Read also: “Moose Hunting in Alaska: A conversation with an outfitter“. P&Y classifies only moose taken in the lower 48 as Shiras however SCI and Super Slam club recognize moose taken in SE British Columbia and SW Alberta as Shiras. While many hunters blame wolves, Wyoming Wildlife Federation quotes research that suggests that the reason for low twinning rate in Shiras moose is poor nutrition. Moose seasons were open in 11 of the Lower 48 states: Washington, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. All over the continent, moose herds were either stable or growing. The hunts are around $4,500 if you draw a tag, or you can buy Governor’s Tags for around $12-$15,000 at auction. Check with the state authorities, and then check again, to make sure you are hunting in an area where it is legal for you to do so. 475 moose tags were issued in 2020. However, there are also opportunities for more affordable moose hunting trips in the lower 48 if you are patient. 540 licenses were issued in the season 2019, and 485 hunters harvested 353 moose (a 72% success rate). Colorado is a moose haven right now. The large, mature Roosevelt Elk bulls will often times have "crown points" which project at different angles off the main beam. Second place belongs to Maine, and after that you might look at Idaho and Washington. Also, we’ve left Alaska off of consideration because while there may be more game to hunt here in the lower 48, Alaska’s openness and public lands give it quite a hunting advantage. If you are not planning to use a guide, there is one more thing to be aware of when you choose a location: Some public lands are only open to residents who live in rural areas. Moose Hunting in the Lower 48: Problems and Opportunities The best places to hunt moose are, beyond a shadow of doubt, Alaska and Yukon , where you find the biggest subspecies of all, Alaska-Yukon Moose , or the Kamchatka and North-East of Siberia, where the giant Kamchatka Moose reach the same impressive size. Montana is home to approximately 5,000 moose, of the Shiras subspecies. After winning a moose hunting permit, you’ll have to wait for three years before you can apply for another one. ... we have no Bear, Moose, Deer, Pheasants, Grouse, Prairie Chickens, Partridge, Coyotes, Rabbits, squirrels, Turkeys or Sharptail. Themes Whatever the reason, lower reproduction of Shiras moose explains why wildlife managers in the West allocate fewer tags per 1,000 of moose than their colleagues from the East. It looks like the current numbers of moose in the Lower 48 are likely to remain at the same level for the next few years if not decades. They are the smallest variety of moose, with the bulls ranging from 850 to 1100 pounds with spreads that average about 45 inches. Bulls in the Lower 48 ( Alces alces) weigh from 800 to 1,000 pounds. In 2019, there were 64,957 moose permit applications competing for only 102 antlered moose tags – a meager 0.15% chance of drawing, or 1 in 637. One theory that explains this is deer ticks: when they fall off a moose into the snow, they die, but when they fall on bare ground they survive and can get on their host again. The subspecies of moose found in Maine is the Eastern variety. With large swaths of the state available for hunting, and moose that have adapted to almost every habitat, finding the environment that best suits your preferences and abilities is not difficult. The number of the animals in Washington seems to be increasing at an impressive pace, making it a viable choice now and into the future. Elk herds, lynx, mountain goats, gray wolves, bighorn sheep, wolverines, moose and the largest grizzly population in the lower 48. Or 385 – 534 kg) and females (600 to 800 lbs or 270 – 362 kg). This is also a excellent moose area located on the banks of Long Harbour River. Residents pay $112 and non-residents $1,402. Time of Day: The best time of day for moose hunting is during the coolness of early mornings and evenings when moose are the most actively in search of food and water. Bulls in the Lower 48 (Alces alces) weigh from 800 to 1,000 pounds. These are the places you can fulfill that bucket list hunt for a big bull moose. At higher elevations the ground will be more rugged, while the river valleys are more accessible and easier to navigate. On average an adult moose stands (1.5 – 1.8 m or 5 to 6 feet) high. North Dakota Game and Fish doesn’t offer recent moose population estimates, but claims they are stable or growing. The season is October 1-14, and the tags cost $305.61 for residents and $ 2,240.20 for non-residents. The moose is the creature of the temperate climate and the boreal forest. Tags are available to residents only. That being said, the extra commute is well worth it because this region offers some of the best opportunities in the lower 48 to score a 50-point bull moose. With over 24,000 applications, the chances to draw were about 2% (1 in 50). The moose hunting season in Washington may be impacted by snow. Moose hunting is expensive wherever you go, costing thousands of dollars and sometimes exceeding $20,000. You must also take care to be aware of state boundaries and not unintentionally stray into Idaho. The VF&W doesn’t aim to increase the population, their goal is to keep it at moderate levels, so that the densities are low enough to stop the transmission of ticks and brainworm, on the one hand, and still have enough of the animals to satisfy the public need for watching and hunting. Limited moose hunting is available. According to the Denver Post, Colorado’s moose population was at 2,300 animals and up 35 percent in two years. And if they have to die, a hunter’s bullet or arrow is better than