Careful what you wish for........

[NH Hunter]

I just read on NHF&G website there is a proposal to drop the moose permits from 40 to 35 this season.

Wildlife Rules Proposal Hearings Set

CONTACT:Dan Bergeron: (603) 271-2461Andy Timmins: (603) 271-2461March 9, 2023 Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold three public hearings regarding the 2023-2024 huntin…

nhfishgame.com

 

[NH Hunter]

I guess I'm just beyond grateful I was able to participate in two hunts myself and guide 3 others. I can't believe something that was such a festive day as moose lottery drawing day will be a thing of the past in my lifetime.

I suppose once the herd "recovers" and a few dozen flatlanders and anti hunters are killed in moose collisions again, we'll start the process all over?

 

[802-603hunter]

The population has certainly changed over the years in the area around my camp. I remember hunting the opener of muzzleloader season back in the mid to late 90’s with the woods and cuts crawling with moose. It was not uncommon to hear bulls fighting in the distance even at the end of October. I recall seeing a cow being chased by 4 bulls in succession. It would take a while to get back to those numbers.

I’ve accumulated 17 or so bonus points, but as a non-resident and limited permits being drawn it will be a long shot. I’d love to get drawn to add the meat to the VT-NH-ME moose hunting sandwich. I guided a friend back in 2009, and honestly my excitement of going nowadays would be a little subdued compared to back then. I’d probably be more worried about finding a decent bull with the current herd.

 

[NH Mountains]

I was still hunting once in the late 90s and didn’t have binoculars with me. I came up the side of the mountain with the sun in my eyes and see a big black blob 70 yards away. I’m thinking what the h3ll is that. I was taught not to use my scope on something that I didn’t know so I stood there staring at the blob with the sun in my eyes. Eventually the blob moved like a big tank going through the woods. It turns out it was 6 bulls hovering around a hot cow. They eventually moved on. I went up there and on the ground was a fresh shed that dropped off.
I took it home. It was more round and long with points like an elk antler.

 

[338 Bear Hunter]

When I bought my place in 2009, you couldn't walk through it without stepping in moose poop. Now there is much less, but I still have a moose encounter there every year. They can't be THAT scarce.

In 2019 I was sitting on the ground with decoys, calling turkey. I heard "boom, boom" to my left and saw a giant bull moose with full antlers not 25 yards from me. I got up and drew my revolver, not knowing what would happen next. I left the area, waited a while, and circled back. Scary.