Moose hunting experience/gear?

[Bowwild]

I just read the link provided by Walt Francis.

A very exciting and informative recount of a fantastic adventure!  I loved the note about walking the "M" there in Missoula.  My wife and I have visited the town a few times (RMEF and MWP). We always marvel at all the folks walking that trail. I can just imagine a bunch of dedicated hunters using it for training.

I'll be 60 in a few days. I feel like I've let the dream of AK moose hunting slip by -- couldn't afford it most of  my life. However, I'll hunt moose (God willing) in Alberta this coming fall with one of my recurves. Maybe a fire will be ignited to turn back the clock?

[John146]

Mike, My best friend in High School has been living in Alaska for the last 30 years and has killed numerous bulls with a homemade recurve. He shoots heavy arrows and 2 blades. More pass throughs than not and has only lost 1 bull in all those years.
I hope the bull of the woods comes to 12 yards and you get a perfect opportunity!

[Bill Carlsen]

I shot an adult cow moose here in NH in 2007. I was shooting a DAS recurve at 60#, a 340 29" MFX Beman shaft and 200 grain Razorcap 3blade. It hit the humerus on the way in and took off a big chunk of it and part of a rib. Got the heart and lower lungs. The moose took three steps and was done. A friend of mine, Birdbow, shot a bull in Maine the folowing year and took it with a 60# Hummingbird and a Zwickey No Mercy. His bull travelled 15 yards. I think sharp broad head and shot placement are key. Another friend, Craig Warren (maker of the Bow Bolt) shot a record Maine bull with a 50# bow he made and a cedar shaft with a 50 year old 2 blade Bear Razorhead. Again, shot placement is the key.

[Bob N.]

I used a 51# thunderhorn shooting a  29" 2020 with a 125 woodsman head to shoot a cow moose at 20 yards (right in the armpit) arrow stuck in the ground past her.  Unbelievably the wound plugged up so there was no blood on the ground.  Had to follow tracks to find it 100 yards away.  Good luck on your hunt.  This moose was the best eating wild game I have had.

[Mike Bolin]

Thanks to all for the replies!
Walt, I do hope to make to Cincy and if I do, I will definitely look for you there.
Mike

[Orion]

Killed an Alaskan Yukon moose a few years back with a 66# Robertson longbow and 725 grain arrow tipped with a 4-blade Zwickey Delta broadhead. The bleeders aren't real big on a Zwickey, but a 2-blade might be a better choice.  On a slightly quartering away shot, the broadhead just broke through the skin on the far side.  My buddy used arrows of about the same weight, but with 2-blade Zwickey Deltas.  His arrow zipped through the moose he shot, broadside.  Has about a 30-inch draw and was shooting a longbow that drew about 70# at his draw length.

A 600 grain or so arrow and two-blade head will do the job nicely out of your bow, IMO.  Good luck.

[modr]

Mike, killed an adult cow moose a few years ago, PLX
52@28,mfx 400, 620 grains, no mercy broad head. 35 yrd shoot, 50 yrd recovery, arrow lodged in far shoulder. Stick with heavy arrow and 2 blade head you'll do fine.

[Cari-bow]

Mike
I thought I would add this because of your weight limitations. I also don't draw a full 28",although I've always said it depends on the size of the animal.LOL
My last moose was shot with a 53# @ 28" longbow and a 700 grs. arrow. The broadhead was a 2 blade Tuffhead (at the time a prototype).  I got 2 arrows into the bull moose once at 12 yds. and another at about 23 yds. Both arrows excited the moose but the shaft stayed inside. I didn't need the the second arrow the moose just gave me another shot.
I have called in other moose for friends and here is something you should keep in mind. Shoot below the center line from top to bottom. Arrows going above that are not always as a effective as targets suggest. The hump gives you a false sense that there is allot to shoot at. Hit below the center line through both lungs and moose lie down quickly. On that note moose hit ,lie down quickly if not scared. So be patience and you may get another shot in to one not hit well.
Your bow weight should not be the deterrent.
Abe

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

I killed this bull in 2007 with aa 47 lb fox breed, CE express 150 tipped with a 145 steel force BH . Heart shot, bull went 50 yards
 

on my 2011 hunt I upped the arrow weight and went the same shaft but used a 200 grain Eclipse werewolfe BH.

[Gun]

What Abe said! Aim for the lower third. I haven't hunted the bigger Alaskan species but have taken a few Alberta Moose. I've shot them with 65# and 3 blade heads down to 52# with 3 blade heads. No problems.
Aim low and you'll be fine. Moose die quick.
Make sure you take all the meat home, its the best.
Good Luck on your hunt!

[Terry Lightle]

Shot a bull in Oct in Newfoundland with a 50#Cari-Bow Slynx.700 grain arrow with a Magnus 2blade and got it done.

[Pointer]

great story!!

[sbschindler]

Mike, the bull I shot in Ontario this past fall was shot at 12 yards with a 57lb toelke lynx longbow, the arrow was a goldtip 3555 hunter black shaft cut to 30 inches, it had a 100 grain brass insert and a 180 grain(with insert) Magnus 2 blade head, this is the ma135, 1 1/2 inch wide head. total arrow weight was 530 grains, I had complete penetration, the arrow did stick out the other side. If your arrow is tuned to your bow 530 grin IS PLENTY HEAVY,

[Mike Bolin]

Good info fellars. I am getting really close to having this all put together. Going to call the references from the outfitter and if all goes well I will send a deposit in this weekend!!
Mike

[buckster]

This is going to be a wonderful experience Mike!

[Birdbow]

Killed a bull moose in Maine (see avatar) with a 54# LB, 750 gr. carbon arrow pushing a SB Zwickey BH. Called in to 6 yds. and got complete penetration. Good luck

[Sheepshooter]

http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s533/randyhermann1/041.jpg
55#@ 28". 587 grn arrow with a 100 grn brass insert and a 250 grn VPA 3 blade head. 15 yard shot, complete pass through and a 40 yard recovery.

 

55#@28". 637 grn arrow with a 100 grn brass insert and a 300 grn VPA 3 blade head. 28 yard shot, 2 holes and a 50 yard recovery.

[Dave Lay]

Mike, that hunt has been on my list for a long time , I just haven't been able to pull it off... Congrats on making it happen !!!!

[wasapt]

Best of luck yo you!

[Bear Heart]

My moose hunt is in 2016 so I will be watching your posts.