can a lung shot moose go?I've only shot one-it went down right away with a single quartering hit through the lungs with a 270, but I've heard of other moose that went unrecovered-and not by a neophyte hunter, either.I've had various opinions-keep shooting till they go down or if you know you have a solid lung shot-stop shooting and don't move in for half an hour,and your moose will be down within 50 yards.
how far
- Thread starter ratherbefishin
- Start date
Well, if a guy shoots a moose squarely thru the lungs and lets the moose alone for awhile, he will get his moose.
Lungs bleed lots, plus the animal isn't getting any air so he can't go far without blacking out and dying.
I can't see losing a lung shot animal in the bush.......
here's how it should go:
"There's a nice bull moose!!!!" **All the safety stuff **
BANG!
Mental note of the spot where the moose was standing when you shot him. Watch where he goes or enters the bush. Wait. Wait some more. Hve a snack and a coffee. Take a leak. Wait some more. Gather your knife, rope, saw, rifle reloaded. (total elapsed time: 30-45 minutes)
Lungs bleed lots, plus the animal isn't getting any air so he can't go far without blacking out and dying.
I can't see losing a lung shot animal in the bush.......
here's how it should go:
"There's a nice bull moose!!!!" **All the safety stuff **
BANG!
Mental note of the spot where the moose was standing when you shot him. Watch where he goes or enters the bush. Wait. Wait some more. Hve a snack and a coffee. Take a leak. Wait some more. Gather your knife, rope, saw, rifle reloaded. (total elapsed time: 30-45 minutes)
I shot my first moose this fall, he was wuartering towards me and i tucked one right behind the shoulder. The TBBC travelled through both lungs and almost went through the other side. He fell when shot, I rechambered, he got up and went 20yards and fell and never got up. He was dead in under 1 minute. They don't go far with a good lung shot!!!
I think this is an inexact science at best.
I had a whitetail doe run around 100 yards while jumping over a few deadfalls before piling up... with both lungs pulped from a ribcage through and through from a 140gr Core-Lokt in 7mmRemMag at only about 25 yards...
I shot last year's mulie buck (thick, heavy fella) at about 50 yards with a 180gr Accubond from my 30-06, again through both lungs and out. He just took a step back, sat down on his haunches, and then rolled over with his legs in the air...
My friend shot a small whitetail buck 2 years ago with a 150gr (or maybe 165gr?) Ballistic Tip in 30-06 at about 75 yards. Centre of ribcage shot from slightly uphill; again through only the lungs with the remains of the bullet under the offside hide. Dropped like the man upstairs just cut the puppet strings, as in right now.
I know these are deer and not moose, but if anything a moose's lungs are larger and would tend to take longer to fill with blood, no?
I think it just goes to show that our quarry are fairly unpredictable. :?
I had a whitetail doe run around 100 yards while jumping over a few deadfalls before piling up... with both lungs pulped from a ribcage through and through from a 140gr Core-Lokt in 7mmRemMag at only about 25 yards...
I shot last year's mulie buck (thick, heavy fella) at about 50 yards with a 180gr Accubond from my 30-06, again through both lungs and out. He just took a step back, sat down on his haunches, and then rolled over with his legs in the air...
My friend shot a small whitetail buck 2 years ago with a 150gr (or maybe 165gr?) Ballistic Tip in 30-06 at about 75 yards. Centre of ribcage shot from slightly uphill; again through only the lungs with the remains of the bullet under the offside hide. Dropped like the man upstairs just cut the puppet strings, as in right now.
I know these are deer and not moose, but if anything a moose's lungs are larger and would tend to take longer to fill with blood, no?
I think it just goes to show that our quarry are fairly unpredictable. :?
Huntinstuff is right...if you know you've made a a good hit in the rib cage, and your moose disappears into the bush, you're far better off to leave him be for a 1/2 hr. or more than to chase him (if he doesn't disappear though, keep putting holes in him 'til he lays down). It's amazing how far they can make it on adrenalin when being pursued. If left alone, they simply lay down and die. If pushed, they can lead you on a "merry moose chase"...further into the deep dark woods, and likely a greater distance from your vehicle or camp. So, as already mentioned, take a rest, have a cup of coffee and snack to fuel yourself, and gather your tools for the work ahead before you go after him.
