Moose Apps Dealine May 2nd

[sticknstring]

Just a friendly reminder to those who procrastinate like me... I'd hate to see anyone lose their preference points. Here's a link to get the latest...

2008 MN Moose Hunt

Anyone been draw recently in the past and have good results - which area were you hunting? We'll probably put in the for a BWCA zone again... seems the proper way to do it.

[Cobb73]

I am planning on appling for the first time. It has been a dream of mine to take my father up there and do some hunting. Does anybody have any suggestions on things that I should know or be aware of. I have plenty of hunting and outdoor experience just not for moose or in the NE part of the state. I am excited just thinking about it I can't imagine how excited I will be if we actually get drawn. I was also wondering how easy it is to find public hunting land in the area that is not in BWCA. Thanks for the advise.

[tedl]

It is very easy to find a place to hunt. The bwcaw is only part of the superior national forest and all of the national forest is open to public hunting. You may also hunt the bwca with day permits that are free and you just fill them out daily.

[Blair Nelson]

Big Drift, myself and a couple of friends from the metro hunted Unit 33 last year. The Unit generally covers the Echo Trail outside of the BWCA.

Drift shot a fork on day two. Not the horns *I* was hoping for but that guy has been fantastic eating. In hindsight he did the right thing taking him.

One issue we encountered was a large number of treaty hunters that pressured the Norway Trail portion of the unit. We (and at least 3 other parties) ended up hunting North of the Echo Trail and East of Lake Jeanette. The treaty hunting pressure was kind of unexpected based upon our pre hunt research but was just one of those things you need to roll with.

I liked the unit. Beautiful country. The campground (and fishing) on Jeanette was very good.

If anybody draws 33 feel free to contact me or Big Drift. We'd be glad to share what we learned.

[tedl]

Was it really a fork or more like a spoon Ok not that funny, Good for you guys for getting one!! I think it would be hard to pass on a legal animal when its a once in a life time hunt.

[big drift]

It was 38" wide and only 3 out 7 were lucky to tag one.

So yeah I was stoked, these animals are awesome to see, hear, hunt and eat. The meat is similar to beef in consistency and flavor in my opinion.

In any case it was a great experiance.

[89Bronco]

I must be the second out of 7 who got one in Zone 33. I'll be more than happy to share what I learned about the hunt also. Mine was only a 32", but very tasty. I did get to see one of those big ones...just a little out of my range. Here's mine:

It's probably the most fun and rewarding time I had on any hunt just because of the time put in, the effort that has to be made, all of the friends and family that come out to help. Plus my dad, a huge hunter, past away the morning after my wife and I received our notices in the mail. He never knew we got picked. It was my first hunt without him being there, so it made it extra special for our family. Good luck to all of you who apply!

[dukhnt]

 Originally Posted By: sticknstring

Just a friendly reminder to those who procrastinate like me... I'd hate to see anyone lose their preference points.

Isn't this like the elk and is strictly a lottery. I didn't think there were preference points???

[maros91]

Anyone else hunt any of the other zones? Also thinking about applying for the first time.

[sticknstring]

Well once you have at least 10 unsuccessful applications you're entered into a special drawing that draws 20% of the applicants. More pingpong balls in the bucket I guess. Some people put in unsuccessfully for 20 years and one guy gets drawn the first year... I think I'm into the 5th year now so we'll see.

[Blair Nelson]

Bubba ... Bubba ... Bubba ...

That is you and a 22" barreled Husqvarna Whelen in the antlers ... Rifle is about 42"

IIRC it was 30 or 31 ... not 38 ...

But was tasty!

[big drift]

Nah, c'mon now Peaches was saying 38" I am positive

Either way it is good eats...