ticks, brainworm, lack of food, or wolves’ fangs. Best Hunting in the Lower 48. Success rates were 1.3% (1 in 77) for residents, and 0.7% (1 in 150) for non-residents. Discussion in 'Hunting' started by Freedom_fighter_in_IL, Dec 12, 2011. There are two moose hunting seasons in Vermont: archery (October 1-7) and main (6 days starting with 3rd Saturday of October). It also demonstrates the lowest reproduction rates. A small, but stable permanent population of about 100 animals is recorded in Connecticut. KaBeeLo has 180+ square miles for bear, moose and grouse hunting, guided or unguided. Almost all the land in Maine outside the North Maine Woods is also privately owned. Guided and Non-Guided Moose Hunting in WMD 11, 10, 19, 18 & 6 Northern Maine, with it’s vast wilderness, has the largest Moose population in the lower 48 states. The moose in Alaska are of the Alaska-Yukon variety, which is the subspecies with the largest animals. Alaska is by far the best state for moose hunting. Much of it is covered with hardwood forests, but they are interspersed with stands of softwood and cedar. The moose in Maine and other New England states, as well as most of the population of Michigan (that was introduced from Ontario) belong to the Eastern subspecies, while the Western subspecies may be found in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Moose are not smart or tough, but they are big. Read more about moose hunting in Idaho in “Slugging the Hulk” by James Reed. These bowhunts are very expensive but often times produce exceptional trophies. The book includes 57 chapters, with more than 150 pages of information, jam packed with tips, techniques and discussions - The Ultimate Guide to Moose Hunting! If hunting later in the season, your search for a bull may take you deeper into the forests. Only 55 moose tags were issued for 2020. This is most often a consideration later in the season. Moose hunting in the Lower 48 is carefully controlled so that moose populations are kept at the levels that are best for both moose and people. The success rate of Maine hunters is also encouraging; while the overall rate is about 70 percent, an experienced guide can push that to 95 percent. Moose have a very keen sense of hearing and hunters must be very quiet and patient while hunting. Moose hunting is one of the most exciting big game hunting experiences out there and the United States is loaded with hunting opportunities for this magnificent game animal. This was partly a conscious management act, meant to reduce the number of vehicle collisions, and partly attributed to winter tick and brainworm parasite infections. Trying to scratch them off, moose lose lots of hair and become vulnerable to hypothermia. Moose can be found throughout the state, but the area closest to the Canadian border has the greatest density. This lodge will offer the finest of hunting for all of Newfoundland’s big game animals including Black Bear. If you are fortunate enough to draw a Moose permit, give us a call. If you use a guide service, they should take the lead to make sure you have permission to hunt on private land, but it is ultimately your job to obey the rules. The Tag: Units 7, 8 and 191 Moose. According to the state Department of Fish and Game, Idaho has a population of about 10,000 to 12,000 moose. The thing about Shiras moose is that it isn’t just the smallest of North American moose subspecies. Shiras Moose, the smallest of North American Moose subspecies, occupies the Rocky Mountains, and can be found in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. Moose tags are issued through a draw, you must apply in April. Do not assume that public lands, such as parks and wildlife preserves, allow hunting, as some do and some do not. Moose are not smart or tough, but they are big. If you are up for a challenging hunt in a remote, rugged space and are looking for a chance at one of the largest bulls in the United States, Alaska may be the place for you. However, limited draw is not the only way to get a moose permit in Maine. Males weigh (850 to 1180 lbs. It strongly recommended that you consult with additional sources, particularly on information about hunting seasons and legality. ... A guided hunt is your best recourse, but moose hunting without one is not uncommon. We encourage our Moose hunters to schedule your hunting trip only after you have acquired your moose hunting tags. Call or email Bearpaw Outfitters to get on the mailing list to be advised when and how to apply. A stable population of about 40 moose exists in Wisconsin, and in Minnesota average population estimates are at about 3,150. The Bob is home to an array of wildlife that includes nearly every animal indigenous to the Northern Rockies. They will be found in heavily forested areas with thick underbrush. It is best to check the maps at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to see where your permit allows you to hunt, and always make sure you have permission from private landowners to hunt on their land or pass through it. High number of permits results in relatively high draw odds, even with over 50,000 applicants: about 6% (1 in 16) for residents, and about 1.2% (1 in 82) for non-residents. My 2019 moose season was a great one with lots of moose rutting activity. KaBeeLo Lodge offers a high success rate for bear, moose and grouse hunting in northwest Ontario Canada. Permits to hunt moose are issued by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and are valid for specific locations. Bear in mind that moose hunting for non-residents is not the most affordable hunt ever: after application fees, bonus points, license or permit price and travel and lodging costs, you