Moose Hunting 101

[R eight]

As a non resident alien I used to be envious of those non residents who were in a position to do a float hunt in Alaska.

However….. it may not be as easily achieved as I first thought. About 4 years ago I was in the foyer of a Fairbanks hotel waiting for my ride to the airfield to fly into the bush for my sheep, moose, bear hunt. Also present were two very disappointed US hunters from the lower 48. Long story short….they had planned a float hunt, somewhere up near the Brooks Range. They had planned everything very well. Rafts, gear and supplies purchased packed and freighted up to Fairbanks. Aircraft operator organised and booked well in advance. However they weren’t flying in because the weather wasn’t playing fair. On the day that they were due to fly the aircraft operator had advised them that the trip was off. Something to do with the river freezing up earlier than expected. The hunters didn’t have a plan B. The had tried other aircraft operators and got the same response. They were all dressed up ready to go but had nowhere to go.

They were still standing there , a long way from home, and looking a bit lost when I left for the airstrip. I have often thought about those poor barstards. And, I wonder how I could have so easily found myself in a similar situation if the regulations had have allowed me the DIY option?

Sometimes, what at first glance seems like a bargain, turns into an expensive lesson.

But hell I would love to do a DIY float hunt…..but only with an experienced local.

 

[deewayne2003]

I went on a moose hunt in Ontario Canada and will not be returning; poachers were so brazen they tied their boat up to the tree my bear bait marker was nailed to.

We called it in to the air charter service and nothing was done; however we were questioned by game wardens for over an hour at the local tackle shop after they learned I was purchasing a “export permit” for the moose meat….. I asked about the poachers we called in about and they said they hadn’t heard a word about it.

As for rifle choice, your 30-06 with a good 180gr bullet is all you need.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

Thanks one and all for the replies so far, please keep them coming.

I've already flicked a few emails off to some of the outfitters mentioned. To answer a few other points raised:

Being an Australian with no experience on moose, self guided isn't an option for me. While I hunt for the experience, I'm not going to lie, I'm looking for the highest success rate hunt I can reasonably expect here, is its a long way to travel, a lot of dough, and may be a one-time opportunity. Apologies if that sounds pretentious, it's not my intention, I just want to do this right.

Yes we'll be sightseeing afterwards, as my wife will join me after the hunt. It's too far to come not to, and somewhere we've always wanted to see.!

Good point re. Alberta, Saskatchewan, etc as well. If anyone has any reliable outfitters they can vouch for I'm all ears. Likewise, if there's any Newfoundland outfitters who specialise in trophy bulls then I'll consider that, too. Cheers

G’day Tim, fellow Ozzie here. I’ve hunted moose in Alaska (Alaska Range) twice…. I still have 2 x unused tags. Great hunts, great scenery, plenty of moose seen, but legal bulls were outnumbered by unicorns.

Hunted BC this year. Great hunt, great scenery and shot my bull.

As to rifle….anything reliable and weather proof. Cartridge…30/06 with premium 180 grain bullet.

Best bit of advice I can give you is that hunting remote North America is not like hunting Africa. That might might be, no it is, a big call from someone who hasn’t hunted Africa. But it is what I’m told by many who have hunted both. In short don’t expect to see game every day.

If you want to pick my brain, feel free to pm me and we can talk on the phone….allow several hours and have a box of tissues ready.

Thanks mate, beautiful bull! Let me bowl over this swing at work and I'll get in touch.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

If you can draw a tag in Wyoming or Idaho you can do a DIY hunt. Several public land area in Idaho have more moose than deer. Drawing a tag is the difficult part since there is only one nonresident tag in each hunt unit and only 5-10. Resident tags. The moose are Shiras and tend to be smaller than Newfoundland moose. A 40 inch Shiras is a trophy.
Northern Ontario is cheaper and more accessible than Newfoundland. I used to hunt there until all my cousins died and I had no one to pre-scout for me and no one to mooch off.

I have been putting in for Wyoming moose preference points and/or actual moose tag for 22 years and haven't drawn yet. Wyoming completely changed the system in the last year or two and I doubt I will ever draw a moose tag. Actually, I am pretty fed up with Wyoming and how they have treated non-resident hunters. I will likely remove Wyoming from future hunting consideration. That's what makes hunting in Canada or Alaska more desirable. If someone wants to go hunt now, they can do it in Canada or Alaska. It costs a bit more, but the access is there.