You can lose a Moose easily in a 1/4 mile of bush... and damn easy in a 1/4 mile of swamp. Good tracking skills are paramount and second only to placing your shot and shooting again and again until it is down.
Anyone who has shot a lot of game has lost an animal.. or knows someone who has :idea:
Anyone who has shot a lot of game has lost an animal.. or knows someone who has :idea:
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
BIGREDD said:
What BIGREDD said!
The big thing I tell new hunters not to do is to go in right away.
Like huntinstuff, said , wait a bit
I have seen them go a long way when pushed too hard.
Cat
All depends on the situation and type of terrain.
If there is snow on the ground I will take most kill shots, pretty hard to lose an animal in the snow.
Where I live there is very little open country, its all thick bush, alder and mountains. If an animal is going to run after a shot you can guarantee its going to be downhill and into the thickest brush you have ever seen. Tracking in thick brush is very very very hard, especially if there is a lot of game sign in the area to start with.
In situations like this its nice to be able to put the animal down on the spot, eg: head shot.
I have cut a lot of wild meat and personally I am sick of working through blood shot front quarters, I am starting to head shot more game, and have been on quite a few buddies hunts where they head shot the animals as well. Out of all the animals no one has missed or wounded an animal. Absolutly every one has been a bang/flop and no meat wasted what so ever. And only one set of antlers busted apart
time to break out the epoxy.
If you take the lung shot and the animal reacts but justs stands there bleeding and milling around, just let him fall. If you hit him solid then just let him fall down. Another shot could supercharge him.
If he starts taking off and is going to go out of sight then keep shooting. More holes equals more blood and shorter distance to recovery.
A good second shot on the moose would be the hump shot, aim approx 6 inches below the highest spot on the hump. That is where the spine is.
If you bone out the animal you'll see that the hump is like a bone fin coming off the spine. It is possible to pass a bullet through the hump if hit high enough and not break the spine, he might drop but keep on him because he could get back up again.
If you have a backup shooter and you are both aimed on the moose I would go for the head shot ( given the distance isn't too far and you are confident you are going to make the shot).
Either way if you lung shoot a moose, and you are certain of a good shot than the moose will die. No questoin about it. The question is how hard do you want to work after he is down. Moose seem to get a lot bigger when you start to try and move them.
Hope this helps and good luck with your moose
Brambles
If there is snow on the ground I will take most kill shots, pretty hard to lose an animal in the snow.
Where I live there is very little open country, its all thick bush, alder and mountains. If an animal is going to run after a shot you can guarantee its going to be downhill and into the thickest brush you have ever seen. Tracking in thick brush is very very very hard, especially if there is a lot of game sign in the area to start with.
In situations like this its nice to be able to put the animal down on the spot, eg: head shot.
I have cut a lot of wild meat and personally I am sick of working through blood shot front quarters, I am starting to head shot more game, and have been on quite a few buddies hunts where they head shot the animals as well. Out of all the animals no one has missed or wounded an animal. Absolutly every one has been a bang/flop and no meat wasted what so ever. And only one set of antlers busted apart
time to break out the epoxy.If you take the lung shot and the animal reacts but justs stands there bleeding and milling around, just let him fall. If you hit him solid then just let him fall down. Another shot could supercharge him.
If he starts taking off and is going to go out of sight then keep shooting. More holes equals more blood and shorter distance to recovery.
A good second shot on the moose would be the hump shot, aim approx 6 inches below the highest spot on the hump. That is where the spine is.
If you bone out the animal you'll see that the hump is like a bone fin coming off the spine. It is possible to pass a bullet through the hump if hit high enough and not break the spine, he might drop but keep on him because he could get back up again.
If you have a backup shooter and you are both aimed on the moose I would go for the head shot ( given the distance isn't too far and you are confident you are going to make the shot).
Either way if you lung shoot a moose, and you are certain of a good shot than the moose will die. No questoin about it. The question is how hard do you want to work after he is down. Moose seem to get a lot bigger when you start to try and move them.
