Moose hunting ranks high on the “dream hunts” lists, especially for Americans. The biggest extant deer species in the world, with its monstrous size and striking appearance is a worthy quarry, that you can’t find just in any backyard. For most hunters in the US, as well as Western Europe, to say nothing of Asia and Africa, a moose hunt must involve travel to another state or country. For many, it’s Canada. 

Sure, the Lower 48 in the US do offer a few moose hunting options, there are giant moose in Alaska, and the world’s highest densities of the animal are found in Sweden. But if you take all aspects into account – numbers of moose population, size of individual animals, ease of travel, availability of licenses and tags, prices, and variety of options – Canada simply can’t be beat.

What Makes Canada a Moose Country

To understand moose, the first thing you need to bear in mind is that moose love cold. Not like polar-circle caribou cold, but the biggest extant deer species doesn’t thrive in areas where average yearly temperatures rise beyond a certain threshold. And this temperature line lies, more or less, along the US-Canada border.

The second important factor is food. All moose are herbivores but have different dietary preferences based on their habitat. Aquatic plants are a common food source during summer across all subspecies, while tender willow bark makes the staple food in the winter. No wonder that all kinds of moose generally prefer river valleys, marshes and lakes.

Now if you look at the map of Canada, you will notice that most of its territory is covered in boreal forests and liberally sprinkled with rivers and lakes of all description. In terms of habitat, Canada seems to be divinely predestined for being a paradise for moose.

The Canadian moose: More than one kind

Canada hosts four distinct moose subspecies, each with unique characteristics and distribution areas. 

1. Shiras Moose (Alces alces shirasi)

– Distribution: Primarily found in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia and Alberta, extending into the northern U.S. states.

– Body Size: Smallest subspecies, with bulls weighing up to 600-800 pounds.

– Antler Size: Smaller and more compact antlers compared to other subspecies.

– Ecology and Behavior: Prefers high-altitude, forested regions. Less migratory, often found near water sources in rugged terrains. Their diet includes a variety of shrubs, forbs, and aquatic plants.

 2. Eastern Moose (Alces alces americana)

– Distribution: Common in eastern Canada, particularly in Newfoundland, Quebec, and Ontario.

– Body Size: Larger than Shiras, with bulls weighing up to 1,200 pounds.

– Antler Size: Broad and palmate antlers with a spread of up to 60 inches.

– Ecology and Behavior: Inhabits mixed and boreal forests, favoring areas with young, regenerating forest post-disturbance (like after logging or wildfires). Known for seasonal migrations between summer and winter ranges. Their diet includes leaves, bark, and aquatic vegetation.

 3. Western Moose (Alces alces andersoni)

– Distribution: Found in the central regions of Canada, from Manitoba to British Columbia.

– Body Size: Medium-sized, with bulls weighing up to 1,400 pounds.

– Antler Size: Large, broad antlers with significant palmation.

– Ecology and Behavior: Occupies boreal forests and wetlands. Western moose are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats from dense forests to open meadows. They exhibit seasonal migrations and have a varied diet including willow, birch, and aquatic plants.

 4. Alaska-Yukon Moose (Alces alces gigas)

– Distribution: The largest subspecies, found in the Yukon and parts of Alaska.

– Body Size: The largest of all moose, with bulls weighing up to 1,800 pounds.

– Antler Size: Massive antlers with a spread up to 70 inches, featuring long points and broad palms.

– Ecology and Behavior: Prefers northern boreal forests and tundra regions. These moose are highly migratory, often moving long distances between summer and winter habitats. Their diet is diverse, including a variety of shrubs, grasses, and aquatic vegetation.

Top Three Canadian Provinces and Territories for Moose Hunting 

Where to go moose hunting in Canada is actually a tricky question, and the answer depends a lot on your personal preferences. On a large scale, the top three provinces and territories for moose hunting in Canada are:

3. Newfoundland and Labrador: 

Known for a high population of Eastern moose, the easternmost province of Canada offers a remote, rugged hunting experience.

2. Yukon: 

In a word: Alaska-Yukon moose. Okay, there are three words, but the Yukon Territory is a prime destination for this subspecies, and a hunt in it is a true wilderness adventure.

1. British Columbia: 

A clear winner simply because it’s home to three kinds of moose: Shiras, Western, and Alaska-Yukon, and offers an unparalleled variety of terrain from coastal rainforests to interior plateaus.

