Moose Hunting Tactics
In the world of moose hunting there are an array of strategies and methods that consistently change depending upon location, season date, and weapon used. Hunting regulations change from state to state. Knowing the state moose hunting regulations of were you are planning to hunt before you plan a hunt is very beneficial. You can find the local laws,rules and hunting rules from the state agencies or from our favorite spot huntnfishregs.com. Knowing what methods to utilize at certain times of the year can drastically improve the chances of success. Some of the better known tactics are still hunting, stand hunting, and spot and stalk. Other methods, more accustomed to remote wilderness adventures in places like Alaska, are float hunting and bush plane spike camps.
Still Hunting
Still hunting involves finding an area with lots of fresh, quality moose sign and simply moving slowly through the vicinity while carefully watching and listening for any indication that a moose may be nearby. This technique works well in areas of limited visibility such as hills and valleys having high concentrations of 10 to 15 high saplings, and the earlier part of the hunting season, especially during the rut. It is at this time that the mature bulls will be on the constant move in the search for cows. Slipping along areas of thick cover or watering holes are some great places one might intercept a roaming bull.
Stand Hunting
Stand hunting is exactly what the name suggests. It involves sitting in a one place, such as a tree stand or ground blind, in areas of abundant moose activity. Typically these stands are located over watering holes or food sources. Coupled with a little bit of patience and proper stand placement, this method could present some great opportunities for success, particularly during the rut when moose calling can work wonders. This method is best used in areas with good visibility, and is particularly suited to archery hunting. In these situations, the moose come to the hunter. Having previously cleared shooting lanes and noting appropriate range markers will really help to shift the odds in the hunters favor. As always all our subject to local moose hunting regulations.
Spot and Stalk
The spot and stalk technique is more of a long distance approach to hunting. As a result, it works much better in flatter terrain or higher areas that offer a good overview of opposite and adjacent ridgelines and valleys. This approach requires the assistance of some quality, and in some cases, high-powered optics. Binoculars can do the trick, but, for more distant glassing, a good spotting scope accompanied by a good tripod will work much better. This type of hunting is best used in the later parts of the year such as November. With the bright colors of fall having all but receded to the forest floor, moose will be easier to spot from a neighboring hillside. This is particularly true if the winter season is gracious enough to provide a blanket of snow; allowing a big, black-haired moose to stick out like a sore thumb.
he moose (Alces Alces) is the largest member of the deer family (Cervidae), which also includes deer, elk, and caribou. However they have several distinctly different characteristics, which are described below.
Physical Characteristics
Male moose, or bulls, are notable for their very large and impressive paddle-shaped antler configurations, unlike any other deer in North America. They are big, somewhat awkward looking animals perhaps more known for their long legs and droopy, overhanging noses.
Moose are impressive animals simply for their overall body size. Mature bulls have been known to reach shoulder heights of over 7 feet tall and weigh as much as 1800 pounds. All moose have a large flap of skin, called a dewlap or bell, dangling from underneath their chin. A very unique and interesting bodily feature, biologists are still not certain as to what purpose this dewlap serves.
The body color of a moose will typically vary slightly between a brown to a dark blackish-brown depending upon the season; with the legs being a lighter color than the rest of their body, sometimes almost completely white.
Habitat
Moose typically dwell in brushy, forested areas that offer plenty of cover. Flourishing brushy areas near lakes, ponds, or other sources of water are ideal. They prefer to stay near these lush green areas in summer as it helps them to regulate their body temperatures. Moose can be spotted both in elevated timber forests on mountainsides and brushy, marsh lowlands in valleys and drainages.
Diet
Moose feed on many different types of plant life. At times they can be seen in or near lakes and ponds munching on aquatic plants, and other times they may nibble on green leaves, shrubs, and buds off trees in the earlier parts of the year. When moose are hunted during the fall, their diet consists more of woody brush, twigs, and bark off of willow, birch, and aspen trees. This is often referred to as Browse.
Reproduction
The moose breeding season, or rut, typically begins around mid-September and continues until mid-October. It is at this time that mature bulls will become very territorial and aggressive towards bulls as they compete for attention from the females, also called cows. Bulls can often be observed raking and destroying brushy shrubs or trees with their antlers in incredible expressions of dominance towards other moose.
During the rut, both bulls and cows are very vocal. Bulls have deep, guttural grunt they use to assert their presence and call to the cows. Cows, in their desire to mate, will let out loud, nasally moans in an attempt to get a bulls attention. Because of the flurry of activity that occurs during rut, this is one of the best and most exciting times in which to hunt moose.
Baby moose, or calves, are born the following spring. A mother moose will usually give birth to one, two, or even three calves. Three calves are rare, but two at a time are not uncommon. At birth each calf will weight about 30lbs, and will grow very rapidly gaining as much as 2 lbs a day. The calves will usually remain with their mother until they are about 1 ½ years old.
Moose hunting is usually a once in a lifetime opportunity so make sure you are prepared ! do your home work ! know the state hunting rules and regulations have good hunting maps of the area. make sure to do some scouting if possible. Most hunts outside of alaska require months of planning. You can get your hunting maps, local contacts, hunter education, and all the state and lower canadian providence hunting regulations right here Click Here. Happy moose Hunting !