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Author Topic: Alaska moose 2023  (Read 1673 times)

Offline JoeE

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Alaska moose 2023
« on: September 26, 2023, 04:12:53 PM »
Figured I’d make this its own post instead of an add on to my “Moving to Alaska” thread. I went out for my 4th fly out moose hunt this year. The moose numbers in Alaska are down in most places especially in the spot in the interior I normally hunt. This year we opted to go a bit deeper and more out west. Since I’m a resident now we picked a controlled use area open for residents only. I can’t say the moose numbers were much better and holy cow was this place a pain to hunt. Waist deep swamps in each direction we had to navigate around in a pack raft. I had hip boots but would have been better off in chest waders. The only place we could find to pitch our tent that was dry was in the brush and trees and it made for difficult camping. Weather was pretty bipolar as usual for Alaska, sun, rain, wind, freezing temps. We managed to find two moose total in 12 days. A 62” and a 61” bull. Didn’t see another moose. With all those challenges I wouldn’t trade a thing I love Alaska hunting. This is my second consecutive 60+” bull I’ve taken with the trusty 30-06. I moved on from my usual moose rifle in 300 WSM and have found I like my lighter handier 06. I don’t see myself changing for awhile.

Now that we have a freezer full of moose, halibut and salmon I’m going to focus next years big game hunting on sheep.

Offline JoeE

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2023, 04:15:19 PM »
We lucked out where we killed both bulls was in a nice patch about 1 sq mile of dry tussocks. Tussocks are hell to walk in but better than wading in a swamp.

Offline JoeE

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2023, 04:19:16 PM »
Beautiful place

Offline emac

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2023, 04:50:27 PM »
Both absolutely beautiful

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Offline pd

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2023, 04:53:25 PM »
That looks like sheer h@(^ to walk through!

Congratulations.
Si vis pacem, para bellum

Offline kellama2001

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2023, 04:57:32 PM »
What an incredible animal! Thank you for sharing your pictures and story, looks like it was an amazing hunt!
It must be a poor life that achieves freedom from fear.
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Offline Taco280AI

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2023, 05:02:34 PM »
Congrats and great bulls! Luckily I avoided swampy stuff for the most part this year. There any particular reason the moose numbers are down? Grizz predation? Saw too many of them.

Offline JoeE

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2023, 08:58:45 PM »
The guy I fly with is a retired biologist and he does moose surveys in the off season for fish and game. He says its two bad winters in a row have hammered the moose. It’ll rebound.

Online Rainier10

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2023, 09:07:41 PM »
Great moose. Congrats.
Pain is temporary, achieving the goal is worth it.

I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it.

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The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HuntWa or the site owner.

Offline carpsniperg2

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #9 on: September 26, 2023, 09:36:24 PM »
Great stuff!!!
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Offline lewy

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #10 on: September 26, 2023, 09:47:08 PM »
 :tup:
Go hawks

Online bearpaw

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #11 on: September 26, 2023, 09:55:10 PM »
awesome trip  :tup:
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Offline JakeLand

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2023, 04:49:18 AM »
You’re living it up !! Nice bulls . You going to take up trapping up there ?

Offline boneaddict

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #13 on: September 27, 2023, 05:13:22 AM »
Some back breaking success there! Well done.

Offline Bob33

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Re: Alaska moose 2023
« Reply #14 on: September 27, 2023, 06:37:06 AM »
Wow - lots of hard work for a beautiful trophy. Congratulations.
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