Lower 48 Moose

[SigM1]

If you guys could only pick one state, which is the best state to build points for a shiras in the lower 48?

 

[Htm84]

Idaho. (I know)

 

[Runningwater]

I've drawn in WY and CO - but was a resident in each state.

 

[Trial153]

if your getting in on the ground floor there isnt a good choice. If your just applying in one draw I would take Idaho. Keeping in mind that its a very expensed proportion unless your using the NR license for other hunts. Also keep in mind the nonresident cap, which may have you drawing dead depending on the circumstances .

 

[cnelk]

Cow moose = just a few years of building PPs for Colorado
Bull moose = very very slim in Colorado

 

[idahohikker]

None. Slim odds getting slimmer. Get a big boy in AK.

 

[BuzzH]

I think you need to crunch some numbers and ask how badly you want a shiras tag.

If shooting a shiras is a high priority...I'd say just buy one (Utah), you may be money ahead and will get one for sure.

Drawing them? You're always in the running in MT, WY, and ID if you apply smartly, but the odds truly do suck.

In my immediate family we've drawn 6 shiras tags, with the first in 1995. Dad has drawn 2 in Montana 1 in Wyoming, I've drawn Wyoming and Montana, my Brother drew Montana...4 bull tags, 2 cow tags.

We all still apply in Montana, and I just got back in the game this year after the mandatory waiting period in Wyoming.

 

[Tmac]

I’d consider buying one. Does it have to be the lower 48? I might expand my search north a bit and check out some Shiras options in Canada, along with what’s available in the states. I’ve seen lots of them in Southern Alberta on other hunts. Buy a guaranteed tag/guided hunt vs possibly decades of $ for draws? Just a thought.

 

[wildwilderness]

Cow tags in WY but getting harder. Bull tag, forget about points. Like mentioned Idaho or buy the tag.

southern Canada has “shiras” according to some hunting orgs, but not P&Y, B&C

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I think you need to crunch some numbers and ask how badly you want a shiras tag.

If shooting a shiras is a high priority...I'd say just buy one (Utah), you may be money ahead and will get one for sure.

Drawing them? You're always in the running in MT, WY, and ID if you apply smartly, but the odds truly do suck.

In my immediate family we've drawn 6 shiras tags, with the first in 1995. Dad has drawn 2 in Montana 1 in Wyoming, I've drawn Wyoming and Montana, my Brother drew Montana...4 bull tags, 2 cow tags.

We all still apply in Montana, and I just got back in the game this year after the mandatory waiting period in Wyoming.

how much does it cost to buy a tag in Utah? I’ve shot moose here in Alaska and in Newfoundland, I’d like to get a shirts to finish my slam.

 

[Wapiti1]

how much does it cost to buy a tag in Utah? I’ve shot moose here in Alaska and in Newfoundland, I’d like to get a shirts to finish my slam.

$15,000 give or take, guided only on big ranches. I believe they are private land only as well.

Southern BC is the best bet for a Shiras if you aren't in the points game already. Figure $8000-$10,000 there.

Jeremy

 

[thinhorn_AK]

$15,000 give or take, guided only on big ranches. I believe they are private land only as well.

Southern BC is the best bet for a Shiras if you aren't in the points game already. Figure $8000-$10,000 there.

Jeremy

oh F that Lol, I thought maybe I could buy a NR tag and go hunt them myself.

 

[Wapiti1]

oh F that Lol, I thought maybe I could buy a NR tag and go hunt them myself.

All draw in the lower 48. No such thing as an OTC moose tag. Best draw odds are in Idaho, and the tag will run you a bit over $2000 if you draw.

Jeremy

 

[thinhorn_AK]

All draw in the lower 48. No such thing as an OTC moose tag. Best draw odds are in Idaho, and the tag will run you a bit over $2000 if you draw.

Jeremy

I haven’t even looked into lower 48 hunts for years now so I really don’t have much of a starting point, If I drew a tag, I’d have no trouble spending 2k but for 8-15k....that’s a new boat that I could use to hunt moose every year here in AK. Heck for that sort of $$$ I could do 2 or 3 epic hunts here in AK with no expense spared.

I need to start applying so I can finish the slam, it’s just tough to swallow the cost when I can just jump in my boat and hunt moose where I live.

 

[Werty]

Now you know how us lower 48ers feel when we travel to Alaska to hunt and fish. Good luck in your quest.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Now you know how us lower 48ers feel when we travel to Alaska to hunt and fish. Good luck in your quest.

for sure, I just got tired of not drawing tags I wanted and hunting public areas that always seemed to be filled with people, since I moved up here I’ve probably saved 100,000+ dollars on hunts I can just do for free as a resident.

 

[Indian Summer]

None. Slim odds getting slimmer. Get a big boy in AK.

Exactly. Just go hunt where you can instead of spending money on a hunt that will never happen.

 

[Jbehredt]

Exactly. Just go hunt where you can instead of spending money on a hunt that will never happen.

Awe come on, enjoy the long winter nights dreaming about the day your number gets drawn for your non res CO moose tag, 2060 is gonna be an epic season! I’m pumped!

 

[Mt Al]

If you don't play you can't win. If you're interested in putting in for moose regardless of the slim odds, good for you and in my opinion Montana or Idaho are the places to try.

I've got max points in Montana as a resident and hoping to draw sometime in the next few years, a guy can hope!

 

[GreenNDark Timber]

Review the draw statistics for all the states that offer lower 48 moose and you'll see the odds in Idaho are the best by a very wide margin. There are many units in Idaho with 10-20% (some even higher) draw odds. That's about 10x better than most other states. If I wanted a Shiras and was starting at ground zero I'd pick a unit in Idaho based on harvest statistics & draw odds and apply for it every year. Odds are good within 10 yrs you'll pull the tag.