Of the states that offer Shiras moose hunting, Wyoming is the undisputed leader in the number of permits issued and the number of bulls in the record book. Unfortunately, it is too late to apply for a moose tag in Wyoming this year, so I'll tell you about another major moose hunting state first, namely Montana, and follow that up with word of a positive development in Idaho. To help you plan toward a possible hunt in 2000, I'll then give you an overview of the situation in Wyoming. See "Shiras Moose Hunting At A Glance" for the general permit situation in the two remaining moose states, Washington and Utah.
Montana: The deadline to apply for a moose permit in Montana is May 1 with the drawing in early July. The price of a non-resident license/tag is $478, and 10 percent of the available tags go to non-residents. The season is September 15 to November 28. Last year 680 tags were available, and hunters enjoyed 89 percent hunter success. This year 643 tags will be issued. The total number is down due to the effects of several harsh winters which has resulted in lower calf survival. The best bulls come from northwest Montana, while the highest hunter success is in the southwest. Most of the hunting in the northwest is on the Flathead National Forest and the Kootenai National Forest.........(continued)
