Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Lower 48 Moose Hunts?

I started applying Maine when they first allowed Non-residents - I think it was 1981. After applying every year, I finally drew in 2010. Do the subtraction and that's about 29 years of applying.

The draw odds 10 years ago, Are far from the same draw odds you will encounter nowadays. Wolves, and other factors have drastically reduced Moose population most places I keep tabs on.

Ticks have become a huge issue here killing a lot of moose in the winter months. They cut permits by quite a bit last year here in Maine, and I think I read they are considering cutting back again this year in Maine.

Thats sad to hear. The ticks have gotten horrible everywhere in the east. I've read that MN is having a similar problem.

As far as the OP goes- I'd still say Maine is your huckleberry, especially considering your location. I started applying with my father about 3 years ago. Eventually one of us will draw and we'll be able to have our hunt.

Am hunting elk with Pollard this fall because my 12 points for moose (12 years) weren't enough; If I do draw it could be another two years.

Like Mule Deer, I'm growing a bit weary.

It wouldn't be a problem finding an outfitter in Washington. There is at least one that I know of, but you need to draw a tag first. Your odds are about 1 in 400 with no points. I have 20 points and my odds are about 1 in 100.

Maine cut permit numbers again this year. Down by several hundred. According to IF&W they reached their population objectives in Zone 2 and cut the number from 600 to 300.

Idaho doesn't have a point system. Each year everyone gets 1 chance in the draw. Also, we can get 1 bull and 1 cow in a lifetime.
About 10 or 12 years ago, my partner and I put in as a party of 2 and we drew our 2 bull tags the 1st time we tried. A couple years later, my partner drew a cow tag the 1st time he tried. At that time, the odds of drawing were as good as 1 in 4 in some good units. There are more moose now and more tags available but the numbers of hunters trying for them has gone way up. The drawing odds are a lot lower now.

About 10 years ago lower 48 Moose hunting was going strong. That's all changed now and I'd look to Canada or Alaska.

I know the moose population here in the Bighorns is not what is was even q few years ago. They will have to lower tag numbers if there is to be any left. And it is already a 10 or more points to get a tag. The western parts of the state are not fairing any better with moose numbers.

Here is my Utah Shiras moose killed on a CWMU unit a few years back. Used R&K Hunting company and highly recommend. A awesome shiras. But you will pay for it.

Here is a great option for a lot less money. This is a 44 inch Bull I killed in Newfoundland with Efford's Hunting Adventures. Bob consistently kills big moose over 40 inches. It is a fly in type hunt to a remote lake. Be prepared to hike but you will kill a great bull. Feel free to PM me with questions.

I just applied for Maine again today. I'm maxed out at 50 bonus points after about 26 years of nothing. But this is my year baby!

I've been trying to get drawn for about 25 years (have Max points) but no soap! I been feeden' them for a lot more years than that. I'm guessing that the wolves will bring the numbers down enough (NE WA ST) that the odds are worse every year, not good as I'm getting SS this year. Muddy

Look go to a SCI show. Get a show special they give pretty deep discounts. I got a moose plus another animal for 6500. Plus licence and the guy hunts 3.5 million acres if you look hard deal can be found

Odds have been going down every year here. I think they were giving out close to 1000 tags 5-7 years ago. I think we were down to 250-300 last year and I bet closer to 200 this year. At least the deer hunting seems to be improving.

Wrangler, about 8-9 years ago Vermont was giving out 1,100 tags. I agree I think they'll be around 200 this year.

142 (22 seperate units/drawings) in Wa for 2014-Muddy

Not a "completely" accurate statement. The total number of permits issued now is about 125. The ratio between resident tags and non-resident tag remains proportionately the same. It is based to the total number of non resident hunting licenses sold. ALL permit numbers are down, but the odds are still pretty good.

They give 10% of permits to non residents. That means 12 permits. That's hardly any.

If you look at it that way, you're probably more right than wrong. I am 70 and have been putting in since day one. I got drawn once in 1992. Just don't give up. I hope I didn't offend you.