Midday Moose tactics

[MOcluck]

I was fortunate enough to pull a Colorado cow moose tag for muzzleloader. I have a few questions regarding the midday as almost all the information I can find on hunting tactics revolves around morning and evening. Has anyone harvested a moose in Colorado during the middle of the day in September? Would I be better off scouting places to hunt for the following morning/evening then trying to find a bedded moose if I haven't seen one. What about trying to find one I have seen? I was thinking if you see one in the morning it will most likely show up that evening but I've bumped them during the midday elk hunting. I have a plan in place as which drainage to hunt. The ones I've been in and seen the most moose also coincide with high kill data as per CPW. It doesn't seem like locating one will be that difficult but I would rather prepare myself for a hard hunt not an easy one. If it's easy I'll be grateful.

 

[Coveyleader]

Many times they will bed on the edges of willow. Depending on your unit, if its alpine, you can get up high and look down, and see them.

 

[MOcluck]

That helps. I wasn't quite sure of the bedding habits as I've bumped them in some places that seem to be random. But then again when your chasing elk moose aren't on the radar.

 

[Tmac]

I look for big black blobs in the timber. Especially willows or stands of hardwoods. If your season is during a rut phase, calling works. I’ve called them out of likely looking river bottoms midday. At or near timberline I took one in WY mid day, we glassed openings looking for bulls that were roaming looking for cows and got one.

You can make a serviceable call from a large metal can and some cotton string. I used a gallon can as it sounded OK and really projected the sound vs smaller cans.

 

[strousek]

Typically they don't bed far from the willows they feed in morning and evening. If the willows are 5' or taller most the time they just lay in them all day. If there is dark spruce/fir forest adjacent they will go in less than a 100 yards to bed. Don't overthink it too much and just wait to find one in a good stackable place. No need to hunt every second of the day and risk pushing moose out of your area.

 

[MOcluck]

Sounds good. I thought I might be over thinking it. Moose aren't elk and the pressure isn't the same

 

[UPThunderbolt]

Something to remember about moose. They are large and black. Heat can be an issue. In their winter coats 38 degrees F can cause them to begin feeling effects of heat stress. As such, they need to find cool (shady/wet) places to hang out. Often times mid-day temperatures will induce behavior that reduces heat generation (bedding down). Cooler temperatures may encourage a higher level of activity. If still in summer peleage, around 70 degrees is the temperature that generally results in seeking heat relief.

 

[MOcluck]

Excellent information thanks!

 

[cnelk]

In my experience with Colorado moose, midday is an excellent time to hunt.
They will be up getting water and browse before the afternoon sleep.

I tend to see as many Shiras midday as I do mornings and evenings

 

[cnelk]

 

[Jimss]

I drew a Colo moose tag last year and spent all summer and early fall scouting and hunting. During the summer the moose were active early and late. I generally took a siesta during the day waking up on vantage points to see if any moose were up and active. There were a lot of hours with no moose sightings but suddenly they are up feeding.

Obviously if it is cool and rainy they may be more active.

Yes they are up for short intervals during the day but not much during hot days in the summer. Once Sept rolls around things change and bulls/cows are active for longer periods of time.

You may find the same cow in the same willow patch all summer or they may move around a bit. I know bulls change locations a bunch once they shed their velvet and the rut sets in.

Look for fresh moose sign and spend time in those areas.

 

[MOcluck]

All this helps, much appreciated gentlemen.

 

[Coveyleader]

Keep in mind, you’re not hunting a mule deer, moose in CO are pretty tame in some areas, wild in others, but overall very approachable. If you’re using a firearm, it almost seems better as you don’t realize how close you “could have gotten”

 

[MOcluck]

I figured as much. I've come across more moose within bow range then elk in the unit my tag is for.