Chapter 6

How to Hunt Moose

The same safety rules, equipment and wearing apparel for deer hunting apply to moose hunting.

At this writing, moose are protected in the State of Maine and in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canada. The other eight provinces have open seasons.

BILL GORMAN > Maine now has a moose season with permits awarded through a lottery system, but I’ve only drawn a permit once. The first moose that my party encountered sounded ferocious, like he was terrorizing the woods. I drew my bow and then I suddenly realized I was alone. My party had taken off and run the other way.

There are several methods of hunting moose but if you have never been moose hunting I suggest that you employ a guide. It takes much practice to call a moose and the average man should not attempt without excellent assistance.

This is a very unusual picture of a Bull Moose charging, taken by Warden Supervisor Arthur Rogers, Waterville, Maine. Note hair standing up on back of neck. I do not want to give the impression that Moose or any other wild animals in Maine are dangerous.

The outdoorsman who uses a camera can enjoy some real sport if he is in a locality where moose are plentiful. Wait until there is snow on the ground, pick out the tracks of a cow moose and her calf, and then slowly trail the animals. If you are careful and the wind is blowing in your face, you stand a good chance of seeing at least one moose. Moose are curious, and will often stand and watch you approach within shooting distance of your camera.

BILL GORMAN > My most memorable moose hunt was in Alaska. From about half a mile away, we saw him walk into a low area and he didn’t emerge. We crawled on our knees and elbows through snow and water, until, finally, at fifty yards, we saw antlers. At twenty-six yards, we were making moose call after moose call, and all he did was move his head. When he finally stepped up, we were so close that I wished I had a bow instead of a rifle. He was an amazing animal, weighing about 1,600 pounds. He’s the one that is over the fireplace in the store in Freeport. If you look closely, you’ll see his tines are smashed and there is a hole in the palm of his antler. People think it’s from a bullet, but it came from fighting with another moose.