Nothing quite rivals the site of a moose in the wild, huge and gangly, head often raised over its forage, strings of vegetation hanging from massive antlers. The moose is the most sought after huge game animal in Alaska. Over 7,000 are taken each year from a populace of approximately 175,000.
Licenses
Licenses, huge game tags, duck stamps and hunting permits are available from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Conservation and are obtainable online. Buy ahead of time and bring them with you. Licenses are excellent from the date of buy through December 31 of the ticket year. Huge game tags are necessary for nonresidents if you plot to hunt auburn/grizzly bear, black bear, bison, caribou, deer, elk, goat, moose, bull musk ox, sheep, wolf or wolverine.
Seasons
Alaska is divided up into 26 Game Management Units (GMUs). Each unit has separate regulations and sets its own hunting seasons. A map of these units and the regulations pertaining to them can be found on the web at http://Wildlife.Alaska.gov. Click on the GMU of interest and a document defining the seasons will open. A complete copy of the Alaska Hunting Regulations can also be downloaded at the ADF&G site.
Alaska moose season commonly runs from as early as the 1st of September until as late as the 20th of September, depending on the hunting unit. Officially authorized horn size varies between units, but has been for the most part a 50 inch apply or 4 brow tines. Check the regulations of the unit you are interested in hunting for more information.
Vital Points
? Mature bulls can weight over 1500 lbs. A kill can yield 400 to 700 pounds of meat and 65 pounds of antlers to transport from the kill-site. Seasoned hunters recommend never taking a moose more than a mile from your vehicle.
? A properly sighted rifle of adequate caliber and a well-placed first shot from a excellent rest is the best way to avoid having to trail a wounded moose. A rifle capable of shooting a bullet of 150 grains or superior at 2500 fps or more is adequate for moose. A lung shot is the best shot for dropped a moose promptly.
? Some moose are migratory; some are permanent residents of an area. Any one area may have several sub-populations with varying migratory habits.
? Hunt very early or very late in the day.
? Moose have brilliant sight and smell. Avoid life visible in silhouette, such as on a ridge. Avoid noisy clothing, such as jeans. Fleece clothing is quieter. Stay downwind.
? Successful hunting is knowing where bull moose will be in the fall season.
How To Find a Moose
Moose are found throughout Alaska, except on the Aleutian Islands. They prefer forested or shrubby habitats and commonly avoid the openness of the tundra. They are most commonly found in southeastern or interior Alaska and their density can range from 1 moose per 30 square miles to 5 or more moose per square mile.
Their favorite habitats by season are:
Summer – commonly seen in open meadows and around water eating aquatic plants and drinking large amounts of water.
Fall – Diets change late august to early September to include woody browse of willow, aspen, poplar and birch. Migratory moose go to fall ranges for the rut.
Chill – remain in rut areas and feed on low undergrowth early chill. Late chill, mountain moose go to valley bottoms and valley burns where they forage on willows along rivers and creeks.
Spring – Diet shifts back to herbaceous plants and foliage. Migratory moose go to calving areas and summer ranges.
How To Reconnoiter for Moose
Reconnoiter in summer and hunt officially authorized bulls on the opening day of the season.
Reconnoiter after the end of the fall season. Bull moose tend to stay near rutting areas for a month or two following the rut. Once you locate a fall concentration area, hunt there the next year as late in the officially authorized season as possible.
Find and use fall migration routes. Rivers, creeks and low mountain passes are preferred routes.
Keep alert for rubbed trees. Early in September, Bull moose start rubbing the velvet from their antlers. They continue to thrash trees in late September as a sign of dominance.
Watch for droppings. Summer droppings resemble cow patties; chill droppings are pelletized. Fall droppings are a combination of the two.
Hunting Techniques
Stand Hunting and Glassing – Select a panoramic view of a hillside. Don’t scan with binoculars. Pick a spot, search it carefully, then go to a new area. Listen early and late for antler clashes, mating grunts or breaking branches.
Floating – Floating down rivers and creek in a canoe is the most pleasant way to hunt for moose. Plus, you have a mode of getting the meat back without carrying it on your back.
Road and Trail Hunting – Cruising the highways with trucks or four wheelers. Mostly, an unsuccessful and expensive mode. Park vehicles and hike in.
Calling Moose – The four vital sounds made with megaphones made from birch bark, cardboard or a milk jug.
? Antler scraping on trees and undergrowth in early September
? Pre-rut bull “gluck” in early September
? Bull challenge, or “mu-wah” in mid-September
? Cow call, a nasal melodic whine, late in September
Moose are among the most sought after animals by those hunting in Alaska and make fantastic trophies. Mark Allen, novelist for AlaskaGuideServices.com, helps hunters find the ideal Alaska hunting guides, Alaska hunting regulations and Alaska hunting seasons.
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