Nothing quite rivals the site of a moose in the wild, huge and gangly, head often raised over its forage, strings of vegetation hanging from massive antlers. The moose is the most sought after big game animal in Alaska. Over 7,000 are taken each year from a population of approximately 175,000.

Licenses

Licenses, big game tags, duck stamps and hunting permits are available from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Conservation and are obtainable online. Purchase ahead of time and bring them with you. Licenses are good from the date of purchase through December 31 of the license year. Big game tags are necessary for nonresidents if you plan to hunt brown/grizzly bear, black bear, bison, caribou, deer, elk, goat, moose, bull musk ox, sheep, wolf or wolverine.

Seasons

Alaska is divided up into 26 Game Management Units (GMUs). Each unit has separate regulations and sets its own hunting seasons. A map of these units and the regulations pertaining to them can be found on the web at http://Wildlife.Alaska.gov. Click on the GMU of interest and a document defining the seasons will open. A complete copy of the Alaska Hunting Regulations can also be downloaded at the ADF&G site.

Alaska moose season generally runs from as early as the 1st of September until as late as the 20th of September, depending on the hunting unit. Legal horn size varies between units, but has been for the most part a 50 inch spread or 4 brow tines. Check the regulations of the unit you are interested in hunting for more information.

Important Points

• Mature bulls can weight over 1500 lbs. A kill can yield 400 to 700 pounds of meat and 65 pounds of antlers to transport from the kill-site. Seasoned hunters recommend never taking a moose more than a mile from your vehicle.

• A properly sighted rifle of adequate caliber and a well-placed first shot from a good rest is the best way to avoid having to trail a wounded moose. A rifle capable of shooting a bullet of 150 grains or greater at 2500 fps or more is adequate for moose. A lung shot is the best shot for dropped a moose quickly.

• Some moose are migratory; some are permanent residents of an area. Any one area may have several sub-populations with varying migratory habits.

• Hunt very early or very late in the day.

• Moose have excellent sight and smell. Avoid being visible in silhouette, such as on a ridge. Avoid noisy clothing, such as jeans. Fleece clothing is quieter. Stay downwind.

• Successful hunting is knowing where bull moose will be in the fall season.

How To Find a Moose

Moose are found throughout Alaska, except on the Aleutian Islands. They prefer forested or shrubby habitats and generally avoid the openness of the tundra. They are most commonly found in southeastern or interior Alaska and their density can range from 1 moose per 30 square miles to 5 or more moose per square mile.

Their favorite habitats by season are:

Summer – commonly seen in open meadows and around water eating aquatic plants and drinking large amounts of water.

Fall – Diets change late august to early September to include woody browse of willow, aspen, poplar and birch. Migratory moose move to fall ranges for the rut.

Winter – remain in rut areas and feed on low shrubs early winter. Late winter, mountain moose move to valley bottoms and lowland burns where they forage on willows along rivers and creeks.

Spring – Diet shifts back to herbaceous plants and leaves. Migratory moose move to calving areas and summer ranges.

How To Scout for Moose

Scout in summer and hunt legal bulls on the opening day of the season.

Scout after the end of the fall season. Bull moose tend to stay near rutting areas for a month or two following the rut. Once you locate a fall concentration area, hunt there the next year as late in the legal season as possible.

Find and utilize fall migration routes. Rivers, creeks and low mountain passes are preferred routes.

Keep alert for rubbed trees. Early in September, Bull moose begin rubbing the velvet from their antlers. They continue to thrash trees in late September as a sign of dominance.

Watch for droppings. Summer droppings resemble cow patties; winter droppings are pelletized. Fall droppings are a combination of the two.

Hunting Techniques

Stand Hunting and Glassing – Select a panoramic view of a hillside. Don’t scan with binoculars. Pick a spot, search it carefully, then move to a new area. Listen early and late for antler clashes, mating grunts or breaking branches.

Floating – Floating down rivers and creek in a canoe is the most pleasant way to hunt for moose. Plus, you have a method of getting the meat back without carrying it on your back.

Road and Trail Hunting – Cruising the highways with trucks or four wheelers. Mostly, an unsuccessful and expensive method. Park vehicles and hike in.

Calling Moose – The four basic sounds made with megaphones made from birch bark, cardboard or a milk jug.

