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Moose Hunting in the Lower 48: Problems and Opportunities

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For generations, the dream destinations for moose hunters have been Alaska and the Yukon, where the Alaska-Yukon moose grows antlers that can stretch six feet wide. Russia’s Kamchatka and the Pacific coast of Siberia produce equally massive bulls, while the Canadian provinces offer easier logistics and more affordable hunts. Across the Atlantic, Fennoscandia (Norway, Sweden and Finland) holds the densest moose herds in the world, and the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) provide some of the best bargains.

Yet hunters don’t always need to cross borders or oceans to chase this giant of the deer family. The Lower 48 has quietly built its own portfolio of moose opportunities. From Maine’s vast North Woods to the Rockies of Idaho and Colorado, and now even Nevada—which in 2025 will hold its first regulated moose season—there are more chances than ever to draw a tag close to home. The moose may be smaller here, and the tags harder to draw, but the adventure, challenge, and satisfaction are every bit as real.

American Moose: What You Need to Know

Before diving into state-by-state hunting opportunities, it helps to understand the animal itself. American moose are uniquely adapted to cold climates, shaped by their subspecies and habitat, and these biological realities explain much of today’s population trends and hunting regulations (click here to jump to states with moose seasons).

The Beast that Loves the Cold

The moose is the creature of the temperate climate and the boreal forest. They do not do well in areas where there is no stable snow cover in winter. One theory that explains this is deer ticks: when they fall off a moose into the snow, they die, but when they fall on bare ground they survive and can get on their host again. Trying to scratch them off, moose lose lots of hair and become vulnerable to hypothermia. Studies also show that overheating results in lower reproduction success in moose cows. In most parts of the range, the moose are seldom found south of the 50th parallel, and when they are, it’s usually in the mountainous regions. Now as you all know, the border between the USA and Canada west of the Great Lakes runs along the 48th parallel, which explains why Canada is a moose country and the USA not so much. Still, there are states with moose populations and hunting opportunities

Moose Subspecies

Three of the four North American subspecies of the moose can be found in the Lower 48: the Eastern, the Western, and the Shiras moose. Shiras moose inhabit the Rocky Mountains, and are both the smallest of North American moose, and have notably lower reproductive rates—twinning delivers under 15% in most studies, and they often begin breeding a year later than eastern moose. The most likely explanation is environmental: nutrient-rich forage essential to twin-bearing may be missing in Rocky Mountain habitats. Wildlife managers reflect this in tag allocations—fewer tags per population unit compared to eastern states, where moose tend to reproduce more robustly.

The moose in Maine and other New England states, as well as most of the population of Michigan (that was introduced from Ontario) belong to the Eastern subspecies, while the Western subspecies may be found in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Moose Population Trends In North America

The last decade of the second millennium saw a dramatic rebound in moose numbers, especially in states like Vermont, where it grew from 1,300 to 3,500, Idaho (5,500 to 15,000), and Washington (from about 200 to over 1,000). All in all, around the turn of the century (2000–2001), North America supported an estimated 1 million moose, with approximately 85,000 residing in the Lower 48 states. Washington, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire had an open moose season. The best place to hunt moose was Maine, with a population of 29,000 and harvests of 2,250 moose in the 2000-2001 hunting season, followed by Idaho and Wyoming, where hunters netted a remarkable 88% success rate – 1,379 hunters harvested 1,215 moose! (source)

Fast forward to the present: North America’s moose population remains around 1 million, stable across all regions over the past two decades. Yet in the Lower 48, trends have diverged considerably. Some states still show growth, while others experience declines. Wildlife experts now point to multiple pressures behind these declines: climate change—especially warmer winters—has enabled higher survival of tick larvae and other parasites; deer range expansion has facilitated brainworm transmission, a deadly parasite for moose; and predation, habitat fragmentation, and heat stress all undermine moose health and recruitment rates.

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The Lower 48 States with Moose Seasons

Of the American states that belong to the ‘Lower 48’, eleven offer a legal moose hunt. Here they are, listed in alphabetical order:

Colorado

After being reintroduced in the late 1970s, moose populations in Colorado have grown steadily—from around 2,400 in 2014 to an estimated 3,500 today, a 45% increase in just eight years. These animals, though not native to the region, now thrive across northern Colorado — especially North Park and adjacent ranges — demonstrating a solid, though carefully managed, presence in the landscape.

