Solo moose hunting tips and tricks

[Sandbrew]

- 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?

With 3 moose harvests personally under my belt and another 10 or so as a helper and a cow moose tag in my pocket here are my 2 cents for what it's worth .

Call at night from camp and along trails or roads where you want the moose to be the next morning. Using cow calls and a racking noise to bring in moose in the area. Decoy will help get you closer once you have one spotted. They are not hard to call in and locate from my experiences. That might be tough to stay close to roads. - If I read this correctly you are restricted to wilderness area only in you hunt GMU?

Once you have a moose down gutless "where it lays and how it lays" is probably going to the be way this is going to happen if you are solo. Twice solo I've had elk pile up in odd positions on steep tree covered hill sides. Start with what ever part is exposed and start peeling off hide and then 1/4s or meat as you can. Once 1/2 the weight is gone you might be able to roll or re-position the carcass. There is a method I've seen on photos where they use a tripod of spruce poles to hoist a moose but that takes more than 1 person I would think. I've also seen where a single pole with a point on one end is use prop up the hoof end of the front or back leg and pull the 1/4 off the carcass.

Any way you slice it a moose is bigger and harder to handle than any bull elk. If it dies in the water call @Khunter he's a moose water retrieving expert.

Good luck!

Moose are way bigger than elk. Most 1/4s will; not fit in a pack only on a frame. Pack it as far as you want but remember each trip is 2x the distance and a min of 6 or more trips with just the moose. That adds up fast.

 

[Bluffgruff]

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

Waste not

 

[WyoCoalMiner]

Waste not

Want not

How was it?

 

[Bluffgruff]

Want not

How was it?

Best thing you've never had, and better than many things you have

 

[Salmonchaser]

Do not shoot one in a pond, lake or muskeg bog. A shallow riffle will be ok but anything else is just a nightmare. I know a moose draws more water than my 22 foot north river sled If you shoot him in deep water the shallowest you’ll get him without mechanical advantage is about knee deep.

 

[JoMo]

Thanks for all the input and advice. Couple of clarifications - the unit is open for FS/BLM/accessible state land, etc. too. There is also a lot of wilderness. There are no real outfitters/packers who I have been able to find who have permits to anything in the unit.

My romanticized idea is always backpacking somewhere, ideally wilderness. For this hunt, I will likely be sticking to blm or fs land for the logistics you all have called out. I am planning to base camp and have my truck and atv to serve as my pony to/from each days adventure.

I also have a few friends who will hopefully be able to drop what their doing to come help haul meat, but realistically I will likely be solo for the bulk of the hunt and processing - if I am able to get it done. We will see how their work/family obligations play out with timing of everything.

In regards to processing, I’ve been practicing with 3:1 and 4:1 pulleys and want to be able to create a tripod in the field that could help to hoist a leg or shoulder. Can only think that could help while solo. Given the field tripod hasn’t come up yet, I am wondering why others haven’t experimented with something like that. @CRJR45 - were you scheming something similar?

 

[Nunyacreek]

I would plan on 4+ hours to get all cut up and hung up, and a pulley and rope will be your friend. You do not need to get it out ina day if your nights are below 40 or so. Keep it dry, I wouldn’t worry about terribly clean if you are alone except for the loose meat. Get it in shade and get hung up for air circulation. Other than bone sour around rear leg bones as long as it gets cool at night and has air I’d think it would be fine.
I’d consider a sled or something to flop a quarter into to keep it cleaner and drag it to the tree. I’ve had bloody game bags covered with fly blows that were well sealed and the meat was absolutely great.
I would agree with the one mile limit, but in my experience getting it in shade with air circulation is more important than getting it out immediately.

 

[Sask hunter]

Thanks for all the input and advice. Couple of clarifications - the unit is open for FS/BLM/accessible state land, etc. too. There is also a lot of wilderness. There are no real outfitters/packers who I have been able to find who have permits to anything in the unit.

My romanticized idea is always backpacking somewhere, ideally wilderness. For this hunt, I will likely be sticking to blm or fs land for the logistics you all have called out. I am planning to base camp and have my truck and atv to serve as my pony to/from each days adventure.

I also have a few friends who will hopefully be able to drop what their doing to come help haul meat, but realistically I will likely be solo for the bulk of the hunt and processing - if I am able to get it done. We will see how their work/family obligations play out with timing of everything.

In regards to processing, I’ve been practicing with 3:1 and 4:1 pulleys and want to be able to create a tripod in the field that could help to hoist a leg or shoulder. Can only think that could help while solo. Given the field tripod hasn’t come up yet, I am wondering why others haven’t experimented with something like that. @CRJR45 - were you scheming something similar?

