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  #1  
Old 05-06-2017, 02:28 PM
Full Curl Earl Full Curl Earl is offline
 
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Default Priority 16 moose, 402?

Was thinking about this high priority I have in moose. When I initially began banking on a certain area, 16 years ago, things often change. Zones that were great then are now over run, or humans have encroached. It's like long term stock investments.
I had originally started applying for 402, back up in the Pass. At the time you needed about 5 Prefference points, lol.
Many years ago I had seen two incredible mountain bulls that made my jaw drop.
I'm getting no younger, and life has been tough and reminded me that time is precious. it's time to begin my search for a giant bull.
I know there are not many bull tags given, 14. Looks like a 17 is required last year, so make take a couple more years to draw.
Has this area gone down in regards of quality? Are there still B&C buls roaming the divide up there? Or should I be looking somewhere else?
I will be dedicating the entire bow and rifle season to this tag.
Any ideas sure would be appreciated!
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  #2  
Old 05-06-2017, 03:39 PM
Jjolg123 Jjolg123 is offline
 
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I see a fair bit of nice bulls bit most in places I wouldn't shoot a moose. Area gets hit hard by natives as well.
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  #3  
Old 05-06-2017, 05:06 PM
Fur Fur is offline
 
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Seen some crankers in 316. The general archery tag was pulled 5 years ago so less pressure for sure. Solid grouse population also.

Ive got pics of a huge bull I seen there, this was after the general tag got pulled so He may still be out there! Ill try and dig up the pic.
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Old 05-06-2017, 11:03 PM
Full Curl Earl Full Curl Earl is offline
 
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Yeah but 40 tags are given and you can draw that zone with a priority 5.
Maybe a prairie bull is what I should be looking for?
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  #5  
Old 05-07-2017, 06:34 AM
Newview01 Newview01 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jjolg123 View Post
Area gets hit hard by natives as well.
Many of the far southwest zones have a lot of moose but still have well over a decade of draw priority because of legal, undocumented moose kills.
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  #6  
Old 05-07-2017, 07:23 AM
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LKILR LKILR is offline
 
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I was drawn in 402 two years ago on P17. I got a bull that scored 170. There are B&C Bulls in the zone. It's a tough area. If you don't find the one you want during the rut then your chances of getting a big one are greatly reduced. Them Bulls live in the middle of no where and there's tonnes of bush for them to hide. Do you have horses? If so I totally recommend 402. I would take an unsecessful hunt in 402 over any prairie hunting. But that's just my preference. If you do draw the tag in 402 and you want a helper PM me. I know zone better than anyone else I know. And I have horses. The other nice thing about 402 is there will be only 10 other moose hunters to compete with.
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  #7  
Old 05-07-2017, 09:16 AM
winterhawk44 winterhawk44 is offline
 
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I have hunted that zone a lot and know it very well. There are some Booner Bulls there for sure. It will be a tough hunt but very rewarding.
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  #8  
Old 05-07-2017, 09:27 AM
Newview01 Newview01 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LKILR View Post
I was drawn in 402 two years ago on P17. I got a bull that scored 170. There are B&C Bulls in the zone. It's a tough area. If you don't find the one you want during the rut then your chances of getting a big one are greatly reduced. Them Bulls live in the middle of no where and there's tonnes of bush for them to hide. Do you have horses? If so I totally recommend 402. I would take an unsecessful hunt in 402 over any prairie hunting. But that's just my preference. If you do draw the tag in 402 and you want a helper PM me. I know zone better than anyone else I know. And I have horses. The other nice thing about 402 is there will be only 10 other moose hunters to compete with.
Do you find a lot of griz in there?
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  #9  
Old 05-07-2017, 09:44 AM
Big Grey Wolf Big Grey Wolf is offline
 
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In 402 you will be hunting shiras moose the small country cousin to the larger Canadian moose. Suggest you go furthur north if you want large antlers.
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  #10  
Old 05-07-2017, 10:22 AM
Full Curl Earl Full Curl Earl is offline
 
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Default Bulls

I used to spend a lot of time in the zone 15 years ago, logging was heavy, as we're the bears and dirt bikers. And stopped going. Its a beautiful place. Unfortunately I don't have horses, but maybe a guy could pay someone to pack out an animal.
I sure appreciate the info!
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  #11  
Old 05-07-2017, 10:33 AM
artie artie is offline
 