• Antler scraping on trees and shrubs in early September

• Pre-rut bull “gluck” in early September

• Bull challenge, or “mu-wah” in mid-September

• Cow call, a nasal melodic whine, late in September

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/moose-hunting-in-alaska-alaska-hunting-seasons-guides-and-licenses-568383.html

About the Author

Moose are among the most sought after animals by those hunting in Alaska and make great trophies. Mark Allen, writer for AlaskaGuideServices.com, helps hunters find the ideal Alaska hunting guides, Alaska hunting regulations and Alaska hunting seasons.

Bird hunting has become a very popular hunting pastime. While some hunters like the element of hunting over water for birds such as ducks and geese, many more prefer what is know as upland bird hunting. The upland birds are those such as pheasant, grouse, quail, and partridge that live exclusively on land. This can be much easier for many hunters in a few different ways.

For the hunter who prefers to hunt waterfowl, his biggest investment, other than perhaps his dog, is buying a boat. While some hunters walk the peripheries of ponds or flooded areas, the best way to bag a trophy is heading to the bird’s territory; the water. While many hunters prefer using a boat and enjoy being on the water, many more do not. Especially for the newcomer who isn’t sure what he prefers yet, buying a boat right out of the gate can be an expensive investment he may not even use. The upland bird, however, stays exclusively on the land hiding in underbrush and thickets in the forest or prairie. The hunter needs to scare the bird from its hiding place so he can get a shot at it.

Another element of the waterfowl hunt is the dog. When hunting from a boat and downing birds, your trophy will always fall into the water, so using a bird dog is almost necessary to retrieve it. However, the upland bird hunter can get away without the use of a dog. A well-trained dog can, however, add a priceless element to any hunt by tracking down the bird for you. The upland bird dog is trained for a great sense of smell and keen eyesight so not only can he see where your bird fell, but will be able to track it if it’s only wounded. Another great asset will be the dog’s ability to flush the bird out of it’s hiding place. He’ll be able to detect any movement and alert the hunter to a bird’s presence.

If keeping dry while hunting sounds like something for you, then upland bird hunting is the perfect choice. Other than a weapon and hunting apparel, a hunter has little investment to make into his sport, and it offers just as much of a challenge as waterfowl. Many of the popular states for upland hunting are in the northern regions such as South Dakota, and it is also popular in the United Kingdom.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/extreme-sports-articles/upland-bird-hunting-valuable-tips-for-bird-hunters-775825.html

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Download Abhishek’s FREE 66 Pages Ebook, “How To Play And Enjoy Hunting Video Games” from his website http://www.Hunting-Guru.com/100/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Duck hunting has been a popular sport for centuries all around the world. It is considered a very challenging hunt because ducks are so shy towards other animals and anything that doesn’t seem natural to them. Because of this fact, the hunter has devised a few tools that many won’t ever leave home without. When used properly, they can greatly increase his chances of duck hunting success.

The first tool many hunters swear by is a duck call. These can be very hard to master and take a lot of practice to be used effectively. If used the wrong way, they can have just the opposite effect and drive the target away. The duck call is an instrument the hunter blows into to mimic the sound of a duck’s mate. This, when used properly, will bring ducks to the hunter. The hunter needs to be well hidden when using this tool; ducks are not only suspicious by nature, but have keen eyesight to spot anything that is amiss. Another great thing about this instrument is that it is very small and can fit into a pocket or on a chain around the hunter’s neck.

The other tool that isn’t quite as small, but nearly as effective in bringing in ducks is the duck decoy. These are generally made of wood or plastic and are painted to resemble a duck. The decoy works because ducks are naturally social animals; when they spot a few of their species, they prefer to flock together. The decoy used with the duck call can work wonders at bringing ducks in for the hunter. If he’s using the call the right way, ducks in the area will be drawn to it, and upon seeing the decoy will think that’s the one calling. The ducks will come in to land and when they’re close enough, the hunter will have his chance at a shot. The only issue a hunter can have with the decoys is their cumbersome nature. While they aren’t necessarily heavy, they can be difficult to pack and hard to juggle when walking to the hunting site. But as long as the hunter has mastered his duck call, using the decoys will be well worth the effort, and they’ll last for many seasons to come. So buy a call and some realistic decoys and start practicing for opening day, and be prepared to see the trophies come flying in!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/extreme-sports-articles/duck-hunters-success-musthave-tools-for-successful-duck-hunting-775760.html

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Download Abhishek’s FREE 66 Pages Ebook, “How To Play And Enjoy Hunting Video Games” from his website http://www.Hunting-Guru.com/100/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Many people consider rabbit hunting cruel and inhuman. Others, however, consider rabbit hunting as a sport that demands skill and patience.

