Moose Hunting
Cody
The moose populations in Hunt Areas 9 and 11 of the Absaroka Mountains are at low densities but appear to be stable. Hunt Area 11 will again offer five licenses for the 2019 season. Moose Hunt Area 9 licenses were reduced from five licenses to three for the 2019 season. In 2018, several 40+ inch bulls were harvested from both hunt areas, indicating there are still plenty of mature bulls available for harvest. Recent trail camera work in Hunt Area 9 has shown higher than expected moose numbers, particularly bull numbers in some drainages, indicating an improvement in overall numbers since the mid 2000’s. Harvest success for these moose hunt areas still runs above 90 percent, with most hunters harvesting a mature bull. The 2019 season should again have good success with adequate numbers older aged mature bulls in the population.
Moose hunting in Hunt Area 42 in the Bighorn Mountains should be better than the 2018 season. Managers recently completed their summer moose trend survey and observed the most moose since the survey began. This coupled with the increased incidental moose sightings along highways 14 and 14A this spring and early summer suggest that moose hunting in Hunt Area 42 should be very good.
Green River
Moose populations declined in the mid-2000s throughout the Green River Region and other herds in western Wyoming from a number of reasons that likely include parasites, drought and predation. The Green River Region responded to declining populations by eliminating all antlerless moose hunting opportunities. Antlered moose hunting was also reduced during this time although a modest increase is proposed for this upcoming season. Until moose populations rebound, moose hunting will remain conservative in southwest Wyoming, including Hunt Areas 26, 27, 33 35, 36 and 40 (the season is closed again in Hunt Areas 33 and 44 for 2019).
In the Green River Region, moose numbers (and opportunity) are highest in the Lincoln herd unit (Hunt Areas 26, 33, 36 and 40), especially in Hunt Area 26. A few very large (50+”) Shiras bulls are harvested in this herd on an annual basis, and hunters enjoy selecting from a good number of bulls.
Jackson
In the Sublette Moose Herd, management direction in the past has focused on maintaining or building moose numbers in Hunt Areas 10, 20, 21 and 23. Mature bulls, that are four years of age or older, are consistently being harvested in these areas. The opportunity to harvest a trophy class Shiras moose has increased in recent years. Throughout these hunt areas the average antler spread continues to approach 40 inches. In order to maximize success, hunters should plan on hunting when temperatures are the coolest and moose are likely to be feeding – at first light and early evening. Due to a desire to build moose numbers, maintain hunter success, and improve the availability of older age class bulls, the more conservative hunting seasons in Hunt Areas 10 and 21 implemented in 2018 will remain in place for 2019. Only two licenses (1 resident, 1 nonresident) are proposed for Area 21, while eight licenses (7 resident, 1 nonresident) are proposed for Hunt Area 10.
The Targhee Moose Herd is designated for special management and conservative hunting seasons and will be maintained in 2019 in the combined Hunt Areas 16 and 37. Hunter success was 100% in 2018, and the harvest was comprised of primarily older age class bulls. Low moose densities remain a concern in this herd unit, and hunting seasons in 2019 will again offer only five antlered moose licenses for the combined Hunt Area 16 and Hunt Area 37.
The Jackson Moose Herd also continues to be a concern as this herd remains well below the objective of 800 moose (observed during mid-winter trend counts) and seasons will remain very conservative in an effort to build numbers. Although higher numbers of moose (330) were observed during the severe winter of 2016-2017, mild conditions during 2017-2018 resulted in fewer moose being seen (276). In 2018-2019, 258 moose were observed, including more calves and more sets of twins than seen for many years. Calf ratios were exceptional for this herd, and at 52 calves per 100 cows, the highest seen since 1994. Bull ratios remain high at 91 bulls:100 cows. Although overall moose numbers remain very low, the sustained increase in the calf ratio in recent years is a promising sign that this herd may be increasing. License quotas in the Jackson Herd have decreased from a high of 495 in 1991 to a low of 10 licenses in 2013. In 2011, Hunt Areas 7, 14, 15 and 32 were closed because of low calf:cow ratios and declining population trends. Hunt Areas 17 and 28 were combined in 2012 and will again offer five antlered moose licenses in 2019. In the upper Gros Ventre drainage, Hunt Area 18 will remain at five licenses for antlered moose and open on October 1. Conservative seasons are again proposed to address low herd numbers, and to provide quality hunting opportunities. This herd will be closely monitored in future years to evaluate population numbers and determine whether additional hunting opportunity can be offered.
