How wide is a moose?

[TooManyHobbies]

I'm shooting 31" aluminum shafts. Just wondering how much of my arrow, if it doesn't pass through, will take out both lungs? I expect to pass through or bury to the fletch, but curious how much.....
OK, I'm just getting really excited and all sorts of things are going through my head.    

[Canyon]

No idea on moose but I was suprised when I measured across the chest of a cow elk after shooting her through the heart, It was only 10" at the forward part of the chest where it starts to narrow.

[RkyMtn Joe]

I have seen a few Elk down, and knew they weren't too thick, but I am curious about a moose---those are great big animals.  However, I'll wager that if you get penetration to the fletching, you'll get both lungs.  I am just guessing of course since I've never even seen a moose other than in photos.  Can hardly wait to hear from someone who actually knows.

Joe

[S.C. Hunter]

About wide as a horse, just guessing. I think if you get 18"-22" arrow in there you probably past the sternal septum and into the second lung.

[Greyfox54]

A few years back I shot a real nice Canadien Moose , the shoulder mount is about 26" wide at the shoulders .

[Bud B.]

Narrower than a horse. More than an elk. Age has alot to do with it also. A big bull with heavy rack will be thicker. Have seen many moose while living in AK. Only ever saw one downed by a hunter. Several downed by cars and trucks.

Your 31 inch arrow, unlesss shot quartering, will stick out on one side or the other if no pass through is achieved.

[Davt]

They are very big to very very big. Where will you be hunting. The moose up north in Canada and Alaska are much bigger than the little ones down in the lower 48. If you are to the fletch you are getting both lungs in a broadside shot but remember, the arrow in the animal plugs the hole a bit so a pass through is ideal, but difficult.

[Zbone]

Yeah, sure would have to do with what subspecies, sex, and age. There’s a huge size difference between an old mature Alaskan/Yukon bull and a young Shiras cow.

[jhg]

I've seen older moose get pretty thick. A lot thicker across the middle than most bull elk. Younger bulls are a lot like most guys in their late teens- not filled out yet. Much thinner in cross section than when they are older.

I was going to say 16 to 18 inches, since you don't have to have a complete pass through to take out the off side lung.

Joshua

[JimB]

The narrowest part of a moose's torso is just behind the elbow.I would bet less than 20" on a Canadian moose.16-18" may be right on.

[Kevin Dill]

JimB is right on. The largest Alaska bull on Earth is no more than 24 inches from rib to rib right behind the leg. 18-20 inches would catch most mature Alaska Yukon bulls.

[TooManyHobbies]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm heading to NFD on Friday morning. I'll try to shoot straight on broadside animal. May my 2-Blade Magnus slip between the ribs and do the job quickly.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

my arrow was 28 inches long and went in half way. It went thru the bulls heart.

[Paul WA]

About 3/4 as wide as a woman from Ashford WA...PR

[TooManyHobbies]

Originally posted by Paul WA:
About 3/4 as wide as a woman from Ashford WA...PR

   

[trubltrubl]

I have shot 4 moose...they are not very wide..inside the chest 12" at best....Last year a friend of mine shot a bull I called in for him and he put an arrrow through the heart and in the low chest it was less than 1 foot....They are much narrower than a horse. Moose are wimps compared to deer when you put an arrrow in the chest cavity. They bed quick and don't run marathons like deer.  Alot of experience with them. We have taken 10 moose between a few of us TRAD hunters. Put one in the chest and they don't go far. 600 grn arrow with good flight from your bow will do the trick

[TooManyHobbies]

Thanks Double Trubl.