Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: OutHouse on April 05, 2019, 02:35:49 PM

Title: Deer around Moose
Post by: OutHouse on April 05, 2019, 02:35:49 PM: I was wondering if anyone knows whether a rutting moose will run off deer in their area. Last archery season at the end of September I was all set up on several whitetail bucks that were then frequenting my stands. It was supposed to be a great weekend. Turns out I didn't see anything. I mean nothing in way of deer bucks or does. So one afternoon I got out of my blind and did a still hunt through some dense timber where I had luck in the past.

Not far into the slow step by step process I see a dark hindquarter through the timber. Could not tell what it was but believed it was a large mule deer buck. So I pursue for several minutes until it disappears but never saw the headgear at the point, only the occasional glimpse of a leg. Then I hear what sounds like the animal laying down--sort of deep slump to the ground sound. Thinking I have a buck in its bed I wait a while and then circled up and around just a bit to view the animal. I step out from a tree and sure enough there is a bull moose bedded right in front of me. I'm talking like 30 feet at the most. He did not know I was there. It eventually saw me, pinned its ears back and its eyes seemed to bulge with veins.

I backed away and once a hundred yards away I realize its following me. This thing ran me off the mountain. I had to call my brother who picked me up on a road below me. Anyway, I've been wondering whether the reason I did not see any deer had something to do with this moose. He was rather aggressive. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Deer around Moose
Post by: nwwanderer on April 05, 2019, 02:46:04 PM: Rather aggressive might be an understatement. If your bucks had not run off he surely would have bred them. Single minded and not tolerant that time of year for the bulls and calving time for the cows. Be careful out there
Title: Re: Deer around Moose
Post by: OutHouse on April 05, 2019, 04:45:17 PM: Quote from: nwwanderer on April 05, 2019, 02:46:04 PM
Rather aggressive might be an understatement. If your bucks had not run off he surely would have bred them. Single minded and not tolerant that time of year for the bulls and calving time for the cows. Be careful out there

Oh yea he was. I came to the conclusion that he must have scared the deer away. Usually there are lots of mule does hanging out that time of year and did not see anything. I'm gonna try to find the old phone and post pics/video I got before he really started his pursuit.