Hunts of a Lifetime- Moose Hunting In Alaska - Alaska Hunting Seasons, Guides And

Licenses

Nothing quite rivals the site of a moose in the wild, huge and

gangly, head often raised over its forage, strings of vegetation

hanging from massive antlers. The moose is the most sought after

big game animal in Alaska. Over 7,000 are taken each year from a

population of approximately 175,000.

Licenses

Licenses, big game tags, duck stamps and hunting permits are

available from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife

Conservation and are obtainable online. Purchase ahead of time

and bring them with you. Licenses are good from the date of

purchase through December 31 of the license year. Big game tags

are necessary for nonresidents if you plan to hunt brown/grizzly

bear, black bear, bison, caribou, deer, elk, goat, moose, bull

musk ox, sheep, wolf or wolverine.

Seasons

Alaska is divided up into 26 Game Management Units (GMUs). Each

unit has separate regulations and sets its own hunting seasons.

A map of these units and the regulations pertaining to them can

be found on the web at http://Wildlife.Alaska.gov. Click on the

GMU of interest and a document defining the seasons will open. A

complete copy of the Alaska Hunting Regulations can also be

downloaded at the ADF&G site.

Alaska moose season generally runs from as early as the 1st of

September until as late as the 20th of September, depending on

the hunting unit. Legal horn size varies between units, but has

been for the most part a 50 inch spread or 4 brow tines. Check

the regulations of the unit you are interested in hunting for

more information.

Important Points

• Mature bulls can weight over 1500 lbs. A kill can yield 400

to 700 pounds of meat and 65 pounds of antlers to transport from

the kill-site. Seasoned hunters recommend never taking a moose

more than a mile from your vehicle.

• A properly sighted rifle of adequate caliber and a

well-placed first shot from a good rest is the best way to avoid

having to trail a wounded moose. A rifle capable of shooting a

bullet of 150 grains or greater at 2500 fps or more is adequate

for moose. A lung shot is the best shot for dropped a moose

quickly.

• Some moose are migratory; some are permanent residents of an

area. Any one area may have several sub-populations with varying

migratory habits.

• Hunt very early or very late in the day.

• Moose have excellent sight and smell. Avoid being visible in

silhouette, such as on a ridge. Avoid noisy clothing, such as

jeans. Fleece clothing is quieter. Stay downwind.

• Successful hunting is knowing where bull moose will be in the

fall season.

How To Find a Moose

Moose are found throughout Alaska, except on the Aleutian

Islands. They prefer forested or shrubby habitats and generally

avoid the openness of the tundra. They are most commonly found

in southeastern or interior Alaska and their density can range

from 1 moose per 30 square miles to 5 or more moose per square

mile.

Their favorite habitats by season are:

Summer - commonly seen in open meadows and around water eating

aquatic plants and drinking large amounts of water.

Fall - Diets change late august to early September to include

woody browse of willow, aspen, poplar and birch. Migratory moose

move to fall ranges for the rut.

Winter - remain in rut areas and feed on low shrubs early

winter. Late winter, mountain moose move to valley bottoms and

lowland burns where they forage on willows along rivers and

creeks.

Spring - Diet shifts back to herbaceous plants and leaves.

Migratory moose move to calving areas and summer ranges.

How To Scout for Moose

Scout in summer and hunt legal bulls on the opening day of the

season.

Scout after the end of the fall season. Bull moose tend to stay

near rutting areas for a month or two following the rut. Once

you locate a fall concentration area, hunt there the next year

as late in the legal season as possible.

Find and utilize fall migration routes. Rivers, creeks and low

mountain passes are preferred routes.

Keep alert for rubbed trees. Early in September, Bull moose

begin rubbing the velvet from their antlers. They continue to

thrash trees in late September as a sign of dominance.

Watch for droppings. Summer droppings resemble cow patties;

winter droppings are pelletized. Fall droppings are a

combination of the two.

Hunting Techniques

Stand Hunting and Glassing - Select a panoramic view of a

hillside. Don't scan with binoculars. Pick a spot, search it

carefully, then move to a new area. Listen early and late for

antler clashes, mating grunts or breaking branches.

Floating - Floating down rivers and creek in a canoe is the

most pleasant way to hunt for moose. Plus, you have a method of

getting the meat back without carrying it on your back.

Road and Trail Hunting - Cruising the highways with trucks or

four wheelers. Mostly, an unsuccessful and expensive method.

Park vehicles and hike in.

Calling Moose - The four basic sounds made with megaphones made

from birch bark, cardboard or a milk jug.

• Antler scraping on trees and shrubs in early September

• Pre-rut bull "gluck" in early September

• Bull challenge, or "mu-wah" in mid-September

• Cow call, a nasal melodic whine, late in September

About the Author: Moose are the most sought after big game

animal in Alaska and can be the largest animal to haul once

you've killed it. Mark Allen, a freelance writer for

http://www.alaskaguideservices.com/, offers helpful information

regarding Alaska hunting guides, Alaska hunting regulations and

hunting seasons.

