Late September is peak moose rut in Maine. For someone who spends a lot time filming moose in the North Woods, it is one of the best times of year to be out exploring. During the rut, large bull moose become much more active and social as they search for cows. They move more, make mistakes, and are generally less cautious than they are during other parts of the year.
Because of that, late September is the perfect time to try and film a mature bull.
Watch the Encounter With This Giant Maine Bull Moose
One particular morning I headed into the North Maine Woods early with hopes of capturing some rut activity on camera.
The night before I studied satellite maps and decided to explore a large heath bog that I had never visited before. Over the years I have noticed that a lot of breeding activity tends to happen in these types of bog systems. They provide good cover, food, and water which makes them a natural gathering place for moose during the rut.
That morning I worked my way slowly along the southern edge of a three mile long bog system. The search was quiet and uneventful for several hours. I kept moving slowly and scanning deep into the swale grass and scattered black spruce, hoping to catch the flash of antlers somewhere in the distance.
Spotting the Giant Bull
Around 10 a.m. the temperature started climbing and the morning was beginning to warm up. From experience I know that once the temperature climbs above sixty degrees, rut activity drops off quickly. Moose tend to move into thicker cover and become much harder to locate.
I decided to start heading back toward the truck but made one final stop. A ridge overlooked the entire bog system, so I climbed up to take one last look before leaving.
As soon as I reached the top I spotted something incredible.
Across the bog I could see the unmistakable white glare of enormous moose antlers shining in the sunlight. It was a massive bull standing on the far side of the bog.
Bulls will shed these antlers later in the winter, leaving them scattered across the forests and bogs of the North Woods. Many of those naturally shed antlers are later collected and turned into moose antler dog chews.
The Long Loop Around the Bog
I knew time was limited because the bull would likely head for shade soon. I grabbed my camera gear and started down the ridge toward the bog.
Crossing the bog directly was not an option. The bog was deep and roughly forty yards wide at its narrowest point. Carrying camera equipment through it would have been impossible.
Instead I had to make nearly a one mile loop around to where the bog narrowed and emptied into a small stream crossing.
The hike was rough. I pushed through thick alder patches, stepped into sinkholes, and sank to my knees in mud more than once. After about thirty minutes of fighting through the terrain I finally reached the north side of the bog.
The Encounter
Hoping the bull was still nearby, I found a well worn moose trail and followed it quickly since it offered the easiest travel through the area. The wind had also started picking up which helped mask any noise I was making.
When I reached the area where I had last seen the bull, he was gone.
I set up my camera gear anyway and waited.
A few moments later I heard a loud crack as branches snapped somewhere in the timber. Then the massive bull appeared, pushing his way through a thick patch of black spruce.
It was the largest Maine bull moose I have ever seen or filmed in person.
The moment did not last long. The bull only remained in the open for a few brief seconds before disappearing back into the timber just as quickly as he had appeared.
Even though the encounter was short, it was an incredible experience.
I hope you enjoy the video.
From the North Woods to Your Dog
Every year bull moose shed their antlers across the forests and bogs of northern Maine. These naturally shed antlers are eventually collected and turned into durable natural chews for dogs.
If you're curious to learn more, you can explore our selection of moose antler dog chews sourced from naturally shed antlers.
About the Author
Caleb Lewis is the founder of Allagash Antlers and a lifelong outdoorsman from northern Maine. He collects naturally shed moose antlers in the North Woods with his trained shed dogs and produces premium moose antler dog chews sourced directly from the wild. Through years of shed hunting and working with thousands of antlers, Caleb has developed deep knowledge about antler durability, safety, and why moose antlers are among the longest-lasting natural dog chews available.
Related Articles
- Why Are Moose Antlers Brown?
- Do Female Moose Have Antlers? And Why Don’t They?
- Why Moose Shed Their Antlers Every Year
Complete Topic Hub: Moose & The North Woods