B&C World's Record - Shiras' Moose

The World's Record Shiras' moose has held the top spot for over 60 years. It's currently on display at the Jackson Hole Museum in Wyoming. 

The world’s record Shiras’ moose (Alces alces shirasi) was taken by John M. Oakley of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Shot during the 1952 season near Green River Lake, Wyoming, this specimen scored 205-4/8 points.

Oakley's Shiras' moose was likely stripping delicate leaves from willow tips when the hunter spotted the reflection of antlers on his way into the Wind River Range's Gypsum Creek area. Because judging the size of antlers against the immensity of a bull moose can be difficult, Oakley did not immediately know if the rack was of record size.

Having lived in Wyoming, Oakley had a healthy respect for the unpredictably of this animal, which can move quickly. Bulls utilize their antlers as weapons, as well as symbols of intimidation.

Moose do not have strong vision, but do possess extraordinary senses of smell and hearing. Making his stalk, Oakley had to be weary of unpredictable wind gusts that rush off the Wind River Mountains.

Moose are North America's largest big-game animal, but they are usually taken down without much difficulty. However, the bone in a moose’s shoulder blade is heavy enough to deflect a bullet. Oakley had to shoot the powerful moose four times with 180-grain Speer bullets in .270 caliber hand loads.

The outcome was a new world’s record that edged ahead of the former record (taken by A.E. Chandler of Casper, Wyoming) by the narrow margin of 3/8 of a point. Mounted and initially owned by J.L. Nevins and H.A. Yocum of Frontier Taxidermists, Oakley's prized moose was later sold to the Jackson Hole Museum in Jackson, Wyoming.