Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: wheels on May 19, 2018, 10:10:47 AM

Title: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: wheels on May 19, 2018, 10:10:47 AM: just curious peoples thoughts on early or late better i know early is rut possibility but heard late easier to see ?
Title: Re: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on May 19, 2018, 10:23:52 AM: Later was definitely better for me. I should point out I was hunting antlerless only. And yes, it was quite a bit easier to see them after the leaves started to fall. Those things can really hide well. Hunting bulls might be different. Calling one in during the rut would be very exciting I would think.
Title: Re: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: jackelope on May 19, 2018, 10:51:58 AM: Early-Rut
Late-Leaves are all off of the trees so easier to see them.
That's what I've heard in the past. I'd probably do early just for the fun of the rut.
Title: Re: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: benhuntin on May 19, 2018, 07:14:39 PM: Both have pros and cons. Draw the tag and then worry about it.

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Title: Re: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: Bob33 on May 19, 2018, 07:17:04 PM: Whichever one has better draw odds.
Title: Re: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: sagerat on May 19, 2018, 07:44:04 PM: Some units let you hunt both months.
Title: Re: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: Ridgerunner on May 19, 2018, 07:53:08 PM: I can say that ten years ago when I drew a moose tag I researched the heck out of it, talking to close to 80% of the hunters the previous five years. What I found was that generally the bigger bulls were killed late, easier to see, grouped up so comparisons were easier. On my hunt I hunted early and later and did see bigger bulls and still rut activity at the end of October. Personal choice really, calling in bulls is a ton of fun, but I’d say if you are truly after the biggest bulls I’d hunt late if I was forced to choose.

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Title: Re: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: benhuntin on May 19, 2018, 08:06:11 PM: Quote from: Ridgerunner on May 19, 2018, 07:53:08 PM
I can say that ten years ago when I drew a moose tag I researched the heck out of it, talking to close to 80% of the hunters the previous five years. What I found was that generally the bigger bulls were killed late, easier to see, grouped up so comparisons were easier. On my hunt I hunted early and later and did see bigger bulls and still rut activity at the end of October. Personal choice really, calling in bulls is a ton of fun, but I’d say if you are truly after the biggest bulls I’d hunt late if I was forced to choose.

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Difference is 10 years ago Moose were at there peak. You can kill a bull on either hunt but the early boys pound on em pretty good. You better have several late options.

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Title: Re: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: steeleywhopper on May 19, 2018, 09:49:23 PM: I went early saw moose, didn’t shoot one as it got to warm. Went back in November and killed my Cow with snow on the ground. No bees or meat loss.
Title: Re: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: wheels on May 19, 2018, 09:55:43 PM: thanks did my picks tonight went early for 3 of 4 then one 2 months long
Title: Re: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: Falcon on May 20, 2018, 09:37:45 AM: I had the late tag and hunted 12 Days seeing 14 different bulls. All but one were pretty young. My bull was 4.5 years old and I was happy with him. Hunted the same unit with my partner with the early tag last year. Killed a really good mature bull on day 2 and missed a bigger one. It’s nice to hunt the rut and not have to worry about too much about snow which can mess up the late hunt. The late Hunt has its advantages with cooler weather , bunched up bulls and the ability to combine late deer. Bottom line is either tag gets it done with a little persistence and boot leather. What a tag to have :drool:
Title: Re: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: wheels on May 20, 2018, 11:00:01 AM: very true
Title: Re: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: Ghost Hunter on May 21, 2018, 05:14:31 PM: Late so it doesn't conflict with WY hunt.
Title: Re: early over late moose hunts ?
Post by: jeffitz on May 21, 2018, 06:31:18 PM: Quote from: benhuntin on May 19, 2018, 07:14:39 PM
Both have pros and cons. Draw the tag and then worry about it.

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:yeah: