N Idaho Moose Hunting Blues. Any suggestions?

[Hoythunter]

Well heck.  First of all congrats to all the successful OIL tag holders, some beautiful bulls have been hitting the dirt.

Just got back from my 8 day N Idaho Moose hunt, area 1-1.  I have no regrets from an effort standpoint as I literally hunted dawn to dusk every day.  I averaged nearly 7 miles a day hiking behind locked Forest Service gates and put on nearly 1,000 miles (hard to believe).  Crazy.  We cow called, grunted, raked trees, you name it.  I covered every thinkable Moose area N, S, E and W of Priest Lake.  It wasn't all for nothing as I saw 8 moose, 2 of which were small bulls.

Anyone out there ever had this tag before and if so any suggestions?  I'm blown away from the overall lack of sign and sightings.  I felt like I left it all on the field which makes me feel a little better, but the thought of a potential dish of tag soup is nasty.  Still have time but from here on out will be a weekend here and there.

Thanks!

[EyeTooth]

PM sent

[Elkbow33]

I feel your pain.  Been passing on mediocre bulls and most of the bulls coming close but hang up at 30 yards or so in the thick stuff and I can't see em.  I'm exhausted!  Good luck and stick with it. 

[backpacker]

I had the tag back in 2007, never really saw anything big but ended up taking a bull.  As far as the tag soup, you get used to it- i know i do! I have a MT moose tag and I never even saw a bull, not sure if I'll be able to make it back up there either.  I'll send a pm but it sounds like you covered a lot of the country.

[Hoythunter]

Backpacker - thanks for the PM.  I hit every spot you mentioned.  Lots of country for sure.  Sorry to hear about your MT experience, hope you get the chance to give it another try.  I also replied to your PM.

[tlake]

This may be part of the issue.....
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/science/earth/something-is-killing-off-the-moose.html?_r=0

[Hoythunter]

Tlake - interesting read, thanks for posting.  I have an unreturned message into the bio as I'm curious to learn about moose numbers / harvest figures thus far into the season.  I'm still hard at it, had an encouraging past weekend seeing 3 cow and calf pairs.  it's been a very humbling experience this far, that's for sure.  I'll keep turning over rocks, I'm bound to run into a shooter bull sooner or later (hopefully before season ends!).

[idahohuntr]

I have not hunted 1-1...but my family has killed 3 bulls in 1-4.  When the snow started to fly we saw a lot more bulls than we ever did this time of year...so I wouldn't get too discouraged.  Also, in November there will be more deer hunters and most of them will be helpful in pointing you in the direction of any bull moose they might have seen if you take the time to talk with them.  Good Luck!