The mist rose off the slower moving water at each bend in the serpentine Bull River. The name of this river originated from Native Peoples that frequently harvested bull moose in the Bull River valley. As they quietly paddled the canoe past a stoic Great Blue Heron, the twin sisters thought of how truly amazing it was that they both drew a moose tag for this region. Hearing a grunt, Helen and Janet beached the watercraft and began their stalk for the trophy bull they had both dreamed of for so long...
Read more Kootenai Country Montana has one of the best harvest rates for moose in the state, and it figures. With over 125-named lakes, at least 8-major rivers, and thousands of acres of wetlands, this country in the northwest corner of the state is moose heaven! Hunting a Shiras moose literally calls for some specialized techniques. Times of limited light called crepuscular periods such as dawn and dusk can be quite profitable, but our moose in this area are surprisingly active during the day as well. Forested lowlands adjacent to openings and riparian zones can be profitable as moose can feed on both woody shrubs and aquatic plants in these habitats. But don’t ignore some of the higher elevation mountain meadows either, be patient and glass them all.
Crisp, colorful early fall morning hunts when the rut is on can be intriguing. Check for rub trees and look for long blackish moose hairs in the sap. Search for pellet like moose droppings sometimes jokingly called moose nuggets. Watch the wind and be quiet. Moose have good noses and sharp ears. Average bull tracks are 7-inches long with the pads near the front of the hoof, and the track appears quite delicate for this huge animal. Soundwise, scraping a stick against a tree to imitate antler rubs can work. Calls to try include cow in heat, antler rattle, and mimicking the grunts of male moose can bring them in. Our local guides are superb, humorous, and knowledgeable, and can add a lot to the hunt. Recommended rifle calibers run from .30 to .338 as these are big critters to take down.
Realistically, you will have to earn your moose. Populations across the state have dipped a bit recently, and unfortunately so have ours. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks are currently conducting a moose study in our region. Amazingly, on one of our local free animal tracking classes, we recovered a tranquilizer dart on the ground and turned it over to the agency. The study is looking into predation, habitat loss, disease and parasites. But not to worry, most of our population is healthy and moose meat is a real treat! In Kootenai Country Montana, it feels good to work hard for your moose, and even better to make the dream of a lifetime come true.
(Author’s Note: Reference — Shiras Moose Study, Grant # W-157-R-2; MT. Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.)