For 2025, Colorado plans to issue 659 total permits, including 64 allocated to non-residents. The archery season is September 6–30, muzzleloader runs September 13–21, and rifle season October 1–14. Tags are distributed in a preference-point draw; applicants gain one point per unsuccessful year, then point values are squared for draw calculation. Residents pay around $305 for their tag, while non-residents face post-draw fees approaching $2,758. Though odds aren’t readily published, the high draw difficulty reinforces Colorado’s reputation as among the most challenging yet rewarding Shiras moose hunts in the Lower 48 (click for hunts).

Idaho

Idaho’s moose population is estimated at 10,000 to 12,000 animals, making it one of the strongest herds in the Lower 48. The overall trend is stable, with some areas seeing declines but others expanding into new habitat. For 2025, the state will issue about 513 permits through a simple lottery system, with non-residents capped at ten percent. Unlike preference point systems elsewhere, every applicant has an equal chance, which contributes to Idaho’s unusually high draw odds—some resident units exceed 50 percent, while non-residents can see chances in the 11–15 percent range. 

The cost of entry is steep, particularly for non-residents who face nearly $2,700 in license and tag fees, and successful hunters may never apply again under Idaho’s once-in-a-lifetime rule. Seasons generally run from mid-September into late November, with certain areas restricted to short-range weapons, but the reward is one of the best chances in the United States to pursue Shiras moose in rugged, wild country (click for hunts).

BookYourHunt’s North American Director James Reed and his son Logan harvested this Shiras moose they dubbed “The Hulk” in Idaho. Click to read the story of the hunt.

Maine

Maine hosts the largest moose population in the Lower 48, estimated between 60,000–70,000 animals. Over 4,100 permits are issued annually, in two draws, for residents (who are allotted 90% of permits) and for non-resident (8%). High number of permits results in relatively high draw odds. In 2024, there were 72,126 applications for 4,105 permits, which equates to an overall selection rate of about 5.7%, or roughly 1 in 17 applicants. Non‑residents faced much steeper odds than resident hunters – 1 in 64 to one in 10 respectively, but can buy multiple lottery entries (e.g. 10 chances for $55). 

However, limited draw is not the only way to get a moose permit in Maine. 10 permits are sold from a sealed bid auction, and 2% are distributed, via a special lottery, to licensed hunting lodges, who then can sell them to their clients. So, there is such a thing as an OTC moose tag in the Lower 48! There’s also a special limited disabled military veteran hunt. After winning a moose hunting permit, you’ll have to wait for three years before you can apply for another one. Moose seasons may run for a few weeks in September, October and November, depending on the wildlife management unit. If you’re lucky enough to draw a permit, it will specify the season dates (click for hunts).

Montana

A decade-long study by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) found that moose populations in focused regions — namely the Cabinet‑Salish Mountains, Big Hole Valley, and the Rocky Mountain Front — are stable or increasing. Statewide, the population is estimated between 9,800 and 11,700 animals. The research highlighted nutrition as a key driver—adult survival, pregnancy success, and calf survival are significantly better in nutritionally healthy moose. Predation, parasites (including winter ticks and arterial worms), and changing climate remain notable threats.

Montana continues using a bonus-point lottery system with non‑residents allocated up to 10% per region. Only 165 bull tags were issued in 2024, a notable decrease from 348 in 2019. Non-resident draw success stands at about 1 in 300, but bonus points enhance chances exponentially (e.g., someone with 5 points enters with 25 chances). Moose hunting seasons dates for 2025 are: Sept. 6 – Sept. 14 (archery),  Sept. 15 – Nov. 30 (general).

New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Fish & Game Department estimates the moose population in the state at 3,000 animals, down from the peak of 7,000 to 8,000 animals in the late 1990s. This drop is attributed to several factors, including the brainworm and winter tick infestations. It is suggested that the tick does not become a problem even with shorter winters if moose populations are at or below the density of .25 moose per square mile, which is one of the reasons why the NHF&G prefers to keep the populations at the current level. Another consideration is vehicle collisions, which have decreased as the population declined, but were historically a significant threat. 

