WMU 541 For Moose

[woodsman205]

Hi I am new to this site. I recently came back from WMU 541. I was deep into a remote area where there was no sign of recent human activity and the best moose habitat I have ever seen, yet there were no moose.

Sad that an area like this has no moose in it! I am still wondering why the government is selling tags in this area that is void of moose? Really sad!

Anyone else here have the same experience in this WMU?

[Slicktricker]

There's moose there just have to find em

[Slicktricker]

Get maps ihunter and hunt harder

[woodsman205]

Originally Posted by Slicktricker

Get maps ihunter and hunt harder

Let me be more specific.

We covered and extensive area in 541, three highly experienced moose hunters with two Argos. We went to areas where you can not get to without an Argo, however you can get to it when it freezes over with skidoos.

I personally saw the best moose habitat you can ever see on a moose hunt. Small lakes with tons of willows and cover where there should have been moose, yet there were none and none of the willows were even chewed on.

Something very wrong with that picture if you ask me.

[Stinky Buffalo]

The 2015 harvest report estimated a 12% success rate for moose that year in that WMY. Doesn't appear to be an easy place to hunt.

That being said, I've been in areas where there was great moose habitat, but I didn't find the moose there - although they were around - just not where I thought they'd be.

[st99]

Now you understand why there's so many undersubscribed tags, easy to get moose tags are usually in hard to find moose areas.

There's no easy moose in alberta, you either have to wait or work hard for it.

[sneer]

In my experience, generally moose population density (moose/twp) decreases as you go north. Even though you might have what looks to be great habitat (lake with willow flats - which is probably the missing piece of the puzzle where you normally hunt), another piece of the puzzle might be missing in these northern areas (calving areas, high ground, thermal cover...etc).

[woodsman205]

Originally Posted by sneer

In my experience, generally moose population density (moose/twp) decreases as you go north. Even though you might have what looks to be great habitat (lake with willow flats - which is probably the missing piece of the puzzle where you normally hunt), another piece of the puzzle might be missing in these northern areas (calving areas, high ground, thermal cover...etc).

Could be, don't think so though because many moose were taken out the exact same area 10 years ago.

Food for thought.

[357xp]

Originally Posted by woodsman205

Hi I am new to this site. I recently came back from WMU 541. I was deep into a remote area where there was no sign of recent human activity and the best moose habitat I have ever seen, yet there were no moose.

Sad that an area like this has no moose in it! I am still wondering why the government is selling tags in this area that is void of moose? Really sad!

Anyone else here have the same experience in this WMU?

All I have to say is, welcome to the north.

[woodsman205]

Originally Posted by 357xp

All I have to say is, welcome to the north.

Not like it used to be eh?

Our government better get their act together!

[Rather Be Hunting]

We hunted 542 again for the early moose draw with two argos as well.
Lots of good moose country, hard to access without argos, but very little sign.
Only heard one bull grunting and very little as far as fresh tracks.
We have only been successful a few times there but it's always nice to get out to call for them in any event.
Only saw a few deer as well, HOWEVER lots of fresh wolf sign which explains the lack of game!
I shot a BIG black wolf there a number of years ago and wish we could have taken more out of the area!
Only the ruffies seem to be in good numbers.
Thankfully our group has a bull tag for November as well in a more huntable WMU.
RBH

[woodsman205]

Originally Posted by Rather Be Hunting

We hunted 542 again for the early moose draw with two argos as well.
Lots of good moose country, hard to access without argos, but very little sign.
Only heard one bull grunting and very little as far as fresh tracks.
We have only been successful a few times there but it's always nice to get out to call for them in any event.
Only saw a few deer as well, HOWEVER lots of fresh wolf sign which explains the lack of game!
I shot a BIG black wolf there a number of years ago and wish we could have taken more out of the area!
Only the ruffies seem to be in good numbers.
Thankfully our group has a bull tag for November as well in a more huntable WMU.
RBH

Scary eh? Not looking good for the young Alberta Outdoorsmen and Outdoorswomen. Unless our government makes some significant changes, hunting in pristine wilderness areas in Alberta will be lost to everyone, forever.

I have never been more disappointed in my entire life and I have been hunting for over 40 years.

Why is our government charging people for draws in areas that are void of the species that are drawn for? Beyond sad!

[Rather Be Hunting]

Originally Posted by woodsman205

Scary eh? Not looking good for the young Alberta Outdoorsmen and Outdoorswomen. Unless our government makes some significant changes, hunting in pristine wilderness areas in Alberta will be lost to everyone, forever.

