Moose Hunts
Guidelines for Moose Hunts
Moose hunts are popular in Canada and Alaska. In fact, they are the most popular animal to hunt in Alaska. Trying to “get a moose” is a ritual in the Autumn for many people in Alaska.
For those who haven't been on moose hunts before, it's best to remember that moose are huge animals. Mature males can weigh up to fifteen hundred pounds. And adult cows can weigh close to one thousand pounds. Even young moose can weigh over three hundred pounds in September.
When you choose a place to hunt and a way to get there, remember that if you're lucky, you will have roughly four to seven hundred pounds of meat and sixty-five pounds of antlers to take home from the hunt. Alaskan hunters who are experienced will tell you never to kill a moose more than a mile away from your vehicle. It is not pretty to transport that much meat by backpack.
Moose are found in most areas of Alaska, but are easiest to find in Interior and South Central Alaska. They are usually found in areas with shrubs or forests, and they usually avoid tundra areas. Moose generally stay below 5000 feet in elevation, as well.
In the summer months, moose eat leaves from trees, grasses and herbs until the leaves are gone in Autumn. They can be seen in open meadows, or drinking in ponds or feeding on plants in the water. They drink a great deal of water in the summer.
When it's time for moose hunts in the fall, they have begun to change their diet, and are browsing on birch, poplar, aspen and willow. The moose that migrate also begin heading for their fall breeding areas. Some moose stay in one area year round, and may be easier to track than the migratory types. Other moose summer in the mountains, and head down to the valleys in the autumn, so there are more moose in the lowlands during moose hunts.
The key to hunting moose is knowing where to find them during hunting season. Some newer moose hunters scout during the summer, but they can be disappointed when fall arrives and the moose are not on the summer ranges anymore.
If you scout moose in the summer, plan to hunt there as early in the season as you can, so you can catch the bulls before they head for their rutting ranges. Schedule your moose hunts close to the dates you have scouted, so you have a good idea of where the bulls will be located.
Your hunts will be more profitable if you scope out your areas beforehand. Make sure to follow the rules set out by your guide, who knows the ins and outs of moose hunting.