[Imkmfly]

Hunted zone 76 last fall. There are some real promising areas and saw a lot of good sign down around the Pike lake area. There are also a lot of newer clear cuts in this area. A four wheeler is a necessity to get to some of these areas unless you feel like walking even more. One other good area we found was just along the Cascade west of Eagle Mountain. It is right along the river and right at the northern edge of the zone but there is a big boy down there that never got shot last year. It takes some work to get back to this area but we flagged a trail back there last year and if you get cooler temps this fall I know he is still back there. Also saw some t-wolves in same area last year when we were calling so that definately gets your attention.

[Blair Nelson]

 Originally Posted By: big drift

Nah, c'mon now Peaches was saying 38" I am positive

Either way it is good eats...

BTW ... Peaches confirmed "Turdy inches on da nutz"

[MNpurple]

I'm a procrastinator so will apply tomorrow.

Can anyone tell me what zone was most effected by the fires up there last year (I think it was)?

[Cobb73]

Does anybody know when the lottery results will be made known. I have been trying to find the date on the DNR HSOforum but I can't seem to find it.

[corysluckylucky7]

the preference system is a joke! You have to also have the same partner with 10 years in or your back to the bottom - like me whos been applying since 1986. Guess if you want to go moose hunting MN isnt the place!

[Blair Nelson]

 Originally Posted By: Cobb73

Does anybody know when the lottery results will be made known. I have been trying to find the date on the DNR HSOforum but I can't seem to find it.

IIRC we were told that we'd drawn by late May last year.

[sticknstring]

 Quote:

the preference system is a joke! You have to also have the same partner with 10 years in or your back to the bottom

That I didn't know... I was under the impression as long I keep putting in as the group leader and having different individuals join over the years I would be alright. What a joke is right... things happen, people relocate, different hunting partners... completely idiodic if this is true.

[Wanderer]

Yeah, SicknString,

I have always understood that way as well, the same group, no adds or deducts, to keep your preference going.

I was in on a draw for three years in a row for an area my step dad grew up in. Well, he passed away so that ended that.

I have a place in Ely now and want to start a group up there but didn't this year because I haven't chosen who my group would be to carry through for the next X # of years.

I suppose I could look it up, but if somebody knows for sure, please post what you know.

Thanks!

[Wanderer]

Well I can't cut and past off the pdf of the moose regs book, so I'll just write it like I understand it.

Since 1991 the drawing moved to a "Once in a Lifetime" status. The Department tracks all unsuccessful applications and after you accumulate 10 (doesn't have to be consecutive) you go to the special drawing that 20% of the tags are allotted to.

However, ALL people on the application must meet that criteria, meaning ALL of the group has to have documented at least 10 unsuccessful apps since 1985 (how far back they look).

The ray of hope is there is nothing stating it has to be the EXACT same group every year. It reads as though they look at all the individuals in the group and give preference according to the person with the LEAST accumulation.

[sticknstring]

Well it looks as if my preference was 0 then this year as I added a brand new member to the group. I think as long as 2 members of the group (minimum # to apply for a permit) each have x amount of years of preference that the 3rd & 4th members shouldn't matter, or even the 2nd member for that matter. A coworkrer of mine did what I've been doing (changing around the groups every few years) and got drawn on the 13th year - which just so happened to be a year he added a first-time applicant to his group.) So I'm not so sure about the lowest-level preference amonst applicants. But whatever the case, I'll continue to put in as group leader and hope to get drawn before the season gets closed all-together.

[Scott M]

I keep procrastinating but plan to apply next year. I actually have family on the end of the Gunflint Trail so realistically I have some amenities that others wouldn't have access to. If I can just find some friends that can take a week or two off of work, and another person to apply with me that will let me take the shot

[Wanderer]

If I can just find some friends that can take a week or two off of work, and another person to apply with me that will let me take the shot

Yeah, that is the tricky part!

I'd just like to get into some good 'ol moose meat again. I miss that stuff. I still remember my first taste - a chunk of brisket on a stick over the campfire. We were out of rations and the pilot was a day and a half late.

I think I would actually give the shot to another member of my group if we both had an equal chance to connect. I love sharing the excitement of people's firsts.

I'm not soliciting BTW. Just sharing thoughts.