Attention moose hunters: know the difference

Be sure you can identify the difference between moose calves, cows and bulls to help protect Ontario’s moose population.

It’s important to:

  • take your time, pause, and observe the animal
  • use multiple features to properly identify moose

Importance of proper identification

A healthy and sustainable population of moose is important to Ontario.

Most hunters are careful and ensure they properly identify the moose they are harvesting. However, this can be challenging even for skilled hunters. Proper moose identification will help hunters minimize the possibility of harvesting the wrong animal.

As a moose hunter, you are responsible for:

  • properly identifying your target
  • only harvesting a moose that you, or a person you are party hunting with, have a valid tag for

Evaluating multiple physical characteristics of the moose will help you correctly identify whether a moose is a calf, cow or bull before you harvest it.

If in doubt, do not shoot.

Adult versus calf moose

Moose that are at least 1 year old at the time of the hunt are considered adults.

Female adult moose are called cows. Cows may only be harvested under a cow/calf tag. Male adult moose are called bulls. Bulls may only be harvested under a bull tag.

A calf moose is a moose that is less than 1 year old at the time of the hunt. Calf moose may only be harvested using a calf tag or a cow/calf tag.

Differences between calf and cow moose

Calf and cow moose can look similar in the field due to their lack of antlers. The following features can help you identify a calf or cow.

Click images to enlarge

Moose calf and cow walking in lake
Cow and calk moose on land
  1. Calf moose are not usually alone.
  2. Calf moose have a smaller nose and shorter face.
  3. Calf moose have more leg than body. Their hindquarters appear slender.
  4. The shoulder height of cow moose is 2 metres (6 feet, 7 inches). The shoulder height of calf moose is 1.3 metres (4 feet, 3 inches).
  5. When viewed straight-on, a calf’s head is triangular, and the muzzle is pointed. The head of an adult moose is rectangular.

Differences between adult moose (cows and bulls)

Click images to enlarge

Cow moose with identifiers

Cows

  1. Cows usually have a more uniform and lighter-coloured face.
  2. Cows’ bell or dewlap (beard-like flap of hair-covered skin under the throat) tends to be smaller and more rope-like.
  3. Cows have a light, whiteish-coloured vulva patch below their tail.
Moose bull with identifiers

Bulls

  1. Bulls have a darker nose bridge with lighter hair between the eyes
  2. Bulls have a larger bell or dewlap (beard-like flap of hair-covered skin under the throat).
  3. Bulls have a dark hind end with no vulva patch.
  4. Bull antlers shed and regrow each year.

Antlers

Antlers can be an easy way to identify the sex of an adult moose. However, keep in mind the following:

Click images to enlarge

Two moose bull with identifiers
Two moose bull with identifiers
Moose bull with identifiers
Moose cow with identifiers
  1. A bull moose may lose its antlers before the end of the hunting season:
    • some bulls have dropped their antlers before the end of October
    • a bull tag is still required to harvest a bull moose with or without antlers
  2. Sometimes antlers are small like spikes (even as small as the ears) or deformed.
  3. Surrounding vegetation can:
    • block your view of the antlers
    • be similar in colour or shape to antlers