is a valuable resource.
Flextone Bone Collector Bull Grunt Moose Call
The Flextone Bone Collector call is engineered for producing convincing bull moose grunts. Its design often incorporates adjustable features, allowing you to modify the tone and pitch of the grunt to sound like different-sized bulls. This flexibility is useful for matching the conditions and the mood of the moose you’re targeting.
Built with input from experienced hunters, it aims for realism and durability. Using a bull grunt call early in the season can be a more aggressive tactic that sparks curiosity or a challenge response. This call gives you the tool to execute that strategy effectively.
Hunters Specialties True Talker Cow Moose Call
The Hunters Specialties True Talker is focused on delivering authentic cow moose sounds. Its reed system is tuned to create the pleading bawls and contact moans of a cow, which are highly effective for attracting bulls throughout the early season. The call is typically designed for easy operation and consistent sound.
Reliability is key when a bull is on the approach, and this call is built to perform. The sounds it produces are intended to sound natural and convincing, helping to bring moose in close. For a dedicated cow call that you can depend on, the True Talker is a solid choice.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Moose Call for Early Season
Choosing the right moose call for early season can feel overwhelming with all the options out there. I’ve spent a lot of time in the woods during those first few weeks of the season, and I can tell you that your call choice matters. The early season, typically September, is all about the rut. Bulls are starting to get fired up, but they’re not at their peak aggression yet. Your calls need to reflect that. You’re looking to spark curiosity and draw them in, not necessarily to start a fight with a rival bull right away.
First, you need to decide on the type of call. For early season, I lean heavily towards cow calls. A simple cow moan or a soft estrus call can be incredibly effective. A young bull or even a mature one looking for company will often come to investigate. Diaphragm calls are fantastic for this because they allow for very realistic, nuanced sounds and keep your hands free. If you’re new to calling, a good quality grunt tube is a solid starting point. It’s easier to master the basic cow moan and bull grunt with one of these.
Durability is non-negotiable. Your gear gets banged around, wet, and cold. Look for calls made from tough materials like polycarbonate or high-grade acrylic. Rubber or silicone diaphragms last longer than latex. Sound quality is everything. A cheap call might sound okay to your ear, but in the woods, the subtleties make the difference. Listen for a call that produces a clear, resonant, and realistic tone without any annoying buzz or rattle.
Finally, consider versatility. While I focus on cow calls early, having a call that can also produce a decent bull grunt or even a raking sound is a bonus. As the season progresses, or if you locate a bull that needs more convincing, you can switch up your tactics without fumbling for a different tool. Practice is the most important part. No matter which of the 8 best moose call for early season you pick, you need to know how to use it effectively before you head into the field. Spend time listening to real moose sounds online and mimic the rhythm, pitch, and volume.
FAQ
What is the most effective moose call to use in early September?
In early September, I find cow calls to be the most consistently effective. The rut is just beginning, and bulls are starting to search for cows. A soft, longing cow moan or a low estrus call can pique a bull’s interest without sounding too challenging. It’s an invitation rather than a threat. I’ll often start with these gentle calls and only switch to more aggressive bull grunts if I get a response that suggests a bull is looking for a fight.
How often should I call during the early season?
Patience is key. I start with a sequence of 3-5 cow moans every 20-30 minutes. Over-calling can make you sound unnatural and might spook a wary bull. If I get a response, like a grunt back or the sound of a bull approaching, I’ll wait. Let him come looking. Sometimes, staying quiet after he answers is the best tactic. If things go silent, I might wait a full hour before making another soft series of calls.
Can I use the same call for the entire moose season?
You can, but your strategy should change. The call itself might be versatile, but how you use it needs to adapt. Early season is more about subtle cow sounds. As the peak rut hits later in September and into October, bulls become more territorial. That’s when louder, more aggressive bull grunts, challenging roars, and even simulating antler rattling become more effective. A good, versatile call can cover all these sounds with practice.
Is it worth spending more on a high-end moose call?
In my experience, yes, to a point. A very cheap call often has poor sound quality, inconsistent pitch, and won’t last a single season. Investing in a well-made call from a reputable brand means you get a realistic tone, durable construction, and reliability when it counts. You don’t need the absolute most expensive one, but the middle-ground options from trusted names are usually where you find the best value for an early season hunt.
What’s a common mistake beginners make with early season moose calls?
The biggest mistake is being too loud and too aggressive too early. A common misconception is that you need to sound like the biggest, meanest bull in the woods right from the start. In early season, this can actually intimidate younger bulls or make older, smarter bulls suspicious. Start soft and low. Sound like a cow or a contented bull. Another mistake is not practicing enough; the sounds need to come naturally when you’re in the moment and a bull is actually responding.