Selkirk bull moose.

[Turner89]

I Was lucky enough to get a moose tag, with 20 points.  Pretty cool. 
 I'm heading over there to start getting acquainted to the area on 4th of July weekend. I'd love to hear some advice from past tag holders and any locals that don't mind sharing some info. I feel a bit weird asking for info, but I'm going to make the best of this tag and have a lot to figure out in the next few months.  Here's a few questions off the top of my head, I'm sure I'll have some more.   Thanks in advance.

1) An RV spot to park my trailer for a couple weeks. 
2) Best time to hunt between october 1st and November 30.  (I'm guessing early October during the rut)
3) areas with locked gates.  I want to ride/hike as deep as I can.
4) Nearby meat locker to store meat for a few days.

[cem3434]

Don't know the area, but congrats and it sounds like you already have the solid makings of a plan to make the most of your OIL tag! 

[JakeLand]

Congrats again ! I’ll be one guy getting to join on this hunt !!

[fishngamereaper]

The rut is fun to hunt if you time it right... calling moose is a blast...
Late Oct is a waste...
BUT.... there's something to hunting in mid late Nov with snow on the ground.
They are up around feeding, easy to see, and meat care is easier...a sxs with snow trax is the ticket....
Good luck and enjoy the journey.
And the only spots I have in that unit are coming in from the Idaho side...if u get desperate.

[lewy]

  Congrats!! Get a beef scapula and dry it out for raking, works killer. You can scout the unit 1 idaho side as an option. I don't know about your comment on wanting to hunt as deep as possible tho they are a giant challenge once dead if your deep. Figure 7-8 trips to get one out! Have a blast man!

[6haase6]

We did mine in 8 trips. We had roughly 100 pounds of just animal in each trip. Moose live in nasty stuff the tops of ridges where the clearest but still not fun lots of nasty brush that intertwines so it kills your legs the further you get off the tops of the ridges the thicker and taller the brush got. While looking for mine there was some of the brush that was 15 plus feet tall and would house a standing moose never to bee seen from the outside, so getting a dead one out would REALLY suck. Summer time scouting is tough either shortly before or right as the sun hits them they go into hiding. Moose is an acquired spotting my brother never figured it out 😂

[huntnnw]

Been on many moose hunts and hiking is the least effective way to hunt them. I love to get away from people for deer and elk, but with moose covering ground is the best way to hunt them. Sounds lazy but driving and glassing / calling is by far the best use of time. Getting in deep for moose means nothing. Your hunting one of the few tags , they are rarely spooked by vehicles.

I weighed my moose hindquarters and this was a big mature bull. No hide and bone in were 139lbs. Total bone in weight was 624 lbs all meat off ribs, neck and head.

[6haase6]

A side by side and optics on tripods, even binos on tripod will be your top tools

[Turner89]

Been on many moose hunts and hiking is the least effective way to hunt them. I love to get away from people for deer and elk, but with moose covering ground is the best way to hunt them. Sounds lazy but driving and glassing / calling is by far the best use of time. Getting in deep for moose means nothing. Your hunting one of the few tags , they are rarely spooked by vehicles.

I weighed my moose hindquarters and this was a big mature bull. No hide and bone in were 139lbs. Total bone in weight was 624 lbs all meat off ribs, neck and head.

Thanks for the info. Ill keep that in mind.   

[Turner89]

A side by side and optics on tripods, even binos on tripod will be your top tools

I like this. I've been trying to justify getting a side by side for awhile. This tag really helps my cause.

[Turner89]

  Congrats!! Get a beef scapula and dry it out for raking, works killer. You can scout the unit 1 idaho side as an option. I don't know about your comment on wanting to hunt as deep as possible tho they are a giant challenge once dead if your deep. Figure 7-8 trips to get one out! Have a blast man!

Thanks man!
I need to get a side by side and a beef scapula!    I cant wait to try calling one in.
 

[Turner89]

The rut is fun to hunt if you time it right... calling moose is a blast...
Late Oct is a waste...
BUT.... there's something to hunting in mid late Nov with snow on the ground.
They are up around feeding, easy to see, and meat care is easier...a sxs with snow trax is the ticket....
Good luck and enjoy the journey.
And the only spots I have in that unit are coming in from the Idaho side...if u get desperate.

Thanks fishreaper!
Mid to late November does sound good to me also. I dont like the heat, and hate dealing with yellow jackets when breaking an animal down.   
Trying to figure when to hunt over a 2month span is a great problem to have i guess.