Lander
Populations in both of Lander Region’s moose herds are below desired levels and continue to struggle. Personnel counted a similar number of moose this year in the Lander Moose herd, Hunt Areas 2 and 30, and it appears this population is stable and near objective. This herd’s trend is slightly increasing over the past four years and observed calf and bull ratios in 2018 mirror that trend. Winter counts in the Dubois country yielded fewer moose compared to last year, and remain at historically low levels. This herd unit (Hunt Area 6) seems to have stabilized over the past four years. Overall herd performance and population size in both herd units continue to be concerns for Department personnel. Seasons for 2019 will be identical to those in 2018 and hunters fortunate enough to draw a license should expect reasonably good harvest success.
Laramie
The Snowy Range Herd Unit (Hunt Areas 38/41) stretches across southern Wyoming, along the Colorado border from Baggs to Cheyenne. Moose are found year-round in areas on Pole Mountain, Sierra Madre Mountains and, most notably, the Snowy Range Mountains. Type 1 licenses are highly sought by hunters looking to harvest mature bulls. Harvest success across both Type 1 and Type 4 licenses continues to be exceptional (98%), however antlerless hunters can struggle to find cows without calves at side to harvest.
The initial Snowy Range moose research project that began in 2014 is complete, with final results expected by fall 2019. Preliminary findings suggest that large-scale beetle kill does not have a strong effect on moose habitat use, with animals mostly preferring aspen and riparian areas, regardless of forest condition. Twenty-eight additional cow moose were collared in the Snowy Range in spring 2018 to evaluate habitat use, survival, recruitment and nutritional condition. Preliminary results indicate high adult survival. Of the 28 marked moose, 26 survived to spring 2019. Based on winter ground surveys, 19 of the 26 had a calf at heel. Collars will remain on animals until spring 2021.
As of 2016, this herd is managed under a mid-winter trend count objective. Department personnel completed the third annual count in early 2019, yielding a 3-year average of 163 moose. The Department did not change moose licenses for the 2019 season.
Pinedale
The Pinedale Region manages the majority of the Sublette Moose herd unit which is managed under a ‘special’ mangement strategy to provide recreational opportunities and maintain a harvest age of 4 years for bulls to maintain trophy harvest opportunities. This herd has a winter trend count objective of 1,500 moose, and the population has been stable to slightly increasing since 2006. The 2018 trend count was 1,210 moose, similar to the previous 5-year average trend counts of 1,159 animals and below the desired objective of 1,500 moose. The 2019 seasons are designed to maintain quality bull ratios (+50:100) while encouraging the popualtion to grow. Due to concerns over the availability of older age class bulls in hunt area 3 and hunter opportunity complications created by the boundary between areas 3 and 4 boundary, hunt area 3 and 4 license holders were allowed to hunt either area in 2018 with 5 fewer total moose licenses. These area licenses will again be offered that opportunity in 2019.
Sheridan
The Sheridan Region manages Hunt Areas 1 and 34 of the Bighorn Moose Herd. Conservative bull seasons are in place to provide a quality hunting experience for those fortunate enough to draw a license. Type 4 antlerless moose licenses will not be issued because of an ongoing research project. Hunt Area 42, on the west slope of the Bighorn Mountains, is part of the Bighorn Moose Herd and will be open with five Type 1 any moose licenses. Governor’s moose licenses will not be eligible for use in the Bighorn Mountains in 2019 because these areas have less than than 10 licenses.
Hunters fortunate to draw a license for any of the Bighorn moose hunt areas have an excellent opportunity to harvest a moose and it is expected some large, mature bulls will be taken. Access to hunt is excellent as most moose are found on the Bighorn National Forest.
