Although many of my Montney friends are hunters, I just never got in to it. However, as an avid photographer, I was interested in seeing wild animals up close. That’s why I was excited to learn how to make a Montney Moose Call (MMC for short). It’s a skill I’d like to share with you.

All you need to make your own MMC is a pop can and a pair of needle nose pliers. (Regular pliers will work in a pinch but are not optimal for the fine bending required.)
 

Getting Started: The first step is to grip the pop can firmly and turn the pull-tab to 90’. Next, bend the pull-tab upwards while twisting it slightly to one side or the other. Twist back and forth gently until the entire pull-tab is removed. (It is important that the smaller tab does not break off as it is an integral part of the MMC).

(Beer cans may also be used, however because they are made with softer metal they are more difficult to work with. Notice the tearing in the picture below. The jagged and sharp edges may make your MMC dangerous to use.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pop can may now be recycled.

You will need your needle nose pliers for the next two steps. First, gently bend the small tab to a 90’ angle. This will act as the handle. Second, create the “mouth piece” by slightly bending the top of the tab backwards and away from the “handle” to roughly 30’ (this may require some slight adjustments in order to optimize volume and clarity).

Your MMC is now ready to use. However, before proceeding, be sure you are in a safe location or, if you are hunting, that your rifle is loaded and ready to go.

Using the thumb and index finger of your dominant hand, place the largest hole of the tab gently against your lips until it is comfortable. (As I mentioned earlier, you may need to use your pliers to make slight adjustments).

The video below explains how to use your MMC:

 

The Backstory…

Although I learned how to make a moose call while I lived in Montney, it did not really originate there. My Uncle Jim Doonan, who lived south of the Peace River in Farmington, taught me how to make my first one when I was about 10 years old. I remember how he sent me running for pliers, needle nose pliers, a crescent wrench and a hammer before he was finally satisfied with it’s quality.

I’ve made literally hundreds since. Many of them were made for unsuspecting students. I remember making one for a young lady who had won the CORE (Community Outdoor Recreation and Environment) award at Dr. Kearney Jr. Secondary sometime back in the 90’s. I made it in front of the whole school during the annual awards assembly. The sound of five hundred kids groaning in unison is still a fond memory.

My son also became a gifted moose call maker. Cy once called home from Australia to tell me that by making dozens of moose calls for his new friends from down under, he had “made Uncle Jim a legend”.

To this day, however, I have the most fun making moose calls for actual hunters who really think I’m going to make them something they can use. I measure how successful my “lesson” has been by the number of times I can send them back and forth to the garage to get the “right” tools for the job.

The educational slant? It is a hands-on skill that, in the right crowd, can be pretty engaging.

P.S.    The acronym MMC is a very recent (today) fabrication, and  I’m not really an avid photographer.