[trophyhunt]

Drive , drive, drive!!!!  Cover lots of ground when you are scouting to get to know that area, it’s big.  Drive something you don’t mind getting scratched up, the roads weren’t trimmed much on my hunt and the one forest service guy I talked with told me quads weren’t allowed in a lot of places, BUT, my quad wasn’t street legal at that time, and the laws are so screwy who knows.  Get some bear spray, you will be in grizz country but another reason is in case you surprise a mama moose, they have bad attitudes.  Early season is great, the late season is awesome. I believe out of usk, across the river from usk, is a snow park parking lot, big area to park a trailer.  Lots of gated roads, but driving is best. 

[trophyhunt]

Also, don’t expect to see a lot of moose scouting, I’d get some cameras up, I was able to locate a bull that way.  Knew he was in the area and saw him w my own eyes, wasn’t a shooter back then.  I scouted (from the westside) every other weekend, saw maybe 2 bulls and a couple cows before the hunt started.  Put over 100 miles a day on my truck during the season, 5 days before to day 10 when I killed my bull.  Enjoy every moment!!!

[RB]

I Was lucky enough to get a moose tag, with 20 points.  Pretty cool. 
 I'm heading over there to start getting acquainted to the area on 4th of July weekend. I'd love to hear some advice from past tag holders and any locals that don't mind sharing some info. I feel a bit weird asking for info, but I'm going to make the best of this tag and have a lot to figure out in the next few months.  Here's a few questions off the top of my head, I'm sure I'll have some more.   Thanks in advance.

1) An RV spot to park my trailer for a couple weeks. 
2) Best time to hunt between october 1st and November 30.  (I'm guessing early October during the rut)
3) areas with locked gates.  I want to ride/hike as deep as I can.
4) Nearby meat locker to store meat for a few days.

Not sure about RV park stayed in a VRBO out of Tiger, but as mentioned there is a snow park out of Usk with a pit toilet and huge parking area. Eagles Nest in Priest River Idaho is a good place to stay as well. I did the first week of October to beat the modern Deer opener, barely saw anyone just a couple muzzle loader guys. Usk also has 24 hour Ice vending and they are huge bags of crushed Ice. I was able to store my meat at Masons Meat Packing in Diamond Lake for a couple days, wrapped it in a tarp and put 200 pounds of Ice on top for the seven hours to the butcher on the westside. As mentioned drive, drive, drive and glass lots. Have fun this was one of my best Washington hunting experiences. 

[trophyhunt]

Agree RB, moose hunting is something special, I wish more could get the opportunity!   And that store has gas and propane too!

[lewy]

A side by side and optics on tripods, even binos on tripod will be your top tools

I like this. I've been trying to justify getting a side by side for awhile. This tag really helps my cause.

[Turner89]

Drive , drive, drive!!!!  Cover lots of ground when you are scouting to get to know that area, it’s big.  Drive something you don’t mind getting scratched up, the roads weren’t trimmed much on my hunt and the one forest service guy I talked with told me quads weren’t allowed in a lot of places, BUT, my quad wasn’t street legal at that time, and the laws are so screwy who knows.  Get some bear spray, you will be in grizz country but another reason is in case you surprise a mama moose, they have bad attitudes.  Early season is great, the late season is awesome. I believe out of usk, across the river from usk, is a snow park parking lot, big area to park a trailer.  Lots of gated roads, but driving is best.

I'll add bear spray to the list.  I Wasn't thinking about a pissed off mama moose let alone a possible grizzly.  Thanks Man.

[Turner89]

Thanks Lewy looks like Jakeland has the Beef scapula request in to a butcher already. LOL.

Side by side will have to wait a bit....

[lewy]

I wouldn’t worry about a sxs, remember the absolute best hunting rig is ur buddy’s truck😂

[JakeLand]

I wouldn’t worry about a sxs, remember the absolute best hunting rig is ur buddy’s truck😂

F that he can hillbilly stripe his own rig this time

[trophyhunt]

I wouldn’t worry about a sxs, remember the absolute best hunting rig is ur buddy’s truck😂

F that he can hillbilly stripe his own rig this time

at the end of my hunt there, tons of scratches and a bent bumper!! Lol

[vandeman17]

I wouldn’t worry about a sxs, remember the absolute best hunting rig is ur buddy’s truck😂

F that he can hillbilly stripe his own rig this time

Don't worry, that will buff out

[JakeLand]

