Question for Old Time Moose Hunters??

[Sean B]

Has any of you old time moose hunters ever hear of calling moose through a hollowed cow horn??  I ask this question because I'm a hornsmith. If I find that there were moose calls made of cow horn, I'll try a few projects of making folk art engraved (scrimshaw) horn moose calls. I have some old "calling" or "hunting" horns, I'm just not sure if they were for calling moose, or calling in the hounds on a hunt.

[j.j.johnston]

A horn should work well.  I have used  2" flex tube, birch bark, fiberglass cones, my cupped hands, and even a small traffic cone.  Anything to give the call or grunt a more hollow sound.  If the horn could stand up to raking on a tree, that would be a plus.  I have seen old hunting horns which had a mouth piece, and don't think they would make a good moose call.  I should add that if you can mimic the noises that moose make while blowing them like a trumpet, they would work well, but it think a better option is to have a 2" or so opening in the small end to put up to your mouth.

[Sean B]

I'm not so much looking to really use them, but to make a "working decorative" reproduction.  I'd like to know if they were made that way 100+ years ago.

[Hopewell Tom]

I'd bet that the age old rolled piece of birch bark was the way 100+ years ago. Simplest and easiest. That's all I've ever seen in old moose hunting pics.
Never say never, though.

[wood carver 2]

My hunting partner uses a water buffalo horn. It's compact and sounds great. He called a bull in from who knows how far away to 30 yards with it last fall.
I've been looking for a cow horn the right size to call with. A scrimshawed one would be so cool. Would you be interested in some horse trading?
Dave.