 

[HankBuck]

I have been putting in for Wyoming moose preference points and/or actual moose tag for 22 years and haven't drawn yet. Wyoming completely changed the system in the last year or two and I doubt I will ever draw a moose tag. Actually, I am pretty fed up with Wyoming and how they have treated non-resident hunters. I will likely remove Wyoming from future hunting consideration. That's what makes hunting in Canada or Alaska more desirable. If someone wants to go hunt now, they can do it in Canada or Alaska. It costs a bit more, but the access is there.

375 Ruger - seems some States have Power Ball Lottery odds of drawing a tag - Maine/Moose some residents have applied yearly for 40 years and Never drawn, same for PA and Elk.... Last year VA offered lottery for Elk - 30,000 applied and only 6 tags issued, I’ve never been that Lucky

 

[Lee M]

I would also recommend Newfoundland for a good chance at harvesting a reasonable moose. I hunted there 2 years ago at with a friend and we did well. It was a nice mix of adventure with basic comforts. Guided, a good cook with simple basic meals and a very rustic but functional small cabin. Also a float plane flight in to camp. We both took above average moose. Retrieving and butchering a moose is a huge event and would be a diy challenge. We had 3-4 of us pitching in which helped. Can’t imagine doing this in a remote fly-in with 1-2 people in the typical swampy terrain and having to set up camp, cook, etc. The more seasoned (older, lol) i get the more i value basic comforts of a warm dry camp as it allows me to hunt harder and longer and enjoy things. Pricing on these hunts have gone up 50-75% in the last two years.

 

[gillettehunter]

Talking about Wy. Been here since 87 and have killed 2 moose. Some units can be drawn for less than 10 preference points as a resident. Not sure for a non-resident. As for Idaho...... Well I killed my first moose there. Grew up there. Things have changed a lot in the last 20 yrs. The re-introduction of wolves and other factors has caused dramatic reductions there and in WY. As for more moose than deer as someone said, well I don't think so.
Western Wy used to offer over 100 moose licenses in several hunt units. Many of those units have less than 10 now. The license decrease exceeds 90%. Coming from Australia with your budget Canada is the way to go.
Bruce

 

[HankBuck]

I would also recommend Newfoundland for a good chance at harvesting a reasonable moose. I hunted there 2 years ago at with a friend and we did well. It was a nice mix of adventure with basic comforts. Guided, a good cook with simple basic meals and a very rustic but functional small cabin. Also a float plane flight in to camp. We both took above average moose. Retrieving and butchering a moose is a huge event and would be a diy challenge. We had 3-4 of us pitching in which helped. Can’t imagine doing this in a remote fly-in with 1-2 people in the typical swampy terrain and having to set up camp, cook, etc. The more seasoned (older, lol) i get the more i value basic comforts of a warm dry camp as it allows me to hunt harder and longer and enjoy things. Pricing on these hunts have gone up 50-75% in the last two years. View attachment 566307

Those are “nice” moose and especially for Newfoundland - based on friends that I know that hunted there NONE to bulls as good as yours...congratulations. Your points about dressing/butchering your own moose are accurate - it’s a lot of “work” but can be easily done by 1-2 men IF 1). They are in good physical shape to “pack out” 2). They are experienced and know what they’re doing. I would be able to do it - but Not easily (it’s a 2 day job) and much prefer a Guide & some help ....worth the $$ to have the help.

 

[Vanguard2279]

I've hunted Moose in Newfoundland twice and unfortunately, I'm 0-2. I had a great outfitter, a great guide (who did all he could) with a great lodge, but he was operating on easily accessible public land. If I go back, I'll look at Arluk Outfitters. Good luck with your quest.

 

[R eight]

As a few have said, packing out a moose is not a trivial thing.

 

[thi9elsp]

@R eight

My brother hunted moose in the Brooks Range years ago. When I told him I thought I would like to do it some time, he suggested the following:

Buy a beef bull from a rancher, shoot it from 100 yards away. Leave your truck 100 yards away, then process the bull and haul all of it to your truck. Then, think about doing that in chest waders in swampy, mucky willows. And, hauling it miles to camp...

He said if I enjoyed the ranch bull, then by all means, go Moose hunting!

