Three Forks Moose

[mingo]

Just found this site and decided it was time to stop lurking and get signed up.  I got lucky and was drawn for a moose permit in the Three Forks unit.  I was hoping to get a few tips/pointers from a few of you of what you have done or would recommend doing once you have a moose down, such as quartering or deboning, and what tools you would pack with you like saws, rope, game bags, tarps, etc.  I also have access to a walk in cooler about a 30-40 minute drive away from where I plan to do most of my hunting so I am not overly concerned about getting lots of ice and bins unless it happens to be unseasonably hot early in October.  Thanks in advance!

A little about myself and a couple pictures since that is what seems to be enjoyed around here   I was born and raised in the Northeast corner (Colville) and now I work and live in Spokane.  I have been chasing whitetails since I was in 3rd or 4th grade and I have been been fortunate enough to have shot my fair share of whitetails since then along with a couple of bears and a cougar, although whitetails are my passion but I think moose is going to be right up there soon enough.  IMO bears are too much work for what they are worth which might not be a popular opinion on here.

I dont have any digital pics of the bears or cougar because my old laptop died and the deer pics arent the best but here they are.  Ill see if I can dig up any bear or cougar pics in the photo album.

2007






2008

[Ridgerunner]

Congrats on the draw, I'm interested in the same stuff you are because this will be my first moose.  That whitetail is a hog!  I need to get serious about chasing those guys one of these years, what a dandy buck.

[hunterbuilder]

Welcome. Way to go on the draw. Those are some nice lookin bucks! We'll be chasing the whitetail bucks this year if we don't tag out on the mulies first.

[DeKuma]

Welcome.  I agree, great looking bucks!

[mingo]

Thanks guys!  I cant explain how excited I am about this hunt but I will be honest that I dont know much if anything about moose hunting but being a local I have somewhat of an advantage of knowing where they are and talking to a lot of people that are in the woods every day.

The rut for whitetails is a blast as I am sure many of you have experienced it.  You never know where or when a big boy might show up...

[PA BEN]

Three Forks is a good draw. It was my third choice, only because I know 49 and Selkirk better. It took 10 yr's for me, how long have you been putting in for? I'm from Chewelah and moved to the west side 3 1/2 yrs ago, so I know 49 real well and drew it this year. (first choice) I have muzzle loaded for elk in the north West corner of the Aladdin unit, right on the Candian Border, saw more moose then elk. Also a lot of muzzle loader hunters with quads.
As far as what to carry, 6 to 8 game bags, 50 ft of parachute cord (to hold legs while boning out, and to hang meat in trees) Good knife, moose hide is thick, have a sharpener too. Plastics tarp to place meat on to keep clean while bagging. And bone saw. The way I do elk is to lay on it's side, tie front leg and hind leg up and to the side. Gut and start skinning the legs down and use the inside of the hide to lay meat on, if you want to cape it you well start on the back and work down to the belly. Neck meat, back straps, front leg, hind leg then ribs. flip over do the same on the other side. Theres two "old" Larry D. Jones Video's, Elk Fever and Elk Memories. Elk Memories shows how to bone out an elk, Clarks use to have this Video.
Good luck and let us know how the hunt went.

[bowsandhose]

  nice bucks 

[GoldTip]

Congrats on the Moose draw, you will have a good time.  Also, very nice bucks.  Welcome to the site.

[Gobble]

Nice Bucks!

I wonder if there are some muley genes in the buck with the split G2's,I hunt up in that area as well and have seen cross bred deer on occaision. We saw a buck last year during the late hunt that had a whitetail head but had a very distinct muley colored tail, it was the shape of a whitetail but was muley colored (weird) My buddy wanted to pull the trigger but just couldn't, didn't want a visit from the game warden :0 ) Very nice buck though.

[bucklucky]

Nice Bucks! Congrats on the draw. Keep us posted on how you do with your moose hunt!

[pendoreilleadventures]

congrats on the draw give me a call i can give you few pointers names Brian 509-998-0268

[huntnphool]

Nice bucks. Sounds like you're dialed in with the locals, that cant hurt. What are your goals for the hunt, good luck.

[boneaddict]

Gobble Thats a genetic trait of the whities up there especially out of Kettle and North along the crest.  I would concentrate up North, as close to the BC line as you can get.  Quite frankly, there are some Canadian moose which tend to be bigger than the Shiras that cross the line and anything on this side of the line is considered a shiras.  Smackout etc.  If you want one of these "200" inch bulls they keep referring to on here, thats a good place to locate one.  If you are eastside, make sure you have an elk tag in your pocket as there are some good bulls up there too if you happen to be in there when the season is on.  

[huntnphool]

 If you want one of these "200" inch bulls they keep referring to on here, thats a good place to locate one.

I thought you promised to call one of these toads in for me, thats a long way to get him to come to a call

[boneaddict]

Well according to some they grow on trees over there, but we'll def see what we can come up with.  If you shoot one of them *censored*s Mray, W70  and I will have to draw straws, one to see who is going to pack you out and the other the moose.

[huntnphool]

Mray, W70  and I will have to draw straws, one to see who is going to pack you out and the other the moose.

Thanks for that Doug, I just shot my ice-tea through my nostrils, LMFAO

[mingo]

PA BEN - Thanks for the tips, that helps a lot.  It was my 5th year putting in so I got lucky early in the game.

huntnphool - not exactly sure about my goals for the hunt.  Im hoping that changes though from some successful scouting in the next couple of weeks.  In a perfect world I would like to get one that is 45”+ but im not too sure how realistic that is.  I have seen enough moose in the area that I know it is possible.  As far a score goes Im not too concerned as long as im happy with what I end up with.  My biggest fear is that I get antsy or badly misjudge one and shot one in the 36-40” range early on when I know that 40”+ is very realistic from what I have seen and heard from others so far.

Bone – PM sent   

[M_ray]

Mray, W70  and I will have to draw straws, one to see who is going to pack you out and the other the moose.

Thanks for that Doug, I just shot my ice-tea through my nostrils, LMFAO

Ya well Bone just pissed in my Cheerios so it looks like I'm going for a hike to get ready!







Damn it    and I wanted to go bear hunting tonite!

[PA BEN]

Moose are very hard to field judge. The rule of thumb is there 30" between the ears.

[popeshawnpaul]

Good thing I'm packing a camera and don't have to help pack...   

No 1200 lb moose 4 miles in a hell hole.  I'm just not sure M-ray can handle it.

[bucklucky]

Good thing I'm packing a camera and don't have to help pack...  

No 1200 lb moose 4 miles in a hell hole.  I'm just not sure M-ray can handle it.

Especially if he keeps pissing in his Cheerios 

[SHANE(WA)]

The forked tines are also genetic to the mica unit, we have taken 4 now with forked tines.
Heres one from mica
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa139/shanewa300/8.jpg

[Ridgerunner]

Wowsers another awesome whitetail, too bad Mica is a draw only unit during the late season now, otherwise I know when I'd time my moose hunt,.

[M_ray]

BTW I forgot to add Nice bucks mingo and good luck with that moose!