moose equipment

[knobby]

I have an Alberta moose hunt planned for next year. Does anybody care to share what equipment they use on these giants?(bow/arrow weight, broadheads, ect.) I know the 53# bow I have now isn't enough, so I guess I have to shop for another bow. I hate it when that happens...

[Bear Hunter]

A 53lb bow is enough for the moose here. I have seen one taken with a 50lb bow. The minimum weight you can use here in AB is 40lb. Which outfit are you hunting with?

Nick

[chris carignan]

Ya I agree with Bear Hunter, last year my partner took a young bull with a 50# longbow, wooden arrows and 125gr broad head on our moose hunt. Its all where ya put it that counts I guess, along with an extremly sharp broadhead the young moose didnt go more than 30yrds after the shot.

[Ben Woodring]

Don't have any personal experience but two friends of mine use 55# doing that Moose John float trip

[Pete W]

Your bow should be lots for moose.Although they are big they will lie down after a shot  without going very far.A deer will run a lot farther.
With any bow the shoulder shot is the one to avoid.Those big bones will stop even the best combinations of arrows/ broadheads.You might get thru the blade but the big bones will win over any arrow.

[Jim Reamey]

Knobby,
I would think that your 53lb bow, along with a properly spined heavy arrow and sharp 2 blade broadhead would be fine.

[joe skipp]

My bowyer Rick Lepp from Alberta has taken 2 Moose in 2 yrs using a 54# Recurve, aluminum arrows and single blade Magnus heads. It boils down to shot placement with a heavy arrow and sharp broadhead.

[lcoast]

Yup sharp is key with shot placement. Moose hide is tougher than deer but like plasticpail says, deer are tougher than moose. By a country mile. Target on moose is bit bigger. Go with what you are used to and you will do fine. Ummm, moose steaks and eggs.


=keith=

[AkDan]

53 is more then plenty if you have sharp head, have great arrow flight, and get the arrow where it needs to be.

NO arrow out of a stickbow is going to get through the shoulder.  (I know I shouldnt say never, its one of those, if you didnt see it personally, I sure as heck wouldnt believe it kinda deals.  Most compounds also cant penetrate a moose shoulder!!!)

My 2 bulls thus far have been killed with a 64lb bob lee recurve and a decent weight ash arrow.  The 2nd was with a 60lb crusader longbow and what I consider a little light arrow for my taste's 565grain cedar.  

Neither bull made it 50 yards.  The bob lee bull almost achieved complete penetration.  The crusader bull smashed ribs on the near side and was stopped on the far side.  Both bulls went down in site.  

Yes moose are easy to kill, but dont use it as an excuse!!!  

Neither of the two moose clients I was guiding along with Coldfingers, achieved more then 10-12"es of penetration, both where shooting 70lb bows 5-600 grain arrows and 3 blade bullet and chisel pointed broadheads!  Just something to think about......

[Sparta-T]

I have my first moose hunt booked for Newfoundland in 2005 and spoke to my outfitter about this very topic this summer.  He felt my 58# Widow recurve was fine for killing a moose at typical bow range.  I could work up to more poundage if necessary, but don't see the reason when I handle my bow weight well and everyone seeming to agree that bows in the 50's are sufficient.  With a 550 gr 2020 and a sharp Magnus, I'm hoping for a LOT of meat...... antlers are a bonus.         TL

[StanM]

Wow, Ya'll ain't helping a bit!  Knobby, just in case your significant other happens upon this thread, you will DEFINITELY need another bow    

Sumpin' AT LEAST #54 ought to do 'er.  

Glad I could help  

[knobby]

Hey guys, just got back into town, so I finally got to check in on the replys. Thanks to everyone for their input on my question. My wife surprised me with the moose hunt for Christmas. I'm going to hunt with Dave Bzawy out of Smoky Lake, Alberta in 2005. He takes archery hunters for one week a year, and is a traditional archer himself. My hunting partner/best friend hunted with him this past year and is going back with me next year. He says it's the best guided hunt he's ever been on, even though he didn't get a moose. With all I've heard and read about moose, I assumed that 53# would be too light. I went to an indoor range today and discovered that a 2020 aluminum flies really well out of my bow. If a 2020 isn't a moose arrow, I don't know what is. Again, thanks alot for the help. I'm sure there'll be many more questions to come.

[knobby]

Stan, thanks for the help. I like the way you think! Heaven only knows how many bows a guy can go through before he finally makes up his mind. Am I the only one that can't stay with one bow for too long? There's a guy in central Wisconsin that I've met that has ha dthe same Winf Thunderbird since it was new decades ago. The guy even carries the sales receipt in his wallet! It's hilarious! He takes alot of heat about still having the same aluminumm arrows that he bought with the bow...it's not true, but it makes for good heckling.

[lcoast]

Oh man, sorry knobby. Just reread your original ost and see what Stan means. Yes, for bull moose in Alberta, you need another bow. 53-56 pounds should do it for you. And also you should really have a back up. Some rough ground in that Smokey country.


=keith=

[chris carignan]

Knobby Smokey Lake, thats not too far from my neck of woods sounds like you will be hunting the Borial or maybe the Park lands. Only a couple hours drive up the road to my place Cold Lake. Anyways if ya do make it out this way I think Stan may be right you might need a new bow for your swamp donkey hunt, 55# thats what I use. If ya have any questions bout the area feel free to E-mail or post eh, I could try to anwser some if I could.

Chris

[joe skipp]

Knobby Smokey Lake...is that near the Little Smokey River? I bowhunted moose on a float trip down the Little Smokey back in '83. Seen 2 bulls and a few cows with no arrows being shot. Had a great time. Traveled back there 2 springs in a row for Grizzlies...again 1 sighting...no arrows shot.

[chris carignan]

Joe, Smokey lake is a town about an hour north  of Edmonton along hwy 28. The only rivers near there is the North Saskashawan or the Athabaska a couple hours north of Smokey which is where I hunt. Dont know if there is a little Smokey river there, if there is never heard of it.

[lcoast]

I think Little Smokey is over in the Grande Prairie part of the world. I should know but am only about 60% positive. Too early yet.


=keith=

[New Wood]

Gary,

I am JEALOUS!  You going with Dale?  Hope to see ya at the winter shoot.

Chris H