Traditions?

[Altjaeger]

Those who have moose hunting please share your traditions.

When I think of western North America I think of spot and stalk hunting, I think of Quebec I think of birch bark canoes (Not doubt that is ancient history:D) In Maine and parts of Canada the image of tower blinds over farm fields arises.

So how are moose hunted in your area?

[Rick Teal]

I normally go on two separate moose hunts each year. I bowhunt north of Kapuskasing (Boreal forest - clay belt) during the calling season in September. I gun hunt in the Parry Sound District of the central range (mixed forest - many low granite ridges) in the post rut.

On the bowhunt, the weather is usually warm and there are plenty of black flies. We usually set up on an older clearcut where the sight lines are good - but not too long and call. We usually have one caller more-or-less centrally located and the other hunters spaced at overlapping intervals around him. We set up in ground blinds or tree stands depending on the hunter's preference.

On the gun hunt we usually hunt individually. Most of the guys sit at natural funnels or travel corridors. Some try calling - hoping for a late or secondary rut. I usually still hunt, moving slowly and quietly through normal feeding or bedding areas. Occasionally we get together and run a drive through areas where guys have identified sign and think a moose may still be present.

[Silvertip]

These last few years We have hunted for moose via black powder.Quebec has a 5 day hunt in late October for this type of hunting and because I have access to it off my Dad's farm it is easy.
We have tried calling but but because it is late season for moose have had no luck so we mostly scout then set up small pushes.Two years ago we came close with one lad actually getting a peck at one but did't hit it because of sighting issues.
Back in the 80's they used have a rifle season in the very same area.That was when I got two moose.

[Hi Ball]

Alt....I have to stop and think about things for a bit now! I remember the long long drive up to Canada in the Buick Station wagon and Ford wagon also. I was the young kid with the old seasoned veteran hunters, who were all world war 2 Vets by the way. They are hunting in paradise and I know they will all tag out. This group hunted with 30-06's and 35 Whelens.

I learned so much from those cranky SOB's back then now that I think about things. The nice thing was those campfire talks, hell they almost became human at supper time. Much of what they spoke of in reloading and ballistics was 5 feet over my head back then. We always shared the meat no matter how many moose were shot.

I got a 10 minute lecture once about not shooting a bull moose in the knee high water. Man moose are much bigger up close to a city slicker in the wild than you can ever imagine. Skinnning and cutting up a moose is more work than I ever thought it could be. These old men had things down to a science let me tell ya. We always cooked moose and ate it back then as part of a tradition I guess. I love moose meat and don't believe there is anything better in the way of meat.

[John/Alaska]

I wouldn't call what I do when moose hunting traditions but more so methods.
In the early season, late aug, it is pretty much glassing & spot & stalk. Later when the rut starts (mid sept) calling is added. In fact once the rut gets in to full swing you don't even have to leave camp if you don't want to. Just run a noisy camp & toss in some calling as the bulls if around will come in. But be sure that you have your weapon of choice within reach and be constantly looking around as they many times come in in stealth mode. They won't stay long!

There are several rules that most of us follow. First is never shoot a moose in water unless a boat is handy. The earlier mention of knee deep water is a nice example. While the moose is accessiable it won't be fun to salvage. Second is don't shoot a moose more then 2 miles from camp unless you have motorized transport. It usually takes 8-10 loads if by yourself packing from the field over crappy ground (normal moose habitat). You do the math.

Also when the rut is on we will hunt over cows if we happen to find one.

[Chuck S]

Here and in Northern Maine, I suspect that it's mostly spot and stalk, watching river or lake shorelines and boggy areas such as Cedar Swamps or lower marshes.