Moose is one of the largest animals living in Europe. There are individuals reaching half a ton in weight. On the territory of our country there are moose with shovel and deer horns. This large representative of the animal world of all senses has the most developed sense of smell and hearing, while vision is average. The moose has long legs and a high withers. Due to these anatomical features, it is very similar to a plow - the oldest tool of farmers. Apparently, that's why the people call him “shaky”.
general information
Moose are naturally shy and sluggish in nature. However, if this animal is frightened or angry, then it can reach speeds of up to 56 km / h. An elk is an excellent swimmer, it can easily overcome up to twenty kilometers by water. In winter, this animal drops horns for survival, which grow very quickly with the onset of spring.
Despite the appearance of fearless appearance of an elk, he has a weak spot - his nose. It is for him that powerful predators, who are much smaller and smaller in size, try to grab it.
How to hunt moose
Not everyone is capable of getting this large animal. After detecting the prey, it is necessary to allow it to approach the distance of a confident shot. The hunter's task is to defeat the moose with a fatal blow so that the animal does not suffer for too long. To do this, aim at the head or the spinal cord. In the first case, it is possible from a very close distance, only then there is a chance to knock down prey with one blow. If moose hunting is carried out from a long distance, it is better to mark it in the neck: such a shot can immediately hit an animal.
A successful outcome depends not only on the knowledge and skills of the shooter, but also on the correct choice of weapons. Moose hunting is most often done with a manually rechargeable store rifle. Such weapons, as a rule, are equipped with a longitudinally sliding bolt and trigger guard.
With a four-legged assistant
Hunting moose with husky dogs is very common. It is conducted while feeding a sokhaty. It is at this moment that the moose is maximally vulnerable, it reacts less to barking and is more difficult for him to run away. The task of the dog is to detect traces of the common and bring to him as close as possible. If the like is well trained, it will go "without a voice." She will bark only at the moment when she finds the beast.
From mid-September, the rut begins to rush. From an early morning, these animals roar and moan muffledly. Such sounds can be heard about a kilometer, especially in calm weather. With the onset of darkness, moose calm down. The rush of harvested trees is accompanied by a crack of trees: animals, having lost their caution, begin to noisily crush the deadwood. But thanks to their excellent hearing, it’s difficult to sneak up on them. To succeed in the hunt, you must arrive at the rut before dawn. I must say that the main condition for this event is increased caution. Hunting moose during rutting is as follows: the shooter (alone or with a wabbler) moves through the land, carefully listening to the sounds. If it’s possible to imitate the sokhaty roar, excellent. Old bulls often without fear go out to the moan of an opponent. Of course, such an elk hunt requires from a person not only self-discipline, attentiveness and discipline, but also caution.
Raid
The season of shooting a dried one with this option begins with freezing of the soil. It was at this time that a moose hunt was conducted. The success of this event depends on solving two problems - detecting prey and determining the place where and where to drive it. It is also important to determine the lines of the chain of shooters and the order of the corral.
They search for the sokhat by going around the land, studying the footprints entering and entering the territory to establish the presence and number of animals. Having determined the approximate direction in which the beast will go, the senior in the team places the shooters.
Moose is driven in two ways:
- quiet - the beater follows the track, and upon discovering, drives to the line of shooters;
- noisy when people, standing in a chain, screaming move in the direction of the shooters.
Hunting for hiding
It is characterized by a high sports component. The hunter, alone or with a payer, walks around the shrouded. In the direction of their tracks, he determines the possible location of the moose and, carefully moving, seeks to see him from the closest possible distance. The success of such an elk hunt largely depends on the experience and accuracy of the shooter. Important factors for the latter are the degree of knowledge of the habits of prey and the ability to navigate the terrain.
Hunting Elk in the Snow
The harvest of dried, especially in winter, has both its pros and cons.
Many attribute seasonality to the first. Frost and fresh air, crisp snow, teamwork, the ability to practice shooting at this clumsy animal - all this, judging by the reviews, causes indescribable sensations.
However, moose hunting in winter has its drawbacks. Firstly, this season you need to be especially careful, and secondly, the proper trophy - horns - at this time sokhatnyy discards. It is best to go moose in January - February. In these months, the moose is gaining its maximum weight. It must be remembered that clothes and shoes should be virtually silent. You will also need binoculars and a camouflage suit.
With approach
For such an event, the participation of two or three people is quite enough. Hunting moose from the approach in winter is especially effective in cloudy windy weather with shallow snow. First, you should determine the places where the moose can come for feeding. Most often, these are old burnt places, clearings, swampy lowlands or river banks. Having discovered an elk, the hunter, going against the wind, hides behind the natural shelters that are in the way. We must be prepared for the fact that it will not be possible to get close enough, since these animals are very sensitive and timid.
If the moose roars on the go, it is better to go forward, bypassing it in a wide circle. From about three hundred meters, extreme care and caution should be exercised.
In order not to frighten the moose, you need to move in parallel with the prey: when the animal itself makes noise, destroys trees with horns, etc. In no case do you need to rush: if you wait a bit, the moose itself can go the distance of the shot.
Driven hunting
This method involves the presence of a payman who knows the area well and knows how to arrange numbers. Hunting moose with a corral involves the participation of at least five to six people. Having previously discovered traces of a moose, moving from the place of feeding, they are marked and remembered. Then, the numbers are arranged with the beaters exposed in their position. Depending on the direction of the wind and on the entrance tracks, the side in which the corral should be carried out is also determined. The side arrows must extend forward so that the prey does not break through from the side.
When the elk "goes" to the hunter, you need to aim at the base of the neck, if from the side - at the spine or lower thoracic part near the shoulder blade.
Conclusion
Before going hunting, the legalization of this type of activity is required. This means that you need permission to shoot. Free hunting for moose without a license can lead to very unpleasant consequences.