Folks,

I'm bringing this up to the top again as I think it may be the best chance to kill a trophy bull moose in the USA. The Maine moose draw process is convoluted but Dave Hentosh the outfitter can walk you though everything. The bottom line is statistically if you buy 480 chances for the draw you have a 99% to draw. That makes the total price if you choose the Lodge hunt $8,088 to include the hunt, lic, moose permit and the 480 chances. Guys I'm telling you this is deal and really cheap when you consider the shot opportunity has been 100% for 20 years and average moose has been 54". I'll be there in '15 as a sub permittee with a client and I'm really looking forward to it. You could join us.

Mark










These bulls pictured were all taken in the last two seasons with Smoldering Lake Lodge in Northern Maine. Smoldering Lake has been offering moose hunts for 20 years and their all time average is 54" for about 12 hunters each year. If you know anything about the Canada moose subspecies you know these bulls are excellent trophies. Each season 1-2 bulls will net the B&C mimimum of 195" with the majority of bulls scoring 165"-185".

In 20 years only one client has not at least shot at a moose they wanted. This hunter turned down 8 bulls looking for one that had a spread of over 60".

Maine has an estimated moose population of 76,000 animals and only issues about 4,000 tags per year with 10% going to non-residents. Hunting makes zero impact on the population and the bull to cow ratio is ideal at 1 to 1 or 1 to 2 throughout the range.

So it must be nearly impossible to draw a tag? Not so. As a non-resident historically if you buy a block of 10 tickets for $55 your chances are about 1 in 50 of drawing but as the number of chance you buy goes up you can increase your chance of drawing a permit to 90% + the first year without spending a fortune. There are also a couple of other options that will allow you to hunt the year that you want and still keep the costs in the realm of a good quality trophy hunt in B.C.

'14 Seasons:

22-27 Sept
13-18 Oct

Pick up is at the airport in Presque Isle, ME with a 25 minute ride to camp. You also can fly into Bangor or Portland and rent a car for the drive up.

Pricing:

1x1 6 days lodge based hunt $4,750
1x1 6 days remote tent camp $5,250
1x1 6 days remote tent camp $6,250 with camp exclusivity

Bid package incl hunt and permit $15,000.

(1) Observer no charge. if designated as sub-permittee they can shoot the moose but only one moose is allowed per permit.

So the bottom line is that you will have an opportunity to hunt where a very big bull is completly possible for a total investment of about $7,500-$15,000 dependent on how you want to handle the draw. You'll get to hunt the first year you apply or at most the second. I'd be happy to discuss all the options at any time if a hunter is interested.

Call me with your questions.

Mark

Mark
would you know the zone number
thx
chris

Chris,

The pictured bulls came from Zones 6,3 and 2. The Northern Zones 1-6 will offer you the best chances of taking a big bull.

Mark

Very nice Bulls!

That's a lot of antlers for sure

quote:

'14 Seasons:

22-27 Sept
13-18 Oct

Pick up is at the airport in Presque Isle, ME with a 25 minute ride to camp. You also can fly into Bangor or Portland and rent a car for the drive up.

Pricing:

1x1 6 days lodge based hunt $4,750
1x1 6 days remote tent camp $5,250
1x1 6 days remote tent camp $6,250 with camp exclusivity

Bid package incl hunt and permit $15,000.

So the bottom line is that you will have an opportunity to hunt where a very big bull is completly possible for a total investment of about $7,500-$15,000 dependent on how you want to handle the draw. You'll get to hunt the first year you apply or at most the second. I'd be happy to discuss all the options at any time if a hunter is interested.

Mark,
I am not sure I understand the pricing structure here, where does the $7500-$15k come in? What is "Bid package incl hunt and permit $15,000"? Is this the price for a guaranteed tag? Are the others for "draw your own" How much are the tags?

Brad,

This system they have set up is confusing. I kind of understood it but it took a couple of phone calls before I really understood all the details. To answer your question $7500 approx is going to cover your hunt cost of about $5,000 and buying about $2,500 worth of chances. This historically will give you a 90% chance of drawing a permit. Chances for the draw are sold for $20 each or 10 for $55.

There are 10 closed bid auction tags available and they have gone in the past for around $10,000-$11,000. Smoldering Lake is offering a package where you pay them $15,000 up front for the hunt and they apply for the auction permit. This is not a guaranteed tag but once again historically everyone does get a permit.

The owners of Smoldering Lake highly recommend the option of buying the $2,500 worth of chances giving you a 90% chance of drawing.

To be clear the money spent on chances for the draw is not refundable. If you bid on an auction tag and do not draw the money is refundable with the exception of the $25 application fee.

Hope this helps.

Mark

So, pay $2500 for raffle tickets that are 90% chance of success, then pay the hunt fee for a total around $7500.

Or

Bid on a tag for $10,000 or so, get the tag, and pay the hunt fee of about $5000 for a total of $15000.

Correct?

Ross,

You've got it.

