Planning a Moose hunt in Ontario for this fall! I used the search function to see what arrow/broadhead combinations fellow tradgangers have used with success and didn't find a lot of information. I am limited to either my PLIII or my one of my recurves at 53#@28". Wanting to up my arrow weight to 600+ grains from my 540ish gr. I presently shoot, which is no problem and am considering the 250 gr. VPA 3 blades. BUT, I am looking for feedback from folks here that have shot Moose! Share your experience, your equipment, what worked, what didn't work. Any input will be helpful and appreciated. Bow weight (should issues/doctors orders to stay under 55#) is the only thing I am locked in on, everything else is subject to improvement/change.
Thanks in advance! Mike
I shoot my mooses with my 375 H@H
but I can tell you of all the knives I tried to dress them the Avalon knife is the besthttp://www.havalon.com
but be certain to buy a kevlar glove because these knives are so sharp that they are dangerous
one blade easily dress one moose
believe me you use it to cut of the head with ease.....
I haven't hunted moose yet. I had a hunt booked in Alberta for this past October (1st week). The hunt was postponed as my hunting buddy recovered from cancer. We are rescheduled for the 1st week of this coming October.
I know what I'm going to use and the guide/outfitter, who is a bowhunter, says my set-up will do just fine. It is slightly less in every specification from yours.
Thanks for the feed back........keep it coming! Mike
Mike,
I shot a cow this year in Nfld. 60#@28 Big River R/D longbow. Arrow was a CE350 w/ 100gr. insert 75gr adapter and Grizzly Kodiak 170gr. Total arrow weight = 720gr and approximately 22% FOC. Center punched a rib on the way in - lung, liver, paunch and poked out the far side but backed out the "in" side. http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=132598;p=1
Mike check out our United Bowhunter of Missouri on line magazine.
Brian Peterson took a moose in AK.
http://www.unitedbowhunters.com/DOCS/UnitedBowhunterWinter2014.pdf
Journeyman broadhead which is now an Eclipse. Super sturdy and easy to sharpen and keep sharp. Not a fan of the lighter bows - I used 65# and up on animals moose sized and larger. I do not see an upside to using a 3 blade - and I am not an anti 3 blade guy at all nor am I devoted to 2 blades in all cases. But Moose are big - you are going in on the light side of bow weight. In these situations where we push boundaries (moose, buffalo, BIG) and the other end of the spectrum (our kids using 30# bows on medium big game) we do go with flatblade heads. Moose are not difficult to track - something to consider. Not trying to start a 2 blade 3 blade discussion and wouldn't waste time on it - but respectfully consider a sturdy 2 blade for your hunt. I have used and seen used successfully STOS, Journeymans and even Magnus' Of the handful of very successful moose bowhunters I know I do not know any that like 3 blades. With a little more bow weight I would have confidence in a Razorcap.
Good Luck and Good Hunting
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macbow-just read it........cool story and some good info!
Thanks, Mike
I'm shooting the Abowyer two blade single bevel I think it's the Grizzley. A moose call is real easy just find a birch tree. When calling make lots of noise the bull I called in was just by breaking branches. If your near water and it's quite pour a gallon of water from about head height. Moose die easy when shot in the right spot.
Mike this place looks nice Thousand Lakes Outposts not real cheap but a drive in hunt for 12 days is appealing
Mike,
I think you already have most the information from my moose hunt, but just in case:
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=120989#000000
I used a 58# osage selfbow, 145 grain Eclipse broadhead, 625 grains was the total weight for my wood arrows made by Rob DiStefano, the site administrator here.
Walt, I just clicked on the link and re-read your story.........awesome story and a great job on the Moose and on sharing it!
Thanks! Mike
Ron,
What type of tent is that in the last picture?
Mike,
You going to make the PBS Convention this March in Cincinnati? If so, you can pick my brain, and a lot of others who are more experienced and knowledgeable.
732 grain arrow. 2219 with woodsman BH. 65# Wes Wallace recurve. Called him in to 17 yards. Started calling in the morning at the last place I called the evening before- even though it was 3 miles from my tent. It took 9 trips to pack out alone. The terrain and distance will dictate your load weight. Move meat away from kill site if you have no vehicle. Moose are not foolish. No not underestimate their ears. Mike
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/hero/moose2.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/hero/moose2.jpg.html)
Herdbull, would you go with the three blade again?
