Hey 'Gang!
Just a quick heads up that the information is posted for the Maine 2008 Moose hunting season. It is a drawing, so you must purchase chances, but you don't have to buy a Maine license unless you are drawn. Information is here http://www.maine.gov/ifw/licenses_permits/lotteries/moose/index.htm
Non-residents, the 10chance package is your best value, heck, I can't even buy 10 chances and I live here.
Respectfully,
Kevin
Hmmmmm.....Maybe David (Huntrdfk) will pick my name again this year LOL..... :pray:
Good Luck Everyone!!!!!
I have put my name in the lottery for the last 10 years. Hopefully I will be pulled soon.
Thanks for the heads up Kevin, I guess I should get going on this, what do you think Chuck?
David
OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH YEAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! :thumbsup:
Just a little gee-whiz, I had a client deer hunting this year, after the moose season was over. While still-hunting up a skidder trail to glass a cut, I spotted a nice bull in the brush, about 200yds away. The hunter slid in behind a downed cedar and I moved back 20yds or so and started calling with a cow call. The bull came straight for us like he was on a string and stopped 8yds from the hunter, broadside. The wind was good and he never knew we were there. After a couple of minutes, the wind swirled and he was off. What a rush!! The area I guide in has plenty of moose, most deer seasons, we see as many moose as deer. I'll post a pic or two in a couple of minutes......
Here's a couple of small bulls following a cow the day after we saw the good bull...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d47/Kevinl2067/Appalachianflatbowgroup013.jpg)
A closer look. They ended up passing me at 15yds...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d47/Kevinl2067/Appalachianflatbowgroup015.jpg)
And here's a pic of the swamp they went into...
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d47/Kevinl2067/Appalachianflatbowgroup011.jpg)
I'm not proud Kevin,They both look like trophys to me!!!!! Meat AND Horns!!!!! :thumbsup:
Moose is on my agenda of things to do before i pass on from this life,it would be nice to feel the release of the string and if the good lord was smiling upon me this day he would allow me to have a clean miss because i'm intirely too old to be packing one of those big critters out of a swamp on my back.haha
The big one the day before was 54" or so, but I agree with you. Any animal taken with a stick and string is a trophy. Personally, I'd rather have one of the little bulls down near a road I can drive to, than a great big one 2 miles from the nearest road. Meat's better, and I don't have to skin, quarter, and bone it for the pack out.
For those thinking about putting in for the drawing, These pictures are from WMD 8. I always list my preferences as Zone 8, then 1-7, then 14. Zones 1 through 6 have the most moose, and the most licenses, but I guide in 8 all year long, and that familiarity really helps.
SO what you're saying Kevin if one was to get drawn you'd be a good person to list as the second hunter.
HEck yeah! I'll even store the meat in my freezer for ya.
VM13 brings up a good point. Maine asks you to name a sub-permitee. Both hunters must have a Maine big game license, but only the one permit between the two of you. Either hunter may shoot the moose, but only one moose for each moose tag. Confusing, eh?? And for those of ya that don't have a friend to go with ya, PM me and I''l give you MY info, lol.
Kevin...I've been putting in for ten years and buying lots of chances but not picked yet. A moose is THE animial on the top of my wish list. Figure I might be able to hit one too
Kevin...I've been putting in for ten years and buying lots of chances but not picked yet. A moose is THE animial on the top of my wish list. Figure I might be able to hit one too :jumper: . What area are you guiding in for moose?
I'm 0 for 10 myself, but you can't get drawn if you don't put in. Plus, I'd hate to lose the preference points I've built up, even if they're not doing much for me so far. I guide WMD's 1-14. I prefer #8 and the surrounding areas, since that's where I have good access and places to stay, but the season is early enough that you can use tents and do a western style camp just about anywhere that time of year.
How does one go about getting a guide after being drawn for a license? BTW, I am planning on getting drawn this year...lol
MM76,
If you draw a tag, get booked ASAP. Everyone waits until the drawing occurs, then there's a mad scramble to get a guide for the zone you get drawn for. I only take one party per season, and it's first come, first served, unless I have a prior booking or get drawn myself.
