As we exited the truck on September 14, 2021, we could barely see without our headlights. The 1200m climb up the steep incline with no scree trails took an hour and we switched, but when we got to the top we took the trail of the moose. and headed east into a patch of forest untouched by other hunters so far this season. We had been here the night before, had a searing reaction to Rick's solo bugle and were as excited as we could be.
We hunted hard in western Montana for 6 days, we were out for the moose every day, we had a close encounter with a really good bull that didn't work out, other careless hunters destroyed a hotspot and we were here looking for a moose that didn't had been scratched.
We arrived at our spot on the wooded ridge 2 hours after exiting the truck. My cow homie Rick Wemple called once, and right there a cop yelled at us! Good gracious! I knelt down in a small clump of trees just off the leeward side of the trail, Rick backed away 50 yards and yelled and the cop yelled again, now closer, and in less than 5 minutes I was there, walking along the ridge. , looking for love. He took his time, blowing his trumpet, stamping his feet, steam rising from his nostrils. When he got to 12 steps, yes, that close, his head was hidden by the trees for a moment and I was able to pull, free the limbs and let go. The Victory Archery VAP nailed it in the ribs with 350 columns and a 125-grain SEVR.
It took 30 minutes for my shaking to stop and 15 minutes later we found the large 4.5 year old 5x5 piled up on the hillside next to some large pine trees.
The author's 2021 Montana Bull was taken with his friend Rick Wemple on a do-it-yourself bow hunt it called 12 Steps.
40 years moose hunting on public land
It was like the good old days. I shot my first public ground moose in September 1978 after riding 22 miles from Victor, Montana to the Selway Wilderness Area in Idaho. Back in the day you could hunt while in heat and my old college roommate and I bred a couple of bulls in 2 days, mine was a great 6x6 that scored almost 330 Boone & Crockett points. "Damn," I remember thinking, "that's easy as pie! Talk about naive! But I was addicted to moose hunting and over the next 4 or more decades I hunted moose extensively with rifles and bows in all western states as well as western Canada. In 1993, I became the first American to shoot two bulls in Mongolia, where they are called Altai Maral deer but actually look and act like Rocky Mountain moose. I've hunted on private land, but mostly on public land, solo, alone and with a friend or two. I say all of this to let you know that what I am about to say about the success of state field hunting is based on a lifetime of field experience.
Here are 10 tips to increase your chances of moose hunting on public land.
1) Choose the right partner
I did the solo thing and I love it. To be honest, moose hunting in archery is buddy for many reasons, three of which stand out. When calling a cop, having a hunter in front of you is a huge advantage so the caller can lure the unsuspecting cop in front of you. Pressing moose meat is hard work, especially in the field. And there is security. The ideal partner is experienced and knowledgeable, is mentally and physically strong, and can take enough time to give the hunt a realistic chance. Also, your partner must share equally in your success and vice versa.
Rick Wemple is the perfect example. The qualified caterer ( www.mtoutfitter.com , see box) knows his Montana region like the back of his hand, is tough and never gives up. We trust and support each other. The benefits of such a partner cannot be overstated.
2) sweat capital
Hunting moose in steep, rugged, high altitude mountainous terrain is very taxing on the body. Put simply, your fitness level will determine if you can hunt hard all day for days, cover maximum ground, seek out those often elusive moose pockets without pressure, and then get the meat back in the truck when you're done. . . . You can't get fit in a week or a month either. Make fitness part of your lifestyle.
3) planning
With few exceptions, bull moose tags are awarded by lottery in most states. You must apply early. Before you even draw a label, research the area from the comfort of your own home, using the statistical resources of the state gaming authority, internet discussion forums, smartphone search apps, magazine articles, and traditional phone calls to gaming biologists and others who may have known before have hunted in the area. . Is the area hunted by others? Have there been any major fires lately? New roads open, old roads closed? Where's the water? Are there large hay meadows nearby that attract moose? Have the wolves become postmen? Can't get too much information about the area.
4) Be real
Always remember: if it's legal, it's a trophy. Public moose hunting is not the same fantasy world you see on cable TV or YouTube. There are no big 6x6 bulls anywhere, and if you screw up one, you won't find another right away, if ever. Although I've killed some very large public country bulls over the years, I consider the 4.5 year old 5x5 I killed with Rick in 2021 to be one of my most prized bulls. This is especially true when hunting in areas managed for maximum hunter participation, where few bulls live longer than a few years.
5) Get moving
Experienced archers on public lands know that all their hard work will likely result in only one shooting opportunity in a week's hunt. May be. When the opportunity arises, you have to know how to use it. This shot will likely be guided through bushes or trees, and the moose might only give you a second or three to go around and shoot it before it disappears. If you are a bow hunter, practice shooting on your knees with your body twisted. And never forget: the moose is one of the toughest animals in the world. Hit them hard, even through a single lung, and your chances of healing are greatly reduced.
