Hey 'Gang, just a heads up, the Maine moose lottery for 2011 is now taking applications. Just go to http://www5.informe.org/online/moose/ and good luck.
Kevin
Good luck Kevin if your applying! Would love to do that someday!
I went on a bear hunt in Maine, a few years back, and Moose were everywhere. I saw alot more of them than I did bear. I was surprised at their size, saw one full body mount in the lodge where I stayed, and the hump in it's shoulder was probably a foot over my head, and I'm 6'1" tall. Had one run out in front of my Chevy Tahoe and it looked like a sasquatch. Would love to get drawn for one of them in Maine.
Too rich for my blood. At one time everyone was limited to 3 chances; now you can purchase an unlimited number of chances. The more you pay, the better your chances; and the odds ain't great to win a tag to begin with. Cheaper to go to Canada.
put in for my chace once again
Kevin, quit telling everybody. It will worsen the odds.Lol
No really, good luck everyone. Odd years are my lucky ones so maybe this year. I also apply in Vermont and New Ham.
Don't give up jarhead...I drew twice in 5 years!
Good luck!
I have 8 points. I'm crossin my fingers
I always put in, but haven't been drawn yet. I'm 0/12, hoping for lucky #13 this year. Still, it's a fun hunt to guide, at least until it's on the ground, then the work begins in earnest.
Kevin
It's a joke, it is about money. I've had the max 12 points for over ten years now and never drew. This will be year 26 now with little chance since they changed it to a all cash cow system. I booked a Moose hunt for BC this year knowing Maines draw is corrupt!!!!
WapitiMike, I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. This is not a guaranteed draw, once you hit a certain number of points, like some of the drawings out west. You say you've had the max of 12pts for ten years, but remember if you miss putting in one year, you lose all of your points.
Your chance of winning is still the same as any true lottery, namely the number of tags available divided by the number of entries. Non-residents can purchase more chances that a resident, but there is a specific number of tags set aside for NR hunters, so that final number issued will not change. I know guys who have put in 20 years without drawing a tag and others who drew the first time they applied. Heck, look at Biggie. He drew twice in 5 years and as a NR hunter, which means his odds were even longer that a resident.
I know the folks who run the drawing (it's a random computer drawing) and can tell you the drawing is not corrupt. It's not stacked in the favor of those who put in every year without success, but it's not corrupt.
I just felt the need to set the story straight. Have a good hunt in BC.
Kevin
Been putting in for twenty two years. Nothing. I know where there are so many record book quality bulls up there it would make you dizzy. Have the sheds and pics to prove it. Even named some, seen them so many years in a row...Grayback, crooked horn(watched this guy since he was little to his current monsterous proportions), Bulldozer.....
It figures!
QuoteOriginally posted by Biggie Hoffman:
Don't give up jarhead...I drew twice in 5 years!
Good luck!
I know, I know. How about letting me borrow that horseshoe you have hidden?
Is there public ground there?
Does a non-res need a guide?
If I need a guide I won't put in.
Good questions Shedrock....would be curious what light can be shed on this.
Shedrock, there's plenty of open land, but it's privately owned. Unlike a lot of states, most land is owned by timer companies and is open for public use.
NR hunters aren't required to have a guide. If you draw, let me know what WMD you get and I'll point you in the right direction. Remember, put down a buddy that can go along as a sub-permittee. Plenty of places without road access, so an extra set of hands or two makes a big difference once you get one down.
Kevin
Northern Maine is a big area with not a lot of population. As mentioned most of the forested land is held by timber companys. You still need to be sensitive and informed about parcels around bodies of water that usually are held by individuals. If where you choose to hunt has these, it pays to pave your way first with a phone call or letter, but of course you never have to hunt on them anyway if you don't want to. I'd say its bull dependent. :0)
You can go in as "deep" as most anyone would ever care to go and have to haul a moose out.
And please stop complaining about how the lottery is run. Its better than nothing. I remember when you couldn't hunt moose in Maine legally.
Joshua, xMaineiac
My wife Katie and I have max points right now and you can't win if you don't play!
Give it a shot, you might get lucky.
I have 3 points....will continue to put in until I'm drawn....as for it being cheaper in CANADA....show me AND I WILL GO!!!!!
I think of it as the Maine Moose Donation--I have put in every year since it started, missed one year due to a surgery and lost all my preference points! Started again in 2007.
PS buying more chances doesn't up your odds, it just ups the number of tickets sold. :banghead:
I am going on about year 20 with no tag. They are not "preference points' just another # in the draw. I would love to see them go to a true "preference point" situation. I think it would help keep folks from giving up and keep the applications coming in. I won't give up, but know some folks who have been drawn three times in the time I have been applying. Oh well, one of these days will be my day. Don't know what I'll o the time I go on to check before I go to school and actually see my name. :pray:
This will be 24 yrs for me. Can't win if you don't enter!
Thanks for the info.
Took me 11 years to get a cow tag.Im back in it this year.
I haven't missed any years at all. People that are getting multiple draws are using ways that increase there odds through resident draw. I've been offered that but it's not worth the $ for me. I'm going to BC to hunt multiple species for ten days. It's less then the Maine'rs want for there locals to draw for you!! I've been spot and stalvvk bear hunting in BC and seen plenty of Moose for my likeing.
