Author Topic: Moose Success - Idaho 2007 (Read 11434 times)

popeshawnpaul · « **on:** October 02, 2007, 12:26:23 PM »

As some of you know, I have been out elk and moose hunting for three weeks now. After arrowing a nice 3x3 Roosevelt Elk, I left for moose hunting last Saturday.

This is the moose that I got in Idaho last Friday September 28th. I hunted 6 days and this was the 2nd moose I had seen. While there were tracks found, my father and I had a tough time locating bull moose. We started out hunting after a moose that had been spotted for 3 years straight and was belived to be 55-60" wide. After 5 days of hunting him, it was evident he had moved out of the area at least temporarily. I concentrated on another area that had numerous lakes and we immediately found a concentration of moose. The night of the 27th I found two cow moose tracks and one large bull moose track moving down through the timber toward a lake. The next morning we were on the lake at daylight and I immediately saw a cow in the lake below me 75 yards. I was in full camo and she wasn't quite sure what I was. We stared each other down for 15 minutes and she finally moved on and kept feeding in the lake. As I was holding still so the cow would not run, I heard a few bull grunts 200 yards to my left in the timber above the lake. I could not locate the bull with my binoculars so my plan was to keep going down toward the lake and the cow. Given that the rut was on, I was sure he would follow the cow. As I slowly snuck toward the lake it became apparent there was two cows and a bull. I tried a few bull grunts but he would not come closer. As I neared the lake shore I saw one of the cows walk across an open marsh area at the end of the lake about 220 yards away. I figured the bull would follow and a few seconds later I saw the flash of antlers in the trees heading for the open marsh/meadow following his cow. When the bull cleared the timber, I immediately saw the long points and thought to myself oh no, a small bull. Then I saw the palms on him and realized he does have large points and respectable palms. I could see quite a bit of "garbage" coming out the front of the horns so I figured he may have a split brow palm or two. My goal from day one was to get a moose with at least a 45" spread and split brow palms. I made the decision to shoot this moose. There was only one small shooting lane and no rest, but I felt confident I could make the shot. My first shot broke the front shoulder and another shot hit him low near the 4th rib forward. He was obviously hurt and went down immediately. The gun used was a .358 Winchester with premium 225 grain xp bullets that performed great.

While approaching the moose, I noticed his cow had waited for him and was laying in the bushes 75 yards away. As I moved closer to the bull, she stood up. When I got about 30 yards from the bull moose she layed her ears back and charged. My father and I turned and ran 30 yards or so and she finally stopped about 30 yards out. I had determined that I could not outrun her so I turned to shoot her if she had continued. She turned and went over to the downed moose and realized he was not going to follow her. A few gunshots and some loud whooping and hollering and she reluctantly left the bull moose. Upon approaching the downed bull I felt a great sense of satisfaction and was excited as can be. I wasn't sure how big he was, but I didn't care. My father and I were ecstatic that we got a nice bull on a scenic lake and only a 1/4 mile from the road! We packed meat until 4:30 PM and ended the job with a well earned beer.

After reading the instructions from the Boone and Crocket website, we scored him as follow:
Palm lengths -30" & 29"
Palm Widths - 9" & 9"
outside spread - 44.5"
beam mass -7" & 7"
points - 7 & 8 pts

I gross scored him approximately 150 and net around 147 or so. He isn't the biggest moose around but he should make the 140 minimum B&C record book. I am more impressed with my bull regardless of the score because of the mass and huge "dagger" type points coming off him. Although each one only scores 1 point, I think they give him an impressive feel when up close to him. With an elk and moose in the freezer, I'm done hunting for a while. My wife Anna will be pleased that I'm back around the house to help out a little.

jackelope · « **Reply #1 on:** October 02, 2007, 12:33:15 PM »

great bull and great story...congrats huge!!
got any more pic's like a front view of that bull?
awesome!