Mark

Mark's pictures are WONDERFULLY IMPRESSIVE !!!

What a PRIZE TROPHY those Antlers Make!!!

Are the shots that present themselves from 5
yards to 1000 yards, & totally unpredictable, or
is there a typical distance span for the length
of the shot to kill such a GREAT Bull?

What is the most appropriate caliber to use?

Can a guy do this well with an open sighted
muzzle loader?

D R Hunter,

The vast majority of these bulls are killed when they come to the call. Northern Maine is heavily forested so the average shot is right at 40 yards. A long range shot is highly unlikely.

This is an any weapon hunt and most are killed with your average deer calibers. I would suggest a 30-06 or larger with heavy for caliber controlled expansion bullets. Many are killed with MZers. The owner of Smoldering Lake took a big bull at 9 yards with a MZ pistol.

Mark

I recently visited my buddies in New Hampshire and they have moose . Nothing like those though. I have been all around the world, but never in New Hampshire.

Those are some excellent quality moose there and antlers too .

Thanks for putting it up for us to see what is right here in the USA too.

TexKD,

I don't think a lot of folks realize that a moose of this quality is available in the Lower 48 anywhere nor that a hunt can be acquired without waiting for a lifetime to draw or spending a real fortune on the hunt.

Mark

I am sure that is right . Those are quality moose and in the lower 48. I knew Maine had moose but not that good or large of body or heavy antlers. Good palms on those in the pictures.

Mark: I do not wish to hijack this thread nor your business but are you aware that a hunt for trophy moose can be made without buying any points from Maine's DNR?
I did so just three years back by going hunting with the Indians on their own lands. They set the regulations not the state on those lands. I paid $5000 plus 1/2 the moose meat and was told hunt success rates were 95% +. Bulls over 48" are targeted with the occasional 60" bull being taken.

Doc,

I assume you had a good hunt and that is great but comparing what is offered on the hunts you mentioned to what Smoldering Lake offers is like comparing apples to oranges.

Mark

Mark,

That looks like a fun hunt. Can it be combined with a bear?

Not for me but just curious as a moose has always ben on my wanted list, and this looks a lot less wet and cold than Alaska!!

K

Kiri,

A moose/bear combo really does not work here but your so right about weather. Overall in Sept/oct the Maine weather should be much better than Alaska. I grew up in Maine and as you know spent 20+ years in Alaska so I know first hand what you can expect for weather in both places. You also can hunt out of the lodge in Maine allowing you to dry out if it is rainy.

Mark

Mark,
What areas are these camps set up in?
john

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Doc,

I assume you had a good hunt and that is great but comparing what is offered on the hunts you mentioned to what Smoldering Lake offers is like comparing apples to oranges.

Mark

Mark: My point being no waiting nor $2500 moose tag as the reservation does not hold a lottery, you buy a general tag and if I remember correctly pay $115.00 for a moose tag then go hunting. The total of my trip was $5000 and I killed a 52" 205BC moose. Doc

Or be a Maine resident, only get to buy 1 chance, and possibly never draw in your lifetime. A famous guide up here drew this year. The first time since the draw started in 1980. He waited 33 years.

So take the $2,500 90% chance and come shoot our moose. We can't even if we own land!

TDGjr,

I'm orignally a Maniac and I've never quite understood Maine's efforts to make things equal. Being able to buy only one chance for the moose draw as a resident is goofy but of course as a sub permittee of a non-resident you can have the same opportunity as any non-resident. I also never really understood not being able to hunt your own land without letting everybody else hunt your land. Poor incentinve to improve wildlife habitat.

Mark

Those are nice bulls anywhere, Mark.

I have been applying for 20 years (Bull Only) at 10 chances per year and haven't drawn yet, so I think your stat 1 in 50 get drawn is inaccurate.

I wouldn't spend $2,500 on a chance for a tag.

Cat Power,

I think you'll find if you go to the Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website http://www.maine.gov/ifw/ you'll see the stats back up what I've written.

Mark

Mark,

I'd like to book a hunt, but refuse to buy more than ten chances per year. Can you reserve me a spot in 2035?

In all seriousness, this looks like a great hunt I would like to try some day.

Mark,
I guess I have been doing it wrong for 20 years.

21 years and counting

quote:

Originally posted by Cat Power:
21 years and counting

According to the Maine website, you should have 80 bonus points after applying continuously for 20 years, and each bonus point equals one chance. If you haven't won for 21 straight years, you are the unluckiest person on the planet! Stay out of the woods, you might get hit by a meteor!

BTT

Im on yr 15 and no luck!!

Being raised in Northern Maine and still calling it home, Mark is spot on. The key to success on a great bull moose in Maine is simply getting drawn and then holding out for the quality trophy you are looking for. I will be glad to entertain inquiries regarding these hunts as I do not offer them and am therefore completely objective.

I'm on year 8. From what I hear 10 years is about normal to be drawn for a bull.