Might be easier to roll him into a bigger tarp and quarter him there. Let gravity do the work and fall onto the tarp. I have rolled lots of moose over by myself. Just get some logs or rocks ready to block them up and get the head straight. Once you get the horns dug in and the moose blocked they are pretty solid

 

[Akcabin]

Well I've done a few moose by myself. Gotta find the moose before you can harvest it. And they will probably be a bit from the road. Except n plan on it. If you score one close great.
Calling bulls depends on the timing of the rut. I like to locate cows and the bulls will find them. In pre rut I'll do a few cow in heat calls. Hopefully some horny bull around. And I'd hold off until I'm settling in for the last few hours before dark or just as daylight hits. Sparingly. As a general rule I probably use the cow call most. Use the bull calls for calling them into range or sight. Bring them in.Find the best habitat. Moose eat a lot daily. They also get hot. Find areas that are shaded.
If you harvest one. I like the gutless method, but, depends on the time of day and how close you can get the wheeler to it. If evening hunt you may have to gut it n get it cooling. If you can get close enough. It's nice to leave some hide on. Keeps it clean. But heavy, really heavy. I always have a meat/freight trailer for gear n meat.
Gotta harvest one first, hardest part. I like to hunt the morning hunt setting still n watching the world go by for a couple hours. Then still hunt. Move around a look for the cows, hopefully bulls. 3 hours before dusk settle in to a good viewing area.
Hunting alone for moose for most of my time out. And kinda preferred it when younger but even as I get oller I still hunt alone mostly. Call if, when I need help. But since I have a remote fly in cabin. I need to be ready. I have a winch on my wheeler and a good pully. Use it to manipulate the moose around if you can get to it. A little pully is nice by yourself. Tie it off the trees n such.
Guess my point is this. Don't worry about hunting alone, I prefer to do whatever I want when I want a if you locate moose, who knows ? And you have to find a legal moose. Your biggest issue, not packing in my opinion. And every moose will be different. I've had them loaded up in a hour n half by myself. And packed enough to know it sucks but in a good way.
Other tips. I use a recycled plastic pint whiskey bottle to rake brush. Pour water to simulate a cow urinating. Just cut bottom off n put a stick in it when needed. Light weight. I've found that both bulls and cows react to a calf chirp. A short baah sound. And I use visual displays. Something that will look like an antler. We have devils club plants. Big leaves that turn yellow a day after you break them off. So in a blind I'll hang 1 or 2 in a willow and let the wind move them or I've used canoe paddles. But feel that smaller is better. Won't intimide other bulls that may be wary of a fight. I've held 2 near my head bobbing around to bring them in. Break up your outline. I believe moose see and hear very well with those big eyes n ears. Move slowly when you do. Been busted by a lot of moose. They dissappear fast.
Water. Don't shoot. Had a nice bull fall into a river with spawning salmon. The bacteria went right down the bones into the meat. Turned green in a day. Lost it all. Blow flies will be all over the meat. Citrus, smudge fires tarp to keep dry and trap smoke to repell flies. And I always have a couple 6x6 sheets of visqueen in my ditty bag to lay meat on.
Mostly get out. Get feeling comfortable by yourself. And have fun. It's a great opportunity to be able to harvest a moose. And also great just getting the opportunity.
Good luck n have fun

 

[squirrel]

I've done 3 solo moose. (and a few others with help) One was a few hundred yards to where I could wrestle an ATV. Had him bagged in camp in about 6-7 hrs. Some horse guys happened on me after the shot and pulled him out of a moose wallow into a perfect grassy spot. Made an unbelievable difference than what it would otherwise have been.

2nd was about 7 miles from the truck and I had 4 llamas and my own back and he was bagged in the horse trailer (grizzly-proof) 18 brutal hours later.

3rd was 75 yards from the truck (uphill) and by far my favourite and was loaded whole and hung from my cottonwood tree about 6 hrs later. Ironically this one I lost some meat to spoilage as I left his un-skinned neck on the ground trapping the heat, losing about 6-8 lbs of neck meat.

Lessons learned... Dont look at the stupid moose look at where he is and where he may end up before deciding to shoot, (or not shoot!)

Weather is more important than mileage in how far (and how long) you have to get him to proper storage. For you to be without help in archery which is generally hotter than blazes should factor heavily into that part of your hunt.

Moose are an immovable mountain of meat without gaining massive mechanical advantage. (horses, skid steer, come-along, pulleys.)

When a moose falls friends fail.

Rent friends, they are more reliable than free ones. Especially if they have lots of hair or wool. 10-15 dogs, 2 horses, or about 6 llamas would be about right. I have no experience with goats.

Butcher and pepper from the top down until you can move whatever is left, under perfect conditions maybe at the half??? Bag and hang (do not lay) in shade.

