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Watching "Life below Zero". One of the guys finds a moose skull with antlers, very nice paddles, long tines and a spread of 71.5 inches. Looks very large to me, how many 70+ moose would an outfitter take in a year? Looks like the wolves got this one. | ||
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Most outfitters none. A few 1 maybe, maybe 2 in exceptional areas. I've probably seen one bull that was 68-72" on the hoof while hunting. Didn't connect with him unfortunately. Brett DRSS Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member WSF Rhyme of the Sheep Hunter May fordings never be too deep, And alders not too thick; May rock slides never be too steep And ridges not too slick. And may your bullets shoot as swell As Fred Bear's arrow's flew; And may your nose work just as well As Jack O'Connor's too. May winds be never at your tail When stalking down the steep; May bears be never on your trail When packing out your sheep. May the hundred pounds upon you Not make you break or trip; And may the plane in which you flew Await you at the strip. -Seth Peterson | |||
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I'd imagine the number of outfitters that shoot more than one 70" moose in a year varies from 0-3 in any given year, but of course this is just a guess. Brett DRSS Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member WSF Rhyme of the Sheep Hunter May fordings never be too deep, And alders not too thick; May rock slides never be too steep And ridges not too slick. And may your bullets shoot as swell As Fred Bear's arrow's flew; And may your nose work just as well As Jack O'Connor's too. May winds be never at your tail When stalking down the steep; May bears be never on your trail When packing out your sheep. May the hundred pounds upon you Not make you break or trip; And may the plane in which you flew Await you at the strip. -Seth Peterson | |||
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A 70" spread on a moose is very rare. An Alaskan Moose with a spread of 55" is considered trophy class, but width is just one part of the variable. I've seen 55" moose that are much more appealing than 2 different 70" moose that I've seen just because those 70" were very "thin" and scrawny looking. Mass and size of paddles, front mass and points all affect the appeal. Mass and dimension make the real difference. In 35 years of hunting moose, I've never seen a 70" I could get to for a shot. I remember seeing 1 from the air that I judged to be in that class and he was certainly record book, but he was in a location I just could not get to. I think Brett is telling you straight, some outfitters in great areas might take 1 or 2 a year, but remember these outfitters are out there all the time, they know their areas and how, when and where to hunt those big guys. Most of all they're just blessed to have the habitat and genetics in their areas to produce that spread and hopefully the mass to hit the B&C minimum. I'd say a reasonable expectation with a good outfitter in a good area would be a shot at a 58" to 60" maybe plus animal. Believe me, those can be massive brutes. | |||
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Speaking of big moose on the newest episode of Jim shockers show his son in law took a toad of a moose. | |||
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Yes, I saw that episode yesterday. Jim said that it was the biggest moose that he had killed or seen in 40 years. Eva was jealous of Tim's (her husband's) kill.  | |||
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I'd second a lot of this. When I've gone or taken people to trophy areas for moose I tend to think 60" plus in my brain, but there's a lot of "quality" variance at different widths. A 62-65" bull with great mass, palms, and points can crush aesthetically and score wise a lanky wider bull. The one bull I've seen in the 70" class however had it all. It was exceptional and likely B&C. You never know, but I really doubt I'll ever see any like that again. Brett DRSS Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member WSF Rhyme of the Sheep Hunter May fordings never be too deep, And alders not too thick; May rock slides never be too steep And ridges not too slick. And may your bullets shoot as swell As Fred Bear's arrow's flew; And may your nose work just as well As Jack O'Connor's too. May winds be never at your tail When stalking down the steep; May bears be never on your trail When packing out your sheep. May the hundred pounds upon you Not make you break or trip; And may the plane in which you flew Await you at the strip. -Seth Peterson | |||
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Thanks Guys, this was the biggest and most impressive one I have ever seen. I thought pretty rare. | |||
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I've a shoulder mount at my place that was scored to nubmer 25 in B&C but not entered. It's 72-73 wide and huge. I want to get rid of it as it's too bigfor my cabin but Alaska F&G tells me it's illegal to sell Alaska taxidermy so I'm stuck with it unless I move out of state. It's amazing how moose this large can walk through brush that is a pain for a person to walk through. And, so silent! Cal _______________________________ Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska www.CalPappas.com www.CalPappas.blogspot.com 1994 Zimbabwe 1997 Zimbabwe 1998 Zimbabwe 1999 Zimbabwe 1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation 2000 Australia 2002 South Africa 2003 South Africa 2003 Zimbabwe 2005 South Africa 2005 Zimbabwe 2006 Tanzania 2006 Zimbabwe--vacation 2007 Zimbabwe--vacation 2008 Zimbabwe 2012 Australia 2013 South Africa 2013 Zimbabwe 2013 Australia 2016 Zimbabwe 2017 Zimbabwe 2018 South Africa 2018 Zimbabwe--vacation 2019 South Africa 2019 Botswana 2019 Zimbabwe vacation 2021 South Africa 2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later) ______________________________ | |||
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Horns over 70 inches are almost non-existent. But antlers, which grow and are shed every year, are not that uncommon. Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either not tried one, or is unwittingly commenting on their own marksmanship Phil Shoemaker Alaska Master guide FAA Master pilot NRA Benefactor www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com | |||
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Thanks Phil, I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one that was bothering.  | |||
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You need to visit some long horn cattle ranches 70 inchers not that un common. | |||
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I got lucky and shot a 73 5/8 inch wide one last year on a self guided hunt.. The first time I pulled the trigger on many moose hunts,all unguided. | |||
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I would rather shoot a 65 inch moose with huge palms than a 75" with fork horns out the front. | |||
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About like a 42 inch Mule deer, or 50 inch cape buffalo, or a 100 lb plus elephant, Once in a lifetime trophys..That said they do exist... Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Are those legal game animals ? Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either not tried one, or is unwittingly commenting on their own marksmanship Phil Shoemaker Alaska Master guide FAA Master pilot NRA Benefactor www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com | |||
