Author Topic: Moose Hunt - 2011? (Read 4911 times)

Duk Dog · « **on:** June 01, 2011, 07:20:05 PM »

I debated whether to post this or not, but decided to do so. I have very limited experience hunting moose and am debating drawing my tag (P8) this fall. Currently after some discussions I have been considering/investigating WMUs 328, 344, 445, 420, 418, and 441. Never having shot a moose before I guess my goals are to not waste my points on an easy to draw or poor zone, and have a good hunt experience with a solid opportunity for a bull. At the end of the day I'd be happy getting my first moose but would like to select a zone with a realistic chance at a 40 - 50+" bull. Anyone with more moose experience have any thoughts relative to these zones or others? PM would be fine as well if you would prefer.
Thanks.

Sonny · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2011, 08:09:20 PM »

IMO...mostly smaller bulls in 344..

AxeMan · « **Reply #2 on:** June 01, 2011, 08:45:33 PM »

Duk, it seems by your suggestions on zones you are looking for a foothills/mountain hunt. How are you planning to hunt/camp? That makes all the difference in the world. Remote camp with wall tents, quads, horses?

I would say when it comes to getting a quality bull you have to get away from the well traveled country. When do you want to hunt, calling season or late? It all depends on the hunt experience you are looking for. Just of the cuff I would say with your priority hunt one of the good zones in east central like 230 or 232 but you may need land permissions/connections but that won't be a traditional style moose hunt.

With all that said I feel the best advice is to know your particular area and find the pockets of good moose within it. You can end wasting a bunch of time and effort trying to cover too many miles when moose hunting.

weeman · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2011, 09:06:28 PM »

Hope you get moose this year Axeman. That sausage is delicious.

Duk Dog · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2011, 09:33:41 PM »

Some more info to consider. Depending on the zone location and such, in no particular order we would either haul out the camper or hotel it. I do also have a quad so that is an option. I don't have horses or a wall tent. Most likely I'd opt for an earlier season hunt. I suppose it would also be an option to quad into an area and tent if need be.
Thanks to those who have dropped me a PM.

nube · « **Reply #5 on:** June 01, 2011, 10:59:43 PM »

I got a couple wall tents if you need on Duk

Duk Dog · « **Reply #6 on:** June 02, 2011, 05:37:42 AM »

Quote from: nube on June 01, 2011, 10:59:43 PM

I got a couple wall tents if you need on Duk

Appreciate that, thanks.

dennisb · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2011, 11:46:29 AM »

Have you considered a Prairie Tag for Moose???

blackmamba · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2011, 04:31:54 PM »

hey duk ,

have you thought about any of the mountain zones (400 s) .. I know there are some really great moose to be had in these zones , if you do your homework ..

Duk Dog · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2011, 06:03:26 PM »

I'm applying with my dad and as a non resident of AB there are a number of zones that he cannot apply for. That is what threw a wrinkle in my original moose plans.
Thanks for all the feedback and help.

sheepguide · « **Reply #10 on:** June 02, 2011, 09:19:20 PM »

Pretty certain you wont get drawn in 420 with only a priority 8. Most tags are going in that zone with a 9 or a 10. So if your really wanting a tag in 2011 it probably wouldnt be the best choice.
SG

Weste · « **Reply #11 on:** June 02, 2011, 10:35:45 PM »

For a legitimate chance at a 50" bull, I would investigate some of the prairie WMU's. look through the draw results for the last 5 years and focus on zones that have had lower numbers of bull tags and do some scouting. The other option is to hunt in a WMU where nobody else is hunting. I hunt moose in 539 and we commonly get bulls over 50" BUT we also quad over 60 km from the nearest road. It has taken us 10 years to establish our trails, bridges etc to get back to this area. Basically, we are the only one there and moose die from wolves and old age. Killing a bull in this part of the WMU is easy so we have switched to archery only gear and we have harvested 3 bulls over 50" with bows in the last 5 years. Good Luck. The bulls are out there, a little hard work and scouting will go a long way.

A-bolt · « **Reply #12 on:** June 16, 2011, 11:29:35 PM »

I would change your zones. Some Zones up around G.P have 50" moose. Well use too. I haven't hunted their in 3 years but when I did 50"+ moose have been seen regularly. Same with 356.

Go north for big moose.

Cheers.

sheepguide · « **Reply #13 on:** June 17, 2011, 12:36:44 AM »

Quote from: A-bolt on June 16, 2011, 11:29:35 PM

Go north for big moose.

Big moose are through out the whole province. The big thing is the farther north one goes the easier it is to get a tag.
The 2 zones I hunt in central alberta are SW of Caroline and most years run pretty much 100% on 50"+ bulls with the biggest I saw come out of there being 64 and the highest scoring was 198"(56" wide). Great moose zones but IIRC it only has 5 tags and at least a 9 to 10 year wait.

I think the prairie and mountain zones have the highest pecentage of the harvest( with the harvest being a pile less than in the north) being big bulls but the northern zones have alot more oppertunity for the tag and you can possibly get two or three bulls in the time it takes to get some of the other tags.

I wouldnt say one part is better than the other in Alberta, but it depends on how long you want to wait and how far you want to travel. If you do the scouting, put in the time and know the area then most areas of Alberta will produce a 50" bull.
SG

Buckbrushoutdoors · « **Reply #14 on:** June 17, 2011, 07:19:29 AM »

What's 346 like for big bulls?

bigbore444 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 17, 2011, 07:59:52 AM »

Well I ain't gonna wait for a P5 or more to go moose huntin. I can draw a bull tag with a P2. Yeah sure maybe no 50 incher. But 35-45. Good enough for me.

Me my buddy and my son stagger our draws, works excellent for us. A moose every year split 3 ways, just about right.

Maybe one year we will get a 50 out of that zone. Time will tell.

wildmeat · « **Reply #16 on:** June 17, 2011, 06:08:12 PM »

Quote from: Buckbrushoutdoors on June 17, 2011, 07:19:29 AM

What's 346 like for big bulls?

few and far between but they are there... i put in for 348 and 346 every year... been seeing alot more hunters the past 10 years... if your willing to get off your quad and walk into some gnarlier country you might find one... its pretty hard to get drawn in 346... i think i get 4 or 5 years of priority if i apply only there

Depopulator · « **Reply #17 on:** June 19, 2011, 01:23:23 AM »

I am P8 and am looking for a WMU 16_ tag or just cashing then in up in the Kakwa. Different types of hunts but quality animals pushing 60" in both areas. Likely hold out for the 16_ tag though, and rebuild points for more frequent Kakwa tags.

bearbuster · « **Reply #18 on:** July 09, 2011, 06:32:47 PM »

So Where did you decide to try for??

johnk · « **Reply #19 on:** July 26, 2011, 03:45:37 PM »

Quote from: Buckbrushoutdoors on June 17, 2011, 07:19:29 AM

What's 346 like for big bulls?

I have to drive 70 km to reach 346 zone but have had a couple muley draws there and last year in September we saw more moose in one morning than I've ever seen. We saw a large bull walking across a hill side cutblock so we figured we would get a closer look. We ended up seeing nine moose on that slash with the biggest pushing 40". I'm sure there are 50"+ moose in that zone and in behind the Windfall Plant is some awesome moose country.

Author Topic: Moose Hunt - 2011? (Read 4911 times)

Duk Dog

Sonny

Duk Dog

Duk Dog

Duk Dog