Maine Moose Hunting........pics added

[Kevin L.]

Hey 'Gang!
Just a quick heads up that the information is posted for the Maine 2008 Moose hunting season. It is a drawing, so you must purchase chances, but you don't have to buy a Maine license unless you are drawn. Information is here    http://www.maine.gov/ifw/licenses_permits/lotteries/moose/index.htm  

Non-residents, the 10chance package is your best value, heck, I can't even buy 10 chances and I live here.

Respectfully,

Kevin

[woodchucker]

Hmmmmm.....Maybe David (Huntrdfk) will pick my name again this year LOL.....  

Good Luck Everyone!!!!!

[Steve in Canton]

I have put my name in the lottery for the last 10 years.  Hopefully I will be pulled soon.

[Huntrdfk]

Thanks for the heads up Kevin, I guess I should get going on this, what do you think Chuck?


David

[woodchucker]

OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH YEAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!  

[Kevin L.]

Just a little gee-whiz, I had a client deer hunting this year, after the moose season was over. While still-hunting up a skidder trail to glass a cut, I spotted a nice bull in the brush, about 200yds away.  The hunter slid in behind a downed cedar and I moved back 20yds or so and started calling with a cow call. The bull came straight for us like he was on a string and stopped 8yds from the hunter, broadside. The wind was good and he never knew we were there. After a couple of minutes, the wind swirled and he was off. What a rush!! The area I guide in has plenty of moose, most deer seasons, we see as many moose as deer. I'll post a pic or two in a couple of minutes......

[Kevin L.]

Here's a couple of small bulls following a cow the day after we saw the good bull...

 

A closer look. They ended up passing me at 15yds...

 

And here's a pic of the swamp they went into...

 

[woodchucker]

I'm not proud Kevin,They both look like trophys to me!!!!! Meat AND Horns!!!!!    

[elkbow]

Moose is on my agenda of things to do before i pass on from this life,it would be nice to feel the release of the string and if the good lord was smiling upon me this day he would allow me to have a clean miss because i'm intirely too old to be packing one of those big critters out of a swamp on my back.haha

[Kevin L.]

The big one the day before was 54" or so, but I agree with you. Any animal taken with a stick and string is a trophy. Personally, I'd rather have one of the little bulls down near a road I can drive to, than a great big one 2 miles from the nearest road. Meat's better, and I don't have to skin, quarter, and bone it for the pack out.

For those thinking about putting in for the drawing, These pictures are from WMD 8. I always list my preferences as Zone 8, then 1-7, then 14. Zones 1 through 6 have the most moose, and the most licenses, but I guide in 8 all year long, and that familiarity really helps.

[vermonster13]

SO what you're saying Kevin if one was to get drawn you'd be a good person to list as the second hunter.

[Kevin L.]

HEck yeah! I'll even store the meat in my freezer for ya.

VM13 brings up a good point. Maine asks you to name a sub-permitee. Both hunters must have a Maine big game license, but only the one permit between the two of you. Either hunter may shoot the moose, but only one moose for each moose tag. Confusing, eh?? And for those of ya that don't have a friend to go with ya, PM me and I''l give you MY info, lol.

[Seeking Trad Deer]

Kevin...I've been putting in for ten years and buying lots of chances but not picked yet.  A moose is THE animial on the top of my wish list.  Figure I might be able to hit one too

[Seeking Trad Deer]

Kevin...I've been putting in for ten years and buying lots of chances but not picked yet.  A moose is THE animial on the top of my wish list.  Figure I might be able to hit one too    .  What area are you guiding in for moose?

[Kevin L.]

I'm 0 for 10 myself, but you can't get drawn if you don't put in. Plus, I'd hate to lose the preference points I've built up, even if they're not doing much for me so far. I guide WMD's 1-14. I prefer #8 and the surrounding areas, since that's where I have good access and places to stay, but the season is early enough that you can use tents and do a western style camp just about anywhere that time of year.

[mooseman76]

How does one go about getting a guide after being drawn for a license?  BTW, I am planning on getting drawn this year...lol

[Kevin L.]

MM76,
  If you draw a tag, get booked ASAP. Everyone waits until the drawing occurs, then there's a mad scramble to get a guide for the zone you get drawn for. I only take one party per season, and it's first come, first served, unless I have a prior booking or get drawn myself.

[mooseman76]

Man, people actually pay for guiding services before they have a license.  What happens to their money if they don't get drawn?  I thought Maine was a bargain in Moose hunting, starting to have second thoughts...Mike

[Kevin L.]

I've only had one guy want to lock up the dates. He sent the deposit, with the understanding that he got refunded if he didn't draw. And he didn't. I sent out his check the next day.  

I prefer to wait until the drawing to book it, since the odds are low and you never can tell what will happen, which zone you'll get if you do get drawn, etc. But it doesn't hurt to do your homework before the drawing to have a couple of guides in mind, just in case. If you wait till after the drawing and then start checking around, you'll find pretty slim pickings.

[Dirty Bill]

Why not go somewhere else to moose hunt? The chances of getting a tag in maine are almost 0.   :rolleyes: