Elk vs. Moose Hunting: Key Differences, Strategies, and Gear for Success

Justin Hunold

01/11/2025

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Elk and moose, the most prominent members of the deer family, present unique challenges and opportunities when hunting. Understanding the differences between these two species is essential for tailoring your hunting approach, from choosing the right terrain to acquiring tags and planning your strategies. Let’s break down the key distinctions and explore how they affect your hunt.

Physical Differences and Hunting Implications

Size and Antlers

• Moose: Towering over elk, moose stand 6-7 feet at the shoulder and can weigh between 800 to 1,500 pounds. Their massive, broad antlers—sometimes spanning over 6 feet—are iconic and require hunters to be prepared for processing and transporting a large animal.
• Elk: Elk are more streamlined, standing 4-5 feet at the shoulder and weighing 500-1,000 pounds. Their long, branching antlers make for an impressive trophy, but they’re lighter and easier to handle than those of a moose.

Hunting Implication: The sheer size of a moose means you’ll need to be prepared for a more physically demanding hunt. This includes planning for transportation out of remote areas, which might involve pack animals or multiple trips. Elk, while still large, are more manageable for solo or small-group hunters.

Coat and Coloration

• Moose: Moose have dark brown or black coats that blend into the dense, shaded forests and wetlands they inhabit. This camouflage can make spotting moose more challenging in low-light conditions.
• Elk: Elk sport a lighter reddish-brown coat with a pale rump patch, making them easier to spot in open woodlands and meadows, especially at dawn or dusk.

Hunting Implication: Moose hunts often require more patient glassing in thick cover, while elk hunts can involve scanning open landscapes for movement.

Habitat and Access

Preferred Habitats

• Moose: Found in northern forests, wetlands, and boreal regions, moose thrive in colder climates. They’re often near water, feeding on aquatic vegetation and navigating dense cover.
• Elk: Elk are highly adaptable, occupying mountainous terrain, open grasslands, and forests. They’re commonly found across the western United States, with herds migrating seasonally between higher and lower elevations.

Hunting Implication: Moose hunters need to prepare for wet, marshy terrain and colder conditions, often requiring hip waders or snow-ready gear. Elk hunters, on the other hand, may face steep climbs in the Rockies or long hikes across grasslands.

Tag Availability and Population

• Moose: Tags for moose are often limited and can take years to draw in many states. Populations are lower, making them a less accessible species for many hunters.
• Elk: Elk hunting opportunities are far more abundant. Many states offer over-the-counter (OTC) tags, especially for cow elk, and elk populations are robust across much of the West.

Hunting Implication: Elk is the easier option for a hunter looking for a more accessible experience. Moose hunts require more planning, patience, and often a guide to navigate the specific habitats where they thrive.

Gear Considerations

Gear That Works for Both Elk and Moose Hunting

• Firearms: Both species require a reliable rifle chambered in a versatile caliber, such as .30-06 Springfield, .300 Winchester Magnum, or 7mm Remington Magnum. These calibers provide enough power to kill either animal ethically. Safety is paramount, so ensure you are proficient with your chosen firearm and always follow safe hunting practices.
• Optics: High-quality binoculars and a spotting scope are essential for glassing large areas and identifying animals from a distance. Look for optics with low-light performance, as both species are most active during dawn and dusk.
• Layered Clothing: Because weather can change quickly, layering systems with moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and waterproof outer shells are critical for staying comfortable in the field.
• Backpacks: To pack out meat, you need a durable hunting pack with a load-hauling frame. Look for packs designed to carry heavy loads over rough terrain.
• Navigation Tools: Both elk and moose hunting often take place in remote areas. GPS devices, hunting apps, and compasses are essential for ensuring you stay on track.