Ray · « **Reply #2 on:** October 02, 2007, 12:33:30 PM »

Fantastic story and great looking photo (photo of the month material). Glad to hear that big cow left you alone finally

T-ROY · « **Reply #3 on:** October 02, 2007, 12:39:47 PM »

great story and well done.

boneaddict · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2007, 12:45:10 PM »

CONGRATS POPE!!! I'm glad you guys had a great adventure together.

Wea300mag · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2007, 12:47:03 PM »

Excellent story/bull, do you have any more pics?

arrowflinger · « **Reply #6 on:** October 02, 2007, 12:50:39 PM »

Great story and Job...............Nice looking bull, also.

boneaddict · « **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2007, 12:57:22 PM »

I'd love to see a head on shot.

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #8 on:** October 02, 2007, 01:31:59 PM »

I put another one on there that shows him from the front. Thanks for all your input. More important than measurements or score is that I had a great time and took an animal with my dad that we have both always wanted to hunt. We were having a great time after we got him. I'll never forget it.

By the way, notice from the 2nd photo that he had a large bump or cyst on his belly. I'm not sure if this was from fighting in previous years or what but it was interesting. It was a large 50 cent piece size bump that was hairless. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

Michelle_Nelson · « **Reply #9 on:** October 02, 2007, 06:09:16 PM »

Congrats on the Moose and thanks for posting the story.

As for the cyst. Are you talking about the bald spot I see on its side? Thats the only thing I can see. Did you cut the cyst open? Did it have the green crap in it? Or was it just like a piece of gristle or a lump of flesh. May just be a growth, scar, or a recent injury trying to heal.

boneaddict · « **Reply #10 on:** October 02, 2007, 06:17:11 PM »

It was probably where he got hooked by another bull. I think everyone of my moose has had something similiar. It was always like a big hunk of grisled tumor or something.

boneaddict · « **Reply #11 on:** October 02, 2007, 06:23:10 PM »

and.....Yep, that is what it is all about, not the score.

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #12 on:** October 03, 2007, 08:01:08 AM »

Yeah, it wasn't recent but it was a large lump and it was hard when I felt it. And no...I did not cut it open. Yuk. Must be common with these guys given the fact that some of you have had similar bumps on your moose. Thanks all.

Michelle_Nelson · « **Reply #13 on:** October 03, 2007, 05:13:59 PM »

Yuk?

You'd be supprised at some of the weird stuff I've seen skinning and gutting deer for a Processor for 3 years and doing Taxidermy for the last 4 years.

280ackley · « **Reply #14 on:** October 03, 2007, 06:40:10 PM »

Quote from: boneaddict on October 02, 2007, 06:17:11 PM

It was probably where he got hooked by another bull. I think everyone of my moose has had something similiar. It was always like a big hunk of grisled tumor or something.

My brothers moose had something similar also.

robb92 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 03, 2007, 07:07:57 PM »

Congrats and good story, thanks for posting the pics!!!

Idabooner · « **Reply #16 on:** October 04, 2007, 07:58:32 PM »

Very nice moose, sounds like a fun hunt, great you could share it with your dad.

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #17 on:** January 18, 2008, 02:18:44 PM »

Sorry about reviving this thread, but I need some people's opinion on my bull based on the pictures and this is the only place I posted them.

If you look at his left antler and see his brow, do you think that is a single brow with a drop tine or a split brow? Or can it be both? What would it be for scoring purposes? The rules I have read on the various sites are silent on the issue leading me to believe it's a split brow but one of the tines happens to go down. I see nothing requiring the tine to go up...

Shawn

P.S. - I'm having Ric S. out of Tieton do the mount for me but I'm having withdrawls from not seeing him for so long...

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #18 on:** November 01, 2008, 05:27:49 PM »

Well, to end this thread off right I drove over to the Yakima area to pick up my moose mount today. I had one of Huntwa's own, Elkstuffer, mount it for me. His name is Ric Shirrod and he owns All That's Wild Taxidermy. He did an excellent job and the mount surpasses my expectations. I would definitely recommend him to anyone and we got a few good taxidermists on this site now.

He was not easy to get through the door and I had to take the doors off to get him through. He's a little big for the room and my wife is telling me we need a bigger house for our moose...

