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2015 Moose Hunt
- Thread starter NHAtHeart
- Start date
I had 51 points this year, I've been on 2 other hunts but this is the first time I've been drawn. I have a ME Resident lifetime license so I'm considered a resident in the drawings.
I've been putting in for about 19 years in Maine and this was my first draw, sometimes it takes awhile.
My dad was drawn 4 times during that period.
I put in for NH for the past 5 years since I moved here, I didn't bother this year. I had 51 entries in Maine against 2800 permits. NH I had 5 entries against 100ish permits. Didn't even seem worth the $15, best of luck to you, 5 less entries against you from me.
Thanks, but are you aware that you lose those five points?
The NH odds may increase in future years; why didn't you want to bank the points?
Yeah I realize, it's possible it will go back up but likely not for years. Maine has shed over 1200 permits in the past 4 years, NH has shed around 80% of theirs since the peak. With how many points I had in Maine it was going to be imminent that I got one there.
I got skunked in 2011.
Saw deer, coyote, squirrels, turkey and ravens - but no moose. Plenty of sign, but no moose.
Was about 300 yards on the other side of a clear cut when another guy shot his moose. Went over a few days later to see the kill site and the carcass.
Still had a good time being out in the woods taking my rifle for long walks.
This year I only put in for the top 25% producing WMAs unlike before when I put in for the top 66%.
Maybe fortune will be on my side next time I draw a permit.
Saw deer, coyote, squirrels, turkey and ravens - but no moose. Plenty of sign, but no moose.
Was about 300 yards on the other side of a clear cut when another guy shot his moose. Went over a few days later to see the kill site and the carcass.
Still had a good time being out in the woods taking my rifle for long walks.
This year I only put in for the top 25% producing WMAs unlike before when I put in for the top 66%.
Maybe fortune will be on my side next time I draw a permit.
Definitely, the zones are getting more and more important. There are several zones in Maine with under 25% success rate, mostly the southern zones. You hate to even waste your time/money getting one of those zones. The zone I am in was 62% last year.
About 7 or 8 years ago in Maine the change the season from being the 2 weeks of peak rut to the week before the rut really gets going and the week after. The moose are still in rut a bit during the season now but not as strong as it used to be. It allows them to sell more permits and keep the same kill rate.
19 years? I guess I ought not cross my fingers for my first VT draw (I think mid-July they draw).
I have cameras on three different moose at the cabin in the Chateuguay, and my 9 year-old and I saw the bid one when we were in the deer blind at 20 yards.
In NH you can hire a guide if you wish.
You can also bring along another hunter of your choice (known as the subpermittee).
Fis 301.07 Moose Season.
(f) No person other than the permittee and subpermittee shall participate in a joint hunt to take moose except that the permittee may employ one licensed guide. The licensed guide may direct, aid, assist, or instruct the permittee and subpermittee but shall not shoot a moose.
You can also bring along another hunter of your choice (known as the subpermittee).
Fis 301.07 Moose Season.
(f) No person other than the permittee and subpermittee shall participate in a joint hunt to take moose except that the permittee may employ one licensed guide. The licensed guide may direct, aid, assist, or instruct the permittee and subpermittee but shall not shoot a moose.
Yeah, in ME you aren't required to have a guide, most Mainers just gather a bunch of family/friends and go at it. Between my family we have all the gear needed.
bdb
NES Member
I didn't get ME and can't apply for NH for another year so no moose hunting for me this year. Good luck to everyone who drew, I'll be watching for the threads to live vicariously through others 
Thanks for the response. I would like to put in for permits in NH and ME, but in case I win I figured I would increase my odds by using a guide since I am not familiar with the areas and don't have time to scout the areas before the hunt. I used to hunt moose every year as a kid (with my dad) and I would like to do it again.
one-eyed Jack
Manufacturer
My boss drew a NH permit on his first attempt in 2003. Next year he drew a ME permit. Both as a non-res. What the hell are the odds that happening again? He did use guides and took a big bull each time. Jack.
I did a semi-guided hunt at the fraction of the cost for a fully-guided hunt.
The guide did exactly what you described - he scouted the areas for me due to my time constraints. Then a week or so before the season opened, he took me around to all the places he had found.
He took the time to show me sign and teach me about moose behavior and habitat.
The guide didn't accompany me when the season opened (that would have been a fully-guided hunt), but the areas he showed me were full of scat, tracks and snaps.
This knowledge was very valuable to me as I exhausted efforts in certain areas and moved to others. I camped out for the ten day hunt and was able to move to other areas in addition to the ones he had shown me.
The guide called me every few days to see how I was doing. On the final day of the hunt he came out and spent a few hours with me as a last ditch effort to find a moose.
In the end, no moose, but it was a great experience and when I draw on the lottery again, I'll look to the same guide for a fully-guided hunt.
Forget about the moose lottery; buy a powerball ticket next time!
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Andy,
That seemed like a pretty good deal with this semi guided hunt since I know fully guided hunts would probably be cost prohibited to me since they run in the several thousand dollar range.
Zone 7, that's where I was, she should look into having it scored for the Maine Antler and Skull Club. Not sure what the min score is as their site is garbage, the Vermont club is 155".
I would bet that Moose would rank for the year, mine 45" bull scored 133" so I'm sure hers would be over 155".
I guesstimated some of the measurements for it and got about 166" using the boone and crocket scoring system. I assumed 9" wide paddles, 26" long with 8" bases.
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They stayed up at Bosebuck Camps and had a guide out of there.
My hand stretched out, like in the picture, is 9", so I'd say that paddle is pushing 12". I'll have her have the taxidermist measure it up.
As of Thursday, that was the biggest moose yet this year at the Oquasook station.
