BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 7, 2025
A Maine moose, because of its sheer size, demands precise shot placement. Noted guide and author Dave Kelso writes that the best possible shot is in the neck. Guide Matt LaRoche warns of the risks if a neck shot is missed. He advises clients to aim for the heart and lungs. Outdoor video producer John Altman prefers a heart-and-lungs shot but would take a neck shot if the moose were within range and it was the only option. Outfitter John Floyd favors a neck shot at 100 yards and under, but says that beyond that distance he would want to be confident in the shooter’s ability and would consider a traditional vitals shot safer. Tom Kelly noted that many guides favor a low neck shot because it can drop a moose in its tracks when executed properly, but he personally prefers a double-lung shot for the greater margin of error. Dave Hentosh of Smoldering Lake Outfitters, who has extensive moose-hunting experience, calls lung shots the “safest and most reliable.”