Wmu 308 moose - Tag filled.

[J.B.]

Well after 17 years of collecting points I decided to draw bull moose in 308 this year. I have a good plan on the areas I want to hunt, and should be able to take up 12 days off work to get it done. Curious on anyones recent experience in the zone for moose, and what I can expect.
Looks like theres been alot of logging on the north end of the zone, so planning to focus on the south end in Bob creek/Black creek areas.
When it comes to post rut moose, is later in November going to be better? Im looking at taking the week of oct 28, or the the week of Nov 4 to start with. Likely focussing on foot access areas, not too concerned about getting 5-10km away from the truck. The plan is to climb high, and glass as much as possible. Are there any terrain/veg features I should be focusing on? Any thing moose specific I should be aware of? Other than that they are big, and a massive job to packout lol…

[Makes no scents!]

Well, sounds like you are mentally prepared! That’s usually half the battle . Good luck mate! You’ll do fine

[walking buffalo]

Packing a moose six miles is Not what most of us would consider a "good plan"...

Do you have access to horses?
Find out who might be offering a pack out service this year....


You might find something in the south, but most are to the north....

[J.B.]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

Packing a moose six miles is Not what most of us would consider a "good plan"...

Do you have access to horses?
Find out who might be offering a pack out service this year....


You might find something in the south, but most are to the north....

I have a buddy with mules I can hire, and friends who are suckers for punishment. Packed a sheep and camp 36km in September, a few 7km trips with a nap in between doesnt seem any harder lol

[LKILR]

I’ve taken moose from 402 and 404

I like to hunt the valleys early morning.
They will feed on the willows and poplar trees in the muskeg or along the creek side .


I find they will feed till just after sunrise then go to their bedding area.

I have found them feeding in the evening as well Just before dusk in these same areas

Been a few years since I’ve hunted 308 but last time I did there were plenty of bull moose north of the ranch on the south end


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[Ackleyman]

Originally Posted by J.B.

I have a buddy with mules I can hire, and friends who are suckers for punishment. Packed a sheep and camp 36km in September, a few 7km trips with a nap in between doesnt seem any harder lol

If you have never run into a Grizzly this may be a first...........

[J.B.]

Originally Posted by Ackleyman

If you have never run into a Grizzly this may be a first...........

People do this all the time in alaska/yukon etc. stage the meat away from the carcass with a good line of sight to approach. Sure there’s risk involved but you are far more likely to wreck your truck and die on the way home than have a fatal bear encounter. Would not be returning to kill site alone in any event…

[J.B.]

Originally Posted by LKILR

I’ve taken moose from 402 and 404

I like to hunt the valleys early morning.
They will feed on the willows and poplar trees in the muskeg or along the creek side .


I find they will feed till just after sunrise then go to their bedding area.

I have found them feeding in the evening as well Just before dusk in these same areas

Been a few years since I’ve hunted 308 but last time I did there were plenty of bull moose north of the ranch on the south end


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Thanks. My plan is to get a good vantage point to glass areas with willow/aspen etc. Seems like im on track. Any comment on the size of bulls youve seen?

[LKILR]

Originally Posted by J.B.

Thanks. My plan is to get a good vantage point to glass areas with willow/aspen etc. Seems like im on track. Any comment on the size of bulls youve seen?

From salad forks to 60”

But I would not hold out waiting for a 60”

The little ones are easier to pack out and the meat is more tender.

If you get in a jam I could bring some horses out to help ya . I’m near Claresholm


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[waldedw]

The last week of October and first week in November you will see some bull activity as the 2nd mini rut will be on, a few cows get missed first time around so they will cycle again then, have hear moose calling as late as Nov 09 and actually witnessed a cow and bull in courtship and breed October 28 and yes I have the moose porn on camera, the ritual went of for close to 3 hrs, she was playing hard to get.

[J.B.]

Thanks for the info guys.
LKILR, pm sent.

[dalewig]

I’ve been hunting a spot in more north 308 for day about last 7 years, and have noticed a pretty big moose decline in population over that time. Chatting with ranchers and some hunters who have hunted that same area for long time, and they’ve said same.

Seems like a very healthy predator population in that area, and rancher said grizz numbers seem to have really grown over last few years , which I think is taking a big toll on population. Have read moose often get hardest by predator spikes due to more solitary nature, more clumsy.

