In preparation for my moose tag....

[Scottystyle]

So, after 25 years of trying to get a moose tag in Washington, the WDFW has taken pitty on me and granted me a Huckleberry moose tag!!! ( AND I NOW WAKE UP ). HAHA!!!  Was wondering though from those who have drawn or those who are holding on to a tread of hope of ever drawing... what kind of bull would you shoot? Would you hold out for a masher, take the first bull you see?  Just looking for opinions on what this tag is to you? For me, I want to have a big camp with my family and huntin buddys there to enjoy the experience. From what Ive seen in the unit, I would probably look for something 35-40 wide and pretty even both sides... and hopefully close to a road, not in a canyon haha!

[NWBREW]

If you have that many points you got me beat. Now I'm just hoping I'll get drawn before I'm to old. 

[huntnnw]

wait a week before u pull the trigger..enjoy it and take it all in...35-40" bull is not hard to find any of the units of all the moose hunts I have been on here we would see many in that size a day...I myself would wait on a 44" + thats doable easily if you can keep your finger off the trigger.

[NWBREW]

Not sure what i would end up with. I see a lot of moose but the one in the pic I would probably shoot. Took it with a cell phone when I was elk hunting up north. Any guesses how wide? You gotta look hard to see him. I'd say just shy of 40.

[huntnnw]

id say your close..hard to tell

[Skyvalhunter]

You can bank on being NOT SELECTED

[Ridgerunner]

Getting a 40 plus shouldn't be too hard, font shoot the first one you see unless it is a monster, lots of moose in all the units, take your time and enjoy the hunt getting drawn is the hardest part of moose hunting in this state.

[boneaddict]

I'd spend more time looking for a good deal on a freezer.

[huntnnw]

 

[Bucks2Ducks]

If I were to ever get drawn getting one with my bow would be more important to me than the score, that being said close to 40 and I would fill my tag.

[GoldTip]

Hold out for the bull that you will be happy with, enjoy the chance to hunt Moose, it is exceptionally fun.  Anything over 40" with split fronts on both sides is a good Moose with the preponderance of bulls killed each year being smaller than that.  Don't get overly nervous about the tag in your packet, scout the area as much as possible and enjoy the anticipation that comes during scouting.  The Moose are there and you will find a good one if you keep your trigger finger from getting too itchy.

[brianmtsinc]

I am pretty sure that I am going to draw this year!! 

If I do, I want to do it with my bow, and with my hunting partners.  I want to have a great experience and enjoy the opportunity.....BUT, I also want to challange myself to hold out for a big one!  44 + would be sweet! 

As soon as I draw I will let you all know my plans 
Brian

[Scottystyle]

Thanks all for the responses!!! Ya, its probably not going to happen in my lifetime lol, but it doesnt hurt to dream.... oh wait, ya it does! at least I got one... in Canada!

[westside bull]

Drew it in 07 seen a couple of bulls scouting in days before hunt first day of hunt killed a bull that was close to 47 wide it made BC should have scored bigger but had broken paddle. I think you could kill a bull that goes 150 with all 6 permits!

[huntnnw]

most wont wait till November(including myself) ..this is when it gets good.The bulls herd up..all the vegetation is gone..snow on the ground and easy to spot

[coachcw]

make the most out of a moose hunt and do your self justice for waiting all those years . No Regrets !

[Dr. Death]

All good info...here's my take on it after having the tag last year....BE PATIENT! I went 4 days early to scout and learn the roads and just to see animals and hopefully see bulls and get somewhat used to judging them. The best advice I got was this, "you will know a good bull when they have that WOW factor". I hunted for 8 days after being there for 4 days, saw close to 25 bulls in that time. Of those 3 had that WOW factor, you will know when you see one of those. Passed up 13 bulls during the season, 2 had that wow factor and I killed one of them, the other just gave us the slip after winding us. Its a SPECIAL hunt, share it with as many as you can. My goal was, 40", double brows and good even palms, mine ended up being over 44 1/2", double brows and had good palms and points. Great info and people on here to help also! I have only  regret I have is that is that I didnt use my bow, but with that being said I passed up 11 bulls with my bow all at under 40 yards, some as close as 6 yards, so I did have my chance, I just wanted a big one and when I did shoot one my 73 year old dad, huntnw and 1 other friend were all by my side, and that was well worth it sharing that moment with all of them! 