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Depending on what happens with the Castle there could be a lot more traffic pushed into 402.
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Old 05-07-2017, 11:13 AM
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There are some great bulls in the mentioned zone of interest. It is a big zone and there are numerous pockets throughout that have moose.Horses would be ideal for such hunt. The number of grizzly bears in a few of the areas I know consistently house moose would deter me from shooting a moose where a guy would have to pack it out. Many people I know often get their moose driving roads. The difference being they can hunt every day, and are often more concerned about meat. Anyway, whatever you decide good luck!
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  #13  
Old 05-07-2017, 11:21 AM
Newview01 Newview01 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by artie View Post
Depending on what happens with the Castle there could be a lot more traffic pushed into 402.
It's not up in the air, we know what will happen. All zones neighboring Castle will see increased pressure.
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  #14  
Old 05-07-2017, 11:21 AM
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I think 402 would be a good place to target a large bull moose. My buddy waited 18 years to draw his tag in 400 last season. We saw many moose, although not many biggins.
Seems like every other time we go out quadding we see moose.
I'll be there a lot this summer and if you need any help, let me know.
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  #15  
Old 05-07-2017, 11:41 AM
Full Curl Earl Full Curl Earl is offline
 
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Default Great

Great, thanks to everyone!
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  #16  
Old 05-07-2017, 04:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf View Post
In 402 you will be hunting shiras moose the small country cousin to the larger Canadian moose. Suggest you go furthur north if you want large antlers.
No sir. They don't consider any thing north of oldman Shiraz. I wish or else mine would be book. So I guess half the zone is shiras. Lol
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  #17  
Old 05-07-2017, 04:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by artie View Post
Depending on what happens with the Castle there could be a lot more traffic pushed into 402.
Won't matter for moose. Only 10 tags available
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  #18  
Old 05-07-2017, 04:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Newview01 View Post
Do you find a lot of griz in there?
Yup!! But I've never had problems with them around a kill and I have had to leave a few dead animals over night.
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  #19  
Old 05-07-2017, 09:04 PM
bucknaked333 bucknaked333 is offline
 
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Hunted that zone for 26 years. Never seen a moose worth burning 16 year priority on. Seen some good ones and even been on a couple good kills but nothing that great. Head north.
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  #20  
Old 05-07-2017, 09:37 PM
Jack fish hunter Jack fish hunter is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Full Curl Earl View Post
Yeah but 40 tags are given and you can draw that zone with a priority 5.
Maybe a prairie bull is what I should be looking for?
I was going to say a buddy of mine was goose hunting around provost, he said the amount of moose around there was just unreal. Lots were big too.
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  #21  
Old 05-08-2017, 06:08 AM
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[QUOTE=bucknaked333;3534747]Hunted that zone for 26 years. Never seen a moose worth burning 16 year priority on. Seen some good ones and even been on a couple good kills but nothing that great. Head north.[/QUOTE. What do consider good enough for P17 ?

Last edited by LKILR; 05-08-2017 at 06:12 AM. Reason: Spelling
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  #22  
Old 05-08-2017, 06:14 AM
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LKILR LKILR is offline
 
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Is this worth 17 priority points?
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  #23  
Old 05-08-2017, 06:55 AM
Full Curl Earl Full Curl Earl is offline
 
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There's a great bull. Can't see the fronts that well on my phone, but a real stud of a bull! Thanks for posting!
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  #24  
Old 05-08-2017, 07:01 AM
Newview01 Newview01 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LKILR View Post
Is this worth 17 priority points?
What year was that taken?
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  #25  
Old 05-08-2017, 07:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Newview01 View Post
What year was that taken?
Sept 26 2015. And by pure luck I did shoot him by the road. Was able to put him in truck whole. I have seen larger moose in 402 but I couldn't pass on this one. It's my first moose.
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  #26  
Old 05-08-2017, 08:28 AM
bucknaked333 bucknaked333 is offline
 
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That's a great bull. Good work. Not a bull you could expect to harvest realisticy. Blue bronna outfits up there and you could check out his website and see the bulls they average. Nice 45" bull is the norm. There is a few monsters in there for sure but you need to be lucky. I think I know a couple guys that were with you when you shot that. Old man?
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  #27  
Old 05-08-2017, 10:12 AM
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whitetail Junkie whitetail Junkie is offline
 
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WMU 300 and WMU 160 would be good choices.
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  #28  
Old 05-08-2017, 11:19 AM
Birdy Birdy is offline
 
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Buddy and I saw what I'd call a monster last September abt as high upslope as you could go in 402. Big enough to make me consider the 16/17 year wait.


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  #29  
Old 05-08-2017, 07:36 PM
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last time I hunted there was .... 20 years or so ago . biggest moose I ever saw harvested and bulls everywhere . Times change , people come , haven't been since . best of luck with whatever you choose . Seems bull moose could be a once in lifetime draw so make it count
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  #30  
Old 05-08-2017, 08:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marlin1 View Post
Seems bull moose could be a once in lifetime draw so make it count
Last years draw report shows all bull tags in 402 were drawn using 17 points.
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