Moose...

[lyagooshka]

ALCON,

So here is my dilemma  

[Orion]

The later in September the better for moose, same for elk.  If you haven't done much big game hunting, you might want to get a few smaller critters under your belt before you try for something big like a moose or elk.

If you've never camped before, a DYI in Colorado, might be a bit of a challenge.  Not trying to dissuade you.  Just suggesting it might be a good idea to get a little more experience before jumping off the deep end.  Good luck.

[Wapiti Chaser]

Quebec is great place to hunt but I would question the 50 percent success rate . I will be in Quebec moose hunting this fall for the third time. Where we hunt you need two hunters per tag . First time I went we had 9 hunters and took one cow. Last time six of us went and we took one bull. Most guys never saw a moose. We stay for nine days no phone no people and 9 days on the bush. Once you do it you will wAnt to go back !

[Mike Vines]

I'm of the mindset that if you don't know, then You don't know that you don't know (Probably the reason I get involved in so many projects than I know what to do with).  Go for the Moose, and have a great time.  It is all what you make it out to be.  If you can afford it now, DO IT.  The opportunity might not come around again.

Never be affraid to try something because you don't know, or have never done something like it.  There is really only one way to learn, besides reading really cool hunting stories of guys that hunt moose.

[Old Chief]

Agree with Mike.  An old mentor use to always say: "You need to get amongst 'em."

[normf]

I hunted moose in Ontario for 8 years or so and between 3 or 4 hunters we would usually get 1 or 2 moose but we learned how to make a cow call. If you don't know how to call I would cruise the bays and look for moose. If you see one just keep going and try to land the boat quietly  and try to stalk back to where you saw the moose. Moose see fishermen all summer and might get out of the water and into the woods but they shouldn't go far and should be back in the bay feeding. If you shoot a moose you will need help field dressing and quartering. We bought a small cheap chainsaw and used vegetable oil instead of chain oil for quartering (the hide is thick so skin where you are going to cut). I would think their "success" is seeing a moose at a reasonable distance. They and a good sense of smell and hearing and their vision is not as bad as some think.

[lyagooshka]

Thank you all.  I couldn't agree more with "you never know what tomorrow holds". Where I work, I see it every day.  I think I will send away that deposit and spend every minute from now until then (when I am not with the family, at work or sleeping) preparing.  It'll be a long-term goal.  Seems a concensus that the later trip is better (20th instead of 14th)?  I'll work my way up to learning to call the best i can and also get some boatsmanship going.  Thanks again all.  Please keep 'em coming.  Be well.

Alex

 

[old_goat2]

I know the owners of Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear(sponsor) do a similar hunt somewhere in Canada and they absolutely love it, I bet if you gave them a call they could give you some pointers

[Daz]

I am trying to tell from the OP if this is a solo outfitted hunt (lone hunter, no guide), solo guided hunt, or hunt with other hunters.

There is a considerable amount of work involved with a moose down by yourself, and it is not something learned 'on the fly'. Knowing the gutless method and having a solid pack frame will help.

They tend to die in ugly places (water, swamps, bog holes), and retrieval can be an adventure. I have quartered more than one moose standing in cold water up to my nut-sack wondering where the fun had gone.

You aren't in grizzly country, and the bears and wolves know their place there so interference from other predators shouldn't be a cause for concern.

Go for it. Enjoy the adventure, know your gear and it's use inside out, and welcome to hunting moose.

[Knawbone]

Can't give you any advice on the moose hunting, but the fishing for walleye, pike, trout should be worth the trip alone I would think. Hunt morning and evenings, and fish during the afternoon or on rainy day/s. When did you say we leave? haha

[will_hunt]

I have hunted moose twice myself here in Idaho and unofficially guided a really good guy from Salt Lake City. I am no expert, but have been responsible for three racks. I have no idea about the moose where you are going, but I can tell you this--with out hesitation. You will never hunt anything more rewarding. Moose are simply cool. They are that special. HINT: Put more value in stalking a bull than calling it.

[Bjorn]

Since you are from PA don't overlook Ontario. The English spoken there is remarkably similar to American and the distance to a place like Timmins is closer for you.  

[damascusdave]

You need to ask the outfitter if that success rate includes gun hunters...the outfitter that i work for here in alberta would be extremely pleased with a 50% success rate for bowhunters of any sort and extremely disappointed with a success rate of 50 per cent for gun hunters

DDave

[trubltrubl]

I have hunted moose successfully for many years....the group of fellas I hunt with are all experienced hunters. In Canada there are many good locations for moose. Because you require a guide or in some provinces a "hunter host" you must rely on their information. A good outfitter will have references you can call, Not just one but many...if they don't that is a warning sign.Moose, typically rut the heaviest in Alberta from September 27th to October 10th . Calling is very effective then, I have never hunted eastern Canada but have heard that moose populations are good in many areas. Ask fellow tradgang members for outfitter names and do your homework as it will not be cheap. If you have not hunted much before , moose can be very intimidating when they respond to calling and come in to 20 yards or less. An experience you will never forget. The meat is a close second to elk and there is alot of it!   Good luck . Can't emphasize checking the outfitter.s references  enough. if you are in the right location and they are rutting....they will come !!!!

[trubltrubl]

One more point....make sure the outfitters have hunted with Bowhunters before and are enthusiastic about bowhunters....


good luck

[Whip]

I will second the reference check suggestion as the most important thing you can do right now.  If this is a guided trip having the right guide can make the difference between a fantastic experience and an absolute nightmare.  Talk to people who have actually BOWHUNTED with the them before.  Check out not only the outfitter, but the individual that will be actually guiding you.  He is the one that you will spend all of your time with and the one that WILL make or break your trip.

When all of the necessary homework is done, go ahead and send in your deposit and have the time of your life!

[Bowwild]

Can you get a DIY moose tag in Colorado without going through the drawing?

I'm hunting moose for the first time this year also. I considered from Newfoundland all the way to Alberta. I selected and have paid my 50% deposit with an outfitter 73 miles west of Edmonton, Alberta. He had 6 of 7 bowhunters kill moose last year. One fellow saw 42 (the only one who didn't kill a moose-he was using a self-bow. Most of his hunters have been with him for almost 20 years, off and on.

We are hunting the first 7 days of October which is archery only in that area. He is a white-tail specialist (adjacent to the Bow Zone) but has lots of moose, even on the farm he owns.

I called four references including the one who didn't kill a moose.

My best friend (after my son) since 1975 is going with me.

Oh, "my" outfitter and his wife have won Alberta Conservation awards and he hunts with recurves himself.