This year I was sitting on the side of a canyon waiting for a bull to walk out across the canyon...or a good buck... and I started hearing this "bawling" from about 800 yards across the canyon on top of this ridge. I sat and listened, it was bawling constantly, like every breath, then it would be quiet for 30 seconds, then go at it again. It would do it solid for 2-3 minutes, then take a short break....
I first thought it sounded like a bear cub... then I was wondering if it was a beef calf that was lost... then maybe a cow moose? I sat and waited. Finally, I decided to imitate it. I started doing that as loud as I could. It would be quiet, then start up as soon as I quit... And it sounded like it was getting closer, like topping this ridge towards me.
Eventually, I caught movement and through my binos up to see the sad sight of this little brown cub just bawling and pushing through head deep snow. I watched him heading down the slope towards me, still 700 yards off. After a few minutes of watching and listening, I caught a flash of movement and hear comes momma... she was running full out, zig zaggin back and forth down the slope trying to find him. Didn't take long and she found him.
Then, they walked along the slope and I'd watch. He would bawl and bawl...then she'd turn around and nose him a little and walk off again. He'd follow and bawl and bawl. I couldn't see anything wrong with him, no limp or anything... Finally..the coolest dam thing... she stops, sits down on her rump and sits up like a beggin dog and he just buries his face in her belly.... he must have been a hungry little bugger! One of the coolest things I've seen while out.
