Wild Guide Magazine Fall 2017 | Page 16

wild guide : late season moose
Light fluffy snow is gold for the late season moose hunter . While not well-defined , these fresh tracks are easy to follow .
TRACK ‘ EM DOWN Over many years of doing late season moose hunts , I ’ ve learned that as long as the weather is warm and there is no snow on the ground , moose tend to move , albeit minimally and periodically throughout the day . I ’ ve also learned that as soon as the mercury drops to minus double digits , daytime movement grinds to a halt . But to every cloud there is a silver lining . In Canada , when temperatures fall , we often get snow – and this is a godsend . For the late season moose hunter , fresh snow , especially the light fluffy or wet stuff can be a post rut moose hunter ’ s best friend . Snow conditions like this allow the hunter to see fresh tracks and follow quietly . If you ’ re holding a tag , your best chance to walk up on a moose is immediately following , and even during , the first snowfall of the year . Why ? Because moose usually move slowly . Left undisturbed , they don ’ t go far in the late season . Locate a fresh moose track , start following , keep a sharp eye ahead of you , and chances are you ’ ll be closing a tag soon .
HUNT WHERE MOOSE LIVE
Whether you are hunting the rut or late season , real estate is everything . Do some pre-hunt planning . Spend your time in an area where there are no moose , or low densities , and expect to return home empty-handed . Spend time probing the woods in areas where moose live and you ’ ve got a good chance of closing a tag . Before you invest too much time in a given area , contact the local biologist and find out what they know about the moose population . They just might offer some tips on where you can begin your search . With that information in hand , go for a walk prior to hunting season . Look for old rubs , droppings , tracks and beds to confirm that moose are in the area .
Smaller moose rubs like this show that there are moose in the area .
MOOSE FACTS
Three main sub-species of moose can be found across North America . Boone & Crockett classifies these as Alaska-Yukon moose , Canada moose and Wyoming ( or Shiras ) moose . Considered an adaptation to environmental conditions , Alaska-Yukon moose are the largest , Canada moose the second largest , and Wyoming ( Shiras ) is the smallest of the three . Their scientific name is Alces alces and , aside from bears , wolves and cougars , moose have no other significant predators .
With a life span of between 15 and 25 years , a mature bull averages around 450 kilograms ( approximately 1,000 lbs .) and a mature cow will generally weigh in at around 400 kilograms ( approximately 900 lbs ). They have a muscular body and with long , lanky legs , they can be a formidable opponent , not to mention those imposing antlers regally worn by bulls .
13 Wild Guide . Fall 2017