Elk hunting in moose country

[Jqualls]

Those of you that typically hunt in moose country what precautions do you take.

There are very few moose in our area so I have never worried about it. I have only seen a hand full in this region my whole life until this season. There is a bull, calf, and cow that have moved into the area we hunt. They are mainly in the area of the trail we walk in on to get to our hunting area but we saw them just about every day this season. The cow and calf were standing on the trail as we were packing out my elk this season and we ended up taking a detour around after waiting a bit hoping they would move on but never did.

Thanks

 

[ramont]

Just don't rush at them, if you see them then stop and watch them. I talk to them just like you would a rangy beef cow. If they don't want to move go around them but keep an eye on them, they like to charge sometimes. I like to keep at least 25 yards between me and them, that's enough distance to give me time to scoot or shoot. Most moose will let you know when they've hit the limit of their patience. I've bulls that paw the dirt and snort and fake a charge but cows just seem to stand there and then all of a sudden, BANG, they are charging at you. I've never had one actually try to make contact, they just faked a charge but I kept watching as I walked away.

 

[Jqualls]

Good info thanks. We stuck back around 75yds. We whistled and waved our hats at them and yelled a little hoping they would move on but instead they wanted to come closer. I had about 130lbs on my back and my dad probably had 80 at the end of a 3 hour pack out. Really didn't want to make a detour off the trail but also didn't want any moose charging.

 

[Ben RT]

Just don't rush at them, if you see them then stop and watch them. I talk to them just like you would a rangy beef cow. If they don't want to move go around them but keep an eye on them, they like to charge sometimes. I like to keep at least 25 yards between me and them, that's enough distance to give me time to scoot or shoot. Most moose will let you know when they've hit the limit of their patience. I've bulls that paw the dirt and snort and fake a charge but cows just seem to stand there and then all of a sudden, BANG, they are charging at you. I've never had one actually try to make contact, they just faked a charge but I kept watching as I walked away.

This is pretty spot on with my experience. I've had encounters with probably a dozen moose in the past few years. I come across a cow and calf right on my trail once and we just stood there watching each other for a good while until they walked off. And I did have a bull rush me once, but he stopped about 5 yards short of making contact. I have always remained calm and (mostly) quiet. I think they just want to be sure you are not a threat to them. Once they know you are no threat it should be all good.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[the_bowhunter]

Bring a “slower” hunting partner. In case of a charge, you will be able to get away as the moose will be preoccupied with your friend.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gunnersdad49]

Watch their ears and the hackles on the back of their neck. If the ears go back and the hackles go up, you are in trouble. If they get really light on their front feet and dance around a bit, get the frick out of there.

Cow moose with calves can kill you. I was working at UAA in the sports complex the day one killed a gentleman on film. Students had been harassing her and her calf for hours with snowballs. This dude tried to walk around the cow, got too close to her and the calf, and she stomped him to death. Take a look at her ears and hackles. YouTube

I've been stomped by a young bull (totally my fault, feeding other moose, in my back yard in Anchorage as a teen). There is no fighting back. You cover your head and neck, and hope it ends soon.

Give them their space, and in the event of a charge, a pistol shot to the ground in front of a moose can stop it. Bear spray also works on moose. Keeping a tree between you and a moose during a charge can deter them some times as well.