Best of luck to all trad gangers that apply.
Thanks for the feedback.
You can't win if you don't play- and believe me, it's worth it if you win!
This is going to be my seventh year putting in. I decided to also say (yes) to the cow option. I figure moose meat would be great with or without the extra horn to carry out of the woods.
Like the others said no worries about finding a place to hunt in northern Maine.There's MILES of private timber company land open to public use.You can walk for days and only see moose and Partridge in them woods.
If we win a permit, can anyone recommend a good Guide? How about the Outfit that the Black Widow boys have used for bear?
QuoteOriginally posted by dpg:
You can't win if you don't play- and believe me, it's worth it if you win!
Very well put 8-)
I go for bull only. Can't call a cow in, so those hunts are lots of looking and hoping
KumaSan, the Widow boys hunted with my buddy Tony Boucher at Squapan Mtn. Outfitters. Good guy and a heck of a guide.
Kevin
Thanks Kevin,
Thanks for the kind words,We love to moose hunt almost as much as Bear hunting! We took 5 moose hunters this past season with 5 moose. Were in zone 6 . But will guide in 5 and 3 as well.The Widow boys and the Langers are a hoot to have in camp.Don't feel bad guys 29 years and no luck for me! But i'm still waiting!
Like the way you think Shedrock. DIY or nothing for me. They have so many moose they call them swamp donkeys in Maine.
I too have been applying for years without luck, same with VT and NH, but am curious Biggie - how many chances did you buy to draw twice in 5 years?
Heck Tony, figured I'd give ya a plug since I moved back to Dixie. I'm keeping my Maine Guide's license, but it's going to be hard to get back up there this year, unless I draw a tag myself. I'm not missing the snow a bit :D :D
Kevin
I can send you snow if you want some? Thanks for the plug ole boy! If you draw you've got a place to stay. enjoy the weather and don't forget about your Mainr friends!!!!
Tony
You can keep the snow, but I am completely out of Moxie!
I may try and get a group together for bear at your place for 2012 if everything goes well. When I get back up, I'll definitely get together with you.
Is the state having the landowner/guide only draw again this year?
Kevin
Z
I buy at least one block of ten chances @ $55. If I don't have any other hunts planned, I buy more than one block. Depending on how many drink cans I have saved up to sell.
Kevin,
Thanks for thr name of the Squapan Outfitters, and I see they are a member. I applied for the lottery, and I feel lucky. Pulled a PA elk tag three years ago.
QuoteOriginally posted by longarrow:
I have 3 points....will continue to put in until I'm drawn....as for it being cheaper in CANADA....show me AND I WILL GO!!!!!
20 years x $55 a year for a block of 10 = $1,100 for something you may or may not win. Just for arguements sake, let's say it takes a average of 20 years to win a permit (I suspect it's even longer than that). Then you'd need another roughy $600 for a license and permit. Then the cost of transportation, guide, lodging, food etc. Depending on how lucky you feel, it could very well be cheaper (on average) to just go to Newfoundland for that moose.
Nope, I liked it better when you could compete every year on a level playing field with a limited number of chances for all non-resident applicant. Now that you can purchase an unliminted number of chances it's a rich man's game; the more you pay the better your chances.
Well, I can respect that perspective, depending on your definition of a rich man.
Maine has a long history of giving away the very things that it offers that are either unique to its borders and/or special.
Now we have finally begun to charge market for some of those things, like a chance to hunt a large bull moose in New England.
No other state in the lower 48 offers what Maine does in a moose hunting experience. Northern Maine is a one of a kind place that is unmatched by the other states offering moose tags.
I for one can't gripe that my home state has finally stopped selling itself short.
You want to hunt a fairly uncommon game animal in the lower 48? And actually have a chance to bring home a very large trophy? It only follows that you should pay for that chance. If you can't afford a bunch of "chances", thats one thing. But you still have a chance, regardless, and your money stays here in the US.
Joshua, kicking the soapbox back to center.
QuoteOriginally posted by Swamp Yankee:
QuoteOriginally posted by longarrow:
I have 3 points....will continue to put in until I'm drawn....as for it being cheaper in CANADA....show me AND I WILL GO!!!!!
20 years x $55 a year for a block of 10 = $1,100 for something you may or may not win. Just for arguements sake, let's say it takes a average of 20 years to win a permit (I suspect it's even longer than that). Then you'd need another roughy $600 for a license and permit. Then the cost of transportation, guide, lodging, food etc. Depending on how lucky you feel, it could very well be cheaper (on average) to just go to Newfoundland for that moose.
Nope, I liked it better when you could compete every year on a level playing field with a limited number of chances for all non-resident applicant. Now that you can purchase an unliminted number of chances it's a rich man's game; the more you pay the better your chances. [/b]
Sorry guy, some things can't be measured in dollars and cents. You can deliver pizzas part time for 3 or 4 months and make $2,000. Small sacrifice for the chance to hunt bull moose in a great place like Maine.
29 years and still no permit,as a resident!
Thanx Biggie.
Larry Jim Bob - Wow, but now I don't feel so bad... Makes a great case argument to your wildlife officials for preference points over bonus points.
Larry Jim Bob,
The lottery has not been good to you! Your time is due!!!
I'm familiar with your area in ME. I sent you a PM.