I wouldn’t worry about a sxs, remember the absolute best hunting rig is ur buddy’s truck😂

F that he can hillbilly stripe his own rig this time

Don't worry, that will buff out

famouse last words😂

[benhuntin]

I wouldn’t worry about a sxs, remember the absolute best hunting rig is ur buddy’s truck

F that he can hillbilly stripe his own rig this time

at the end of my hunt there, tons of scratches and a bent bumper!! Lol

Let’s hear about the bent bumper. I seem to remember that being in a different unit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[trophyhunt]

I wouldn’t worry about a sxs, remember the absolute best hunting rig is ur buddy’s truck

F that he can hillbilly stripe his own rig this time

at the end of my hunt there, tons of scratches and a bent bumper!! Lol

Let’s hear about the bent bumper. I seem to remember that being in a different unit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

you were there mister!!  😡

[Turner89]

I wouldn’t worry about a sxs, remember the absolute best hunting rig is ur buddy’s truck😂

F that he can hillbilly stripe his own rig this time

I'm the shooter.... not the driver.  20 years from now when you draw moose I'll drive the electric hover truck and you can shoot! 

[Eturner32]

I wouldn’t worry about a sxs, remember the absolute best hunting rig is ur buddy’s truck😂

F that he can hillbilly stripe his own rig this time

ya we gotta keep your truck road worthy for Montana 😂

[Turner89]

I think you guys should take the Subaru.  You guys would blend right in with the locals in Montana.

[92xj]

I found a rut pit, and was subsequently charged by a rather large bull while standing there a few years ago.  I did not have my phone/onx when that happened but know, and can pin on a map, within 100yards of that spot, if you want it to go check out when scouting. 

Also, I’ll be up in the area a lot this fall at our property, though will be spending October chasing moose in 49 degrees, but if we are tagged out and or after that season ends, I’d be happy to drive and search for a November bull if your tag goes that long.   

[Turner89]

I found a rut pit, and was subsequently charged by a rather large bull while standing there a few years ago.  I did not have my phone/onx when that happened but know, and can pin on a map, within 100yards of that spot, if you want it to go check out when scouting. 

Also, I’ll be up in the area a lot this fall at our property, though will be spending October chasing moose in 49 degrees, but if we are tagged out and or after that season ends, I’d be happy to drive and search for a November bull if your tag goes that long.

I appreciate that 92xj. Ill send you my phone #.   Thanks

[trophyhunt]

How long do bulls use rut pits?  I found one in 2019

[92xj]

How long do bulls use rut pits?  I found one in 2019

The ones I visited in Canada were hit every year for as long as my buddy owned the place.   Not sure if that was a one off case or not. 

[Turner89]

Also, don’t expect to see a lot of moose scouting, I’d get some cameras up, I was able to locate a bull that way.  Knew he was in the area and saw him w my own eyes, wasn’t a shooter back then.  I scouted (from the westside) every other weekend, saw maybe 2 bulls and a couple cows before the hunt started.  Put over 100 miles a day on my truck during the season, 5 days before to day 10 when I killed my bull.  Enjoy every moment!!!

I'm assuming there isn't any cell phone reception over there.  I'm going over next weekend and will stock up on some regular cameras. It's good to know that if I see something during scouting it's a bonus. My main mission this trip is learning the road system, looking for sign and getting some cameras out. 

[greenhead_killer]

That’s a great plan

[ThunderRolls]

Hello and congrats.  I had the tag last year.  Was fortunate enough to tag out second to last day.   
Feel free to PM me happy to share intel and pass on what you as shared with me by so many on this forum last year.

[10thmountainarcher]

Also, don’t expect to see a lot of moose scouting, I’d get some cameras up, I was able to locate a bull that way.  Knew he was in the area and saw him w my own eyes, wasn’t a shooter back then.  I scouted (from the westside) every other weekend, saw maybe 2 bulls and a couple cows before the hunt started.  Put over 100 miles a day on my truck during the season, 5 days before to day 10 when I killed my bull.  Enjoy every moment!!!

I generally have service up higher in the southern part of 113.
I'm assuming there isn't any cell phone reception over there.  I'm going over next weekend and will stock up on some regular cameras. It's good to know that if I see something during scouting it's a bonus. My main mission this trip is learning the road system, looking for sign and getting some cameras out.

[moose40]

Congrats, I know that feeling, had the tag last year.. shot my bull on day 16.. feel free to reach out, and I can also pass along info from what I learned last year