may be looking at $2,500-$3,000 depending on state. FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2010 file photo, moose graze in Franconia, N.H. Success rates for adult first draw applications was 1.5% (1 in 67) for residents and 0.7% (1 in 145) for non-residents. In 2019 the moose population in Colorado was estimated at 2,910 animals. Logging activity in this region has actually created great opportunities for moose hunters. Snow may make some roads impassible, and property owners may close off roads that hunters expected to have available. Not so much because it’s usually a quicker and less painful death, but mostly because human harvest is controllable! The highest concentration of moose is found in the northeast part of the state. Washington state is another tempting destination for moose hunting. ... Getting into lower 48 draws for moose at this point is tossing money in the shit can. According to a landowner survey carried out by New York State DNR, the state landowners recognize the benefit of moose for personal pleasure and tourism, but are concerned about traffic collision and browse damage, especially to the industrial forestry (source). In most parts of the range, the moose are seldom found south of the 50th parallel, and when they are, it’s usually in the mountainous regions. Private land is most often under the control of corporations owned by native populations, although there are also some plots owned by individuals near the more populated areas. Landowners are open to the idea of a moose season, either by ‘nuisance permits’ or via a lottery system, but it doesn’t sound very plausible in the nearest future. Maine is of course is the big boy on the block in terms of lower 48 moose hunting. No hunting season opened now, after a sharp drop in populations ten years ago; however, Native Americans living in the states utilize their treaty rights to hunt moose. A law passed in 2010 placed moose on the game species list and allowed for hunting up to 10 bulls a season; however, the population growth didn’t live up to optimistic predictions and currently a moose season is not on the table. Horseback Hunting in the KwaZulu-Natal Mountains. When you are making plans, it is a good idea to check the maps on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website to see where your guide will be taking you and confirm that it is permissible for you to hunt there. There is a slim chance that one year, no or only a few bowhunters would hunt moose as those that were drawn only hunted with ML or rifle. Now as you all know, the border between the USA and Canada west of the Great Lakes runs along the 48th parallel, which explains why Canada is a moose country and the USA not so much. There’s also a special limited disabled military veteran hunt. The New Hampshire Fish and Game states that the moose population in the state peaked in the late 1990s, at about 7,500 animals, and declined to about 3,500 since. While they may not be quite as big as the Alaska-Yukons, any moose is a huge animal, with big bulls still sporting impressive headgear. there are numerous outfitters … Whether you want the biggest bull you can find for a trophy or would be just as happy with the meat from a cow to stock your freezer, you need to know where to go to have the best chance of a successful hunt. We have hunting rights in a part of Alberta that contains some of the best Moose habitat in the country. Incidentally, the management practices also offer advantages to hunters. .300 Winchester Magnum An Alaskan bull moose is best thought of as starting between 700-800 pounds for a 2 year old spike/fork and can go upwards of 1600 pounds for an old bull. We offer fully guided and non-guided Moose hunts in WMD (zones) 11, 10, 19, 18, and 6. 571 were drawn by residents, at an impressive 11.5% success rate (1 in 7), and 63 by non-residents (5.3%, or 1 in 19). The bulls can top out at weights over 1000 pounds and have a spread from 38 to 50 inches, although trophies with spreads up to 57 inches have been recorded. If you draw, you can’t apply for a moose tag again until 5 years passes. Fewer moose are up for grabs during Maine's 2014 moose hunt because of the deadly impact of ticks the previous year. In 2000-2001, there were an estimated 1,000,000 moose in North America, of which about 85,000 were found in the Lower 48. During the fall hunting season, the oldest, biggest bulls will be the first to move out of their summer ranges and into the higher elevations. The bulls can reach weights of 1800 pounds and have a spread of 65 inches. Hunting is a way of life in the United States, and we are here to help you be as successful on the hunt as possible. They issued over 3,800 moose licenses in 2011! A stable permanent population also exists in Massachusetts, that could number up to 1,000 animals. When discussing the correct armament for adequately tackling the task that is Alaska moose hunting, the first step is to not ignore the animal’s generous size. Two permits are available through a special raffle (with nearly 7,000 tickets bought at $6 each). The landscape in northeastern Washington is attractive to moose and hunters alike. While Alaska-Yukon moose cows give birth to two calves in about 70% of cases, the “twinning rate” for Shiras moose is no higher than 15%. Wolves and climate change (better survival of parasites) are both contributing factors, but in any case the state wildlife biologists believe the peak numbers in the early 2,000s were more than the habitat could support. Matching wits with a moose is a challenge that many hunters only get to experience once, but proper planning will almost guarantee an encounter with one of these