With the heavy arrow, bow weight and long draw, I would not hesitate to use my same set up. But with that said, reading and talking to many othger hunters who have taken the AK/Yu moose, I would go with a stout 2-blade next time. The reason is the imperfect shot and or placement. Things work great on the range, but I know too well what you are presented with in the wilds. Getting deflections in willow or dwarf birch brush is one of them.
Look up my "Got Moose" thread from a few years back. Good luck!
Mike, I have taken 2 Shiras moose in Idaho, a bull and a cow. For the bull I used a 64lb selfbow and a 750 grain ash arrow tipped with a a 4 blade Zwickey Eskimo. Shot was 10 yards, lung hit, complete pass through. Bull went approximately 40 yards. I shot the cow using a 55lb Cari-bow Wolverine. I draw 27". The arrow was an Easton Axis Traditional, 630 grains, 3 blade VPA. Shot was 18-20 yards through the lungs, complete pass through.
Checkout the anatomy post at the beginning of PowWow. There is a great section on moose.
Take close, high percentage shots and you will do great!
Mike,
I've participated in the butchering of five Alaska-Yukon bulls...three of which I killed myself...and every one of them died quickly, the victim of a quality 2-blade head. It doesn't need to weigh over 140 grains, and you don't need any amount of 'extreme' in your rig. Keep it simple and sturdy. Your mid-50# bows will work, but you need to hit the chest and preferably perfectly broadside. I shoot a Beman 340 with Abowyer 175 Wapiti and 75gr adapter from a 64# longbow.
(//%5Burl=http://s52.photobucket.com/user/dillbilly/media/Alaska2011165.jpg.html%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g13/dillbilly/Alaska2011165.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]
I've used a variety of knives, but my eyes got opened WIDE by the Cutco 5718 Drop Point with a Double D serrated edge. If you haven't used a fully-serrated knife on a large big game animal, you cannot imagine how much effort it saves. I only regret that I did several bulls before discovering the Cutco...a favorite knife of Alaskan hunters.
Don't take risky shots. My average kill distance is 12 yards. Be sure you're hitting maximum full-draw with every shot in practice. Shoot from a kneeling position, and shoot with your day-pack on. I killed my last bull at six yards while on my knees and the bow almost horizontal.
I just read the link provided by Walt Francis.
A very exciting and informative recount of a fantastic adventure! I loved the note about walking the "M" there in Missoula. My wife and I have visited the town a few times (RMEF and MWP). We always marvel at all the folks walking that trail. I can just imagine a bunch of dedicated hunters using it for training.
I'll be 60 in a few days. I feel like I've let the dream of AK moose hunting slip by -- couldn't afford it most of my life. However, I'll hunt moose (God willing) in Alberta this coming fall with one of my recurves. Maybe a fire will be ignited to turn back the clock?
Mike, My best friend in High School has been living in Alaska for the last 30 years and has killed numerous bulls with a homemade recurve. He shoots heavy arrows and 2 blades. More pass throughs than not and has only lost 1 bull in all those years.
I hope the bull of the woods comes to 12 yards and you get a perfect opportunity!
I shot an adult cow moose here in NH in 2007. I was shooting a DAS recurve at 60#, a 340 29" MFX Beman shaft and 200 grain Razorcap 3blade. It hit the humerus on the way in and took off a big chunk of it and part of a rib. Got the heart and lower lungs. The moose took three steps and was done. A friend of mine, Birdbow, shot a bull in Maine the folowing year and took it with a 60# Hummingbird and a Zwickey No Mercy. His bull travelled 15 yards. I think sharp broad head and shot placement are key. Another friend, Craig Warren (maker of the Bow Bolt) shot a record Maine bull with a 50# bow he made and a cedar shaft with a 50 year old 2 blade Bear Razorhead. Again, shot placement is the key.
I used a 51# thunderhorn shooting a 29" 2020 with a 125 woodsman head to shoot a cow moose at 20 yards (right in the armpit) arrow stuck in the ground past her. Unbelievably the wound plugged up so there was no blood on the ground. Had to follow tracks to find it 100 yards away. Good luck on your hunt. This moose was the best eating wild game I have had.
