Talking like the animals

[Birdbow]

Skitch's thread about listening to animal talk reminded me of how we can talk like the animals while hunting - just not to call them to our set-up.

Having been frustrated trying to get quietly to a stand or blind when the woods are dry and crunchy, I started using a turkey mouth call to cover my approach. A few yelps along the way and I'm another bipedal bird moving through. It's worked great and have actually walked up on deer, bear, and moose who were a bit surprised by the 200# 'bird' in their wheelhouse! No shot opportunities but lesson learned.

Speaking of moose - have moose called going to stand in the dark with the same results.

[Possum Head]

Good stuff!

[newhouse114]

I always gave quiet moose cow calls while still hunting moose. You had to be very aware of your surroundings though, those bulls can appear out of nowhere!

[ozy clint]

Often while hunting goats if they hear you but haven't smelt or seen you, a few bleats can relax them or sometimes even peak their curiosity enough for them to approach for a closer look sometimes allowing for a shot.

[Thumper Dunker]

The stuff I hunt you have to talk to them. Other animals talking to each other can let you know what's going on. I always listen to the magpies ,blue jays and crows.

[beaunaro]

I liked your authentic grunt which convinced your latest boar that he had noting to fear and he could just relax and come out of the bush to join his friend.

Little did he know the Thunderchild was awaiting at ten feet.

Excellent,my friend!

[Birdbow]

Thanks Irv for the compliment.

It's a hoot to convince animals you're something you're not, kind of a confidence game.

A few seasons ago I was stalking a whitetail doe when she busted me and started stomping and blowing.

I was in heavy shade at dusk and when I started doe bleating at her she noticeably calmed down.

The convincer was finding an acorn on the ground near my knee. The evening was very still and in one of those 'what's there to lose' moments, I popped the acorn in my mouth and crunched loudly.

She wagged her tail and went back to her own acorns which allowed me one more move to get in position and kill her with my longbow.

One of the coolest 'cons' of my hunting life.

[Roadkill]

When walk ing to my tree stand site in VA, I used to drag a stick, I did not sound bipedal and even surprised a hunter in a stand one day who was convinced I was a deer coming up frm behind.  I like the idea of making bird sound

[Bvas]

Shuffling my feet and moving quickly from tree to tree like a squirrel has gotten me within 20yds of bedded deer a couple of times when stealth was out of the question.
Doubt it will work when approaching from the front though. Lol

[Archie]

In 2013 I spent 13 days float-hunting a river we flew into in interior Alaska.  Looking for moose, we cow-called while walking, and wouldn't you know, a bull popped out of the woods looking right at us, no more than 25 yards away.  He was too small, but it was an exciting moment.  The bull popped out while my friend and I were talking to each other, looking the opposite direction!