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Essential Hunting Equipment

Part of the fun and adventure of going hunting is the connection with nature, but anytime we venture out into the wild it is important to take some essential supplies with us to make the journey safe and easy.

Here are three categories of must-have hunting equipment:

First Aid Supplies

Hunters, like campers and hikers, should always carry some emergency first aid equipment. The first item on the list should be warm and protective clothing, because if you get lost out in the woods the weather can change and turn a warm sunny day into a cold night when you are at risk for hypothermia. High-tech emergency blankets made from NASA tested aluminum are available at camping stores. They fit into the pocket of a shirt are a great piece of equipment. A first aid kit for cuts, bruises, sprains, or stings is essential, and these can be purchased at any pharmacy or outdoor equipment store. Add waterproof matches or some other form of fire starter, a reliable flashlight, a sturdy knife, and some emergency rations to the list – and do not forget to carry both high-energy food and plenty of fresh water.

An Emergency Communications Device

The worst thing that can happen on a hunting trip is to need help and not be able to reach any because you are in a remote area with no means of communication. But the good news is that there are now many types of emergency communication devices that hunters can take with them in order to stay in touch no matter where they go in the woods. The most sophisticated operate by sending and receiving via satellite signals, and hunters can even subscribe to services like “SPOT” that will locate you in an emergency while simultaneously notifying the nearest emergency responders. But if you aren’t venturing too far from civilization you can just use a cell phone. And if you get caught without any high tech solutions, use a reflective surface – even from a mirror or piece of an aluminum can – to send a distress signal. Flashes of light signaling for help can be seen for miles, as can flares or just the smoke from a simple campfire.

A Gun Cleaning Kit

No matter how clean a gun is when the hunting excursion starts, there is every likelihood that before long it will require a good cleaning. Sometimes just firing a gun can leave residue in the barrel or chamber that can have an unwanted influence on the performance of the firearm. Maybe while hunting a rainstorm catches you off guard and the shotgun or rifle gets wet, or perhaps you accidentally drop it and it gets dirt or mud inside the barrel or the internal firing mechanism. Whatever the reason, if a gun needs cleaning a hunter must have a gun cleaning kit on hand. Carry a small kit with the basic tools. A barrel brush, “snake,” or other tool for swabbing the inside of the barrel is vital, and you’ll also need some gun cleaning patches and gun oil. Most firearms can be cleaned in the field with lightweight and easy to carry gun cleaning kit, and that can help preserve valuable firearms while ensuring that they function safely and dependably.

Get your special hunting gear together, and keep it stashed and ready to go in a duffle or backpack. That way when the chance to hunt arises you will have everything at the ready and can head off to hunt with all the safety equipment and essential hunting supplies you need.

About the Author: Albie Berk enjoys hunting and sharing what he has learned and any successful tips he can with others. He enjoys South Carolina hunting and usually stays at Island Plantation

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Deer and Deer Hunting - What You Must Know to Be a Top Deer Hunter

By Jimmy Harris

When it comes to deer and deer hunting, if you really want to become a top notch deer hunter, you will need to take some very important steps.
Success with anything doesn’t just happen by chance or luck-almost all of the time, it requires you to have some specialized knowledge, and deer hunting is no exception.

Most hunters think that catching a deer is mostly about luck, and while luck plays a part, the reality is that most of your success is dependent on you. Here are some tips to help you get that prized deer as fast as possible.

First of all, remember that where you hunt is the most important factor. Even if you are a bad hunter, you have a chance to get a deer when there are many around, but you could be the best hunter in the world and still not catch one if there aren’t any around. Sounds obvious, but many people don’t pay enough attention to their location, the most critical important aspect.

For deer an deer hunting success, you need to pick an area and get there at least 24 hours earlier to check it out if you haven’t hunted there before. Check out where the deer go to drink, eat, where they reside, and attempt to find the trails they take to and from wherever they happen to be going.

Then you just get yourself in between the two areas and you have set up yourself for success. This is critically important to becoming a successful deer hunter. If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this point, and you should be ready to go.

Something else you might consider doing is going out with an experienced hunter the first time or two, as you will learn a lot about deer and deer hunting from them, and seeing how they do things can really cut some time off your learning curve in a hurry.

Also, watch some hunting shows on television, as you can learn a lot from just watching ten or fifteen minutes of how they do things. Make sure you go out around dawn or later as the sun is just going down, as this is the time you will see the most deer, and therefore have the best chance of success.

Another reason it’s important to go out early is that the deer will not spot you in the area, because if they do, they will likely not go near there that entire day. If you make sure that they don’t see you, you will not have to worry about this.

One final tip: make sure you don’t have any strong smelling items or clothing with you, as deer smell very well, and if you carry anything like that with you, they will detect it in a minute, and avoid you. Remember, if nothing else, remember that location is the most important aspect of your success as a deer hunter.

Keep this info in mind when it comes to deer and deer hunting, and you will achieve success very quickly.