Moose-Specific Gear

• Hip Waders: Moose often inhabit wetlands and marshy areas, making waterproof hip or chest waders essential for navigating their terrain.
• Heavy-Duty Game Bags: Given the size of a moose, you’ll need extra-large game bags to store and transport meat.
• Saw or Hatchet: Moose quarters are large, and processing them in the field may require additional tools like a bone saw or hatchet.
• Bug Repellent: Many moose habitats are thick with mosquitoes and other biting insects, making insect repellent or even head nets essential gear.

Elk-Specific Gear

• Lightweight Boots: Elk hunting often involves covering long distances in mountainous terrain. Lightweight, durable boots with excellent ankle support are ideal.
• Elk Calls: Bugles, cow calls, and diaphragm calls are essential tools for mimicking elk vocalizations and drawing bulls into range.
• Mapping Tools: GPS devices or hunting apps with detailed topographical maps are crucial for navigating large hunting areas and locating elk migration routes.
• Camo Patterns: Elk hunting often involves stalking through open areas, so camo patterns that break up your silhouette in these environments are key.

Hunting Strategies

Tag Availability

• Elk: Elk tags are much easier to obtain in the lower 48 states, with many western states offering OTC opportunities for residents and non-residents alike. States like Colorado, Idaho, and Montana have robust elk populations and accessible public lands, making them popular destinations for elk hunters. OTC cow elk tags are particularly abundant and provide a great starting point for new hunters. When hunting elk, consider using bugles, cow calls, and diaphragm calls to mimic elk vocalizations and draw bulls into range.
• Moose: Moose tags are significantly harder to come by. Most states require hunters to enter a lottery system with long odds, and even then, tags are often restricted to specific areas or subspecies. For example, Shiras moose tags in the lower 48 can take decades to draw. This exclusivity makes moose hunting a bucket-list endeavor for many. The process of drawing tags for moose hunting can be competitive and requires patience, but the reward of a successful moose hunt is well worth the effort.

Subspecies of Elk and Moose

• Elk Subspecies:
  • Rocky Mountain Elk: Found in the mountainous regions of the western United States, these elk are the most commonly hunted subspecies.
  • Roosevelt Elk: Larger and darker than Rocky Mountain elk, Roosevelt elk inhabits the coastal rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. Their habitat often involves wetter and denser terrain.
  • Tule Elk: Native to California, Tule elk are the smallest subspecies and are typically hunted under highly regulated conditions, often requiring special permits.
• Moose Subspecies:
  • Shiras Moose: The smallest subspecies, Shiras moose, inhabits the Rocky Mountains and is found in states such as Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, and Idaho.
  • Alaskan Moose: The largest subspecies of moose, the Alaskan moose, is found in Alaska and parts of Canada. It presents a daunting challenge for hunters.
  • Eastern Moose: Found in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, this subspecies thrives in the dense forests of the region.

Hunting Tactics

• Moose Hunting: Patience is key. Moose hunting often involves glassing water bodies and marshes, looking for movement or fresh signs like tracks and droppings. During the rut, bull moose respond to calls, making this a strategic time to hunt. Cow calls are particularly effective, mimicking the sound of a receptive female.
• Elk Hunting: Elk hunting is dynamic and requires adapting to the herd’s behavior. During the rut, calling is an effective strategy to attract bulls. Bugling mimics the sound of a dominant bull, while cow calls can lure in more cautious males. In post-rut or late-season hunts, focus on feeding and bedding areas, using glassing and spot-and-stalk techniques to locate herds. Elk are more active at dawn and dusk, making these prime hunting times.

Which Hunt Is Right for You?

Elk are a more accessible option for most hunters due to their wide range, larger populations, and greater availability of tags. OTC opportunities and easier logistics make elk a perfect challenge for both novice and seasoned hunters. By contrast, moose offers a more exclusive and demanding experience, often reserved for those willing to invest years in the tag draw process and significant effort into the hunt itself.

Whether you’re chasing a bugling bull elk in the crisp fall air or glassing for a massive bull moose in the northern wilderness, understanding these differences will set you up for success. Each species has its rewards and challenges—and either way, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure.