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| Bow hunt for moose | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 21 2012, 02:30 PM (1,555 Views) | |
| swamp donkey | Jun 21 2012, 02:30 PM Post #1 |
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Our group (4) applied for a bull tag in the bow season this year in 15b for our first bow hunt. We have been going to 15b now for the past 10 years and have been 5 for 10 and 4 of the 5 moose have been the last 4 years. We know the area very well and see moose every year. We understand its going to be a totally different hunt with no rifles, and are up for the challenge in closing the distance and looking forward to hopefully having the place to ourselves and not competing for a spot, unlike opener of rifle and the road warriors. My question is, who has made the switch from rifle to bow, and did you go back to rifle season, or wonder why you didnt make the switch years ago? Was it an easier switch over than you thought, or did it still take a few years to get accustomed to the differnt style? All 4 of us are pumped and cant wait to hopefully experience and hunt in or closer to the "prime rut". Any tips or advice on the switch over would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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270 WBY
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Jun 21 2012, 04:06 PM Post #2 |
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u hunting south of Brightsands rd Cause all the moose are north of there in and around Harmon Lake Km 92
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corman30
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Jun 21 2012, 04:37 PM Post #3 |
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Wel I do both, but much prefer the bow season. More active moose and far less hunters, especialy if your going to 15B. Thats a frigin gong show for rifle Don't expect to be totaly alone though. I have 6 American clients I am guiding in 15B this fall and I know others who hae applied there. Its a big area though. Tell me something, doesn't it burn your ass that it took 4 pool a hunters to draw a bull tag yet only 2 pool a hunters for a bull tag with the gun Good luck
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| swamp donkey | Jun 21 2012, 05:51 PM Post #4 |
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Obviously you know the area too, theres alot of moose still in the area if you want to work for them and get off your arse and get back in off the beaten path. Do you still hunt the area?? |
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| swamp donkey | Jun 21 2012, 06:00 PM Post #5 |
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Im fine with running into other groups, as i would hope there not gonna be running the trucks and bikes In archery season, but it wouldnt suprise me with some of the rifle groups ive ran into. The guaranteed group sizes for archery make me shake my head. 15a archery is only 3 memebers yet 15b is 4, but in rifle 15b is 3 and 15 a is something like 5 or 6.......yep that makes sense. Do you generally have more moose encounters in bow season in the rut than rifle? We are thinking we will have more moose sightings, its just will we be able to get them close enough to draw on one and be succesful. |
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forkhorn
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Jun 21 2012, 06:57 PM Post #6 |
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I personally mostly do archery and I dont think I would switch back... Mind you I do love late season hunts with a fresh skiff of snow for tracking. This sounds a little corny but I like the close interaction archery brings to moose hunting. I've shot a few moose at long ranges with a rifle but nothing beats one at 5 yards... which took an hour to come in..
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corman30
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Jun 21 2012, 08:05 PM Post #7 |
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Yes we had more encounters while arch hunting then rifle. What you have to remember is you will be hunting when there are the maximum number of moose in the area to hunt and the minimum amount of hunters, un like the gun hunt when they have already seen and heard guys calling, driving, perhaps been shot at. They are educated and harder to get in ect. I find they are much easier to call in. But your right. ANy dummy can go call a moose to within 100 yds, its not rocket science. Its getting them in the next 60 yds thats the challange. BUt it sounds to me like your knowledgable enough to do that no problem. Good luck and FYI...If you want some extra info and tips, pick up a copy of Alex Gouthro,s Moose Madness...packed full of great info for the bow hunter. I watch it every year to help freshiin up on a few things....It helps get me fired up and focused and I always find my self picking out a lil something helpfull out of it every time I watch it.
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Gibby
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Jun 21 2012, 08:50 PM Post #8 |
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Very good advice, Alex knows a thing or two about bowhunting Moose We made the switch 9 years ago and have harvested moose 8 out of the 9 years (could have been 9 but we had a guy freeze up when a bull came in the first year) and we have NO thoughts of switching back, we actually wish we had made the switch sooner You need to watch your wind more than you would if your rifle hunting and stay on the edge of the cuts or into the bush more. Dont hang out in the middle of the cuts like a rifle hunter where you can see forever. Our farthest shot so far has been 27 yards, closest was 4 yards It will feel a little wierd at first but once you get your first response that all goes away As far as moose sightings go, I personally seen 8 moose last year Good Luck Gibby |
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| swamp donkey | Jun 21 2012, 10:26 PM Post #9 |
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Its a great dvd set, my wife got it for me last christmas. Already watched it once, and im sure ill watch it a couple times again before we leave. I learned alot already and sure some didnt sink in either. I was thinking of either buying the montana moose decoy(man does it look real) or make my own. How many of you guys use them and do you think they helped you bring the bull in closer?? Man all this talk about moose hunting is got me goin, come on sept 19th
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| swamp donkey | Jun 21 2012, 10:41 PM Post #10 |
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Very good advice, Alex knows a thing or two about bowhunting Moose We made the switch 9 years ago and have harvested moose 8 out of the 9 years (could have been 9 but we had a guy freeze up when a bull came in the first year) and we have NO thoughts of switching back, we actually wish we had made the switch sooner You need to watch your wind more than you would if your rifle hunting and stay on the edge of the cuts or into the bush more. Dont hang out in the middle of the cuts like a rifle hunter where you can see forever. Our farthest shot so far has been 27 yards, closest was 4 yards It will feel a little wierd at first but once you get your first response that all goes away As far as moose sightings go, I personally seen 8 moose last year Good Luck Gibby [/QUOTE] Wow, sounds like you guys have it down to a science and hunt a great area. Im glad im hearing these success stories, i was beginning to wonder if we had made the right move in switching to archery. The other half of our former group thinks were nuts, but then again i think there nuts for driving 17 hours to drink there face off and only put in 50% effort then bitch and moan when were the only ones seeing the moose and filling the freezers. Im sure if we get a bull in close there will be an underwear changing needed lol Btw 90 days till we leave |
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corman30
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Jun 22 2012, 05:55 AM Post #11 |
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Great advice Gibbs I agree %100. There is definitely a bit of a learning curve you will need to over come. As for a decoy. I made one a few years ago, looked great but ver cumbersome to carry around and set up...they have there place..it worked for us and against us last year...it spooked a young cow we should have probably got Hadith not been for the decoy and we had a bull hang up that had we had the decoy out I think he would have committed. I think I will be investing in a Montana before the fall hunt myself. |
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coptordoctor
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Jun 22 2012, 10:50 AM Post #12 |
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swamp did you get my pm? |
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270 WBY
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Jun 22 2012, 11:53 AM Post #13 |
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![]() Great place to hunt |
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270 WBY
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Jun 22 2012, 11:54 AM Post #14 |
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You telling him our secret locations????
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270 WBY
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Jun 22 2012, 11:59 AM Post #15 |
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Been hunting 15B for about 20 yrs.. I know the Graham rd very well. From the bottom of the road up to Eskimo and Lookout rd and beyonf... Hint Hint
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corman30
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Jun 22 2012, 12:07 PM Post #16 |
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Eskimo rd is where I found a MONSTER shed last year....since you know it so well, perhaps you could enlighten me on how long and why the rd is dredged out a few km past there??? It looks as though people (more skilled atv riders then me) still go past there though. How much farther does it go and is it worth your while to do so? |
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270 WBY
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Jun 22 2012, 12:22 PM Post #17 |
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15A is a prime WMU, Great area for moose and it is a incredible breeding area , if they were to be a little more favourable in the issuance of tags the number of hunters would increase tenfold....because the density of moose is great Remember that 15A is accessible from the Graham Rd as well and some other WMU from the west side, there would be a increase of hunter groups from those WMU's applying to multiple areas and hunting both areas as opposed to those bigger groups hunting one area. Our group would've applied to 15B and 15A as well if the guaranteed group size was smaller for the latter And trust me when I say that I know of some really really good spots on that side which are only accessible from the graham. do your homework....find some good old cuts and you'll find the moose. |
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270 WBY
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Jun 22 2012, 12:34 PM Post #18 |
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They pulled the bridge a long time ago after the fire....thats what I was told. I recall a group of about 8 back in the day who took 5 moose in one morning sit and man were they some big uns!! Big Bulls up that way...I mean BIG BULLS! A couple of guys from Uxbridge usually hunt that section quite a bit and pulled a dandy out a few years ago there are miles of roads on the other side...little patience and you can get across Now I haven't been there for about 6 yrs as I hunt a bit farther south....... there are loads of wolves and you will see caribou There are a few members on this site who hunt up that way as well.... overall a great place to hunt from the railway tracks up to and beyond km 152 |
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corman30
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Jun 22 2012, 01:08 PM Post #19 |
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We saw no bou but it wasn't for lack of trying There is a big island we were told about that they are seen on and where mnr usually locate them also, but we didn't see a thing...interesting about that bridge...we figured there might be a fly in camp in there farther and that's why they did it. Those are the spots I like getting I to because not many make the effort to do so and you have little to no pressure...although having said that....ask me if we made the effort to go beyond 81 more sleeps and I am outta here
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| PEte A | Jun 22 2012, 01:49 PM Post #20 |