Thanks to all for the replies!
Walt, I do hope to make to Cincy and if I do, I will definitely look for you there.
Mike
Killed an Alaskan Yukon moose a few years back with a 66# Robertson longbow and 725 grain arrow tipped with a 4-blade Zwickey Delta broadhead. The bleeders aren't real big on a Zwickey, but a 2-blade might be a better choice. On a slightly quartering away shot, the broadhead just broke through the skin on the far side. My buddy used arrows of about the same weight, but with 2-blade Zwickey Deltas. His arrow zipped through the moose he shot, broadside. Has about a 30-inch draw and was shooting a longbow that drew about 70# at his draw length.
A 600 grain or so arrow and two-blade head will do the job nicely out of your bow, IMO. Good luck.
Mike, killed an adult cow moose a few years ago, PLX
52@28,mfx 400, 620 grains, no mercy broad head. 35 yrd shoot, 50 yrd recovery, arrow lodged in far shoulder. Stick with heavy arrow and 2 blade head you'll do fine.
Mike
I thought I would add this because of your weight limitations. I also don't draw a full 28",although I've always said it depends on the size of the animal.LOL
My last moose was shot with a 53# @ 28" longbow and a 700 grs. arrow. The broadhead was a 2 blade Tuffhead (at the time a prototype). I got 2 arrows into the bull moose once at 12 yds. and another at about 23 yds. Both arrows excited the moose but the shaft stayed inside. I didn't need the the second arrow the moose just gave me another shot.
I have called in other moose for friends and here is something you should keep in mind. Shoot below the center line from top to bottom. Arrows going above that are not always as a effective as targets suggest. The hump gives you a false sense that there is allot to shoot at. Hit below the center line through both lungs and moose lie down quickly. On that note moose hit ,lie down quickly if not scared. So be patience and you may get another shot in to one not hit well.
Your bow weight should not be the deterrent.
Abe
I killed this bull in 2007 with aa 47 lb fox breed, CE express 150 tipped with a 145 steel force BH . Heart shot, bull went 50 yards
(http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4122/4903974415_27ebe9027e.jpg)
on my 2011 hunt I upped the arrow weight and went the same shaft but used a 200 grain Eclipse werewolfe BH.
What Abe said! Aim for the lower third. I haven't hunted the bigger Alaskan species but have taken a few Alberta Moose. I've shot them with 65# and 3 blade heads down to 52# with 3 blade heads. No problems.
Aim low and you'll be fine. Moose die quick.
Make sure you take all the meat home, its the best.
Good Luck on your hunt!
Shot a bull in Oct in Newfoundland with a 50#Cari-Bow Slynx.700 grain arrow with a Magnus 2blade and got it done.
great story!!
Mike, the bull I shot in Ontario this past fall was shot at 12 yards with a 57lb toelke lynx longbow, the arrow was a goldtip 3555 hunter black shaft cut to 30 inches, it had a 100 grain brass insert and a 180 grain(with insert) Magnus 2 blade head, this is the ma135, 1 1/2 inch wide head. total arrow weight was 530 grains, I had complete penetration, the arrow did stick out the other side. If your arrow is tuned to your bow 530 grin IS PLENTY HEAVY,
Good info fellars. I am getting really close to having this all put together. Going to call the references from the outfitter and if all goes well I will send a deposit in this weekend!!
Mike
This is going to be a wonderful experience Mike!
Killed a bull moose in Maine (see avatar) with a 54# LB, 750 gr. carbon arrow pushing a SB Zwickey BH. Called in to 6 yds. and got complete penetration. Good luck
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s533/randyhermann1/041.jpg
55#@ 28". 587 grn arrow with a 100 grn brass insert and a 250 grn VPA 3 blade head. 15 yard shot, complete pass through and a 40 yard recovery.
http://i.imgur.com/GW4vI8G.jpg
55#@28". 637 grn arrow with a 100 grn brass insert and a 300 grn VPA 3 blade head. 28 yard shot, 2 holes and a 50 yard recovery.
Mike, that hunt has been on my list for a long time , I just haven't been able to pull it off... Congrats on making it happen !!!!
Best of luck yo you!
My moose hunt is in 2016 so I will be watching your posts.