A lot of people prefer using dogs while hunting rabbits. This is due to the fact that dogs help a lot in b ringing rabbits out in the open and also help lead the hunter to the area where the rabbit population is dense. Additionally, a dog makes a great hunting companion, enabling the hunter to have a friend to accompany him apart from his rifle of course. There are, of course, many others who prefer not to hunt with any dog, and that in itself is another experience.

It is very important to learn the factors and traits that are involved with rabbits when one is attempting to hunt without a dog. The hunter should put himself in the rabbit’s shoes and learn all the food stops and pathways that the rabbit follows as this information helps in making the rabbit hunt a success. Therefore it is important to think like a rabbit. Of course you should not get so carried away that you lose all interest in the hunt itself. Think enough to hunt, not enough to give up.

The first few days of spring are the best days to go rabbit hunting. At this time, the rabbits are likely to be basking in the sun and grazing in open fields. This is the best opportunity for you to start hunting your game. The spring is a better hunting season than winter when it comes to rabbits as it is in this time that they will come out more and are more likely to be visible to your naked eye. Rabbits usually stick to brambles and brush cover in the winter as they like to hide their tracks from bloodhounds at this time.

You must keep in mind that rabbits have a habit of running side to side. This does not mean you go on firing randomly in the open without actually watching the rabbit carefully. If you observe patiently, you will be able to notice repeated steps that you can easily track. Rabbits run for a short while in a short line, darting in jagged hops and changing pace till it reaches safe cover. With this information, you need to effectively track and shoot the rabbit before it hops down its hole and out of your sight.

A lot of hunters make too much noise or move too quickly while hunting rabbits. Elmer Fudd, on being asked the best opportunities for rabbit hunting, will tell you the best hunting technique when it comes to rabbits is slowly stalking the rabbit before taking a shot at it from your huge gun. The truth is, your technique needs to lie somewhere in between these two. If you charge haphazardly into a field and shoot blindly in all directions, chances are you will not shoot down even one rabbit, but this does not mean you do not have to assert yourself.

The stop and go technique is perhaps the best overall technique when it comes to hunting rabbits. This method is exactly what the words mean. In essence, the stop and go method involves tiptoeing while stalking the rabbit and moving closer and closer to it. As you begin to understand the rabbit’s pattern of movement, you can eventually take a shot at it and if you have done well, you will have a rabbit to take home. In case you miss, exercise care, as some rabbits are known to bite.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/extreme-sports-articles/rabbit-hunting-techniques-bugs-bunny-watch-out-775853.html

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Download Abhishek’s FREE 66 Pages Ebook, “How To Play And Enjoy Hunting Video Games” from his website http://www.Hunting-Guru.com/100/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Prairie dog hunting is becoming very hot in places such as the Midwest, where prairie dogs are very abundant today. Very simply, while this form of hunting will certainly never be at the top of most hunters list, it still is a great way to stay sharp with your hunting skills during the off-season.

As with is about any other kind of hunting today, the key to success with prairie dogs is all about finding the best places to go hunting. This will make or break your hunting success; no matter how great a hunter you might be, or how accurate you shoot, if you can’t find prairie dogs to shoot you will never catch anything.

Also, owning the best hunting gun and equipment is also very important as well. Again, no matter how good you might be, without the best equipment and accurate gun you will never achieve as much access as you otherwise might.

By far the most important factor in this sport, besides your location, is what type of gun you will be using. Of course, many hunters are still using the older model guns, but more and more, people are turning to the newer styles because they help them achieve greater levels of success in accuracy.

With these newer guns, they offer much more accurate shooting and can also be fired at a much faster rate, which is great for shooting prairie dogs, because they will usually go down into their holes after a few shots. Today, many hunters and outgoing with the AR 15 to achieve the maximum level of balance and also accuracy, particularly from long distance.

When you do this form of hunting, you oftentimes have to hunt from long range, because oftentimes the terrain will be very open. The prairie dogs will oftentimes not let you get very close, so you’ll oftentimes find yourself running from three to 400 yards are even more.

