Moose
Scientific name: Alces alces
- How weight is recorded: Carcass weight
Field notes
Appearance
Moose are the largest living deer species, with a dark brown to black coat, long slender legs, and a characteristic overhanging upper lip. Males grow a massive palmate antler rack (up to 2 m span) shed annually; females lack antlers.
Size and weight
Males: 380–680 kg, body length 240–310 cm; females: 270–360 kg, body length 220–260 cm.
Habitat
Moose inhabit boreal forests, mixed conifer-deciduous woodlands, and willow-lined wetlands across the Northern Hemisphere. They prefer areas with abundant aquatic and riparian vegetation, typically at elevations from sea level to 2,000 m.
Distribution
Moose occur across boreal North America (Canada, Alaska, northern USA), Scandinavia, and Russia, preferring lowland forests interspersed with wetlands and willow thickets.
Diet
Moose are browsers and aquatic foragers, consuming willow, aspen, birch, and aquatic vegetation; in winter they feed heavily on conifers and bark.
Behaviour
Moose are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, solitary or in small family groups, with males highly territorial during rut. They are sedentary but will move 5–10 km seasonally between winter and summer ranges.
Hunting tips
Look for fresh browsed willow tips, large round tracks (10 cm), and dark cylindrical droppings. Approach windward through dense cover and along water margins where they feed and rest. Move slowly in early morning and late evening, glassing open wetlands for feeding animals; bulls may respond to calls during rut.
Carcass weight
This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 13 countries in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.