massive animals. The Colorado landowner preference program doesn’t cover moose. The moose population in Utah, like in Colorado, is a relatively new thing, fostered by logging (that replace mature timber with meadows and young trees that are the preferred habitat for moose) and extermination of wolves and grizzly bears. Northern Maine is the best choice for hunters who find that either the cost or the distance of a trip to Alaska puts that option out of reach. Permission to hunt moose is usually alloted through a drawing. The chance of drawing a tag ranges from about 10% up to nearly 100% depending on the unit. Shiras moose also begin to reproduce, on the average, a year later than other moose. The smaller Shiras tend to avoid very steep or rocky areas. However, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife does not quote an official moose population estimate. The land available for hunting is a mix of private and public, with some areas controlled by the US Forest Service and some belonging to logging interests or private citizens. The state carries out an extensive moose research program, that indicates that the population is overall stable. It is the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that you will need to obtain your permit from, specific to regional areas of the Pine Tree State. Now, declaring a best state for hunting is difficult from the get-go because it all depends on what we’re talking about hunting: hog, duck, turkey, wolf, bison? The best places to hunt moose are, beyond a shadow of doubt, Alaska and Yukon, where you find the biggest subspecies of all, Alaska-Yukon Moose, or the Kamchatka and North-East of Siberia, where the giant Kamchatka Moose reach the same impressive size. A large moose can yield up to 700 pounds of meat, which is not manageable for a person on foot over a long distance. Guided Moose Hunts in Alaska. The moose in Idaho are of the Shiras subspecies. The terrain in the North Woods ranges from rolling hills to lowland swamps. After success in license drawing, you may not apply for another moose license for 7 years. They prefer the vegetation in the more open patches of forest that have been cleared by logging or burning, which makes the animals easier to spot. No ducks or Geese either. Moose Hunting Location - Jackson County, CO - Units 17 & 171. Regulated hunting is viewed as an essential tool, necessary to achieve the goal. Although most people use the services of guides, it is ultimately your responsibility to make sure your paperwork is in order and your hunt is legal. But these hunts aren't cheap, running in the range of $14,000-$18,000. There are several Western states that support moose populations, and Idaho is particularly attractive for hunters. It is, however, your duty to ensure that your hunt is legal. And if you decide to have a go at moose hunting, your chances are well above zero. The state seems to be the only one in the lower 48 with a growing population. They considered the 5,000 moose population of the early 2000s overabundant, with moose depleting their habitat. Some people may ask, why, if Nature has self-regulatory mechanisms? Moose even make themselves at home on agricultural and range land. Some of the most impressive growth in ten years from 1991 to 2001 was recorded in Washington, that went from 200 to over 1,000 animals, Idaho (from 5,500 to 15,000), and Vermont (from 1,300 to 3,500). The subspecies of moose found in Maine is the Eastern variety. Researchers are concerned with somewhat low calf recruitment rates, balanced somewhat by high adult cow rate. The answer is that moose will have to die anyway. In fact, if you apply for a non-resident tag in every Lower 48 state that offers such an opportunity, your combined chances of success stand at just under 10%. However, if you are unfortunate enough to kill a moose in a vehicle collision, you may obtain a permit to keep the carcass. Although moose hunting is popular in Idaho, the animals seem to respond well to hunting pressure here and their numbers remain strong. Moose hunting season in New Hampshire lasts for 9 days. According to 2014-2018 study, tick mortality is on the rise, and it is associated with both shorter winters and higher moose densities. Humans can say “OK, we’re killing too many, let’s stop”. 2,000 to 3,000 hunting permits are issued every year in two draws, for residents (who are allotted 90% of permits) and for non-resident (8%). Maine offers very good hunting opportunities for the Eastern subspecies, while Washington, Idaho, and Colorado have good habitat for the Shiras population. The land is served by logging roads that give hunters easier access to the interior, and cutting practices make the forests more open with greater visibility. You do not want an expensive trip to be made even more costly by fines, and you do not want to have your kill confiscated or yourself arrested because the hunt was illegal. Northern Maine is the best choice for hunters who find that either the cost or the distance of a trip to Alaska puts that option out of reach. Moose hunting season is September 15 to November 29. The managed forests of the North Maine Woods offer excellent habitat for moose, which has helped to increase their population. The archery season is in September, and the general season in October. Copyright 2016 by Hunting in the USA. It is claimed that in spite of the general drop of moose numbers in New England, in Massachusetts they are growing. So, let us consider the best cartridges for same. You may have to climb hills or slog through the sloppy ground that surrounds the streams and lakes that attract moose. 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