New Hampshire holds a 9‑day moose hunt starting the third Saturday in October—for 2025, it runs from October 18 to 26. Permits are issued by lottery. Traditionally, around 85% of permits go to New Hampshire residents; the rest are capped and contingent on non‑resident license sales. The number of permits has dropped notably in recent years, with only 33 issued in 2025, as compared to 49 in 2020. Draw odds for residents are approximately 1 in 110, for non-residents 1 in 500. In 2024, the statewide harvest success rate was 64%, with hunters harvesting 21 moose.

Nevada

Nevada is the newest addition to moose-hunting states. For years, the Silver State only recorded occasional wanderers from neighboring Idaho, Oregon, and Utah. But in recent decades, a small but stable population established itself in Elko County and surrounding ranges. Biologists now estimate 40 to 60 resident moose in northeastern Nevada, with the herd showing enough consistency to warrant the state’s first regulated hunt in 2025.

That inaugural season Nevada will issue just three moose tags, awarded through its existing big game draw system, and all are for residents only. The season framework follows Nevada’s typical controlled hunt structure, with dates and units assigned to successful applicants. Given the tiny number of tags and high local interest, draw odds are vanishingly slim, but the opening of a season confirms that moose are no longer occasional visitors here—they are part of Nevada’s wildlife landscape.

When it comes to moose hunting, Alaska is in a class by itself.
Learn more about moose hunting in Alaska from our “Conversation with an Outfitter” series blog.

North Dakota

North Dakota Game and Fish doesn’t offer recent moose population estimates. It regards the state’s moose population as stable or increasing, particularly in the northwestern regions such as the Upper Missouri River area near Williston. However, moose densities have declined in the northeastern Pembina Hills and Turtle Mountains due to factors like brainworm and habitat changes. 296 moose permits were available for drawing in 2025, a decrease from 475 issued in 2020. Tags are available to residents only. The archery season runs from September 5 through September 28 in units M5, M6, M8, M9, M10, and M11. The regular (firearm) season is scheduled from October 10 to November 2 in the same units.

Utah

Utah’s moose population is a relatively modern success story—fostered by habitat changes from logging and the historical loss of wolves and grizzly bears, these animals established themselves in the state in the early to mid-20th century, particularly in the mountainous north. Today, the population sits at about 2,500 to 3,000 moose, representing the southernmost naturally occurring Shiras moose herd in the U.S. While local fluctuations occur, the population is generally holding steady.

Moose hunting in Utah is run via a once-in-a-lifetime draw system, with limited-entry permits available through the regular DWR lottery. While exact draw odds aren’t published, the combination of limited tags and considerable demand means success rates are extremely low. Many moose units are on private land or within Cooperative Wildlife Management Units (CWMUs), adding access challenges for self‑guided hunters. Permits cost substantially more for non‑residents, and drawing one is truly a rarity (click for hunts).

Vermont

According to recent estimations, Vermont’s moose population stands at around 2,100–2,200 animals. This is a marked reduction from the peak numbers of 5,000 in the early 2000s, but the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department does not aim to grow the population, and instead seeks to maintain it at moderate densities. This balances two priorities: minimizing disease risk, particularly from winter tick infestations and brainworm transmission, and supporting public values, such as viewing opportunities and sustainable hunting. Recent reports indicate signs of recovery and improved health in the herd, including good birth rates per female and increasing average weight of harvested animals.

Vermont offers two moose seasons. The archery season is October 1–7. The regular (rifle) season runs for six days, beginning the third Saturday in October. As many as 80 both-sex and 100 antlerless-only moose permits are to be issued in WMU E, the Northeastern corner of the state, in 2025. Additionally, there are 5 veteran permits, 3 “special opportunity” permits, and 3 permits via auction. This is consistent with the previous two season allocations and significantly more than in 2020, which saw only 55 moose tags. Vermont caps non‑resident permits at 10% of the total issued, with draw odds estimated at 1 in 118. The harvest is expected to total roughly 10% of the WMU E moose population, with around 94–86 moose projected to be taken.

