49 Moose Hunt 2008 (PA BEN)

[runningboard]

good luck moose tag holders and friends. sounds like fun

[PA BEN]

First day out saw 3 cows one calf, a lot of bull pits, I know there's bulls there and I'll there be back tonight. I wanted to check an area where I saw 5 moose on Sunday. I think finnman's wife shot a big bull this morning, stay tuned for that one The evening of the first I went to the area I saw 5 moose, stayed the night, heard a bull grunting around 8:30pm. I started calling at 6:50am in the morning. I called for about a half hr. and heard a bull answer. He was coming and seemed very hot, but when I cow called, a cow let loose and that was it, he went back with her. I moved down to them and saw a very small bull and a cow. I then went into the timber when the wind changed and had them 20 yds in front of me but could not see them. So I backed out and came back in the evening, no moose at all. I hoped I didn't bump them out. The next morning this morning 10/3 at 6:30 I called 3 times, the bull answered and came out, I could tell he wasn't a shooter, so I shut up. He just came right to me. Got some good video. He was 38" maybe 40" at the most. If I need to fill my tag I know where he is. Stay tuned, I'm resupplying at Mom and Dads, Taking a shower and well be gone for the week end. 

[bucklucky]

SWEET! Its nice to hear some updates!

[Michelle_Nelson]

Good luck!

[PA BEN]

Well guys I guess talk is cheep I shot my first good bull I saw yesterday morning. Not the Booker bull I wanted, but he's a 45", heavy beamed, old bull with forked fronts. I'm having a little shooters remorse this morning, but you know, it was the best time of my life. A very good friend/hunting buddy came up for the weekend to hunt with me. Since I moved away we never get to hunt much together. Anyway, we arrived at the gated off road just before day light. He drove up from Spokane and I from Mom and Dad's. Had to be up at 3:30 am to make the drive. We got to the gate and 5 vehicles were parked there. Muzzleloader deer and elk hunters. We walked in about a mile in the rain. When the hillside opened up I walked to the edge of the hill and called. (bull grunts) About 30 seconds went by and I saw a big black animal walk by at about 100 yds to my left. I got my buddy's attention and told him what I saw. About that time we could here him grunting up on the road. I gave my video camera to my buddy and glassed the bull with rain soaked byno's. I guessed him at 50" and where he was and with my friend Mitch I decided to take him. He beat the brush a little and was coming fast, this whole thing happened real fast. He stopped at 37 yds. and turned away from me. I put the cross hairs on the center of the back of his neck and touched it off, he didn't go down, didn't even buck. I thought I missed I though I'd drop him on the side of the road for a ez back. Well he ran, I shot him 2 more times, before he went out of site. We found him about 200yds down the hill from the road (Ground Shrinkage) I'll say no more about that. I'm glad I had Mitch with me, I'd still be there getting him out by myself We took pictures and started to work. After we boned out one side we decided to take a break and get my bike with my game cart that I made to pull with my bike. We were soaked to the bone. After a celebration beer and dry fleece close, we set out to finish. It took two trips out and we were loading the last of him at 4:30. We would have been done sooner if he dropped on the road. As I boned out the neck, I found my bullet in his neck bone. 175 gr. Rem. Core lock, from a 7mm-Rem. mag. You would think at that range his neck would have broken. The bullet was a perfect mushroom. I saved the part of the neck where I found the bullet, I'm going to bitch to Rem. and show them pictures of the neck and bullet. Well now I have time to help Dad on the farm and scout for deer and bear hunt. I'm still on vacation. I'll post pictures later. 

[280ackley]

Congrats on the moose!!!  Looking forward to the pics.

[bucklucky]

Congrats , cant wait to see the pics!

[PA BEN]

Thanks guys. The only bad thing about getting it done so early is Mom and Dad have a lot of work for me.

[boneaddict]

Good going!    Be proud of your trophy.  Love the moment with your friend.  Too much is put into size of stuff.  Look forward to your pics.

[Wea300mag]

he's a 45", heavy beamed, old bull with forked fronts.

That sounds like a good bull to me. Can't wait to see the pics!!!

[Rufous]

I am real happy for you. I too shot a bull yesterday morning. I will post that story and photos later. Right now I have a bunch of meat I need to take care of. Brian

[boneaddict]

Damn hard to keep track of all you guys.

[Hunting Cowboy]

it was the best time of my life.

Congratulations to you and your buddy for successfully filling an awesome tag! I'm also looking forward to seeing the pics!  (and also a big congrats to you as well Rufous! Looking forward to the story & pics!)

[Ridgerunner]

the moose are falling fast for sure thisyear.

[X-Force]

I cant wait to see the pics.. Ground shrinkage to 45" and memories of a lifetime. ill take that anyday.