[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]They shoot 2 or 3 thousand moose each year here in Maine, and I would go as far as to say
the majority met there fate with the 30:06. I shot a large bull moose in 1972 and 175 yards
broadside, the projectile entered the left side and exited the right, a through and through.
the moose ran about 30 ft and that was that. If you have or can get a 30.06 you won't have
much trouble..

 

Downeaster,
Is it a lottery thing in Maine too or what??

 

a non residents licence will set you back $350 Can here in Ontario, thats roughly $300 US... plus , and this I was aware of, theres a $35Can export charge (wtf???) thats charge if you get lucky and shoot a moose . All the regulations are available online at " www.mnr.gov.ca/MNR/pubs/pubmenu.html " Pay particular attention to the section on the Tag DRAW. As a point of interest last year , the 04 hunt, there were 16,266 tags alocated in Ontario ( thats 16,266 adult tags avaialbe,, a licence alone allows you to shoot a calf only), so theres no lack of moose LOL.. you just have to be willing to travel to look for them .

 

I'm not familiar with East Coast USA or Eastern Canada moose hunting skills, but I'd imagine they're not entirely different than those on the left coasts. One had better have a lot of time to personally and knowledgeably scout where one is going to hunt or risk frustration and failure. The best option to that is a friend to rely on who is an accomplished hunter that knows the area. Second best is using a pro guide with customer references who makes a living hunting the area you or a drawing select.

Don't forget the logistics. If plans are successful, that's a lot of meat to get out of the woods, butchered, wrapped and transported. Unless big game hunting above deer status in strange country has always been a big part of one's life, it isn't something one pursues with a map, sleeping bag, sandwiches, a rifle and the family sedan.

 

" www.mnr.gov.ca/MNR/pubs/pubmenu.html "

Copied and pasted and it didn't work??

 

In Ontario the farther north you go the better your chances through the lottery system. As a non-resident I believe you need to be with a licensed guide when you are way up north. On the gun question I currently use a 270 WSM with 150 gr bullets. I predominately hunt deer but would not hesitate in a second to bring this moose hunting. We have shot moose with a 270 win before and no problems. I would not want to go any smaller and that would be minimum. Any 30 caliber gun will be fine to hunt moose in Ontario. One thing you you have to consider when purchasing is availability of ammo and that puts 30-06 and 300 win mag as your best bets. Up here or when you are in a camp somewhere, someone or some place in the middle of no where usually has 30-06 and 300 win mag shells on the shelf, if something should happen to your ammo. Now if I was hunting in Alaska say, where there are furry beasts that would like to chew on your behind, 338 win mag baby. There is no such thing as too dead. If you do go on a trip in with a guide always bring a second rifle as back up. Lots of money to pay for a guide and you don't want your hunt ruined by a malfunctioning rifle. Also if you are going to hunt in canada are beloved gun registry is here and you will need to get your documentation in order before you can bring your guns into the country. Someone that comes to Canada from state side would be better versed on how that works and maybe can explain for you.

 

www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/pubs/pubmenu.html <-------- try that one... I left of the .on :-(

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]The hunt in Maine is a lottery for the moose hunt. Each year we have about 3000 moose that need
to be thinned, because of a continually expanding population, and worse a growing problem with
cars running into the moose at night. If you can imagine hitting the moose on roads that allow 50
or 60 miles per hour. Thirty years ago it was rare to find a moose in Southern Maine, now it is
a sure thing you will see moose if you deer hunt. I see bull moose every year much more than I
do deer. At least 8 or 10 each year. The moose hunt is in October at the peak of the rut. The
areas are mostly in Northern Maine, lets just say the top half. Your area is determined by the
lottery. We expect in a very short time most of the state will be open. I for one cannot understand
how come more moose aren't getting killed in my area of the state, which is the Western
mountains. Everyone applies for the most northern districts, and their are plenty of moose in
the Western mountains as well as motels. Up north you must have some form of camper, and
pay paper companies for access, and so much for each person per day. I will post a web site
for further information.

http://www.state.me.us/ifw/hunttrap/...ting/index.htm

This web site you can find license fees etc..

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]Oh I forgot to mention above no guide required in Maine, and I would suggest hunters for out of state
do not hire one. Sure they can put you on one, but its easy enough to find them yourself by just
asking residents once you get here. Understand one thing the upper most left part of the state of
Maine is all paper company (no residents) and it is extremely remote, using gravel roads for literally
for a hundred miles or more. They normally do not include signs, so you must get a map at the
entrance to the paper company property which is gated with guards. They do not allow atvs, so
you must have winches and lots of rope to pull the moose out of cover. Then if the weather is
warm make sure to have a small buck saw and knives to be able to gut the moose. The buck saw
is to cut from the sternim up 10 or 12 inches, so you can reach far enough to cut wind pipe and
get the lungs out. Have some ice of container to cool the meat. If you are in Western Maine you
can usually go to a local butcher who specializes in cutting moose and deer. The state will allow
the permit holder to bring one other designated hunter, however only one can shoot the moose.
You can have a party max of 4. Two along for observation and good time.

Just something to think about,

 

I love this topic, and we always sit around the camp fire and talk about it, but when it come right down to it bigger is better. Moose have been hunted with a simple 30-30 since the beginning of time, a lot of moose died and a lot of moose were injured and never retrieved. I started hunting moose 27 years ago and used a 30-06 then a few years later after going on a elk hunt I stepped up to a 300 Win Mag and used that for about 20 years.

I have shot moose from 50 yards to over 500 yards. I don't recommend everyone shooting that long of shots, but I practice. practice, practice. I also load my own shells with the bullet design that I need for a certain animal. Just because someone tells you a bullet weight it does not mean it will work well in your gun and at your bullet speed. Bullets are designed to expand and certain impact speeds. Let's say your gun shoots a 180 grain and 2800 fps, you might have the right bullet, but in it's effective range, that might only be 150-250 yards. so pick the right bullet and know your bullets working distance and speed, because at 300 yards your bullet may not expand. Just food for thought.

I put the 300 win Mag aside a few years ago and stepped up to a 416 rem mag that will take a 400 grain bullet, but I shoot a 325 grain bullet. Using this I have the same trajectory as my 300 mag, but double the killing power all the way out to 500 yards. No you do not need this kind of power, but bigger is better.

I know there will be a lot of people saying it's way over kill, but that is not true. you will also get people saying your going to blow a hole the size of a garbage can lid through the animal, but that is not true. Bullets are all projectiles, pushed at different speeds. I have used nosler partion bullets for many years because they do not break apart in every direction when they hit an animal, this reduces meat damage. I switched to the Barnes X bullet when loading the 416 mag it has no lead, and open up like for petals on a flower when stiking the animal. It also does not fly apart it retains it weight and in general causes much less damage with tons of killing power.

Yes I do feel a 30-06 is an excellent caliber to use, and if you practice and know your gun, and most of all place your shot within the rifles effect range you should have a successful hunt. Shoot lots at the range before you go, and be accurate because it would be terrible to get your once in a life time chance and have your gun be the problem. Eliminate any problems at the range and then all you have to worry about if your ability. good luck, have fun and hunt safe