Bows and NF moose/caribou

[Blinginpse]

Shoot me straight.....how tough is it to make it happen say 40 yards and in? I want to take a bow so freaking bad but cost makes me think gun.

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[Blockcaver]

Caribou in NF were not tough to stalk within bow-range when I went twenty some years ago. Did not hunt moose there, but saw and heard a bunch of bulls. Buddy and I each arrowed caribou....his was with a recurve. Take the bow and go get-em. Worst that can happen is you have to go back and hunt them another time or two to bring one home.

 

[wildwilderness]

If you want to shoot one with a bow don’t bring a rifle

 

[Wallace]

I've hunted NF twice (both for moose). The first trip I could have killed 3 caribou with a bow, one was within 10 yards .... the closest moose I saw was about 600+ yards away. The second trip I didn't see any caribou (according to owner that's common for that area we were in), but I saw a few moose. I could have killed a cow with a bow on the second day, and the bull I killed probably could have been killed by a bow as well.

All that to say, I'd use a rifle unless you're a fanatical bow hunter.

 

[Short Track]

I hunted Moose.. but saw 2 Caribou. 1 was within 20 feet. Not yards, but feet. My guide tried to touch it, and got within 10 feet.. before it took off. They are not skittish at all, just dumb.

I'm going back for a Caribou.. thinking about open sights

 

[PA Hunter]

I went every other year since 2013 only saw one hunter actually take a moose with a bow. My friend took a bow & rifle his guide carried bis rifle. He could of tagged on a cow ended up shooting a bull with rifle. Bottom line a bow will decrease your chances.

Also only book a rut hunt and dont let the outfitters talk you into just any week as they have to fill up their whole season and will say anything to fill all spots.

 

[Wapiti1]

I agree, if shooting it with a bow is important, take the bow. Ask about adding days to the hunt as well. I've done a couple of higher dollar archery hunts and came home empty handed. I'd do them again in a heartbeat. I'm perfectly OK coming home empty handed. Not everyone is.

I also agree that the rut is going to make a bow kill more likely.

Now, if you have a certain class of animal in mind, or want the best odds of success possible, I'd say take the rifle.

Jeremy

 

[Aluminum Rain]

PA,
What are the best rut weeks?

 

[JES]

PA,
What are the best rut weeks?

I am booked this year for archery and I was told the best dates are the last week of Sept and 1st week of October, I am currently set for 9/26-10/5. I don't think I will end up getting to go because of the border closure, but holding out hope, will change to same week next year if I have to.

I'm one of the fanatics, not taking a rifle.

 

[Jim1187]

I wouldn't not take a bow along for a Newfoundland moose hunt if hunting them with a bow was my goal. Lots are taken with a bow it just makes a high percentage of success hunt less so.
Moose rut in atlantic Canada varys due to weather and moon phase but the majority of rutting activity will take place between the last week of September and middle of October. I've seen moose fighting and breeding into mid November so there is always a chance you could be successful in calling a bull in later in the fall and younger bulls in low hunting pressure areas will respond well to a lonesome cow call as soon as they begin to lose their velvet. You're really hoping for low winds, cool or cold weather and dark nights. With a bright full moon during warm weather bulls will confine their mate searching activities to the cooler nights and are hard to get to respond during the day.

 

[nks]

My shot was right at 50yards. Throughout the week I could have gotten closer shots at smaller bulls.