Well it's been about 4 yrs running where everyone at camp 5-7guys avg have got nothing but calf moose tags. Our area has a limited number of moose and going north just isn't what were interested in. Anyway we have all come to the reality that our moose hunts have become essentially a week away where we do go out to hunt but don't let us get in the way of relaxing. Then we get more serious for deed which is more likely well get something. I know it's all about the exp but this year we have not made the stands till well after 9/10am. Certainly well get nothing this way. How do you guys stay motivated to still go out hunting when there is a 99% chance you won't even see one.
Keeping motivated when the whole camp has only Calf moose tags
- Thread starter philhut
- Start date
Calves only. In area WMU56 there are approx 70 adult tags and 5000 applicants. Somehow our neighbors get a bull every year.
Maybe instead of reintroducing the mountain lion to Ontario maybe boost the Moose population instead.....
Maybe instead of reintroducing the mountain lion to Ontario maybe boost the Moose population instead.....
verminaard
CGN Regular
- Location
- SW Bantario
Right there.
If I have a valid tag, and I took time off to hunt, I hunt the way I normally hunt regardless of the tag type.
Going out late isn't necessarily bad either. They still move during the day, and I like to mix stalking in with sitting. Being out for first light and sundown just help improve your chances, they aren't the be all end all.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
My group is in camp in wmu 56 right now. I stayed home, it just doesn't feel like a hunt without an adult tag and I've only ever seen a handful of calves. I have a young family and weeks away are hard so I'll be maximizing my time away by going on a much higher percentage hunt later on this fall down in Illinois. Moose hunting in many parts of Ontario is just not worth the effort I'm afraid.
Patrick
Patrick
We have several camps around use with 10+ hunters than seem to get tags every year. We hear shots and celebrated them getting a Big bull but stepmother than a few footprints we don't see much. Only love moose I have ever seen up here stalked up behind me on a trail during deer (glad I was armed 2 shots in the air is what it took to make an leave, 20ft away)
My hunting partner loves photography as well as the hunt, and a week in the bush provides plenty of opportunity for both.
I had a look at the MNR report for that MU, and it doesn't seem so bad. Odds for a tag are 19 to 1 (including calves) and the area looks generally moosey, despite the human presence. MNR seems pretty bullish on the area. They reckon the area can handle up to 31 moose/100 sq. km. and the calf harvest looks to be about half of all moose taken, so it seems like there should be a decent chance to bring home meat.
http://files.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/fish-and-wildlife/stdprod_104237.pdf
I had a look at the MNR report for that MU, and it doesn't seem so bad. Odds for a tag are 19 to 1 (including calves) and the area looks generally moosey, despite the human presence. MNR seems pretty bullish on the area. They reckon the area can handle up to 31 moose/100 sq. km. and the calf harvest looks to be about half of all moose taken, so it seems like there should be a decent chance to bring home meat.
http://files.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/fish-and-wildlife/stdprod_104237.pdf
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Were in 49 and havent drawn an adult tag in three years since the big cuts happened.
We started our hunt today and saw three bulls by 9AM. Very frustrating to say the least. We're out of bed at 6 and in the bush by 730 which is just before sunrise.
Morning run goes 730-1130, then assemble back at camp lunch and hit the bush again by 200-230 where we'll stay til nearly dark.
For me, im using it as an opportunity for trying new things that I wouldnt normally do for the deer hunt whivh is in two weeks. Going new places. Doing runs different ways etc. It has already payed dividends as a had a 6 point buck at 10yards.
We started our hunt today and saw three bulls by 9AM. Very frustrating to say the least. We're out of bed at 6 and in the bush by 730 which is just before sunrise.
Morning run goes 730-1130, then assemble back at camp lunch and hit the bush again by 200-230 where we'll stay til nearly dark.
For me, im using it as an opportunity for trying new things that I wouldnt normally do for the deer hunt whivh is in two weeks. Going new places. Doing runs different ways etc. It has already payed dividends as a had a 6 point buck at 10yards.
100% chance I won’t see anything if I don’t go out, that’s motivation enough for me.
13 guys at our camp in 49 this week with only calf tags. They seen a cow and two bulls this morning just sitting.
Did one push at 11am and shot a bear.
They brought a couple boats up and are going fiahing, I hope they don't even get a calf. It's not enough meat for everyone really, they definitely aren't hunting very hard. Deer hunting up there in 3 weeks....11 guys and one doe tag for the week. Rough hunting up there lately
Did one push at 11am and shot a bear.
They brought a couple boats up and are going fiahing, I hope they don't even get a calf. It's not enough meat for everyone really, they definitely aren't hunting very hard. Deer hunting up there in 3 weeks....11 guys and one doe tag for the week. Rough hunting up there lately
In WMU 56, there are currently open seasons for:
Moose
Turkey
Deer (bow)
Bear
Pheasant
Grouse
Partridge
Squirrel
Bunnies
Coon (night)
Fox
Skunk
Weasel
Wolf
And coyote.
Plenty of good reasons to set the alarm
Now see, that boggles my mind. I guess its one of the differences between Ontario and BC, but that sounds like about 8 guys too many lol
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I have more empathy with Ontario hunters after reading this. Opportunities seem very very limited! I usually don't bother to hunt moose any more because I shoot an elk each year. Move West bros.
And I get other species tags as well if allowed in a particular MU. There have been times when I couldn't pay to see a moose but literally was tripping over muley bucks. So with other species tags it keeps options open and motivation a little higher.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Ontario is a massive province with very different areas. Look at a map and google satellite imagery of northern Ontario. There is terrific moose hunting to be found....if one wants to drive 20 hours to get it from the southern part of the province.
There is exeptionally good deer, turkey, bear, and small game throughout a lot of the province (some of the best is just outside Toronto) . The opportunities are there its just all in how much one wants to do it
There is exeptionally good deer, turkey, bear, and small game throughout a lot of the province (some of the best is just outside Toronto) . The opportunities are there its just all in how much one wants to do it
Our group usually hunts 12B but they have made the tag quota so tough that we wont ever get an adult moose tag with the amount of hunters we have in our group. We stopped moose hunting because it's just not worth it. By the time you count the expenses to get there from southern Ontario, it's just not worth it. For the expense we could have a whole beef cow cut, wrapped, and guaranteed in the freezer for every 2 hunters in our group or we can chance seeing a calf moose.
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
I agree with you there.
area I hunt I have stopped applying for bull moose tags. Hardly ever see a bull, and it takes 4-5 years to get a tag on average.
calf moose there are many, and filling that tag is easy, and on average you can get the draw every second year, sometimes 2 years in a row. Calf moose is good eating and an angry cow moose can really get your blood pumping when your hunting solo.
now if only they would do something about the poachers.