About the Author: For more info on hunting, check out http://www.internethuntingtips.com. This is a popular hunting site that reviews hunting equipment and locations, such as North Dakota Hunting and much more.

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Overview of Big Game Hunting

By Daniel Millions

Big game hunting is an incredibly exciting pastime that is designed only for the most passionate and strongest of hunters. To be a big game hunter, you must be willing to wake up extremely early and endure cold temperatures. After waiting for hours, you may not even see a large animal, let alone shoot one. A hunting trip does not need to be successful only if you end up bringing back a trophy. If the experience was memorable and you got to catch a few glimpses of some extravagant creatures, then the outing was surely worth the trouble.

This sport is not for everybody, as it can be dangerous, trying, and sometimes scary. If you come across a huge bear and only manage to injure it, there is a good chance that it will attack you in retaliation. Other animals, such as deer, which people think of as peaceful, are known to attack people if threatened. In order to keep yourself safe, it is important that you are a keen shot with your gun.

To increase your skill, it is best to start out with something smaller than big game, such as rabbit or squirrel. By practicing on smaller animals, you learn to aim properly and kill with one shot. Delivering a one shot kill is especially important with big game, because failing to do so can result in you being attacked or the animal dying a slow, painful death.

Safety is the primary concern during any hunting activity. Therefore, every hunter must be well learned in safety concepts. Many different kinds of safety apply to hunting, and the type that is most important is firearm safety. One must know how to be safe with a gun while carrying, loading, unloading, and shooting it. If you make a mistake with a firearm, the consequences can be fatal.

When you set up a post, you should have a blazing orange flag hanging from somewhere to alert other hunters of your presence. Hunters have been known to mistake people for animals in the heat of the moment, but having an identifiable characteristic helps keep you protected. You can never be too safe when it comes to hunting, and it is recommended that you review safety materials on a regular basis.

In order to be most efficient, you need to take a multitude of materials and tools with you on all of your hunting trips. The most obvious necessity is a firearm of some kind, and all of the obvious accessories that go with it, such as magazines, ammunition, cleaning supplies, and a bag. Besides just a rifle, hunters often carry sidearms. Pistols are good for emergency situations as well as places where using a rifle is inefficient or impossible. Since sidearms are so compact, they do not take up much room and are easy to bring along.

You will also require personal necessities, including food, water, and appropriate clothing. Additional gear is added by preference of the hunter, as they may want to take other things, like an orange flag. If you go hunting at night, the perfect item would be night vision goggles. They allow you to see clearly without using any light that someone else or an animal could see. In fact, you may prefer to go night hunting, as it enables you to be stealthier and harder to see.

About the Author: If you love the outdoors and hunting check out these Bear Hunting adventures and grab your Hunting Gear Vermont style.
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Hunting Stores - What Stores Should You Shop at to Save Money on Your Hunting Equipment?

By Jimmy Harris

There are so many hunters stores today both on and offline, finding them is really a snap. You don’t have to look far.

The reason for this is simple-as the sport of hunting continues to expand and gain in popularity, the amount of stores springing up is matching the growth, and therefore locating one around you, or one on the net, is not difficult.

Online hunting stores are really taking off today, and for many reasons. First, it’s cheaper to buy online.

What happens when a retail store sells their equipment? They have to mark it up in order to make a profit, because they obviously paid a certain amount buying the equipment from the manufacture.

Also, online hunting stores don’t have to pay for physical location upkeep, which also enables them to drop their prices when compared with physical stores locations.

Therefore, you might want to think about doing your shopping online, but only if you are certain you know what you want. If not, I’d recommend you haul it down to the local store, because there will be some people there incredibly knowledgeable about the sport of hunting, and if you are at all unsure of the kind of equipment you want to buy, they can definitely help you.

There’s no sense in buying something online, paying for shipping and waiting several weeks for it to get to you, only to find out it’s the wrong equipment. If you are going to go to the hassle of buying it, you want to be at least sure it’s the right equipment, so if you are at all unsure, I’d recommend you ask the experts. You will be glad you did.

If you think these stores only have hunting specific equipment, think again. In addition, you can generally find many other kind of outdoor supplies at these stores, because most hunters stores have expanded and sell items such as tents, outdoor clothing, in addition to the typical things you think of, such as guns, knives, etc.

If you are going to be out on a hunting trip, you will obviously need to have a place to sleep, and warm clothing, blankets, etc. Try and find hunting stores that include all of these, because this way you can do one stop shopping, and won’t have to go to more than one location. The same goes for the internet.

So what kind of hunting stores should you go to? Obviously, there are the local mom and pop types, and you probably have at least one in your area. Many people prefer these to the larger companies, for the simple fact that the service is often times friendlier, and you don’t have to spend hours trying to track down somebody to talk too.

Also, the internet has many as well, which I covered earlier. EBay is another option if you really want to save as much money as possible, as they always have products at discounted prices. Online hunting stores are probably your best bet if you want to save the most money possible, but only if you know exactly what you need.

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