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Post by curmudgeon on Dec 8, 2013 22:31:14 GMT -5
I have taken two Alaskan Moose with a 357 Auto Mag. Both head shots @ 50 yards. Long story about how this came about.
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Post by wildwillalaska on Dec 9, 2013 1:48:01 GMT -5
I'm going to echo Snyd that moose are fairly easy game to kill--but just as also pointed out, that doesn't mean shot placement isn't important. Just like most any animal, you shoot it strait through the paunch, it will run, provide miserable trail, and present a likelihood of loss.
Moose though, have huge vitals and are not the most quick moving deer in the woods. Plus they seem to require a huge amount of oxygen to move. You get a double lung on one and they really don't go far before stopping and tumpling over. Now I wish I could say I had taken one with a handgun, but can't yet--jealous to callshot and sixshot on that one. Have actually killed more with a bow than anything. On archery, so long as fairly proficient and know to avoid that front shoulder blade--ESP quartering towards u--they are the perfect game for bow hunting. Their vitals are a fair amount bigger than a whitetails body brisket to backbone, and nowhere near as reactive to string noise--just not as jumpy upon hearing an arrow release.
My minimum on handgun would be a 45 colt. I think a 41 Maggie would work awesome and smaller if bullet selection and shot placement take account to that massive front shoulder area. I say 45 simply because when I head out I just almost always carry either a 45 colt or a Linebaugh of some sort. (Usually don't ask minimum for moose, or caribou or blacktail--but minimum for brown bear). The grizzley we got off my moose kill site from two,years ago just came out in this years Boone and Crockett book--buddy shot the bear.
Just to rub it in, I'm heading out to Ft Rich outside Anchorage for a limited draw winter moose hunt starting next Sunday. There are some really big boys that come down out of the hills outside anchorage in the winter (search you tube for "anchorage street fight"--cool video) but is really mostly a groceries hunt for me. Limited time, archery only, and is an "any moose" permit.
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Snyd
.375 Atomic
The Last Frontier
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Post by Snyd on Dec 10, 2013 17:08:41 GMT -5
Yup, just like any other critter you can wound one with a bad shot. But, one doesn't need an uber-magnum to kill a 1500lb bull. Lung shoot one, (he might not even look like he's hit) wait about 60-90 seconds, that's about what it takes for those big ol' lungs to fill up and bp drops then the bull does. They tend to walk or trot off a short ways and stop then fall over. Don't chase him and put him on the run! Let him bleed out. Heart shot bulls seem to do a backflip and die. That's quite a sight. Of course a cns hit will drop one then you need polish em off. I've seen over 30 of em die here over the last 22years between me and my hunting partner. Everything from spikes to a 69incher.
The last one I shot was at 365yds with a 325wsm, 200gr Accubond, heart shot. He did a backflip and died. Hit one in the spine at 315yds with the same load one year and that took him down. Shot one through the heart one time at 150yds with 30-06 and 180gr psp plane jane bullet, he did the heart shot backflip. Meat for the freezer.
Good luck Will, I hope you get a crack at one with one of those nice custom handguns you've got! Like you, I'm still trying to score with my 45 Colt.
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Snyd
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The Last Frontier
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Post by Snyd on Dec 10, 2013 22:24:41 GMT -5
duh.... I just read your post again Will and see that it's and archery hunt. Go stick one!
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Post by wildwillalaska on Dec 11, 2013 4:05:15 GMT -5
Thank Snyd. If I got one with my handgun sumthin tells me I would have a group of military folk asking my some awful questions. I'll be picky for a couple days, but with my limited time and it being an any moose permit, a cow or little bull will fill the freezer and eat just fine. A true if its brown its down meat hunt if needed.
We'll see. Sure would have liked a lot more snow by now to push the big boys down from the hills.
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
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Post by cmh on Dec 22, 2013 21:53:37 GMT -5
Have any luck Will?
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Post by wildwillalaska on Dec 28, 2013 9:52:45 GMT -5
Nope--not yet. Plan to hunt again the last week of the permit.
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,745
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Post by cmh on Dec 29, 2013 14:27:39 GMT -5
Best of luck friend  |
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Post by whitworth on Jan 17, 2014 7:06:47 GMT -5
Best of luck friend + 1 !! |
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Post by bigbore442001 on Jan 21, 2014 20:09:19 GMT -5
I love moose hunting but the chances of it in New England may be coming to an end. There is a big issue with winter die off due to winter ticks. New Hampshire is contemplating the cutting of moose permits in half for this year. I hate to see that because NH has been so good to our family. We got three permits in the last ten years or so. Luckily I have taken all three with a Contender handgun.
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