Moose Hunt areas

[Hyde]

I hunted Mica alone and killed a bull 500 yards from a road in two directions.  If not for two really REALLY great guys that came to my rescue, a bunch of that moose would have spoiled.  I hunted there the last year they let you in with quads.  You can't camp in there (legally).  Bikes are a "maybe", but you would for sure need a trailer of some sort. 

Now, I wouldn't even think about that area unless:

A.  You are in REALLY great shape.  REALLY REALLY great shape.  I mean "fitness is your lifestyle" shape. 

B.  You have a few friends who are also in really great shape who can go with you.  The more the better. 

C.  You can find a place to stay that will accommodate your needs.  A hotel parking lot in town is not a really great place to hang a moose.  I'm not saying you can't find something that will work, but it will take research.  Like many, this hunt starts the day you get that tag. 

D.  They open the area back up to quad access.  (there's a place to rent in Spokane for those who don't have one)

Unless you have seen it for yourself, 99% of people can't imagine the magnitude of a dead moose laying there before you.  It will sort of be like that famous scene on Jaws where the sheriff says "You're gonna need a bigger boat".  Most people with that tag will want to rush out and hunt the first part of the season.  I killed my moose on Oct 5th, it was 80 degrees that day.  The woods were alive with bees that day.  The day before, it rained all day and there wasn't a bee in sight.  There are plenty of things to consider when planning for an experience like this.  Getting a booner in my opinion is a no brainer if you are patient.  I got lucky and filled my tag on the second day, but I was willing and able to spend as much time as I needed, and come back as many times in the 2 month season to get a good one.  If you have limited days, this probably isn't the area for you.

Good luck to those who do draw that tag this year.  I'm happy to pass along any info I can to the lucky ones. 

[Bwana Bob]

Thanks guys for all the replies to my questions. I'll probably keep hangman on my list of choices. Along with access I wanted to know what everyone felt about trophy quality in that unit. Looks like its good. With all the private land parcelled out in that unit , is it not worth it it  to look around on the private at all ? I'd like to hunt for an above average moose and I know I have the patience for that. I've shot a lot of different game animals in different states and passed on some decent bucks and came home empty handed. No big deal. I'll be 63 in July but I'm still in decent shape. I run 3-4 miles 4 days a week and lift weights. I know I'm slowing down but I think I'm up for hunting moose. I could borrow a 4 wheeler if I need one. I have a game cart and that seems like it could work in that area. Just need to draw that tag before I get too old. I'm more than willing to give up some meat for help and pay for horses to pack it out if I have to
I got lucky and drew a goat tag in 1992 but I'd like to have another one before my hunting days are over. I shot a small busted horned moose in WY that same year.
I wish everyone good luck on the WA drawings.

[Gringo31]

Bob,
I wouldn't worry about getting help.  I'd get that tag and there would be plenty of guys willing to give you a hand....myself included.   

[Bwana Bob]

Thanks Gringo. Ya, getting the tags is the hardes part. Some one has to get lucky.

[huntnphool]

Shane, doesn't inland let guys drive in if they get one down?

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I asked them for access if I got one behind their gates and they said they didn't allow it.

[pendoreilleadventures]

Also there is some private land way up on mica Behind the gate might Be able to contact land own for access to there land for a fee. I am sure they either have have combo or the key to inlands gate.

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[huntnnw]

Boundaries of this unit have never changed since it gave out its first tag

I hunt up there and I have run into the guys that work up there and they have given me rides up the mountain and told me they would open the gate and let me drive in if I downed something. I would not rely on it as you may not even see a worker or they just may say no.

Its not that hard to hunt..I am not a fitness freak or consider myself in great shape at all and its not that difficult. the star rd itself is up hill, but once u hit the spur roads they are flat and the side hill around the mountain..there are several of them that side hill the mt in various elevations.

I know how most OIL tags go..guys end up with way to many friends and family wanting to help de-bone and pack out what you can to the rig..all down hill..return and de0bone more and use game carts..this with 3 guys should be no more than 3 trips max..maybe 2 depending how much comes out on carts.

[crowcaller]

I had a 2012 A tag.  They should change the unit name to Ironman.  Mica was all uphill with steep sides.  Could not find a decent camping area.  The biologist was "not available" to talk to once the season started. I saw about 8 rigs at Starr road gate (the entry point for the 3/4 mile hike to where you can actually hunt without trespassing) opening morning.

You better scout it if you are unfamiliar with it.  I went there twice during the summer.  More would have been better.  I got some helpful info from previous hunters from this forum (thanks guys). 

Tekoa Mt is mostly private, and could not get permission from the right landowners.

Mica Peak is Not a road hunt.  Unless you know the right landowners, you better have some good boots and legs.

[pendoreilleadventures]

Hey CrowCaller did you get a bull??? if so post up a story and some pictures.

[Bwana Bob]

thanks guys for all the info.

[Dr. Death]

Get the tag....thats the hard part!!!!! The rest all works out nicely! 

Lots of great info and peeps on this site that will help you out greatly, 3 of them have been writing on this post!...

[huntnnw]

By some descriptions on here of this hunt you would think u were hunting the watershed!   I'd like to hear there description of that area haha

[Ridgeratt]

Mica is a tuffer hunt now they restricted access but it still can be hunted with out killing your self.
The Kettle range has a few moose as well but you will have to do your homework!

This was a Kettle range moose a few years back.

[huntnnw]

also you can start hunting immediately at the gate on the east side! and that is the side you should be concentrating on anyways. I guess people don't scout and research this like they should..all DNR land all the way down the road on S star rd and both sides in places! and there are moose in there for people not wanting to hike a ton

Today I walked up the road behind gate with a 35lb pack on...it took me 16 min to walk to the first main spur road into the SE basin and 7 more minutes and I was on the second spur road into the basin this is the main area that the moose are concentrated in. If walking that far is terrible or too much.. you my friend are lazy! I can walk to the top in under a hour and there is no need to go that high anyways