I have never been more disappointed in my entire life and I have been hunting for over 40 years.

Why is our government charging people for draws in areas that are void of the species that are drawn for? Beyond sad!

There are moose in the zone (not a ton of them) however saying that, I have seen quite a few more and shot some nice ones, in years past.
No guarantees in these WMU's for sure, but fairly easy to get a tag for the rut. If you enjoy spending time in the bush that time of the year during the rut, it's not bad, but we always as a hunting group, save priorities for better WMU's as well.
A few friends let us know constantly ( Hi Drew) we are wasting our time there, but it's good getting out in any event.
Wolves have kicked the crap out of the moose and deer in these WMU's for sure the last 10 years.
Being old farts and able to hunt whenever we want doesn't hurt either!
Keep your chin up and stay at it!!
RBH

[moose maniac]

Originally Posted by woodsman205

Hi I am new to this site. I recently came back from WMU 541. I was deep into a remote area where there was no sign of recent human activity and the best moose habitat I have ever seen, yet there were no moose.

Sad that an area like this has no moose in it! I am still wondering why the government is selling tags in this area that is void of moose? Really sad!

Anyone else here have the same experience in this WMU?

My trapline is in 541, I spend a lot of time there year round the moose are few and far between, years ago the the population was quite good, not sure exactly what happened but I don't blame the wolves for it myself, up until about 4 years ago the wolf population was very high I caught quite a few each year, about the winter of 2013 they all but disappeared I see tracks from small packs (2-3 wolves) once and awhile but mostly loners. I do know the bear population is out of control here which could be part of the problem. I am in an area with a lot of caribou which sometimes has me wondering if the wolves had some help disappearing.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Moose maniac has outlined the real problem in our northern moose zones. To many wolves, to many bears and too many other hunters that can hunt 365 days a year. Welcome to the new Alberta and enjoy your tag soup.

[moose maniac]

Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf

Moose maniac has outlined the real problem in our northern moose zones. To many wolves, to many bears and too many other hunters that can hunt 365 days a year. Welcome to the new Alberta and enjoy your tag soup.

Not much for native hunting in my area

[357xp]

Originally Posted by moose maniac

Not much for native hunting in my area

Maybe not so much further in, but iam sure the south side gets a lot of pressure as well as highway 88. I know for a fact no moose crosses highway 88 further north around wmu 540 alive...
What bugs me is the amount of cows and calves being harvested.

[woodsman205]

That has got to STOP! Makes me sick to my stomach because it is so very sad!

[woodsman205]

Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf

Moose maniac has outlined the real problem in our northern moose zones. To many wolves, to many bears and too many other hunters that can hunt 365 days a year. Welcome to the new Alberta and enjoy your tag soup.

I read your post again this evening Big Grey Wolf, I must concur, is too late to turn this around?

Ducks Unlimited did a great job in saving the ducks after the 1920's-30's meat market. Maybe it's our turn to step up and help the moose?

[woodsman205]

Originally Posted by moose maniac

My trapline is in 541, I spend a lot of time there year round the moose are few and far between, years ago the the population was quite good, not sure exactly what happened but I don't blame the wolves for it myself, up until about 4 years ago the wolf population was very high I caught quite a few each year, about the winter of 2013 they all but disappeared I see tracks from small packs (2-3 wolves) once and awhile but mostly loners. I do know the bear population is out of control here which could be part of the problem. I am in an area with a lot of caribou which sometimes has me wondering if the wolves had some help disappearing.

Did see three bears there, could be part of the problem for sure.

[Arff]

I have a moose tag in 541. And am going mid November. Kind of a vacation hunting trip.
Like an adventure.


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[woodsman205]

Best of luck Arff, would like to hear your story!

[Arff]

Originally Posted by woodsman205

Best of luck Arff, would like to hear your story!

Thanks.

I will post how the trip was. Like I posted more of an adventure holiday hunting trip.



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[moose maniac]

Originally Posted by Arff

I have a moose tag in 541. And am going mid November. Kind of a vacation hunting trip.
Like an adventure.


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What part of 541 are you gonna hunt?

[Arff]

Originally Posted by moose maniac

What part of 541 are you gonna hunt?

I am not sure


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[woodsman205]

Originally Posted by Arff

I am not sure


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Best of luck Arff, hope you do great! Please let us know how you do?

[woodsman205]

Bump , because it matters!