Man, people actually pay for guiding services before they have a license. What happens to their money if they don't get drawn? I thought Maine was a bargain in Moose hunting, starting to have second thoughts...Mike
I've only had one guy want to lock up the dates. He sent the deposit, with the understanding that he got refunded if he didn't draw. And he didn't. I sent out his check the next day.
I prefer to wait until the drawing to book it, since the odds are low and you never can tell what will happen, which zone you'll get if you do get drawn, etc. But it doesn't hurt to do your homework before the drawing to have a couple of guides in mind, just in case. If you wait till after the drawing and then start checking around, you'll find pretty slim pickings.
Why not go somewhere else to moose hunt? The chances of getting a tag in maine are almost 0. :rolleyes:
Well, For me, it's the fact that I live here, and being a guide myself, it's hard to get away to go somewhere else. If I have a lot of time on my hands during hunting season, then I have a serious issue with my business. Plus, if I'm going to drive or fly to go hunting, I'd prefer to hunt something I don't normally see.
That makes sense. :campfire:
Dirty Bill, that is definitely a possibility except for the $$$ part...Mike
Kevin,
Can you double up with bear too?
Killinstuff,
The bear over bait season and the moose seasons don't overlap. Plus, I feel either one would be a pretty full week, since most people like to combine flyfishing in the morning with a bear hunt.
Dirty Bill-
I think people put in for Maine Moose tags for 2 reasons.
1) Moose are so plentiful in Maine that a tag almost guarantees you a Moose (especially if you are willing to gun hunt.)
2) It is less expensive than the alternatives.
I have out in for one for 3 seasons. If and when I ever get pulled - it will be a major reason to celebrate. I will really have to think about what tyoe of weapon I want to go with.
Hey Kevin, if I put in and get drawn. Can I stay at the Little Lodge?
You know you're always welcome here, Dave. Heck, I'd be tickled to have ya come up and have someone from back home to hunt with. Just put in, get drawn and we'll take the week and go put a bunch of meat on the ground.
Thanks Kevin, it would be great to go with you, two Wayne County boys going after Moose in the northern woods of Maine. No better than I shoot, you would have to get me really close. :rolleyes: I may just try for a tag.
thanks for reminding me. Kevin. my second hunter choice is Vermonster, as it should be :)
Dave, remember that that's a heck of a lot bigger boiler room than a Wayne County whitetail :bigsmyl: That should extend you're range a bit.
It took 20 years before I got a draw but it was worth it so don't give up. The hunting is great. I got my permit in unit 5 and hunted with Ox Bow Lodge. A real first class outfit. They took me where the moose were and didn't worry about how far off the road it was or how to get it out. I was lucky and took this nice 10.5 year old bull with 48 inch spread the first morning.
My total costs for the hunt were way below the cost to hunt allot of other big game. This was a life time dream come true.
(http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l209/jwingman/winger/PICT0007-1.jpg)
I can understand why you guys try for Maine,since it is so much cheaper.I want to hunt moose,and I want to use my bow.At my age,I don't really want to fool around trying to get a tag.
I think I'll be going to newfoundland,if i can figure out the money part. :campfire:
Bill,
When ya do, figure it out twice and take me with ya, lol. Shoot, if ya get yourself and your stuff up to here, I'll even drive the rest of the way so ya can just enjoy the scenery.
Kevin,
Thanks for reminding everyone about the Moose drawing. Just what we need more names in the hat, now I'll never get drawn. I have also have been trying for along time. They started giving points a few years ago, maybe that will help. Good Luck to all who apply. If you are lucky enough to get drawn you can't beat the price or the odds of a successful hunt in Maine.
Kevin L, I just put in for this year,My frist time for Maine.I puy in every year for New Hampshire,so far no luck. Leon
Adirondackman, A few extra won't kill your hopes, lol. They're more licenses being drawn for '08 than in '07, so you'll still have a better chance than you had last year.
Leon, I've never put in for NH, but I probably should. That little stretch of Rt 16 from Oquossoc, ME to Errol, NH, then on down Rt 26 (i think) towards Bethel is just crawling with ditch-donkeys.
Kevin L,I go fishing on that stretch of 16,2 miles south of Errol.My boss has a cabin in Errol,free place to stay when I hunt up there.I will give you a call if I get a permit. Leon