Not trying to be to negative , still some moose out there for sure, but just curious if others seeing same. On positive I find moose in that area are much easier to find come later Oct/Nov when leaves drop, more visibility, and perhaps cooler temps pushes them out a bit

[Barry D]

I've hunted in 308 from 1978- through to 2022. we hunted off of Chimney Rock road mostly. My son got a moose tag for the 2022 season and the rancher said we would have our work cut out for ourselves. What a difference from 10-40 years ago. I noticed the moose numbers really dropping in the 2000's and it just kept getting worse. I told my son, this would be our last hunt in that country, but with my knowledge of the area, I felt we could still get him his moose. We allowed 9 days for the hunt, just in case we needed it. Well if anyone remembers the fall of 2022, the first week of the season had you walking through heavy deep snow. This made for spotting moose easier but walking was exhausting. In the whole week, my son had one chance, but couldn't get a shot. Finally on the last day he found a smallish bull and he was happy to fill his tag. I thanked the rancher for access over the last 44 years and said we wouldn't be back for ever again. I loved hunting that country, but the hunting and predator pressure has gotten too much for me. You are doing the right thing in taking a big chunk of time off. Good luck and never give up.

[J.B.]

Originally Posted by Barry D

I've hunted in 308 from 1978- through to 2022. we hunted off of Chimney Rock road mostly. My son got a moose tag for the 2022 season and the rancher said we would have our work cut out for ourselves. What a difference from 10-40 years ago. I noticed the moose numbers really dropping in the 2000's and it just kept getting worse. I told my son, this would be our last hunt in that country, but with my knowledge of the area, I felt we could still get him his moose. We allowed 9 days for the hunt, just in case we needed it. Well if anyone remembers the fall of 2022, the first week of the season had you walking through heavy deep snow. This made for spotting moose easier but walking was exhausting. In the whole week, my son had one chance, but couldn't get a shot. Finally on the last day he found a smallish bull and he was happy to fill his tag. I thanked the rancher for access over the last 44 years and said we wouldn't be back for ever again. I loved hunting that country, but the hunting and predator pressure has gotten too much for me. You are doing the right thing in taking a big chunk of time off. Good luck and never give up.

That’s discouraging, sounds like the south end has better numbers in recent years yet.

[Big Grey Wolf]

WE are witnessing a major decline in moose population in many of best WMU's in province, not just 308. Only area we have increased numbers are in/near agriculture areas. Many factors but most impact from highest to lowest; 1) major increase in wolf population 2) Massive increase in meta population with 365 day hunting privilages 3) Enormous logging and herbicide spraying of cut blocks 4) Increase in both grizzly and black bear population 5) Increase in Alberta/Hunter population.
PS Just my experience in hunting moose and elk in more than 30 WMU's over more than 60 years of hunting in Alberta.

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by J.B.

That’s discouraging, sounds like the south end has better numbers in recent years yet.

Why do you think this?

Nothing in this thread sounds such.

And you heard from a few that know the area well.



If you want to hunt the south, hunt it.
But....


For quite a few years the ranchers under an agreement with the Province allowed wolves to increase while biologists studied the effects.
They were Not shot on sight, only trapped in a controlled fashion with a goal to not significantly reduce the pack size...
G bears were also increasing in numbers...

The moose population began drop...
Throughout the unit.

Surviving moose have to find areas less travelled by predators, with good escape terrain.
That's not the southern half....


You have some time, and skills. You'll figure it out.

[J.B.]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

Why do you think this?

Nothing in this thread sounds such.

And you heard from a few that know the area well.



If you want to hunt the south, hunt it.
But....


For quite a few years the ranchers under an agreement with the Province allowed wolves to increase while biologists studied the effects.
They were Not shot on sight, only trapped in a controlled fashion with a goal to not significantly reduce the pack size...
G bears were also increasing in numbers...

The moose population began drop...
Throughout the unit.

Surviving moose have to find areas less travelled by predators, with good escape terrain.
That's not the southern half....


You have some time, and skills. You'll figure it out.

Discouraging for him, the overall report of the zone, especially the southern half has been quite encouraging.