Forget about getting cute with making a tripod or anything. You are wasting time when You should be skinning as fast as you can. If its cold give thanks and make a fire before you get frozen hands, you are going to be there a while. Below are two opposite examples of moose, one about ideal and one sub-optimal...

 

[CRJR45]

Thanks for all the input and advice. Couple of clarifications - the unit is open for FS/BLM/accessible state land, etc. too. There is also a lot of wilderness. There are no real outfitters/packers who I have been able to find who have permits to anything in the unit.

My romanticized idea is always backpacking somewhere, ideally wilderness. For this hunt, I will likely be sticking to blm or fs land for the logistics you all have called out. I am planning to base camp and have my truck and atv to serve as my pony to/from each days adventure.

I also have a few friends who will hopefully be able to drop what their doing to come help haul meat, but realistically I will likely be solo for the bulk of the hunt and processing - if I am able to get it done. We will see how their work/family obligations play out with timing of everything.

In regards to processing, I’ve been practicing with 3:1 and 4:1 pulleys and want to be able to create a tripod in the field that could help to hoist a leg or shoulder. Can only think that could help while solo. Given the field tripod hasn’t come up yet, I am wondering why others haven’t experimented with something like that. @CRJR45 - were you scheming something similar?

Yes , just something to hold the leg up while I’m taking it off and putting it in a sack .
I’ve got the pinch pulleys .

 

[jimss]

I had a Wyo moose tag quite a few years ago. It took 6 trips by myself x 1.7 miles one way. 6 trips x 1.7 miles x both directions comes out to 20.4 miles. Obviously 1/2 of those miles is with a hefty load and the other is with just a pack on my back. I could barely stand upright with each hindquarter load. The antlers, cape, and skull were also an incredibly hefty load. If you add hills, rock, sidehills to the mix it can be total torture! You better be in the very best physical and mental shape of your life to pack a bull out by your lonesome. If you are coming from sea-level or hunting higher elevation you also have altitude to deal with!

With that said, I finally drew a Colo moose tag this year. I've been doing a gob of scouting and covering lots and lots of country. Currently the bulls aren't moving around much but once they shed their velvet and love is in the air they will be wandering all over the hills.

I will likely be doing a lot of solo hunting again this year but I'm doing my best to find a buddy with horses to help out once a bull is down.

With that said, big bull moose will get your heart pounding...especially ones that are rutty and ready to battle!

 

[Dakota man]

So I know Alaska doesn’t have a point system for moose. As a nonresident what’s my chances of getting a tag if I apply for next season? I’m not sure what unit yet as the guy I’ll be going with is currently in Alaska chasing bears and he won’t be back till a couple of weeks. I’m sure he’ll have info for me as he hunts up there so much but my inner child just wants to know my chances. So those who have gotten tags up there how long did it take? I’m unlucky to the fact I can’t afford a guide but lucky enough his dad lives up there and him and his dad are helping me when I do draw.

 

[cgasner1]

So I know Alaska doesn’t have a point system for moose. As a nonresident what’s my chances of getting a tag if I apply for next season? I’m not sure what unit yet as the guy I’ll be going with is currently in Alaska chasing bears and he won’t be back till a couple of weeks. I’m sure he’ll have info for me as he hunts up there so much but my inner child just wants to know my chances. So those who have gotten tags up there how long did it take? I’m unlucky to the fact I can’t afford a guide but lucky enough his dad lives up there and him and his dad are helping me when I do draw.

Depends on the unit I buy my tag otc as a nr. Odds could very wildly

 

[Dakota man]

Depends on the unit I buy my tag otc as a nr. Odds could very wildly

I see. How many days should a guy plan on hunting? 7 days? Week and half?

 

[cgasner1]

I see. How many days should a guy plan on hunting? 7 days? Week and half?

It’s hunting man it’s all about the adventure. Personally I’m planning on being gone about 12-13 days this year with 10.5 of it hunting it’s 2 days travel each way for me to get to camp. I don’t even have a return ticket booked

 

[jimss]

There is no guarantee you’ll be able to go boneless with a mature bull, especially if you are alone. They are still extremely difficult to roll by yourself even after being gutted. I used several logs to hold up legs while caping, gutting, and rolling.

 

[JoMo]

I realized I never closed the loop here. I posted my recap of the hunt in a different thread. That said, the information and thoughts here were very helpful in scheming my plan and approach to the hunt overall. In the end, I was solo when I shot the bull, but was only solo as I worked to get off the front and rear quarter. I was just about to start on getting the backstrap on the topside off when my buddy who ended up picking up an elk tag was able to make it to where I was located to help with the rest.

You're right - I don't know how much literal blood, sweat and tears would have been spilled with me solo trying to roll him over. I was very grateful to have my friend there to help with that. I did end up practicing a good amount with some pulley systems before the hunt, so I know I could have likely used those if I really needed them which likely would have been required.