The moose populations in Hunt Areas 9 and 11 of the Absaroka Mountains are at low densities but appear to be stable. Hunt Area 11 will again offer five licenses for the 2019 season. Moose Hunt Area 9 licenses were reduced from five licenses to three for the 2019 season. In 2018, several 40+ inch bulls were harvested from both hunt areas, indicating there are still plenty of mature bulls available for harvest. Recent trail camera work in Hunt Area 9 has shown higher than expected moose numbers, particularly bull numbers in some drainages, indicating an improvement in overall numbers since the mid 2000’s. Harvest success for these moose hunt areas still runs above 90 percent, with most hunters harvesting a mature bull. The 2019 season should again have good success with adequate numbers older aged mature bulls in the population.
Moose hunting in Hunt Area 42 in the Bighorn Mountains should be better than the 2018 season. Managers recently completed their summer moose trend survey and observed the most moose since the survey began. This coupled with the increased incidental moose sightings along highways 14 and 14A this spring and early summer suggest that moose hunting in Hunt Area 42 should be very good.
Green River
Moose populations declined in the mid-2000s throughout the Green River Region and other herds in western Wyoming from a number of reasons that likely include parasites, drought and predation. The Green River Region responded to declining populations by eliminating all antlerless moose hunting opportunities. Antlered moose hunting was also reduced during this time although a modest increase is proposed for this upcoming season. Until moose populations rebound, moose hunting will remain conservative in southwest Wyoming, including Hunt Areas 26, 27, 33 35, 36 and 40 (the season is closed again in Hunt Areas 33 and 44 for 2019).
In the Green River Region, moose numbers (and opportunity) are highest in the Lincoln herd unit (Hunt Areas 26, 33, 36 and 40), especially in Hunt Area 26. A few very large (50+”) Shiras bulls are harvested in this herd on an annual basis, and hunters enjoy selecting from a good number of bulls.
Jackson
In the Sublette Moose Herd, management direction in the past has focused on maintaining or building moose numbers in Hunt Areas 10, 20, 21 and 23. Mature bulls, that are four years of age or older, are consistently being harvested in these areas. The opportunity to harvest a trophy class Shiras moose has increased in recent years. Throughout these hunt areas the average antler spread continues to approach 40 inches. In order to maximize success, hunters should plan on hunting when temperatures are the coolest and moose are likely to be feeding – at first light and early evening. Due to a desire to build moose numbers, maintain hunter success, and improve the availability of older age class bulls, the more conservative hunting seasons in Hunt Areas 10 and 21 implemented in 2018 will remain in place for 2019. Only two licenses (1 resident, 1 nonresident) are proposed for Area 21, while eight licenses (7 resident, 1 nonresident) are proposed for Hunt Area 10.
The Targhee Moose Herd is designated for special management and conservative hunting seasons and will be maintained in 2019 in the combined Hunt Areas 16 and 37. Hunter success was 100% in 2018, and the harvest was comprised of primarily older age class bulls. Low moose densities remain a concern in this herd unit, and hunting seasons in 2019 will again offer only five antlered moose licenses for the combined Hunt Area 16 and Hunt Area 37.
The Jackson Moose Herd also continues to be a concern as this herd remains well below the objective of 800 moose (observed during mid-winter trend counts) and seasons will remain very conservative in an effort to build numbers. Although higher numbers of moose (330) were observed during the severe winter of 2016-2017, mild conditions during 2017-2018 resulted in fewer moose being seen (276). In 2018-2019, 258 moose were observed, including more calves and more sets of twins than seen for many years. Calf ratios were exceptional for this herd, and at 52 calves per 100 cows, the highest seen since 1994. Bull ratios remain high at 91 bulls:100 cows. Although overall moose numbers remain very low, the sustained increase in the calf ratio in recent years is a promising sign that this herd may be increasing. License quotas in the Jackson Herd have decreased from a high of 495 in 1991 to a low of 10 licenses in 2013. In 2011, Hunt Areas 7, 14, 15 and 32 were closed because of low calf:cow ratios and declining population trends. Hunt Areas 17 and 28 were combined in 2012 and will again offer five antlered moose licenses in 2019. In the upper Gros Ventre drainage, Hunt Area 18 will remain at five licenses for antlered moose and open on October 1. Conservative seasons are again proposed to address low herd numbers, and to provide quality hunting opportunities. This herd will be closely monitored in future years to evaluate population numbers and determine whether additional hunting opportunity can be offered.
