Big Montana Moose
May 19, 2005
Big game hunters hold Montana's vigorous moose population in high regard, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). Each year about 22,000 hunters apply for about 650 moose hunting licenses. FWP records show about 86 percent of moose hunters are successful annually. Bull moose make up about 70-75 percent of the harvest and 25-30 percent are antlerless moose of both sexes.
Montana also produces good-sized animals. Since the 1930's when records were first kept, 141 Montana moose have surpassed the Boone & Crockett minimum score of 155, which is a combination of the width and length of the antler palm and the number of points on the edge of the antlers. Since 2000, 12 moose have been recorded at or above the minimum score of 155. The largest male moose on record in Montana weighed 1,117 pounds.
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