WA Moose Raffle Tag

[starbailey]

 It looks as if I was one of the two lucky winners of the state wide moose tags! Any open moose area Sept 1-Dec 31! I have to say I am EXTREEMLY excited about winning this tag! But, I'm a little nervous about doing the tag justice as I have very busy schedule already this fall. This will be the only tag I'll hunt my self and really want to use my bow to kill him. I have very little time in Sept to hunt but mid Oct through the end of the year looks fairly open. I am very committed in holding out for a BIG bull. I've read some of the other moose post and see there are some very knowledgeable moose hunters on here. Anyone willing to share their thoughts would be very appreciated as I know little about the moose areas in WA.
 Thanks,
Bryan

[go4steelhd]

Good luck! Share some photo's when you find him.

[bobcat]

You might consider hiring a guide since you're limited on time and especially because you want to hunt with your bow.

I would try to hunt the last week of September if you can. That way you'll have your choice of bulls before any of the other moose tag holders start hunting on October 1st.

The first week of October is a good time to hunt as well, as they will be in the rut.

[Elkstuffer]

Very nice Bryan! Great tag to pull. I would also recommend the last week of Sept and first week of Oct. as they will be rutting good.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[boneaddict]

Biggest chance at the biggest bull would probably be in 49.  At least that's where I have seen the majority of bigger bulls lately. 

[Jason]

Congrats on an awesome tag!

[huntnphool]

You might consider hiring a guide since you're limited on time and especially because you want to hunt with your bow.

Limited to time? He said he can hunt mid Oct through the end of the year!

[bobcat]

You might consider hiring a guide since you're limited on time and especially because you want to hunt with your bow.

Limited to time? He said he can hunt mid Oct through the end of the year!

Yeah I guess you're right, but I'd hate to see him hold out to the end of November, or later, and end up with an antlerless bull, like someone else we know (but won't mention any names.)   

[Curly]

You might consider hiring a guide since you're limited on time and especially because you want to hunt with your bow.

Limited to time? He said he can hunt mid Oct through the end of the year!

Yeah I guess you're right, but I'd hate to see him hold out to the end of November, or later, and end up with an antlerless bull, like someone else we know (but won't mention any names.)   

Exactly what I was thinking when I read "I am very committed in holding out for a BIG bull".  I was going to warn him that he may not want to hold out too long.

[benhuntin]

That is a fun tag. Good luck.  What is "BIG"?

[Ridgerunner]

They do start dropping their horns in late November so don't wait too long, I have no doubt you will do the tag justice Bryan.

[benhuntin]

Last week of sept. no question!!

[starbailey]

When do the bulls usually drop their antlers? I was thinking mid Dec.
Big to me is a B&C moose, Ben. But, if a bull with big fronts or something special is standing there i might be a little tempted. 
 Like I mentioned, I would love to kill it with a bow but it not an only option for me. I know the rut is the best time for archery and as I'm limited to my rut time, I'll kill the right bull with whatever it takes.
 I had an Idaho moose tag in 09 and passed on 9 different bulls over 15 days of hunting (2 trips) so I can "hold out". Yep, it was hard to eat that $1700 tag but I wanted something to hang on the wall and never saw it. That's hunting, right? I do not want that to happen with this tag!

[benhuntin]

Most bulls drop end dec. but some early and some in feb.  How well do you know  NE corner? 

[bobcat]

From what I'm hearing, in your situation, I would think real hard about hiring Bearpaw Outfitters for a guided hunt.

Go for a week, and kill your Boone and Crocket bull, with your bow, preferably the last week of September.

I think it would be well worth the cost, seeing that you already spent thousands of dollars on your Idaho moose hunt, and you didn't find a moose worth shooting.

[carpsniperg2]

Congrats bryan. Look forward to pics and a story of your hunt. Best of luck to you.

[huntnphool]

You might consider hiring a guide since you're limited on time and especially because you want to hunt with your bow.

Limited to time? He said he can hunt mid Oct through the end of the year!

Yeah I guess you're right, but I'd hate to see him hold out to the end of November, or later, and end up with an antlerless bull, like someone else we know (but won't mention any names.)   

By his own admission;

I am very committed in holding out for a BIG bull.

No mention of antlers, B&C, SCI or P&Y, only "a Big bull", which I've proven can be done with archery gear at the end of November.

On a serious note though starbailey, there is very little that a bull moose fears. From personal experience, if you walk at a slow but steady speed at a 45* toward them, they typically stand there and watch you.

We were finding bulls with one or no antlers starting about the 25th of November, although I believe Mr Greenhaw got his nice bull after that, so who knows what determines when they drop each year.

[starbailey]

I've committed to helping on a hunt in NM from Sep 15-Oct 5Th and would never think of breaking that commitment. So the last week of Sep is not a option, unless he tags early and I'm back home.
 I'm a DIY guy unless I legally cant hunt without a guide. That being said I know how important it is to have local eyes in the woods.

[Curly]

If you haven't read phool's account of his moose hunt, you've missed out and you should definitely give it a read. 

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,12363.0.html

[huntnphool]

I've committed to helping on a hunt in NM from Sep 15-Oct 5Th and would never think of breaking that commitment. So the last week of Sep is not a option, unless he tags early and I'm back home.
 I'm a DIY guy unless I legally cant hunt without a guide. That being said I know how important it is to have local eyes in the woods.

