Hello,

Tomorrow (April 1) marks the beginning of the application period for an Idaho moose tag.  You have until April 30th to complete the application.

Last year was the first with the new 2-week season format.  It really had no affect on us other than complicating the application process as we normally plan the moose hunts for 1 week anyway.  Here's a table showing the units and seasons available in my guiding territory and the odds of drawing a bull tag for each based on last year's applicants.  The hunts in unit 2 are also in my territory but I didn't include that information because the odds of drawing a tag are worse and I don't think the hunting is as good.

As you can see the odds for the earliest hunt are generally fairly high but I would advise avoiding that hunt.  Generally it is still quite warm at that time, all the leaves are on the brush, there's little to no chance of snow on the ground, and there's little rut activity.  The next 2 hunts (9/15-9/28 and 10/1-10/15) had the lowest odds and this is probably due to people trying to hunt the rut.  These would be the best two hunts for someone interested in a rut hunt.  The rut hunts are exciting but most of the leaves are still on and there's not a great chance of having snow to help so visibility is still limited.  Grunting in a bull is a thrill but it's also time-consuming and it's not unusual to invest a couple hours or more calling in a bull only to find out that it's a little fella.

You should have the opportunity to look over the most moose, and consequently have the best odds of taking a true trophy, if you draw a tag for one of the last 3 hunts.  The rut will be mostly over but that's more than compensated for by the improved visibility.  Almost all of my whitetail hunts take place during the last moose season offered so that can make it logistically difficult for me to guide moose hunters at that time so I'd suggest applying for either the 10/15-10/28 season or the 11/1-11/14 season.  If you just like the sounds of the latest season or if it's the only one that would work with your schedule then go ahead and apply, we can make it work.

All 3 areas are excellent moose areas.  We live in Area 1-2 and 1-4 begins just 100 yards from here so they are the simplest to hunt logistically.  They give the most tags for 1-1 and it's only about a 45 minute drive.  If I were applying for a tag myself I would be equally happy with a tag in any of these areas. 

If you want to apply for a cow tag your choices are much simpler: Area 1-1, hunt #3126 had drawing odds of 16% last year and is the hunt I would suggest.  Area 2, hunt #3127 had drawing odds of 14%.

As far as the mechanics of applying for a tag go, you must first purchase an Idaho hunting license and then you can apply for the tag.  The following link will take you to a page with the application worksheet as well as links to purchase the hunting license: 

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/ch/apply.cfm The application deadline is April 30th.  Results of the draw will be out by at least June 10th, and usually it's considerably earlier than that.

Let me know if you have any questions and Good Luck!

Clint Gray
Buckshot Outfitting
208-267-3885
www.buckshotoutfitting.com