Unit 7/8 Cow Moose 2024

5yearcoueshunter · Aug 8, 2024

Hello,

Well, I got a lucky email sent to me yesterday. Looks like someone turned back in a Cow Moose tag for unit 7/8/191, and I was the next one on the list.

Super excited to be able to hunt Moose for the first time!

With less than 2 months to go before the season, I'm looking for any pointers anyone is willing to give. I'm from NM and never been in the area. Hoping to get a scouting trip in but would appreciate any areas people are willing to share. Feel free to do via PM.

Based on my internet browsing and looking at harvest reports, looks like Unit 8 is probably the best?

Thanks in advance!

Travis

Deercy · Aug 8, 2024

Lots of moose.

Lvs2hunt1 · Sep 4, 2024

Deercy said:
Lots of moose.

I live nearby and don't spot burn. You'll see alot of recreational and hunter pressure. But let's just say the moose don't mind. Get off the trails and FS roads. Cover ground and focus on good habitat. Remember, our Rocky Mtn. moose are not always around swamps, creeks and willows, etc. They are mobile and can also be up high early season and in between. If you're hunting during the rut you'll see them mid-day quite often. If you are new to the area try to get out a few days early and get familiar with roads and access points.

Hope you have a good meat hauler backpack and help with strong backs. You'll needed. A good size cow is like shooting a horse. Get that animal broken down, hide off, cooled down ASAP! Have a plan to have the animal processed at the risk of loosing some excellent meat.

elks96 · Sep 4, 2024

Also don't be afraid to talk with other hunters. Realize that most understand the rarity of the tag and most love to give info and spill the beans.

sandycreek12 · Sep 4, 2024

Lvs2hunt1 said:
I live nearby and don't spot burn. You'll see alot of recreational and hunter pressure. But let's just say the moose don't mind. Get off the trails and FS roads. Cover ground and focus on good habitat. Remember, our Rocky Mtn. moose are not always around swamps, creeks and willows, etc. They are mobile and can also be up high early season and in between. If you're hunting during the rut you'll see them mid-day quite often. If you are new to the area try to get out a few days early and get familiar with roads and access points.

Hope you have a good meat hauler backpack and help with strong backs. You'll needed. A good size cow is like shooting a horse. Get that animal broken down, hide off, cooled down ASAP! Have a plan to have the animal processed at the risk of loosing some excellent meat.

its not any bigger than a bull elk, plenty of moose around that area just about anywhere you go. I killed a cow in 7 in 2021 ill shoot you a pm

JBunn · Sep 5, 2024

They’re anywhere from the creek bottoms to 12k foot saddles. You’ll get your cow

5yearcoueshunter · Sep 15, 2024

Thanks everyone for your responses! 2 weeks to go, super excited.

Travis

Thill · Sep 16, 2024

I definitely wouldn't focus on anything above or reasonably close to timberline.

Not sure if sandycreek shot a small one or yearling, but my son shot a cow a few years ago that was far and away larger than any Colorado Bull elk I have shot or been part of. I can't remember for sure the weight of the cow carcass but when we walked up to it, I thought she it looked like the weight of a typical horse. I am sure the carcass only weight was in the 400-450lb range and the bull moose I shot last year was just 695lb when we dropped off at the processor. They are big!

5yearcoueshunter · Sep 16, 2024

Thill said:
I definitely wouldn't focus on anything above or reasonably close to timberline.

Not sure if sandycreek shot a small one or yearling, but my son shot a cow a few years ago that was far and away larger than any Colorado Bull elk I have shot or been part of. I can't remember for sure the weight of the cow carcass but when we walked up to it, I thought she it looked like the weight of a typical horse. I am sure the carcass only weight was in the 400-450lb range and the bull moose I shot last year was just 695lb when we dropped off at the processor. They are big!

Thanks! Luckily my Dad got a big cow moose last year in Wyoming, so we kind of know what we're in for. haha G&F aged her at 6, so a nice mature cow. I would have to agree on size, definitely bigger than any bull elk I've handled and we've shot a few big mature bulls including a 350 bull in the Gila.

Honestly, would love to get like a 2 or 3 year old cow. lol

Thanks again!
Travis

sandycreek12 · Sep 16, 2024

Thill said:
I definitely wouldn't focus on anything above or reasonably close to timberline.

Not sure if sandycreek shot a small one or yearling, but my son shot a cow a few years ago that was far and away larger than any Colorado Bull elk I have shot or been part of. I can't remember for sure the weight of the cow carcass but when we walked up to it, I thought she it looked like the weight of a typical horse. I am sure the carcass only weight was in the 400-450lb range and the bull moose I shot last year was just 695lb when we dropped off at the processor. They are big!

she aged at 6.. i guess i just didnt think it was anymore difficult than a solo bull elk

ColoradoBob · Oct 8, 2024

Travis===How was the hunt?

5yearcoueshunter · Oct 9, 2024

ColoradoBob said:
Travis===How was the hunt?

Hey Bob, hunt went well! Had a great time seeing new country, hunting Colorado for the first time, hunting Moose for the first time and putting meat in the freezer.

Thanks everyone who helped me out in your replies and private messages. Your input was invaluable.

Thanks,
Travis

ColoradoBob · Oct 9, 2024

Atta Boy-----Good people here at MM

5yearcoueshunter · Oct 9, 2024

ColoradoBob said:
Atta Boy-----Good people here at MM

Yes there are! I can't tell you how many times I've gotten people willing to help out others here.

Pic of the lone old cow that I was searching for that finally showed up on day 4. Wouldn't you know it, she was 100 yards into a random square of private property. lol

We saw 7 bulls on this hunt. Only picture I was able to get of a small broken horn bull.

Travis