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| Category: | NORTH AMERICA |
| Page Views: | 423 views |
| Last Update: |
3 year(s) ago | | Added on: | November 12, 2008 |
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Latin Name:
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Alces alces americana
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Physical Characteristics:
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Moose are the largest living species of deer. The Eastern Canadian sub-species is smaller in size only after the Alaskan Yukon Moose which is the largest of the 4 sub-species found in North America.
Bulls weigh around 1000 lbs and cows average about 800lbs. They have a long oblong shaped head. The males carry large palmated antlers. Females moose do not have antlers. All moose have seemingly long legs which gives them a funny gait when they run. They also have large hooves, which helps them wade in bogs as well as in the snow. They are excellent swimmers and submerge fully to feed on roots and other vegetation found in a lake bed.
Moose have a great sense of smell and hearing but comparatively speaking their eye sight is poor when compared to other wild game. The color of the legs tend to be lighter than the body. The face is lighter in the summer and gets darker during winter. Females tend to have a lighter face coloring. Moose tend to favor bogs in the summer months when they feed of aquatic plants. As winter approaches they feed in clear cuts where logging operations have been conducted.
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Distribution:
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The Eastern Moose lives in Eastern Canada and New England. They have been re-introduced to New Foundland where they have thrived.
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Hunting Method:
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Moose live in thick forests and in some of the most beautiful, wildest country. Unlike Elk they cannot be farmed. A moose hunt is generally an opportunity to become one with nature and enjoy the true wild places.
As with any game, scouting before the start of the season will pay big dividends. Bulls are somewhat territorial and if found can be generally targeted, as they are creatures of habit.
Sitting up over clear cuts, freshly logged clearings or a well used trail are good methods to find a good bull. Using a call with a combination of breaking branches, twigs and scraping trees to imitate two bulls fighting is a good way to attract a bull Moose who will come in to defend his turf, especially during or around the rut. Beware sometimes they come in spoiling for a fight.
Moose bogs are also good places to find a trophy bull. They habituate these areas in the hot months and when the weather is warm in the fall to cool off and coat their bodies with wet sticky mud.
In most New England States, the population is on the increase and there are now more Moose than ever. Drawing a Moose tag is not easy especially as a non resident. Aside from bulls, cow tags can also be applied for, these are also drawn. While there is no trophy antler to bring home, a successful hunter will come home with a year’s supply of great tasting game meat.
A word of caution, prepare yourself to deal with a large animal, once your Moose is down. Many experienced Moose hunters say the real work begins after you pull the trigger. Transporting a Moose over miles of thick cover and forest is not an easy task, especially if there are no roads close by to drive in. In Vermont, USA helpers can be hired who will drag your Moose out using a draft horse.
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The Shot:
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Unless you find your Moose in a clear cut, expect shooting range with a rifle to be under 100 yards as you will often find the animal in thick cover. Archery hunters will of course have to stalk up close to get within bow range.
Although a Moose is a big target, expect to be excited in the presence of such a large animal, especially if you have not hunted them before. It is important to check your aim for a moment before shooting as one often tends to point and shoot quickly at such a big target and not place one’s shot. As with all deer a lung shot offers the biggest and best target and it will kill a Moose. It is said that Moose for their size are generally not tough animals to kill. However the sheer size seems to allow it to absorb a bullet and not show any immediate effect, especially if it is not well placed.
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Calibers:
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While many Eastern hunters use their favorite deer rifles to shoot Moose in New England and the 303 is a favorite in Canada. It is better to use a bigger rifle if one has access to one. Drawing a coveted Moose tag is a good excuse to invest in a new larger caliber rifle. Ideally a rifle caliber shooting a 250 grain or heavier bullet weight with sufficient velocity would make a fine Moose rifle. If using a 30 or 7mm caliber rifle use a rifle with a heavy for caliber bullet to get better penetration.
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Ammunition:
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A premium factory load or hand load shooting a soft nose premium bonded type bullet is what’s needed. Avoid using fast expanding bullets used for general deer hunting. Swift A Frames, Hornady Interbond and Barnes bullets are all good choices.
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Selecting a Trophy:
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Males with their impressive antlers are the typical quarry of the hunter. Look for a bull with a wide rack, with a number of points and good palmations. Antler size also depends upon the location. Maine and New Hampshire tend to produce some massive trophy bulls, when compared to Provinces like Ontario and New Foundland in Canada. A good trophy rack will be over the 50†mark. The Eastern Canadian Moose species racks are anywhere from 45†to 58†in size, with some bigger bulls taken from time to time.
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Taxidermy:
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A shoulder mount is a typical mount.
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Best Locations:
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While New England states have some truly great bulls and a lot of Moose, drawing a tag is a difficult affair. Eastern Canadian Provinces such as New Foundland offer a good choice to hunt Eastern Canadian Moose. Find a good outfitter with a remote hunting area and you have a very good chance at coming home with a nice trophy bull.
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