BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

PA BEN · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Washington St.

I drew a once in a life time moose tag for Washington State. I have never killed or been in on a moose kill before. I have killed and boned out elk, but moose are a lot bigger. I was thinking of not even gutting it unless it died on his back. Start capping it and work the meat from the back to the legs. Some advice from you moose hunters would be appreciated. ::-k

BruceW · Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Alberta

I too am about to embark on my first moose hunt. Found a wonderful video showing step by step:

http://www.myoutdoortv.com/ind.....mp;Itemid=

It's a 2 part video, the 2nd part is all about field butchering.
Best of luck.

Taku · Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 91 Location: Yukon

Interesting video....some good information...some strange stuff ...but I hunt in a vastly different place.

taking somebody with you that knows what they are doing is a pretty safe bet

best of luck with your hunts...enjoy every minute!

PA BEN · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Washington St.

[quote="Taku"]Interesting video....some good information...some strange stuff ...but I hunt in a vastly different place.

taking somebody with you that knows what they are doing is a pretty safe bet

best of luck with your hunts...enjoy every minute![/quote]
I see in the Video they gutted the moose and parted it out. Like I do for elk. Sounds like you've been in on moose kills. Is it best to gut first? Or start boning it out?

Hammer1 · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 1593

Two things I noticed in the video that I have to disagree strongly with:

(1) You don't have to have the animal on its back to field dress. It is easier if on its side and can be rolled to the other side quite easily if need be,especially if you are alone.

(2) That little bit about calling,waiting fifteen minutes, then move on ??? In the same breath the commentator says a moose can hear the call a mile away(true). No moose is going to travel a mile in fifteen minutes when coming to a call, and not going to follow you down the road waiting for the second call. It is quite uncommon for them to come in sight within fifteen minutes at the best of times ::-k
OH, try an 18 volt reciprocating saw if you want some modern technology along :thumbsup1:

Taku · Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 91 Location: Yukon

Well, ya...I've been involved in the harvest of a moose or two...

but the concept of "boning out" is foreign to me. If you came to kill site where we had harvested a moose you'd see a gut pile and four hooves/lower legs piled neatly together. Everything else is taken out. We want the bones for the marrow and roasts, t-bones etc. etc.

Hell, even the gut pile is gone through quite thoroughly by my wife and her mom in order to gather all the goodies in there that the elders love. Bum guts baby, that's the good stuff!! Seriously, I dont bother with it, but my wife and her mom will carefully seperate, clean and neatly pile on willows many of the guts for use in recipes later on. So even our gut piles are reduced to what can be used.

Sorry I can't be much more help. It sounds like you've taken care of Elk so moose can't be too much different. Just bigger. I use the same process with moose as I do with Barren Ground or Woodland caribou. Maybe just do what you do with your Elk when you bone them out?

Here's hoping you have the opportunity to "take care" of a moose however you decide to go about it. For what it's worth I've never seen a moose die on it's back....always fall to the side and we work with them from the side quite often. At some point you're going to want to open it up and get the guts out....cool air in there becomes an important consideration pretty quickly.

:thumbsup1:

PA BEN · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 34 Location: Washington St.

No, bones, just meat. I have to pack this boy out on my back. Most of my hunt I'll be by myself. So the extra wt. of bones will stay in the woods. I well take the heart and liver. Depending on how meaty the ribs are, I might take them out with the bones.

Widux · Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 218 Location: Melvina, Wi.

Like taku i have taken everything out when possible- BUT when carrying it on back- i skin it- then remove front and rear quaters- bone out Back strap-and then pop gut open to get tenderloins out. Bone neck and get all back to camp- have never boned everything out in field as it gets too much green stuff and dirt on meat- That is also why we never shot moose far from camp/ river except my first one in 75 when i learned a BIG -never forgotten lesson-as Moose was 3 miles from camp and we had only or legs to get bhim there- took 3 days but we did it.