Author Archives Damon Clarke

The study of moose movements can help you come up with some good ideas as to the patterns and travels of moose in a given area. By learning how much moose travel during the daylight and at nighttime, a hunter may improve his moose hunting techniques. Information from the book Ecology and Management of the North American Moose indicates that bull moose not in the rut don’t travel very far in a 24-hour period. Although the movements of bull moose increase dramatically during the peak of the rut, the movement of cow moose decreases.

What does this mean to the moose hunter? When out moose hunting and you come across moose tracks made overnight or which appear to be not too old, don’t be quick to dismiss these signs. The moose may not be as far away as you might think. Once you have determined the direction of travel, follow the tracks on a parallel line on the downwind side. Every once in a while approach the moose tracks to determine the direction of travel. Remember, moose have the habit of circling to the downwind side before bedding down to monitor the approaching predators that may follow his track. If you do find reasonably fresh moose tracks, it may be advisable to follow them or at least set up and do some calling. The moose may be closer than you think!

Visit our web site:       www.sprucepondhunting.com

Toll-free:                     1-844-277-7823

E-mail:                         info@sprucepondhunting.com

Source: Moose Hunting Tips: The Ultimate Guide to Moose Hunting.

When you’re not finding moose in the same old haunts, it’s time to change it up. There are many environmental variables that can influence moose behaviour and habitat utilization, such as changing weather, hunter pressure, disease and population densities. It’s important, therefore, to be willing to explore new country—and new tactics—if you hope to enjoy consistent success.

When moose aren’t where you expect to find them, think through the problem and try to figure out what might be affecting their behaviour—and how. This is where time spent poring over maps and aerial photos getting to know your hunting territory can pay important dividends. For example, where’s a moose likely to go in abnormally warm weather? Somewhere to cool off, which could be a water source, but more often he’ll head into the shade of coniferous cover. If you know the area, you’ll find the cover.

Visit our web site:       www.sprucepondhunting.com

Toll-free:                     1-844-277-7823

E-mail:                         info@sprucepondhunting.com

Source:                        OutdoorCanada.ca

You could expect to get a bear claw at the local coffee shop in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, but Lisa Connors didn’t expect to see a bear in a live trap at the back of a truck. Connors was in the drive-thru Monday, anticipating her morning coffee. She didn’t think anything of it when she saw a Wildlife truck with what she thought was an empty cage on the back.

“And the cage starts moving, and then when I looked closer, we realized there was a bear in the back just rolling around and rolling around. And buddy got out to get his coffee and everything,” she said. “So I was really shocked,”

All she could think was “poor bear.”

“Usually bears are out in the wild and it’s quiet. And then the wildlife, these professionals, are supposed to take it and release it. Instead, they take it to the busiest spot in town”, she said. “When I looked the ear was tagged and the poor thing was just rolling around, rolling around in this little small barrel basically.”

Connors thinks it’s animal cruelty to have the “fair-sized” bear trapped in a stressful environment, seeing cars and busy traffic from a small cage. She said the officers should have captured the animal and released it.

“And then maybe come back and get their coffee,” she said.

Connors said she assumed other people saw the bear because there was a long lineup, and “the cage was moving, it wasn’t just still.” A spokesperson from the province’s Natural Resources department said in an email it was aware of the situation.

“All matters of this nature are taken very seriously and we are addressing it internally. The animal was released without harm at a safe location and is in good condition,” the statement said.

This article was originally presented on the CBC web site. Click the link below to see the video.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/lisa-connors-shocked-by-bear-in-live-trap-at-tim-hortons-1.2740658

One of the most important moose hunting tips to observe is to be patient. If you are calling moose in during the rut, it may take several minutes to several hours or even days. Moose have a great memory and if the bull you are after is already with a cow he probably isn’t going to drop her to come find a new one to mate with. But, when he is finished mating with that cow he is going to come over where he heard you calling the day before to check you out. He hasn’t forgotten that there was a cow looking for love!

Some moose hunters report they have called an animal and have not had it come in right away, but found the moose came looking within 24 hours. Be patient and don’t give up on a spot you called, especially if you know there are moose in the area. You never know when he’s going to come looking for the next potential mate. Locate several likely areas to hunt, then on a regular basis revisit each area. Of course, these must be areas that hold game or offers food, shelter or security. A hunter must have the patience to see the potential, locate the hot spots and to wait out the game.

Visit our web site:    www.sprucepondhunting.com

Toll-free:                     1-844-277-7823

E-mail:                         info@sprucepondhunting.com

Source: Moose Hunting Tips: The Ultimate Guide to Moose Hunting.

1. Shoot It: Sight-in their firearms before a moose hunt. With a rifle, you should be able to hit a paper target at 100 yards. Also, sight-in with the same round you hunt with. And, don’t decide to make major change with ammo the night before a hunt.

2. Know Your Hunting Area: If you don’t have time to physically scout areas you plan to hunt, try to get as much information as you can from topographical maps and Google Earth. Every hunter should take time to check their hunting area via its imagery. Almost every consistently successful moose hunter pre-scouts religiously.

3. Don’t Assume Anything: If you shoot at a moose and it runs into the bush, don’t assume the bullet didn’t find its mark. Few moose drop on impact. Every year, people give up too quickly on animals…often a dead moose is just yards away from the last blood drop. Take a thorough look.

4. Be Ready: Be ready to shoot whenever you step into the bush. Your best opportunity to kill a moose doesn’t always come where you think it will. Walk at the ready at all times. It’s a bit more physically demanding, but it will pay off.

5. Get off the Couch: Start exercising regularly well before the hunt begins. Hunters often expect too much of their legs, back, and lungs. Hunts often end with cramps and sore muscles. In the field, you also need to be properly fed and watered for the day. Keep hydrated. A small pack with a water jug is the ticket. Along with it, throw high-energy food like power bars, dried fruit, jerky, and chocolate into a small pack.

6. Stay Positive: Moose hunting can drive you nuts. These animals cover a lot of ground and move in and out of hunting areas in short order. Maintaining a positive mental attitude is difficult, but it keeps you focused. Visualize success.

Visit our web site:       www.sprucepondhunting.com

Toll-free:                     1-844-277-7823

E-mail:                         info@sprucepondhunting.com

Source: Ontario Out of Doors (http://www.oodmag.com/hunting)