Washington

According to a 2018 census, Washington’s moose population was estimated at 5,169, a notable increase over earlier figures (~3,000). However, biologists now believe moose numbers are declining due to factors including wolf predation and climate-driven parasite survival, along with habitat limitations from early 2000s population peaks. Only around 100 moose permits are issued per year, and moose hunting in Washington is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (with exception of the special raffle tags). 

Washington employs a bonus-point lottery system for special moose permits (categorized as antlered bull, antlerless, youth, 65+, and disabled). Points accumulate over years and are squared, greatly boosting draw chances. Without bonus points, a non-resident’s chance of drawing a moose permit in Washington is estimated at a meager 0.15% or 1 in 637. Several permits are available by a special ruffle of Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW): in 2025, 5,254 raffle tickets are available at $8.09 each. 

Moose is one of the most popular animals among BookYourHunt.com clients.
Click to read the story of another moose hunt booked on BookYourHunt.com.

Wyoming

Wyoming’s Shiras moose herd once peaked at over 13,000 animals in the early 2000s but has since declined to around 3,500. Biologists point to multiple factors behind the drop, from wolf and grizzly predation to habitat degradation, poor forage quality, and climate stress that worsens parasite survival. Nutrition plays a key role—research suggests low twinning rates in cows are tied more to limited forage than predators alone, meaning recovery depends on habitat improvement as much as on managing moose numbers.

Hunting opportunities are limited, with only a few hundred tags issued annually through a preference-point lottery. Residents receive about ninety percent of the licenses, while non-residents are capped at roughly ten percent. Draw odds are slim: in recent years residents faced about a 0.7 percent chance, while non-residents hovered around 0.3 percent, or roughly one tag per 300 applicants. Most successful hunters had accumulated twenty or more preference points, and even then, the wait is long. Once you draw, you must sit out for five years before applying again. Licenses cost about $112 for residents and $1,402 for non-residents, making Wyoming one of the toughest but most prestigious Shiras moose hunts in the country (click for hunts).

States with Moose—but No Hunting Season

The moose population spreads wider across the Lower 48 than the states outlined. In Oregon, New Jersey, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico moose are occasional travelers or rare visitors. Although two residents of Lancaster, PA, had to be admitted to hospital after being attacked by this officially ‘nonexisting’ animal in Lancaster County Central Park in 2015, such encounters are intriguing but far from establishing viable herds. 

In Connecticut, a small but stable population—estimated at around 100–150 moose—is concentrated in the northwest corner of the state. The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection tracks sightings through a public portal, but there is no official hunting season. Massachusetts has seen a natural moose return, with estimates ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 in central and western areas like the Berkshires and Quabbin region. Hunting remains prohibited by law, though wildlife studies continue to monitor the herd’s growth.

Many American moose hunters set their sights on Canada.
Click to learn what makes the Marple Leaf country a great moose hunting destination.

In New York, moose primarily occupy the Adirondacks, where aerial surveys conducted between 2016 and 2019 estimate about 700 moose within the Adirondack Park. Hunting remains illegal due to their status as a protected species—any changes would require a law passed by the legislature. 

In the Midwest and beyond, moose appear more sporadically. In Michigan, a transplanted herd of around 500 lives in the Upper Peninsula. Despite being listed as game mammals—which allows for limited management—there is no active hunting season. Part of the same population, about 20 to 40 animals, dwells in Wisconsin. Minnesota reports an estimated 3,150 moose, though numbers have fallen sharply in recent years. No statewide hunt exists, though tribal hunters may exercise rights under treaty provisions. 

Conclusion: Go Hunt Moose!

Moose numbers in the Lower 48 have settled into a managed balance. The boom of the early 2000s is past, but stable herds from New England to the Rockies still provide extraordinary opportunities. For residents, odds can be surprisingly good in places like Idaho or Vermont. For non-residents, spreading applications across multiple states can bring combined draw chances close to 10 percent each year.

A Shiras moose hunt in the Lower 48 will never be the cheapest tag, but it may be the most accessible path to one of North America’s most iconic trophies. The key is preparation—and partnering with the right outfitter. Success rates, access, and overall experience are dramatically higher with expert guidance. If moose hunting is on your bucket list, don’t wait: book your moose hunt with the best outfitters today at BookYourHunt.com, and turn a rare tag into the adventure of a lifetime.

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