Canadian Moose sizes (antler and body)

[rvtrav]

 Hello to all,  After putting in for the Utah resident lottery drawing for moose for nearly 24 years unsuccessfully, I decided that I would just pay some dough and head for Canada, I checked out Alaska outfitters and they are about double what the going rates are for Canada's provinces.

 A coworker lived and hunted in Alaska for many years before coming down to the lower 48, and he told me that the Yukon or Alaskan moose were by far and away larger than the shiras or American moose species available in Canada. to just pay the higher fee and "get more for my money."

 while I agree and so does wikipidia, the videos that I have seen of Alberta and Ontario moose hunting look like they are huge, have big antlers and would definitely be  trophy worthy. Also, due to the cost factors and transportation of the meat, I wanted to make a road trip, rather than fly to a hunting destination.

 however, since there are considerable costs involved and I'm not committed to any one outfitter or area, are there places where Moose are larger than others in the provinces below the Yukon, and Alaska? the shiras moose of the (western) US are the smallest species, but many of the pictures an videos are of huge moose from BC, Alb, and Ontario.

 Where should I be looking to go hunting for a nice sized moose closer (and cheaper) than Alaska, or the Yukon?

 Thanks in advance, Rvtrav 

[greyowl1]

Manitoba has very good Canada Moose.  You can see some examples on several outfitter sites. " Lea Meadow Outfitters" has some good photos for examples. Many outfitters here start with a drive to a float plane base & a flight into a remote area where there is little pressure.  After hunting moose 35+ years, I believe you will enjoy the hunt much better if you can "set aside" the idea that huge antlers are the measure of the hunt. The huge bulls are just like big whitetails , you need a bit of luck & lots of hard work.   

[rvtrav]

  Thanks for the advice, and the link, Greyowl.

  I think that Just the  trip to the wilds of Canada, to be able to hunt Moose, will be enough for me, the pictures and the videos from Lea Meadow and many of the other outfitter's websties look plenty big to me, but I'm sure that they show the best of the successes.

 I think that the 'vacation" the trip to somewhere wild and exotic and the whole experience would be great. like I mentioned just getting the opportunity after so many years of unsuccessful lottery trys in my home state of Utah would be most fulfilling.

 Thanks again for the advice and the link. Any other outfitters that you would recommend ?

 

[greyowl1]

I'll tell you what I know as honestly as I can & with full disclosure. Since you were looking for examples of good moose etc I mentioned Lea Meadow, because I have guided for Lyle for about 9 years (as have the other guys). This operation is fairly typical of others in northern Manitoba in a number of ways in that you would normally drive on good highways to a northern location (Thompson in this case) or Lynn Lake, spend the night in a motel & the rest is taken care of. The next morning you go to a float plane base (they will be expecting you), get on the plane & fly into the wilderness for a full week of moose hunting. Some outfitters operate out of very modern fishing lodges with all the comforts & some are more remote camps that are set up annually as tent cabins which are warm, dry , & very comfortable. You generally try to decide which you prefer. As is the case everywhere, some things sound really good (too good) so I recommend that you check the references by phoning past hunters etc. Again I will describe Lea Meadow's operation because I know it best.  From first arrival at the main camp, you will be assigned a guide & taken to your own camp miles away & may not see main camp again for the week. The cabins are set up & ready so you are hunting now as "everywhere" is moose country. The camp takes only about 10/12 hunters a year (6 first week & 6 second week) so there is no pressure. I believe these numbers are fairly typical with some taking possibly 15/18 hunters over a couple of weeks but the weather is so unpredictable at this time of year in the north that there is a kind of "get in & get out safe" mentality. The areas are so vast that no outfitters ever come close to another's area & you likely will not see even an airplane in the sky let alone another hunter. Generally you can also hunt black bears & grey (timber) wolves at the same time although these are hit/miss depending on weather. You can also fish but generally never do until you tag a bull since thats the primary goal. From my experience, safety is always the primary goal. We all have families we want to get back to & there are no medical facilities close, even if you could get a plane in. We exercise fairly rigid rules regarding safety, alchohol etc & have no problems.   Movement is by boat & you would normally travel to the place you wished to hunt , set up & call. You may be there up to 4 hours before leaving. If you get a bull, we get some help, butcher it & get it into the boat for the trip back to camp. At the end of your hunt you would go back to main camp, onto the plane with your rack & some meat & gone back to your truck.  I am desperately trying to make this not sound like a promotion but I think I can assure you that once you have tried this "real" wilderness hunt you will try to find a way back whenever you can.  For more info you could check out the Manitoba Lodge & outfitter web-site . I would also caution that some sites that look like hunt operations are really booking agents so watch for this. (probably the same everywhere.)  As for the photos, these are about what is being taken since there are not a lot of hunters etc.  Some bulls are passed up & some past year photos are probably deleted for space, but these are fairly typical from my experience.  Good luck.