6) phone call
You're practicing your shot, aren't you? So why don't you practice with your moose calls too? The first day on the mountain is not the time to drop a new call or remember how to call. Also, bulls who are under a lot of pressure become shy. You need to measure the moose's temperature. I've found that less is often more when it comes to calling cops out of public lands. When I hear a bull's trumpet, I try to get within a few hundred yards or so of where I expect it to be before I even think about making a sound.
Experienced moose handler Rick Wemple takes a variety of different calls and tries them all until he finds one that a particular bull will respond to.
7) pressure cooker
Hunter print = scarred moose. If you don't move away from easy access, and sometimes even if you do, other hunters are likely to be nearby. In all likelihood, they will crowd the herd, which will then shut up, or maybe they just decide to move to another mountain. When the moose are cornered, where will they go? Do you have a second small localized pack to hunt when your main pack is scarred? This is where your pre-hunt research, local knowledge, and fitness level can come into play. If you can walk all day and find more moose to hunt, you will outperform 90% of the other hunters.
8) Hidden Pockets
For three days Rick and I were in the middle of a small herd of decent sized bulls that lived just off a dirt main road. We got closer, but no shots were fired. Over the weekend, a truckload of ruthless hunters came through the woods and chased the moose off the mountain. A scan of the bag on Monday morning showed us we had to move on, so we headed to another location nearby and boom! – I killed my bull there. This wasn't about a day-long backpacking trip into the wilderness, just finding a lonely wooden bowl that hadn't been pressed by hunters. Another note on bags: In 6 days, Rick and I were constantly among the moose, but actually saw only two animals, although we were often within a hundred yards or less of the animals. That's because we hunted at the back where the moose felt safer. The cat and the mouse in a thick blanket are where they are.
9) wind and water
As I travel from point A to point B on Elk Antlers, I try to be quiet, but I'm not obsessed with the noise of the walk (don't speak loudly though, bang on metal, that sort of thing). . . . That's because moose are noisy creatures compared to deer. However, moose use their nose to sense danger in a way few other animals will hunt you down. You must do whatever it takes to keep the wind off course or the party will be over in an instant. When you ride a moose and feel the wind shift, run if you must to swing it in your favor, or leave and come back another time. Also, early in the season, moose need plenty of water to drink. The water also contributes to the growth of lush grasses that moose love to graze on. During the rut, bulls like to wallow in puddles and mud puddles. Find water and especially small water sources like springs, seeps and small potholes, puddles and swamps in the dark forest and you will probably find a cool moose sign as well. These are great places to put up a tree or create a shade and wait for them to come out.
10) Take your time
Moose hunting is not a weekend game unless you live in moose country and your home is your camp. Moose are herd animals that live in relatively close quarters on each mountain, meaning it can take days to locate the animals. The more time you can devote, the better your chances. Personally, I prefer to treat myself to at least a whole week on the mountain, and if I can compensate for that, more.
final thoughts
Hunting moose on public lands is as difficult a challenge as any in North America. Hunting licenses and non-resident plates are expensive and many are very difficult to obtain. If it's your first time I recommend booking a rigged hunt; The knowledge and experience gained will quickly shorten your learning curve and exponentially increase future DIY hunting opportunities.
There is nothing quite like a September sunrise over a moose mountain. Once you experience it, you will be addicted to it for life. all like me
Framed: Rick Wemple Outfitting
Rick Wemple, now in his early 60s, is a true mountain man, badass and as good in the woods as anyone I've ever hunted with, anywhere. I've known Rick since the early 1970's when he was working for his late father, the legendary Jack Wemple. He has been guiding in the same western Montana area since 1970 and also owns and operates the Rick Wemple Baggage and Guiding School which has been training professional guides and outfitters since 1983. They also used to ride horses in the eastern Idaho wilderness, but today the horses are gone and Rick mostly hunts moose on foot, accessing the area from a 4x4 vehicle.
Rick believes in 100% fair hunting on public lands, and his territory in Montana's Bitterroot and Lolo National Forests is still teeming with game and very, very difficult terrain. With decades of experience in the same field, he knows where the mounds of little honey-holes are that the average public land hunter doesn't know, invaluable knowledge. If you can walk, are willing to work hard, have the time and are looking for an affordable customized option, check them out at www.mtoutfitter.com .
The author used a 125-grain SEVR scope (top) while moose hunting in 2021. For most of his moose hunts, he uses the Spot Hogg Hogg-It 7-pin sight (below).
Box: Preparation
Bowhunting World readers are seasoned hunters and likely already have the basic gear for a moose hunt on public land: well-tailored hiking boots, layered clothing, packable rain gear, and so on. . When hiking the rugged mountains all day, remember that less is more. Bring water, some calories, wildlife care tools, meat bags, toilet paper, smartphone, small first aid kit, etc. A collapsible walking stick is a great help when navigating rough terrain. A way to strap your bow to your pack for hands-free climbing is a big deal, and the Bow Spider system is as good as it gets for that. I like a high volume backpack for hunting and I have a truck frame bag for serious meatpacking. This is some of what I used on my 2021 Montana hunt:
Photos by Bob Robb
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