The rut is fun but as fall hits and the leaves start to drop you will see the bulls group back up, making them easier to spot. Typically if you spot one there will be one or two with him as the weather turns. The less leaves really makes glassing a lot easier to see deeper through the timber.

[starbailey]

No mention of antlers, B&C, SCI or P&Y, only "a Big bull", which I've proven can be done with archery gear at the end of November.

By big I'm talking B&C all time book (155). I'd love bigger of course but I also want to be realistic in my expectations. Yes, I know there are far bigger moose to be found in WA and would gladly kill one if found. I just don't want to be tied to a number like 170 or 180 and be disappointed when he only tapes out 160.

[huntnphool]

and be disappointed when he only tapes out 160.

[starbailey]

and be disappointed when he only tapes out 160.

I figured someone would get a kick out of that! 

[Wea300mag]

Congrats on the great tag. Way to set your goals high.

It seems that a tag like this would override plans to help on another hunt, I know my friends would understand. Either way, I hope he tags out early and you get to hunt the last week of Sept. 

[DeerThug]

Where is pendorialadventure?  Not sure I spelled it right but he is a moose expert.

[pendoreilleadventures]

I already sent him a PM

[DeerThug]

Hey there you are.  Just got my bull on the wall last night.  had a heck of a time getting it through the door.  Had to take down my big buck to make wall space.  going to have to buy a new house i guess.

Been seeing some MONSTER bucks the past few weeks - seems like everywhere i go i see bucks

Hope you can get him on a bull....  if it is an oct hunt let me know and i'd i might even be able to add another pair of eye in the binocs...

[starbailey]

It seems that a tag like this would override plans to help on another hunt, I know my friends would understand. Either way, I hope he tags out early and you get to hunt the last week of Sept. 
[/quote]

I know I could possably get out of helping on some of the hunts I've committed to but I just cant do that to friends. Commitments are commitments and when I give my word I do everything I can to keep it. My mind will be back in WA chasing moose but I'll do everything I can to make their hunts successful so I can get to mine.
 Pendorialadventure, I'll give you a call later today.
Bryan

[JoeE]

Be sure to study the moose poop thread thoroughly before your hunt. Lots of good info there.

That's pretty much all I got though.

[benhuntin]

Be sure to study the moose poop thread thoroughly before your hunt. Lots of good info there.

That's pretty much all I got though.

A must read before moose hunting.  Haha

[bobcat]

Be sure to study the moose poop thread thoroughly before your hunt. Lots of good info there.

That's pretty much all I got though.

A must read before moose hunting.  Haha

  

Great info there on how to discern the difference between boy moose poop and girl moose poop.   

[rosscrazyelk]

You might consider hiring a guide since you're limited on time and especially because you want to hunt with your bow.

Limited to time? He said he can hunt mid Oct through the end of the year!

Yeah I guess you're right, but I'd hate to see him hold out to the end of November, or later, and end up with an antlerless bull, like someone else we know (but won't mention any names.)   

Ouch..

[DeerThug]

My best advice is hook up with Pendorialadventure.  He has the knowledge of the teritory and moose and since you can go anywhere he will get back to the places he knows best  he's a good guy and will do right by you if you do your part.

[starbailey]

How about a pic of your bull deerthug?

[bowhunterforever]

Awsome tag, congrats and good luck

[huntnnw]

U may wanna look hard at unit 101... The last couple years we have seen the biggest bulls I have ever watched up there. Theres some pics from a few peoples trail cams on here that are from that area of huge bulls

[huntnnw]

One of the best times to get a huge bull is before the rut. This time of year you can find them, watch them and go after them on Day 1!! rut starts who knows where they will be.

[jackmaster]

Be sure to study the moose poop thread thoroughly before your hunt. Lots of good info there.

That's pretty much all I got though.

A must read before moose hunting.  Haha

  

Great info there on how to discern the difference between boy moose poop and girl moose poop.   

i damn near pissed my shorts  thanks bobcat 

[starbailey]

No worry now as I've read and re-read  the moos poop thread. I've got it all figured out now!

[Elkstuffer]

How about a pic of your bull deerthug?

Here's a couple pictures of the bull I did for deerthug Bryan. I had to add 4+ inches to the muzzle of this bull. Longest nose I've ever seen on a moose.

Congrats on your tag! That should be a hunt to remember!

Ric

[Falcon]

Deerthug

That's a beautiful bull!!!!

I would be thrilled to knock one down like that!

[DeerThug]

Yeah there are bigger, but i am totally satisfied with that oil tag especially how it all came down with all of the pre season work including Hooters  and  matthew was there and his decisions helped it come together and he spent two days with me getting it out.

I often catch myself looking at the horns on the wall an re-living the memory not of just the moose but the cats bucks and bulls .. and soon to be the billie

Now i got that big ole nose to look at - elkstuffer did right by me again

Back to this thread - go more north for better genetics and don't mess around it takes work and can not be that easy.

[coyotestalker22250]

Awesome tag buddy. Hope you get "the big one". Good luck.

[elkoholic1]