Solo moose hunting tips and tricks

[JoMo]

Fellow hunt talkers - I am in the final stages of hunt prep for the seasons choice moose tag I have this year in CO and seeking advice. This is my first moose hunt, and as of now I am likely to be solo during the bulk of the hunt with some friends hopefully available to help pack if I am successful. My reality is that I don’t have any horses and won’t likely have access to any via friends during at least the archery portion of the hunt. There aren’t currently any outfitters or packers who are permitted in the wilderness area of the unit either - and maybe not in the NF either. As a result, I am mostly focusing on having a base camp and being mobile with my four wheeler and truck as needed. I plan to spend at least one full week during archery along with one more long weekend if needed. If it spills into rifle in October, I will plan another week. Please feel free to lob over any and all ideas, lessons, advice for this moose noob. Here are some of my main questions at the moment:

- How far should I realistically cap my hike in pursuit of a bull? Right now I am thinking 3 miles. Is that a terrible idea? (I’ve packed a bull elk out 5 miles before so I know the pain).

- Calling tactics and strategies for Shiras?

- When (not if) I get one, any tips for things to be prepped for to break it down solo? Makeshift teepee to set up a pulley?

- Decoy?

Thanks! Looking forward to tapping into the group knowledge.

 

[BuzzH]

Well...

-not all 3 miles are created the same, there's many places that traveling even a mile will take a lot of time and effort, other places, 3 miles isn't a big deal. Also depends on the weather and how prepared you are to deal with a shitload of meat in warm weather. Moose can go bad fast, even in very cold weather if they aren't broken down right away. Just like elk, neck and shoulders go bad first, never leave one overnight whole unless you separate the shoulders, best to get it quartered at a minimum. Leave whole over-night, you're going to find a soured bunch of meat.

-I've only called in a few, calling less is more, in my limited experience. They also don't always come in fast, as in, if you call an area at night, recheck it the next morning.

-No different than breaking down an elk. Can't see the need for a pulley or anything else. Have plenty of game bags. I had my last bull caped, broken down in quarters, meat cut off the ribs, neck, etc. and all in game bags in about 1.5-2.0 hours. I shot it about 30 minutes into the season and had the first load of meat to the truck by 11:00 AM, so about 4 hours total including taking pictures, getting it killed, and ready to pack, etc.

-Hard telling not knowing about the decoy.

I personally would be really selective on shots with a bow, they're a big animal, not really all that tough when you shoot them right. The trouble is, the shooting them right part that many hunters don't get right. Its a shame to lose animals, even worse on a very limited opportunity animal like moose.

Good luck, be careful, and have fun.

 

[CRJR45]

I’m in the same situation and I’ve been thinking of ways to use my tripod and some combination of these to hold the quarter up while I’m cutting it loose .

 

[cgasner1]

I haven’t been in on a moose kill in the lower 48. Killed enough in Alaska to know I sure as hell wouldn’t drop the hammer on one over a mile in solo. The big factor is gonna be your weather. You can get away with a lot the first day/evening but once the meat starts to warm up the next day that’s when you’ll start loosing it. So the real question is how far can you pack 300# of meat in under 10 hours? If it was me I’d be scouting the unit looking for moose and seeing what it would take to recover the animal.

 

[reallyoldman]

As you describe your ideas I get a sense that you are going in over your head. The weather will be a HUGE factor...warm will ruin your meat cold is very good. Hunt less than 3 miles from your ATV/pickup. You will be looking at a minimum of 6 loads maybe 8. Get a really good frying pan and a box of matches you very well might have to eat it where it falls...HA. I have taken 4 moose and 32 elk.....you are facing huge task going solo. It can be done under favorable conditions BUT it can also be a near impossible task...weather, terrain your packing equipment etc.

 

[brownbear932008]

I absolutely could not fathom taking and breaking down a moose solo as well as packing him out. Moose are huge animals and warm weather is not your friend. I'd personally plan on chasing them once it got colder.
At a minimum you're gonna need some rope and pulleys to break one down. To me a moose quarter and elk quarter are night and day on weight. I've packed both, but my moose was an Alaskan and Canadian not a Shiras. No way I'd hunt more than a mile pack out. But, that's me and everyone has different capabilities with age.

 

[Sask hunter]

Do you have help in rifle season? If so when does it open? Bets bet might be wait till rifle and kill one where you can get a quad to it or close by

 

[cgasner1]

If it was me I’d go spend some time in the unit and find them. Moose aren’t like elk they won’t be getting pushed in 3-5 miles from other hunters. You’re approaching this line an elk hunt and not a moose hunt.