My 3 year old daughter named him Lulu. I hope the name doesn't stick... This was one of the best experiences of my life and one that I will never forget. Getting to go hunting with Huntnphool on his moose hunt has brought back all the memories from my hunt.

Wea300mag · « **Reply #19 on:** November 01, 2008, 05:30:52 PM »

That's a great mount pope, that pic gives perspective on how big those buggers really are.

blessed · « **Reply #20 on:** November 01, 2008, 06:03:09 PM »

Congradulations Shawn

That's a great bull!! And your dad was there so that makes it realy special!

Antlershed · « **Reply #21 on:** November 01, 2008, 06:10:06 PM »

Great looking mount Shawn. I definitely need a bigger house before I bring one one of them home. Maybe next year...

cohoho · « **Reply #22 on:** November 01, 2008, 06:46:49 PM »

Great looking animal... So much better than a euro or skull plate... Man I really kick myself for not doing a full shoulder mount on any of the Moose I've gotten previously... Too cool... I guess I'll just have to go back next year and get a good cape...

Yea that's a good excuse I needed for sure....

rougheye · « **Reply #23 on:** November 01, 2008, 06:52:45 PM »

Glad you started this up again . Ive never seen it . That thing is a stud

bowsandhose · « **Reply #24 on:** November 01, 2008, 07:12:41 PM »

great looking mount of a great moose

Slider · « **Reply #25 on:** November 01, 2008, 07:35:41 PM »

He's Gorgeous!!! Congrats

Ridgerunner · « **Reply #26 on:** November 01, 2008, 09:01:36 PM »

Great looking mount, I know what you mean about withdrawls, I'm going through some right now with my horns gone.

Ridgerunner · « **Reply #27 on:** November 01, 2008, 09:02:57 PM »

One your question I would think that drop tine would not be considered a brow tine just becuase that is not normally how they develop so it would be a deduction. Did you ever find out an answer? I don't think it really matters though and only adds to the coolness factor of your bull. Had I found a bull with a dropper I would have dropped him.

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #28 on:** November 01, 2008, 09:06:19 PM »

One scorer told me it would be a split brow. Not sure if we could find another opinion on here? I'd never have it entered anyways. I'm kind of against the moose scoring system and it doesn't float my boat.

Ridge...get ready for some serious withdrawls. I actually forgot what mine looked like and had to look at the picture every few months. It's like having a supermodel girlfriend that lives 3000 miles away...

Hunting Cowboy · « **Reply #29 on:** November 01, 2008, 09:15:24 PM »

A Dandy for sure. Congrats on a great looking trophy!

huntnphool · « **Reply #30 on:** November 02, 2008, 12:19:44 AM »

The mount turned out great Shawn. I don't care what the experts say, I like the look of the longer tines even if they say it means a younger bull. You can continue to relive your hunt through mine if you like, I enjoy the company.

PA BEN · « **Reply #31 on:** November 02, 2008, 08:11:58 AM »

I'm having a shoulder mount made out of mine just out of Colville. I took my horns home. It well be a year before it's done. Maybe next year we can start a thread with head and horn mounts from this year for those lucky guys and gals who draw a tag next year.

Alpinegus · « **Reply #32 on:** November 02, 2008, 08:53:45 AM »

What a story...awesome. And chased by a cow

...!

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #33 on:** November 02, 2008, 09:11:42 AM »

Yeah, I'm getting tired of being chased by moose and animals...

M_ray · « **Reply #34 on:** November 02, 2008, 09:38:02 AM »

He's a stud! Nice mount and congrats again Shawn ... I can't wait to see him this next week.

Falcon · « **Reply #35 on:** November 02, 2008, 09:47:37 PM »

Awesome bull !

He looks great on the wall, and the memories will last forever !

bucklucky · « **Reply #36 on:** November 03, 2008, 08:08:36 AM »

Dandy bull and nice looking mount Shawn!

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Author Topic: Moose Success - Idaho 2007 (Read 11434 times)

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