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Depends on how much the rancher charges and you want to pay. | |||
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Thanks for the correction. I forgot, one must be precise here or one will be flayed alive | |||
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Chuke & his hunting buds have taken a couple like that. Just have to be in the right place at the right time.  All The Best ... | |||
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I'm not trying to be smart, but it seems to me that we hear/see a of a lot more 70"+ moose taken each year than we do 42" mule deer, 50 in buffalo or 100 pound elephant. Am I wrong on this? Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | |||
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That was why I asked. I guy out tooling around the wilderness finds a wolf kill, then looks around and finds a huge skull and antlers. Kind of like me walking the back field on the farm and finding a 250 whitetail skull. You know there a some, but how common? My guess is near a day flight to a road, the game would probably die of old age or being eaten... so it might be possible they have more time to grow. But, folks that live there would have the insight. | |||
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Southwest AK has some giants but in 22 years of living there the largest we shot were 63"-65" with the 63" being a far bigger moose in all respects. I had my hands on a genuine 69" and saw 2 of that size and larger in the wild. One of those monsters I tried to kill but no cigar. Personally I think 70 inches is a monster and far from common. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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I could be wrong but "old age" isn't a factor as much as genetics. Moose antler size decreases annually as advanced age occurs. Moose antler size ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
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Over the last 17yrs, I have seen 4 bulls that I am confident were 70"+. I killed two of those (70&6/8" and 73&2/8"), and I believe one of those 4 bulls was in the 80" range  They are not common, but I think they are more common than a 250" whitetail, a 100# ele (at least in this century), or a 50" buff. Antlers Double Rifle Shooters Society Heym 450/400 3" | |||
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You can always spend some time digging in the harvest records on the ADFG site. There is a particular outfitter that hunts an area not really hyped about, and that consistently has one or more clients harvest +70" moose each year, and the rest are usually in the mid 60's. The guy charges around $30k for those moose hunts though! | |||
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Any chance you could post some pics of these bulls. Thanks | |||
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A pic of each is in this thread: http://forums.accuratereloadin...043/m/9041075922/p/2 Antlers Double Rifle Shooters Society Heym 450/400 3" | |||
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A pic of mine is under this heading, Look at My Dillingham Moose. Oct 1 2017 73 5/8 wide | |||
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I know where those monsters came from! If I'm right it was not just dumb luck that got you those bulls. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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Wow some great moose there (antlers) I couldn't find yours (69deer) found it another wow very impressive moose Thanks for the links guys. | |||
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Here's my analogy: 60 inch bull=6'4" man--big but quite common 70 inch bull=6'8" man--very big and uncommen 80 inch bull=7' man--very, very uncommon but makes 60 inch bull or 6'4" man look small The John Crouse bull taken north of Tok that used to be the Number 1 Boone and Crockett head had a 65 inch spread so spread isn't everything. I think there are only one or two 80 inch heads in the B&C record book. I knew (and measured) one in the 1996-1999 time period. He had it all--huge spread, wide palms, big brow tines, long tines, etc. Truly exceptional. I've seen only a couple similar bulls in 50 years of looking at thousands moose. | |||
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JBrown, If you want to get technical you might be right, who knows for sure. your post was as pointless as mine!  Ive seen a 42 inch buck mounted, and a 100 lb elephant tusk, and shot a 19.5 inch pronghorn with my camera and later found him dead on our ranch growing up, so these animals do exist. Ive never seen a live 70 inch moose. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Neither of our posts were "pointless". You were making a comment on the rarity of 70" moose and I was asking if your comparison might be a slight exaggeration. It is my impression that 70" moose are rare, but not quite as rare as the three trophies you mentioned. I was just hoping that some of those who are more knowledgeable than me might be able to fill me in. Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | |||
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about 30 years ago a few were coming off the Kelly river up off the Noatak. I shot a nice +55" up there. There was a 58"taken while I was up there at the airport in Kotzebue that looked like a porcupine with 14-18" Spines / tines coming off his heavy heavy paddles. He had 5 spine coming of what I would call his bez. I believe I have some pics somewhere. Most impressive moose antlers I have ever seen. Bet he was a fighter with all those long tines going straight up. Super massive. | |||
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Last week at the Hunt Expo in SLC there was a booth (Wild Alaska hunts/Chad Reel) that had a huge European moose head. I asked how big and he said it was 75". I didn't measure it, but I also didn't doubt it. | |||
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It's a Reality show. How many women out there with 50 inch boobs ? Grizz Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal. John E Pfeiffer, The Emergence of Man Those who can't skin, can hold a leg. Abraham Lincoln Only one war at a time. Abe Again. | |||
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I knew I was lucky but now I know just how lucky!! | |||
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I think it was a fairly good comparison, but how could anyone know for sure as many were never reported back in the day, I know some 40 to 42 inch mule deer have been shot, Ive seen pictures, mounted head, and read about it. I know a larger number of 50 inch buffao have been reported in a certain area boarding parks and 100 pound and heavier elephant were all but common plaice at one time in some years past, and one or two, maybe more still crop up from time to time today..Its a moot question to start with.. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Ray - - I have seen a couple of 40"+ mule deer heads - mostly from eastern Idaho and the Grey's River area of Wyoming. My best s 31-1/2" and the 40"+ deer are simply amazing. | |||
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