Curious where you are getting your wolf info from? I worked for several months this spring at a nearby farm, and they were most definitely shooting wolves on sight. Also had a neighbouring rancher stop by with a freshly killed 100lb male. At some point in the last 10 years I ran into a trapper targeting wolves on the Waldron. Waldron ranch hands have told me to shoot wolves on sight. Not saying you’re wrong, just curious as it is different from my own experience with the locals.

I am confident in my abilities to turn up game, hoping for a 45” plus, but will temper expectations based on what Im finding. I know of two that size or larger from the southern half in the last few years.
Hope its a great hunt!

[DRhunter]

Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf

WE are witnessing a major decline in moose population in many of best WMU's in province, not just 308. Only area we have increased numbers are in/near agriculture areas. Many factors but most impact from highest to lowest; 1) major increase in wolf population 2) Massive increase in meta population with 365 day hunting privilages 3) Enormous logging and herbicide spraying of cut blocks 4) Increase in both grizzly and black bear population 5) Increase in Alberta/Hunter population.
PS Just my experience in hunting moose and elk in more than 30 WMU's over more than 60 years of hunting in Alberta.

This is bang on. I have personally witnessed the retrievals of moose in 308 far outside the timelines that my licenses offer... I do not spend a ton of time around the zone, so if I have witnessed a couple, I can only imagine how many moose are being harvested outside of licensed hunters.

DR

[LKILR]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

Why do you think this?

Nothing in this thread sounds such.

And you heard from a few that know the area well.



If you want to hunt the south, hunt it.
But....


For quite a few years the ranchers under an agreement with the Province allowed wolves to increase while biologists studied the effects.
They were Not shot on sight, only trapped in a controlled fashion with a goal to not significantly reduce the pack size...
G bears were also increasing in numbers...

The moose population began drop...
Throughout the unit.

Surviving moose have to find areas less travelled by predators, with good escape terrain.
That's not the southern half....


You have some time, and skills. You'll figure it out.

The south end has higher population due to more human activity thus forcing the wolves further north.

I’ve seen many moose down bye the river while hunting white tails.


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[LKILR]

Originally Posted by LKILR

The south end has higher population due to more human activity thus forcing the wolves further north.

I’ve seen many moose down bye the river while hunting white tails.


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And the north end gets major pressure from all the truck hunters

Licensed and non-licensed

Year round


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[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by J.B.

Discouraging for him, the overall report of the zone, especially the southern half has been quite encouraging.

Curious where you are getting your wolf info from? I worked for several months this spring at a nearby farm, and they were most definitely shooting wolves on sight. Also had a neighbouring rancher stop by with a freshly killed 100lb male. At some point in the last 10 years I ran into a trapper targeting wolves on the Waldron. Waldron ranch hands have told me to shoot wolves on sight. Not saying you’re wrong, just curious as it is different from my own experience with the locals.

I am confident in my abilities to turn up game, hoping for a 45” plus, but will temper expectations based on what Im finding. I know of two that size or larger from the southern half in the last few years.
Hope its a great hunt!

This was about ten years ago or a few more when wolves were re-establishing their presence in this area.

I have maps showing den sites not far from the Bob Creek ranchhouse...


After a few years the ranchers had enough of the wolf study game....

[J.B.]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

This was about ten years ago or a few more when wolves were re-establishing their presence in this area.

I have maps showing den sites not far from the Bob Creek ranchhouse...


After a few years the ranchers had enough of the wolf study game....

Gotcha. They are definitely targeted now lol

[jm_ram]

J.B I have the same tag and will be hunting the area around the same time. Maybe we will cross paths. I’m a sucker for punishment as well

[huntinalberta]

I got my bull in there last year in the south end. We were seeing around 5 or 6 moose a day but all small bulls. I ended up getting a smaller 45 inch bull on about the 3rd day or 4th day. Also crossed paths with another group that got a bull. Beautiful spot but loads of people. We had horses to get it out

[KBF]

I’m sitting on 18 priority and with moose numbers dropping all over the south it makes me nervous and confused where to go!

[J.B.]

Thanks for the replies. Ill share what I learned after the hunt.

