When it comes to an adrenaline rush for a Maine hunter, nothing quite compares with a bull moose responding to his call. As an occasional moose guide and hunter, I’ve tried about every moose calling device you can think of: voice, coffee can with a rawhide shoelace, rolled birch bark and, of course, the always dependable Extreme Dimension Game Call.

Even the crudest of devices seem to work, to one extent or another, but the Extreme Dimension call is something else! These highly refined electronic calls are versatile, far-reaching and, in my case, fool proof. Once, during a moose hunt with my son Josh, the Extreme Dimension Game call performed too well. As I answered the call of nature by a big tree near Thousand Acre Bog, a cranky old bull moose, responding to Josh’s electronic estrus cow moan, came crashing toward me from the alders. The situation took us both by surprise.

Speaking of moose calling, the Rangeley Region Guides and Sporting Association (RRG&A) is holding the World Invitational Moose Calling Championship in Rangeley June 22-24. The moose-calling contest will be just one of many exciting events taking place during the June sportsman’s weekend in Rangeley. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will also hold its popular, well-attended annual drawing for the moose permit lottery during the Rangeley event. Other activities will include rifle, bow and shotgun shooting competitions, a fishing derby, a youngster’s library story hour and animal track identification, and a bowling contest at Rangeley’s new state-of-the-art bowling alley.

According to RRG&A spokesman Randy Holcombe, all prospective moose-calling entrants must pre-qualify during one of the many state sportsman shows being held this spring. Here, according to Holcombe, is how the moose-calling contest works:

The World Invitational Moose Calling Championship will encourage participants to use any of the above techniques that they have found effective. This will provide a variety of calls and attracting methods on which they will be judged and is sure to please the audience. Entrants will be evaluated by a panel of judges based on a maximum of 25 points in the four categories below for a total possible 100 points.

Cow Call 25 Points

Bull Call 25 Points

Other Attraction Techniques (Props Allowed) 25 Points

Presentation/Showmanship 25 Points

To be eligible for the finals of the Championship, an entrant must first compete at one of the qualifying contests listed below. This is your chance to showcase your moose calling skills and enhance your reputation as a guide or outdoorsman. Don’t miss it at the March sportsman’s shows.

Qualifiers will be held at:

Cabelas – Scarborough, Saturday March 3

Orono Sportsman’s Show – Sunday Mar. 11

Presque Isle Sportsman’s Show – Saturday March 24, Winners at the Maine State Moose Calling Championships (held at this show) will be invited.

State of Maine Sportsman’s Show, Augusta – Saturday March 31

Rangeley – Bald Mountain Camps, June 2, 6 p.m.

Sign up the day of the contest at the venue.

Winners at the qualifiers will be eligible for the semifinal on Friday, June 22 at Moose Alley during the Permit Drawing Festival. The finals of the Championship will be on Saturday, June 23 just before the IF&W drawing for moose lottery permits. First prize is $1,000 winner take all. Other top finishers will receive merchandise packages from Cabelas and Extreme Dimension. Top finalists will receive a plaque. All entrants will receive a certificate of participation suitable for framing. For further information, contact Roger Lambert at 207-446-2084 or at P.O. Box 333, Strong, Maine 04983 or Kirby Holcombe at 207-864-5748.

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The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WQVM-FM 101.3) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. His e-mail address is [email protected] and his new book is “A Maine Deer Hunter’s Logbook.”