Keep in mind, this sport is generally done from about 200 to 500 yards, so you certainly need to be good long distance shooter for this sport. This is a great way to practice for larger game, particularly deer or even grizzly bear.

Prairie dogs, while again probably not the most popular kind of money nowadays, is certainly a good target practice in the deer hunting off season. This might be the most challenging form of long range hunting you can do, so it certainly is worthwhile if you want to sharpen your skills.

The best thing about these animals that they are small targets, and will generally be pretty still, but usually give you a just a few chances to catch them. Therefore, they are great for both beginning and more advanced hunters, because they can help you to sharpen up on your accuracy skills.

Also you should certainly check the weather before go going hunting. When bad weather is coming, prairie dogs will usually stay in their holes for the whole day. Therefore, you will most likely find it futile to go hunting during a stormy day.

Finally, the best places to go would be Kansas Prairie Dog Hunting or Nebraska Prairie Dog Hunting, because these states are very popular for this sport. Hopefully these prairie dog hunting tips will help you to be effective on your next hunting trip.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/prairie-dog-huntingtips-to-help-you-succeed-on-your-next-trip-287430.html

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If you want to play hunting games online, visit thebesthuntingtips.com to find the best. Also learn how to find free turkey hunting games and just about anything else related to hunting.

For many hunters, elk hunting is the most challenging hunt they’ve ever faced. The smart hunter always brushes up on any tips and tricks he can find to increase his game on opening day. Elk are highly sensitive animals; their eyesight, sense of smell, and innate timidness makes them a hard quarry to pursue. Many hunters have been fooled on multiple occasions when they think they’ve hit the animal, when in fact the bullet didn’t even graze it’s massive body. Knowing your target is the best thing a hunter can do to help him on his hunt.

For any hunter preparing for the upcoming season, doing research and booking the necessary reservations well in advance is a top priority. Elk hunting has always been a popular sport, and popular locations and outfitters book months in advance; being on top of the game works to a hunter’s best advantage.

Part of the challenge of elk hunting is the unpredictable environmental conditions. Elk hunting is often pursued in the fall, when the weather and temperatures can change with the drop of a hat. Hunters often track miles on unpredictable terrain far from any roads or medical assistance searching for their trophy. Having a guide that is knowledgeable in first aid will ensure the safest of hunts and protection if anything should happen.

Another element of elk hunting that the hunter will become well versed on is the practice of bugling. Many hunters enjoy bugling in their free time for the sake of practice, but it’s not at all necessary. Most guides have years of experience bugling in elk. Bugling is meant to be a mate’s call and when done correctly will lure a target into the area. There are a variety of different calls that are indicative of elk behavior in a herd; when done the right way, the call can be an indispensable resource, when done incorrectly, it can be disaster.

The last thing a hunter must consider when preparing for his elk hunting trip is choosing a big game cartridge. Elk are huge animals with massive internal organs. Big game ammunition is made specifically to take down these large animals, especially from long distances. While each hunter has their preference, there is no one brand that is best. A hunter should choose a cartridge that will shoot time and time again with no problem, and be easy to handle.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/extreme-sports-articles/elk-hunters-learning-the-basics-of-elk-hunting-775765.html