Now Seriously: Where to Hunt Moose in Canada

What area of Canada is best for your (and not someone else’s) moose hunt depends on what moose you want to hunt, how you want to hunt moose, and how much you can afford to spend on it.

If you are after the giant Alaska-Yukon moose, you might be better off entering “Alaska Yukon Moose” in the Species field of the BookYourHunt.com search page, leaving the Destinations field empty. Hunts for this subspecies happen in similar environments, from remote fly-in, ride-in, or boat-in lodges and camps, and cost about the same, whether they take place in Yukon or Alaska. Similarly, Shiras moose hunts take place within the subspecies’ distribution range. That is mostly British Columbia, and a bit of Alberta.

Many American hunters would rather drive to the site of their moose hunt than fly. It’s cheaper, especially if the outfitter can’t meet you at the airport and you’ll have to rent a vehicle. There’s no stress and hustle at security checkups, especially if you’re traveling with your gun. But most importantly, driving your own truck or car gives you an option to get a cooler and bring some of the meat back home.

If we look at moose hunting from the “Can I drive there from my home in the US?” perspective, British Columbia emerges again as the clear winner, with Alberta a strong contender for the second place. That is, for the hunters who live in the Northwest. For Midwest and East the situation is a bit more complicated.

Moose hunting opportunities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba are located in the north of the provinces. They are typically of a “remote” type, with lodges accessible only by boat or bush plane, and a bit too far off the US border to drive anyway. The plus side is that they are usually more affordable than the better known destinations. 

Ontario and Quebec have good moose populations, but they are, again, concentrated in the north of the provinces, and not in the densely populated and better accessible southern parts. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island can’t boast of legendary moose hunting either. Newfoundland and Labrador is the best place to hunt moose in Atlantic Canada – and the ferry services make it accessible by car.

A Guide-Outfitter for Moose Hunting in Canada: an Obligation

Unless you have a first-degree family in the province where you want to hunt, a non-resident who wants to hunt moose in Canada is obliged to hire a registered guide-outfitter. This is not necessarily a bad thing. A do-it-yourself adventure in Canadian wilderness may be too much for most hunters – you want to be with someone who knows his or her way around. 

Moose hunting is not listed as “dangerous game” hunting, but it does often carry above-average levels of risk. The bull moose itself, especially crazed by the rut, is a formidable opponent that can kill a wolf with a single strike of its hoof. Then, moose often share habitat with black bears, grizzlies, or both. Attracted by the scent of fresh meat, the bruins often come to check out if they can get a share, and this situation can quickly escalate.

Last but not least, moose hunting often takes place in remote areas where Mother Nature doesn’t fool around. Things like sudden floods or blizzards can create a dangerous situation, which you may not survive unscratched without a person who is at home in this environment at your side. 

Another plus is that guide-outfitters are members of associations such as Guide Outfitter Association of British Columbia, Newfoundland Labrador Outfitters, Alberta Professional Outfitters Society, Quebec Outfitters, Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association, Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association, etc. These organizations don’t only play a significant role in conservation, they also watch over the ethical standards of their members, and are another place (along with customer reviews on BookYourHunt.com) where you can get an opinion on this or that outfitter. 

But perhaps the biggest advantage of the outfitter obligation is that registered guide-outfitters can get moose tags for their clients according to a quota. This doesn’t only protect moose numbers, it takes the unpredictable limited draw out of the equation. Even registered guide-outfitters who operate in those Canadian provinces where drawing a resident moose tag can be as problematic as in the US, sometimes go and book their moose hunts with registered guide-outfitters in other, moosier, provinces and territories! 

Book Your Moose Hunt in Canada

Moose hunting in Canada is a dream for many hunters. With vast wilderness areas, diverse landscapes, and a healthy moose population, Canada offers some of the best moose hunting opportunities in the world. And if the last five years have taught us anything, it’s that while long-term planning is important, you can’t be 100% certain the world will cooperate. So, if you’ve long been dreaming of moose hunting, the time to book your hunt is now!

Moose Hunting in the Lower 48: Problems and Opportunities

The Lower 48 have hardly been on top of anyone’s moose hunting destination list – until COVID-19 and related travel bans made many Americans look more closely at hunting opportunities at home.

So, what can the heart of the USA offer to an aspiring moose hunter? READ ON