Winter is coming to the forests and mountains of the Severn River system. The trees will soon blaze with colour before the ice and snow wrap the woods in silence. The animals here have no choice but to sleep or move.

Moose will make their way to the low sheltered hills and valleys of the Avon Valley. At this time of year Moose are plentiful in the marshes that bound the Severn and Avon, feeding on the grass and sedges there as well as willow, aspen, poplar and birch. This is a good place to hunt. Major migration routes also provide good Moose hunting if your timing is right. Rivers, gulleys and the low mountain passes of the Mendips are often used by Moose as they moves his seasonal range.

How to scout for Moose

No matter where you are scouting, keep alert for rubbed trees. Male Moose begin rubbing in early September to clean velvet off their antlers. Later in September they continue thrashing trees as a display of dominance. Such signs, even from the previous autumn, indicate that Moose use an area during the autumn hunting season.

Another sign of fall range use are droppings. In summer they resemble cow patties—in winter, pellets. In fall, droppings are partially loose patties and partially pelletized reflecting a seasonal change in diet from leafy to woody forage.

Moose Hunting Considerations

Moose have reasonable eyesight and good smell and hearing to help protect them against their natural predators—man, wolves and bears.

To avoid detection by Moose the most important thing is to pay close attention to wind direction. When stalking, hunting with the wind in your face will be more productive than hunting with the wind at your back carrying your scent ahead of you toward your quarry.

When stalking, wool or new synthetic fleece clothes are quieter than clothes made of cotton or polyester. Jeans can be quite noisy, as can anoraks and similar fabrics.

Binoculars or telescopes are a great asset when searching for Moose but when spying, avoid sitting on skylines or out in open areas. Sit below skylines and near stumps or trees to break your outline.