[Scottystyle]

I figured..... if I ever ....get a tag, I would use my muzzy for the first part of the hunt, try to get one relatively close.  I know what you mean by the WOW factor.  When I got my bullin Canada years back, I had seen a few bulls that were pushing 50 wide, but eiter lacked symetry, tine length, brows.... just not "it".  I took a bull that was only 32, with 4 days left on the hunt, he was pretty symetrical, long double brows with a cheater point on one of the brows, but the reddish brown color of the horns on the morning sunlight was the clincher. Plus it was a pretty young bull, so the eats was the best in the world 

[Buckblaster]

Width is not the main factor for me.  I would hold out for one of those beer belly bulls with wide palms and split brows through the first part of the season, then shoot any decent looking bull near the end.  I know I would kill something by the end of the season, because they are so tasty.  I'll probably never draw here anyway since  I have been putting in for the last 25 years with no luck.  I  also have 12 nr points in Wyoming for moose, but while the permits lessen, the wait lengthens, so I may never draw there either.  It's all just a dream anyway and a way for them to get my money.

[huntnnw]

If u want a book bull..width better be a factor..its a huge part of the score

[Buckblaster]

Huge part??

[Skyvalhunter]

Time to wake from your moose dream

[Scottystyle]

Time to wake from your moose dream

Hahaha.... its like one of those dreams where tou falling and wake right befoe you hit the ground... except the moose is in the scope but you cant pull the trigger hahaha

[cohoho]

I'd spend more time looking for a good deal on a freezer.

Yep my way of thinking...

[BULLBLASTER]

Huge part??

probably 25-30% of the score is the width.
i would say double (at least) brows is king followed by width. without double brows you lose so much paddle length.

[WSU]

People should post photos for those of us that don't know anything about moose.  I'd be interested to see the difference sizes, especially from those who have killed the bull and measured it.

[benhuntin]

Width is not the most important. Look for 10 points a side and double brows with good paddles. I would say split brows is the most important. All that said you will know when you see a shooter.

[westside bull]

People should post photos for those of us that don't know anything about moose.  I'd be interested to see the difference sizes, especially from those who have killed the bull and measured it.

This bull is 46 6/8 wide gross scored around 158 6/8 was broken up on left side should have been in 160's. Killed in 07.

[bowhunterforever]

Dandy bull What unit?

[westside bull]

Huckleberry range

[pendoreilleadventures]

Heres a few bulls my uncle and I got hunters when we guided all in 49n

57 1/2 wide


only 38 inch wide but had al most 14 inch paddles.

[huntnnw]

A 150" bull with a width of 47-50" isnt a big part 

[Scottystyle]

Great mooses guys!  I like that wide one, not really because the width.... it just has a unique look to it.  My dream got crushed anyways... every year I've been putting in for Huckleberry, and somehow I put in foe Three Forks    Oh well, won't get drawn anyways   

[huntnnw]

Hangman 09

149 1/8" width 42" was not its strength, big paddles tho

[Broker]

Nice pic!  Another year of dreaming for me.  Seriously thinking about going to Canada or Alaska so I can hunt one before I'm too old.

[Scottystyle]

Nice pic!  Another year of dreaming for me.  Seriously thinking about going to Canada or Alaska so I can hunt one before I'm too old.

ya... im saving my pennies... lots of lots of pennies for Canada

[huntnnw]

Front the tag fee in ID.. Serious chance of drawing in 1-3 years hell of a lot cheaper than Canada

[Hoythunter]

Front the tag fee in ID.. Serious chance of drawing in 1-3 years hell of a lot cheaper than Canada

I followed that exact strategy this year and now have a OIL moose tag in my pocket.  I feel extremely lucky but not nearly as lucky as one will have to be to pull a WA tag as a resident.

[huntnnw]

 

[PA BEN]

Hold out for the big one. There are some nice bulls in that unit. I'm moving back to my home town Chewelah this weekend and I will be living in that unit. I will keep an eye out for you and keep you posted on moose locations I hear about. I drew in '08 and shot a 43"er on the 4th day of my hunt, I passed on 4 bulls before I shot him. He's a nice bull but I should have held out a little longer. Get some calling videos they were very EZ to call in. Mostly bull grunts, when I cow called I would piss off a cow w/the bull and she would take him away. Lots of fun enjoy the ride.