 

[R eight]

@R eight

My brother hunted moose in the Brooks Range years ago. When I told him I thought I would like to do it some time, he suggested the following:

Buy a beef bull from a rancher, shoot it from 100 yards away. Leave your truck 100 yards away, then process the bull and haul all of it to your truck. Then, think about doing that in chest waders in swampy, mucky willows. And, hauling it miles to camp...

He said if I enjoyed the ranch bull, then by all means, go Moose hunting!

Your brother is a wise man. Half way through the carry out of my moose I declared, with great passion, to all within ear shot that " This is the last bloody moose I ever shoot ! "

 

[Lee M]

You are spot on. A friend and i shot caribou (reindeer) on Kodiak island in 2021. Packed them out about 3-4 miles in soggy terrain. Took two full days and we were exhausted. He’s was 40 and i was 56. Would not have been possible with a moose. I love DIY and adventure, but it was brutal. We would hit an unseen 2 foot hole every few hundred yards. Loved the trip, but may not try again. Saw two Grizzlies during the hikes but fortunately there were Salmon in every 2-3 foot stream of water flowing and they ignored us.

 

[hseII]

If you can draw a tag in Wyoming or Idaho you can do a DIY hunt. Several public land area in Idaho have more moose than deer. Drawing a tag is the difficult part since there is only one nonresident tag in each hunt unit and only 5-10. Resident tags. The moose are Shiras and tend to be smaller than Newfoundland moose. A 40 inch Shiras is a trophy.
Northern Ontario is cheaper and more accessible than Newfoundland. I used to hunt there until all my cousins died and I had no one to pre-scout for me and no one to mooch off.

I’ve eaten Northern Ontario Moose & do love my Canadian Family.

Thank You for the input.

 

[hseII]

Are you a US or Canadian citizen?

US citizen with friends like Family in Northern Ontario.

 

[Altitude sickness]

For AK drop hunts. the more plane rides it takes to be dropped off the better. One plane ride from Anchorage is over hunted. Fewer mature moose.

Two plane rides from Anchorage minimum.

Float trips sound like a good idea. But don’t get dropped on any navigable waters that locals hunt from jet boats. Which is everywhere.

I would rather do the research. And be dropped where moose are. Instead of spending my time setting up and breaking down camp and floating down the river that is over hunted by locals.

I did a raft float hunt one time, and was successful, but drifting with a moose in a raft in high water rapids can be dangerous. And our “remote River” was pounded by locals Shooting cows, and bulls. I lucked into a 52” bull.
Never again.

Trust your research and get dropped where moose are. And let them cover ground and walk to you.

 

[WAB]

If I wanted to go I’d talk to Doug Brewer at Alaska West aviation.

The comments on packing a moose are spot on. In my younger days I brought a large bull caribou out 5 miles in one trip (boned). I doubt I could do that now, but two guys can certainly do it in one trip. Moose are a totally different game. My buddy has a rule, no bull more than one mile from the strip. He watched an honest 70” bull one year but it never got within 3 miles of a decent spot to land. I assume that bull died of old age.

 

[fourfive8]

For AK drop hunts. the more plane rides it takes to be dropped off the better. One plane ride from Anchorage is over hunted. Fewer mature moose.

Two plane rides from Anchorage minimum.

Float trips sound like a good idea. But don’t get dropped on any navigable waters that locals hunt from jet boats. Which is everywhere.

I would rather do the research. And be dropped where moose are. Instead of spending my time setting up and breaking down camp and floating down the river that is over hunted by locals.

I did a raft float hunt one time, and was successful, but drifting with a moose in a raft in high water rapids can be dangerous. And our “remote River” was pounded by locals Shooting cows, and bulls. I lucked into a 52” bull.
Never again.

Trust your research and get dropped where moose are. And let them cover ground and walk to you.

Spot on. Either tundra tired super cub or maybe float plane to small lake. Then IMO, it’s about a 2 mile radius from camp for practicality of getting a moose out for two people with one moose. Especially so if there is a bunch of wet muskeg. River DIY float hunts for moose sound good in theory- not so much in reality.

 

[fourfive8]

Non resident alien if required “guide” in particular country or jurisdiction, then same recommendations apply. Not common in AK, but some horse moose hunting in Canada.

 

[Inline6]

Your brother is a wise man. Half way through the carry out of my moose I declared, with great passion, to all within ear shot that " This is the last bloody moose I ever shoot ! "

You are not first person I have read these words from. Seems like it is a one and done kind of deal.