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Download Abhishek’s FREE 66 Pages Ebook, “How To Play And Enjoy Hunting Video Games” from his website http://www.Hunting-Guru.com/100/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Ever heard of the story of the hunter walking right off the tree stand forgetting it is 13 feet off the ground? (Thank god for safety straps.) How about the time someone seemed paralyzed and couldn’t even get the rifle up. All things can go south it seems in the face of Buck Fever.Just for the fun of it I did a search on it. Hunters know what it is. Doctors seem to think it is the elevated heart rate you get when you are out of shape, excited or physically exerting yourself after a year-long treatment of inactivity and office work. I even had a definition that included a heart attack due to deer hunting exertion. I think the true meaning of the word is kind of lost on those guys.
What I think of when I think of Buck Fever is the excitement, the elevated heart rate, the escalated breathing when your target comes into view. The moment you have been waiting for, training for, preparing for and drooling over since last fall! But the trouble is your nervous system is on overdrive and you seem to lose logic, capability and control…making for a very poor hunting story later or worse yet an injury to yourself or the game.
I have heard some pretty interesting ideas over the years on how to overcome this. Maybe we should call this stuff the Yoga of hunting…that is learning to control and override your body’s reactions.
I have a friend who hunts for trophy whitetail and when he is in target practice, he runs around until he is breathing heavy and practically panting and then picks up his bow. He says it mimics the real thing. If you can control your heavy breathing, racing heart and hit the target, you might be better prepared for what that might feel like when the real situation arises. This may look silly, but nothing is more depressing than watching that Big One get away due to poor control of response out there.
I haven’t tried that one, but the thing I find most useful is controlling my breath. The slowing of the breath, the deep inhalation and the focusing on the breathing makes my heart slow down and my mind stop racing. Then I remind myself mentally to take my time. If the shot is not ideal I don’t take it. I have faith that there will be another opportunity and another day. I don’t want to risk injury to such a fine specimen because I couldn’t calm down. Hunting is legitimate, unnecessary injury is disastrous.
You see part of the problem in Buck Fever, is the mind takes control. Visions of hunting stories, trophies, antler chandeliers and so forth come bursting forward. The pressure is also created by the time line restrictions. Maybe this is your last weekend out there. So you are all pressured up to not fail, which in some ways make you more likely to fail.
If you want to keep your mind busy, try visualizing the exact movement you will take in every point of entry where a buck may come forth. Tree stand time can be a little tedious anyway, so can’t hurt to give the mind a little exercise. Make this exercise as realistic as possible. If you can almost smell the deer and feel the cool breeze on your face, and the excitement: then you are doing visualization correctly. Some people I know even try to pick the exact hair to aim at. Details such as head up, head down, deer standing still versus walking slowly all these can add to the realistic nature of the exercise and the amount that this will help you when the time comes. Visualization and mental imagery is used in all athletic fields to train the mind and the body about the outcome, it is no different here.

What is Buck Fever?

The Yoga of hunting

Trophy whitetail hunting

Control the breath

Visualization

And for gosh sakes, if you see the deer of a lifetime and have decided to take the shot, NEVER look at the antlers again! Focus on the vitals and only the vitals. Never get distracted by the head again. This may be where the excitement is, but if you can’t focus on what is important here, you will be having another “I almost had it” story to tell.

Good luck and may your trophy whitetail hunt be successful.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/looking-for-deer-hunting-tips-dont-get-caught-with-buck-fever-654153.html

About the Author

Dr. Judy McFarlen, is the author of DiyDeerFoofPlots.com a

Canadian Veterinarian with 20 years experience. Do you know what is Buck Fever? Get some Deer Hunting Tips. Don’t get caught with Buck Fever.

A true passion drives the hunter in search of big game. It’s a challenging hunt, with many times the hunter coming home empty handed, but one thing he always has is the story. For many, the hunt isn’t just about bagging an elk, mule deer, or moose, it’s about getting up in the predawn hours, calling in the animal, sitting and waiting, then the adrenaline rush that comes with seeing the animal first step into view. Big game hunting is about the sport, not the trophy that comes back to camp with the hunter, though that puts the icing on the cake.

Guided trips are often the method chosen for the big game hunter. The animals often sought for big game hunting often travel many miles in a day grazing on food. An experienced guide who spends every day of his life following the animals will know where they’re at from day to day. Depending on what type of hunting you want to do, whether you want to use a rifle, muzzleloader, or bow, the guide will often structure the hunt around the hunter’s needs. A guide is also an invaluable resource for calling in the animals, or showing the hunter the best way to use his call. Whether it is elk, mule deer, or moose that is sought, the hunt will require an entire team of people working together to bring the animal in. If there is a kill, the team will also be necessary for cleaning the animal and bringing it back to camp.

A number of states have found great revenue in big game hunting. Hunters come from all over the world to have a go at bagging a trophy, and with these hunters come the need for lodging, food, and hunting supplies. This business encourages the state to put money back into it’s wildlife fund, preserving the land and the species for generations to come, and ensuring a healthy population of big game for hunters to depend on.

Because it is so challenging, big game hunting has become more than just about bagging a trophy kill. It is about traditions, story telling, passing the experience through generations, and for some communities, big game hunting is a means of economic support. For the big game hunter, it is a passion that can’t be explained; it is enjoying nature at it’s best, even for just an afternoon.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/extreme-sports-articles/big-game-hunting-experiencing-the-challenge-775719.html

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Download Abhishek’s FREE 66 Pages Ebook, “How To Play And Enjoy Hunting Video Games” from his website http://www.Hunting-Guru.com/100/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

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