Hope this helps and good luck with your moose
Brambles
- Location
- WMU247 near Edmonton
I've never had a problem with lung shot moose going too far. Just don't get excited and go tearing off after them, you'll spook the moose and it will just keep going till it drops. Give it at least 10min it will stop and lay down and die.
Deer thats a different story I've had them go 100yds with both front legs broken and the heart pulped, and others doubble lung shot just pile up where they were hit.
I will agree with brambles on the head shots (I do my own butchering too) If the critter offers me a perfect target for a head shot I'll take it, if that is iffy then its going into the lungs.
Deer thats a different story I've had them go 100yds with both front legs broken and the heart pulped, and others doubble lung shot just pile up where they were hit.
I will agree with brambles on the head shots (I do my own butchering too) If the critter offers me a perfect target for a head shot I'll take it, if that is iffy then its going into the lungs.
Moose seem to be able to take alot of lead.
SOmetimes when you shoot them, they just stand there for a few minutes, and then keel over. You may as well keep chucking bullets into his ribs, if he is giving you the opportunity...
SOmetimes when you shoot them, they just stand there for a few minutes, and then keel over. You may as well keep chucking bullets into his ribs, if he is giving you the opportunity...
Any Ungulate that is full in the rut can be so obsessed with propogation he may not realize that he is dead. I watched a nice eight point racking a tree while my buddy put two arrows through his heart, then one through his liver... he just kept racking the tree till he fell over dead :shock:
- Location
- calgary alberta
Good shot placement with a GOOD quality bullet will always kill a moose. Moose do not tend to be overly bright, so in many instances a hunter must tell the moose he is dead. I followed a decently big cow for 1/4 of a mile after blowing a 4" exit hole that took both lungs out when the 250 gr partition I shot her with did its job. I mistakenly forgot to yell " bang you're dead"
After 35 years of hunting on 3 continents it still amazes me that an animal can leave despite being light on heart and lungs. Spine shots are instant anchors , but can have BAD results if wanting to eat the best steaks. :mrgreen:
After 35 years of hunting on 3 continents it still amazes me that an animal can leave despite being light on heart and lungs. Spine shots are instant anchors , but can have BAD results if wanting to eat the best steaks. :mrgreen:
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I have to agree with the others...keep shooting until he goes down, disappears, or you're out of ammo.
The only moose I shot I hit through the heart. He took about three steps and his back legs got wobbly and folded. Then his front legs got soft and he laid down. Never moved. I got to watch all of theis through the scope of my rifle because I only grabbed 4 shells when I got out of the truck (stupid stupid stupid). It was a total "what have you learned" moment.
The only moose I shot I hit through the heart. He took about three steps and his back legs got wobbly and folded. Then his front legs got soft and he laid down. Never moved. I got to watch all of theis through the scope of my rifle because I only grabbed 4 shells when I got out of the truck (stupid stupid stupid). It was a total "what have you learned" moment.
Odd trivia sort of along the same topic...
Watching how fast these beasties can run through the bush, and mud
one can understand why in the 1700's Swedish King Karl XII tried out using them as mounts for his Heavy Cavalry. :shock:
Apparently Moose are easy to train and ride, and have better stamina and terrain mobility than Horses (esp' in mud).
Problem was the Swedes couldn't get them to stop running away from the sound of Artillery fire, and proper food for forage was also an issue.
Would have been neat to see.
Don't try this at home folks! :mrgreen:
Maybe a revamp idea for the RCMP Musical ride?
Make it more Canadian kitch? Ok sorry to digress. :mrgreen:
Watching how fast these beasties can run through the bush, and mud
one can understand why in the 1700's Swedish King Karl XII tried out using them as mounts for his Heavy Cavalry. :shock:
Apparently Moose are easy to train and ride, and have better stamina and terrain mobility than Horses (esp' in mud).
Problem was the Swedes couldn't get them to stop running away from the sound of Artillery fire, and proper food for forage was also an issue.
Would have been neat to see.
Don't try this at home folks! :mrgreen:
Maybe a revamp idea for the RCMP Musical ride?
Make it more Canadian kitch? Ok sorry to digress. :mrgreen:
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Two holes bleed faster than one, and four bleed even faster than two. Keep shooting until it either falls, or disappears, then wait and give it a chance to die. Shots through the ribs don't wreck a lot of meat.