[C-Lublinkhof]

I’ll be down there around the same time with a mule deer buck draw. I was there late September for a scouting trip with my bow mostly on the south end. We saw a bull moose in the mid 40s that seemed to be hanging out in the big valley between the black creek heritage land and the first ridge-line on the east side of the main trail in. We would see him headed down just before dark, and then back up into the hills at sunrise. Here’s hoping we both find our animals, and it’s not too crazy busy in there for rifle season!

[J.B.]

First of all, a big thank you to everyone who took time to reply, pm, and share information or even locations! AO members were very willing to share when it comes to a high priority draw tag, I hope I can return the favor some day to one of you.

As for the hunt, we packed into the foot access side of Bob creek Monday morning. Found and passed a very small salad fork bull first thing in the morning, but that was the only moose of the day. Glassed up a moose carcass late in the day, and heard wolves, so sat over the carcass till dark, but they never showed up.
We climbed high on Tuesday morning, and in between fog patches turned up two cow/calf pairs, yesterdays salad fork, and another barely bigger bull with a cow. We decided to head out, and maybe return when we get some snow, or more bulls have migrated down. (in theory lol) We stop at the carcass on the way out, the birds have it pretty much picked clean. I spot a bullet in the spine and we dig out a .277 cal barnes. No pass through on that shot, but there's broken ribs on both sides of the rib cage.
Spent the last 1.5 days of sheep season in the mountains, found some rams, but nothing I could call legal.
Rolled the dice on an area I saw a moose in once a couple years back, and hiked in solo for the day Friday morning. By 9 am, I had seen zero game animals of any species, and bumped into a trio of elk hunters. Decided to climb high up a ridge to try glass into the aspens and turn something up. Around 1030, a pair of hunters hiked into the valley, and started up the bottom heading up. I decided to shadow them from the ridge top, and see if they bumped anything out. Still no animals spotted. Right around 11am I spot a dark shape in the aspen, and a quick look with the binos confirmed it was a moose, and a nice bull at that. Quick range - 700 yards. Too far for me this year. Part way down the side of the ridge is a rock bluff that will put me in range. I line up a big spruce with the bull so I can drop the ridge out of his sight. Once I get to the rocks, I cant see him, but have not seen him come out from either side of the spruce either. Pull out the spotter, and after a few minutes of digging, I can make out his nose from behind the spruce. Pull a quick range, hes around 415, shoot for 400 with the angle. I can make that shot in my sleep. Setup the gun with a clear lane through the grass and brush growing in the rocks, and use a rock for a rear bag. Dial 3.5 minutes. For the next 20 minutes I go back and forth from waiting on the gun, and looking through the spotter to determine if I have a clear shot through the aspen tops. I have a clear shooting lane in front of him, a couple feet wide. He finally steps in, facing almost dead away. A minute later he gives me a moderate quartering away shot. I rattle off 3 shots as fast as I can work the bolt, spotting every impact through my scope. I hate tracking! He doesn't move an inch, and folds up about 20 seconds after the first shot. I'm really pumped, I put a lot of pressure on myself to get a good bull in timely fashion, and not spend a ton of time away from my young family. A quick phone call to the wife, and a call to a buddy to come help get him out.
Get down to the bull and take some field photos. Pro tip - I have an aziak tripod bino clamp, and your binos make a perfect clamp to hold your phone for pics off a tripod. Half way through field dressing buddy shows up, and we have the bull packed out by dark.
I shot the bull with my 270 wsm built on a long action, shooting 170 grain berger elite hunters at 3050 fps. All three shots landed in ribs, with fragments found under the offside hide in the neck. Exactly what I expected from that combo.
Back home He measures 42.25" wide, with thick heavy pans and brows. 2 brows on one side, 3 on the other. I told myself I just wanted a bull that looks nice, and he is exactly that. Had a rough number of 45" in mind, but I'm very happy with it, and still time to try find a good whitetail.

One thing that stood out to me was the mule deer. I saw zero muleys in the time I was in 308. Not hunting prime muley country looking for moose, but unusual none the less. I think weather could play a large part in this, as there is no snow of any volume up high yet, and the rut has barely started.

Thanks again to all who helped! Ill see if I can figure out how to post a pic.

[J.B.]

See if this works...

[Albertadiver]

Well done, and good for you! That's tough country to hunt, let alone packing a moose out on foot.