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There has been a lot of rain up in the area over the past couple of weeks and I've been hearing lots about washouts. I'm heading up that way over the weekend. Will let you guys know if I run into anything substantial. PEte |
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270 WBY
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Jun 22 2012, 02:02 PM Post #21 |
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Really..........probably up and around km 90 and north of there |
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| swamp donkey | Jun 22 2012, 02:43 PM Post #22 |
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I didnt receive a pm, dont know whats up with that. Try again i guess. Thanks |
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| swamp donkey | Jun 22 2012, 03:06 PM Post #23 |
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15a is a great wmu. Weve seen a boat load of moose on that side of graham and actually got 2 of them after waiting for them to cross over. There are 2 funnels there seems that they travel in and around brightsands and over to 15 b. I would love to get down brightsands rd, theres got to be some big bulls back there with no hunting pressure other than the lodges way back in. I talked to a fellow a couple years ago as he was coming out of brightsands. I was gonna let him know he cant be back there, until i seen he was a native. He said you wouldnt believe the video footage he has of moose back there. Mnr officer said theres plenty of caribou back there too. Two of our members last year had a bou walk within 20 yards of them, but no camera. Its been a couple of years since ive been up past the bridge where its 15b on both sides, been sticking to my honey hole, but always liked it up there. Less road hunters and traffic up there thats for sure. I think the furthest i have explored up there is lookout rd if i remember. |
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| swamp donkey | Jun 22 2012, 04:54 PM Post #24 |
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Ive pmd back other than the first time when you got back to me, as ive sent 3 others (basically the same message after not saving it and having to re write it again ), but its not sending at least thats what its leading me to beileve . Even the first one that you obviously got isnt showing that it sent, dont know wth is going on.............did you receive the other pms from me??? Never had a problem pming before
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270 WBY
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Jun 22 2012, 05:28 PM Post #25 |
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Oh yeah I can see em now crossing from one side to the other :-) Don't care what anybody says Graham rd is still The best for moose |
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| swamp donkey | Jun 22 2012, 06:42 PM Post #26 |
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Do you archery hunt up there or rifle hunt? If its rifle ive probably chatted with one of your group members or you in the past 5 years. Id love to move up to tbay and hunt and fish up the graham all the time, but i dont think my construction company would survive unfortunetely |
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270 WBY
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Jun 22 2012, 08:03 PM Post #27 |
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Rifle season I hunt the last 2 weeks of Oct. And yeah I can transfer to TB no problemo with my company and I would be very happy But the wifey would end up taking half of everything......LOL |
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corman30
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Jun 22 2012, 08:48 PM Post #28 |
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Lmao..270.....x2 for me...lol |
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| bowbender | Jun 23 2012, 08:14 AM Post #29 |
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yep lots of rain and lots of washouts around graham. The main road is ok but lots of the side roads are totalled. The Petry road was washed out at the first culvert (should be fixed by now) The graham area ain't what it once was for moose thats for sure. 70' and 80's were the years to hunt up there. I hope they never increase the tags for 15A, that would spell disaster for that WMU as well. |
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270 WBY
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Jun 23 2012, 09:28 AM Post #30 |
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Of course it isnt the same as it was back in the 70's and 80's Back then they were cutting 24/7 365 on both sides of the Graham and moose were easier to see Since the early 90's the amount of logging has dwindled and it's going to get worse the more we move into this century. The Graham rd(B side) has the odd logging operation working but the bulk of it is "chipping" |
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| swamp donkey | Jun 23 2012, 03:37 PM Post #31 |
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Would have loved to see it in the 70s and 80s, the stories sound pretty crazy. They were cutting down weaver rd a couple years ago, but ya most of the cuts are starting to get over grown and will be harder to hunt for a long range shot. As you know though, above 92kms cuts are few and very far between compared to south of 92, but theres still lots of moose in the thick stuff. Once these cuts are over grown the orange brigade will diminish hopefully and move on to easier wmus where there still cutting, if there is such a place. The moose will still be there, just gonna be a different hunt for 90% of the hunters are used to, and most wont change cause its not gonna be as easy. Thats fine with me, im not scared to work for it, makes it that more satisfiying when successful. |
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270 WBY
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Jun 23 2012, 08:47 PM Post #32 |
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There was a lot of chipping on Weaver rd last couple of years Then last summer they sprayed the area NASTY!! But the moose are around and in high numbers Bout 112 days to go :-) |
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| PEte A | Jun 25 2012, 03:52 PM Post #33 |
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Was up the Graham to around km 90 over the weekend and as Bowbender mentioned the main road is intact. Looked to me like the lower end got more rain than the upper end. Its a little rougher up to around the Wawang Rd road than its been over the last couple of years, but still in pretty good shape. |
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270 WBY
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Jun 26 2012, 09:49 AM Post #34 |
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Thanx for the update.. They still cutting on the west side of Graham around KM 54? F |
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| bowbender | Jun 26 2012, 10:33 AM Post #35 |
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Not much cutting happening north of graham some small pieces here and there , they were scarifying last month. |
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270 WBY
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Jun 26 2012, 12:02 PM Post #36 |
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I saw a new road just north of the river I think it was more of a chipping operation than a logging op Thnx
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81 more sleeps and I am outta here
), but its not sending at least thats what its leading me to beileve . Even the first one that you obviously got isnt showing that it sent, dont know wth is going on.............did you receive the other pms from me??? Never had a problem pming before
9:31 AM Jul 11