An Introduction to
Moose Hunting in Alaska

by Dave Kelleyhouse, ADF&G

Annual Harvest

Moose are the most sought after big game animal in Alaska. Hunters report harvesting over 7,000 of Alaska's estimated 175,000 moose each year. Going out to “get a moose” is a fall ritual for tens of thousands of Alaskans.

Size

For beginning moose hunters, the most important thing to keep in mind is that moose are huge.

• Mature bulls can weigh from 1000 to over 1500 lbs.
• Mature cows weigh nearly a half ton.
• Even calves will weigh over 300 lbs. in September.

When choosing an area to hunt and a means of transportation, remember that you will have about 400 to 700 pounds of meat and up to 65 pounds of antlers to transport from the kill-site to home.

That's why many seasoned Alaskan moose hunters say “never kill a moose more than a mile from a vehicle of some sort.” The reason is that you will have 7 to 9 heavy backpacks of meat to carry and will have to walk several round trips between the moose and your vehicle—half of that with well over 50 pounds on your back.

How to Scout for Moose

The key to good moose hunting is knowing where bull moose will be during the fall hunting season.

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