Lander
Populations in both of Lander Region’s moose herds are below desired levels and continue to struggle. Personnel counted a similar number of moose this year in the Lander Moose herd, Hunt Areas 2 and 30, and it appears this population is stable and near objective. This herd’s trend is slightly increasing over the past four years and observed calf and bull ratios in 2018 mirror that trend. Winter counts in the Dubois country yielded fewer moose compared to last year, and remain at historically low levels. This herd unit (Hunt Area 6) seems to have stabilized over the past four years. Overall herd performance and population size in both herd units continue to be concerns for Department personnel. Seasons for 2019 will be identical to those in 2018 and hunters fortunate enough to draw a license should expect reasonably good harvest success.
Laramie
The Snowy Range Herd Unit (Hunt Areas 38/41) stretches across southern Wyoming, along the Colorado border from Baggs to Cheyenne. Moose are found year-round in areas on Pole Mountain, Sierra Madre Mountains and, most notably, the Snowy Range Mountains. Type 1 licenses are highly sought by hunters looking to harvest mature bulls. Harvest success across both Type 1 and Type 4 licenses continues to be exceptional (98%), however antlerless hunters can struggle to find cows without calves at side to harvest.
The initial Snowy Range moose research project that began in 2014 is complete, with final results expected by fall 2019. Preliminary findings suggest that large-scale beetle kill does not have a strong effect on moose habitat use, with animals mostly preferring aspen and riparian areas, regardless of forest condition. Twenty-eight additional cow moose were collared in the Snowy Range in spring 2018 to evaluate habitat use, survival, recruitment and nutritional condition. Preliminary results indicate high adult survival. Of the 28 marked moose, 26 survived to spring 2019. Based on winter ground surveys, 19 of the 26 had a calf at heel. Collars will remain on animals until spring 2021.
As of 2016, this herd is managed under a mid-winter trend count objective. Department personnel completed the third annual count in early 2019, yielding a 3-year average of 163 moose. The Department did not change moose licenses for the 2019 season.
Pinedale
The Pinedale Region manages the majority of the Sublette Moose herd unit which is managed under a ‘special’ mangement strategy to provide recreational opportunities and maintain a harvest age of 4 years for bulls to maintain trophy harvest opportunities. This herd has a winter trend count objective of 1,500 moose, and the population has been stable to slightly increasing since 2006. The 2018 trend count was 1,210 moose, similar to the previous 5-year average trend counts of 1,159 animals and below the desired objective of 1,500 moose. The 2019 seasons are designed to maintain quality bull ratios (+50:100) while encouraging the popualtion to grow. Due to concerns over the availability of older age class bulls in hunt area 3 and hunter opportunity complications created by the boundary between areas 3 and 4 boundary, hunt area 3 and 4 license holders were allowed to hunt either area in 2018 with 5 fewer total moose licenses. These area licenses will again be offered that opportunity in 2019.
Sheridan
The Sheridan Region manages Hunt Areas 1 and 34 of the Bighorn Moose Herd. Conservative bull seasons are in place to provide a quality hunting experience for those fortunate enough to draw a license. Type 4 antlerless moose licenses will not be issued because of an ongoing research project. Hunt Area 42, on the west slope of the Bighorn Mountains, is part of the Bighorn Moose Herd and will be open with five Type 1 any moose licenses. Governor’s moose licenses will not be eligible for use in the Bighorn Mountains in 2019 because these areas have less than than 10 licenses.
Hunters fortunate to draw a license for any of the Bighorn moose hunt areas have an excellent opportunity to harvest a moose and it is expected some large, mature bulls will be taken. Access to hunt is excellent as most moose are found on the Bighorn National Forest.