 

[MTLabrador]

The hunting gods have never smiled upon me enough to bless me with a moose tag, but I’ve been around a bunch on the ground and helped butcher a big Montana bull. They might not be the size of Alaska moose, but a mature Shiras bull is still a huge animal. 3 trail miles would be fine, but I can’t say I’d want to pack one out by myself in some of the places I’ve hunted elk. I’d be fine hunting one solo, quartering it, etc, but be realistic about it.

I personally would be really selective on shots with a bow, they're a big animal, not really all that tough when you shoot them right. The trouble is, the shooting them right part that many hunters don't get right. Its a shame to lose animals, even worse on a very limited opportunity animal like moose

Also this. If I am ever lucky enough to draw a Montana moose tag I will be packing a rifle.

 

[justdada]

Curious to know what part of the state you will be in... I've got a sheep tag in Sept and an early bull tag first of oct, but I'd lend a hand if you dropped one when I wasn't in the field myself. DM me if you like

 

[marksjeep]

Killed a Colorado shiras in 2014 hunting solo. The most difficult part for me was flipping the sob over by myself. I hope you have a good pack frame, they can get big. Good luck and post it up!

 

[rjthehunter]

I helped my uncle in '23 with his moose tag. I called one in for him on the 3rd day of hunting. We were about a mile and a half from the truck. We packed heavy and did it in 3 loads a piece including the head.

He shot it about 8am and we were back to the truck with the final load at 4:30 if I remember right.

 

[JoMo]

I may have help during the rifle season, but also allured to the possibility of shooting one with my bow. Regardless, I am pumped for more time out there.

Most of the areas I have looked may or may not have trails along river/creek beds but likely no more than 500-1000’ elevation change for the 2-3 mile stretches I am looking at.

I am absolutely coming at this from an elk hunter perspective - as I have no other experience to base it from so I appreciate all of the insight.

Thanks so far - keep it coming!

 

[Addicting]

I did it, and for me as close to the truck as possible. I couldn’t even hold up a leg to do the gutting. 550 cord was a huge help. I had it tied off to anything I could to make the cuts I had to make. Your plan of 3 miles and wilderness without help would be a hard no for me.

 

[cgasner1]

I’d also get the argali game bag kit ordered for moose asap if it was me love my set getting ready to get it all out back together here soon for reasons

 

[Jnasa]

For the distance to pack it depends on terrain. Also how fit and able you are. 3 miles without a road or good trail is a no for most. Closer the better.

I hiked 5 miles for my moose but knew there was a logging road not too far. Luckily I shot it about 1/3 mile from a road my dad could get an ATV on. Still was a chore hiking up the ridge and down to get the meat out. It took me 4-5 hours with the gutless method to get it quartered and bagged. It was nice to have my dad help hold quarters. It’s possible to do yourself but very difficult (nearly impossible) to keep the meat clean.

I took 6 trips to get it out. My dad took 1 hindquarter and I took a forequarter with loose meat added. The added meat made it too heavy so I split out the next one. My dad offered to do another trip but he was wore out so I just had him shuttle meat to the truck. Other trips for me was 1 hindquarter, 1 forequarter, loose meat, and head, heart, and tenderloins on last trip. I hiked most of the way to the truck with the last load. I would not have been able to do all of the trips in one day If I was going the full distance.

I was going to pack out the hide but was too tired that night. It rained that night and next day so I decided not to go back.

I was able to weigh quarters on a certified scale. Hindquarters were 93 and 96 lbs. forequarters were 81 and 79. I don’t remember the loose meat. I know I had 361 lbs of boneless processed meat I put in my freezer.

If hunting solo I would do my best to be within 1 mile of the truck/atv. Even if you physically are up for it you also need to be mindful of the weather and getting the meat taken care of. It’s hard for me to imagine getting it out in less than 6 trips. I’m also not the type to pack half an elk out either though.

Good luck with your hunt. I enjoyed mine very much and regret it was a OIL tag. Enjoy as much as you can.

 

[kiwi hunter]

As a one time meat hunter i carried out a huge amout of whole and broken down red deer. Ive also butchered a few horse.
If youre not getting payed for the bones than dont take those, study the anatomy of the forequaters as these are the most tricky parts to extract the meat off.
Good luck.

 

[CRJR45]

As a one time meat hunter i carried out a huge amout of whole and broken down red deer. Ive also butchered a few horse.
If youre not getting payed for the bones than dont take those, study the anatomy of the forequaters as these are the most tricky parts to extract the meat off.
Good luck.

Some units we have to the meat out bone in , ribs , everything.

 

[Bluffgruff]

This is a good sized Colorado Shiras. Took 9 person trips between my wife and I.

 

[WyoCoalMiner]

This is a good sized Colorado Shiras. Took 9 person trips between my wife and I.View attachment 381118

I have an idea on how to shave off 19.6 lbs.