49 Degrees late moose tag punched!

[Sr15]

First off would like to thank all of the forum members that shared information for this hunt, especially djgianukakis, blsum, dirty mike and scott.vanlith.
After scouring years of posts the consensus was many of the moose were south of the ski resort so what do I do...go to Tacoma creek on the east side of the unit. It was here that my father in law and a friend of his took me late whitetail hunting in 1987 15 days shy of 32 years ago and I killed my first and largest buck that grossed 174" and to this date have yet to see another buck on the hoof this big. Unfortunately the deer population in the national forest up there has dwindled and I have not hunted this area since the 90's.
After arriving with my son to our campsite, the same area as I camped 32 years ago i had a feeling this could be special. The first afternoon we made a road trip to refresh my memory and what a trip in a older dodge cummins ....my back is still sore. Went up to Olsen peak, south across saddle mountain and dirty shirt, onto calispell divide over rmto tower road and back out to cusick. Nearly 70 miles. The next morning we decided to take the RZR and save are backs. Went back up towards Olsen peak and hiked into part of wildlife refuge to glass since atv/utv are not allowed in the refuge. About 930 we headed north to glass some more units when I spotted a bull at nearly a half mile away. After a closer look  it didnt take long to tell he was a shooter. The closest we could get 422 yards but felt confident I could make the shot having been practicing to 600 yards just 3 days prior. I was able to sit down with my shooting sticks and a big rock at my back and had solid rest. 3 solid hits later and I had my once in a lifetime bull! My first goal owas finding a bull and my second goal was finding a bull close to a road.... well I met my first goal but failed at the second...crap those things are big. My son and i were able to get the head, hind quarters, backstraps and tenderloins out that day and went back in the next morning for front shoulders and neck meat.
It is amazing how my hunting experiences have come full circle from my first buck 32 years ago up Tacoma creek to places as far away as Alaska and Argentina to have this once in a lifetime tag and kill a moose only a few miles from that first buck. I am truly blessed.

[2MANY]

Ya buddy.
Love the picture.
Congrats.

[Hoythunter]

I love the full circle tribute.  Congrats on a great bull and yes, whacking one on the uphill side of the road is highly recommended.  Well earned, enjoy all that delicious Shiras meat.

[hunterednate]

So cool! Congrats.

[Ghost Hunter]

Nice job and a nice bull.  Makes my mouth water.

[pianoman9701]

Great job! Nice animal. 

[Rainier10]

Awesome job.

[jmscon]

Really cool story! Thanks for sharing and man what a nice moose!

[TheStovePipeKid]

Great story. I'm looking forward to making family memories like yours with my children. Thanks for sharing. Glad you managed to get all the juicy bits out on the first haul. Wouldn't want to lose the good stuff.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

 

[Soady]

That’s a dandy bull congratulations! Yes they are big, you really realize how big when you first walk up to them and afterwards when you start processing and packing. Nice that you got the moose in the same general area where you took your big whitetail deer. Great memories for sure!

[bowhunterforever]

Nice bull

[redi]

Congrats on your success

[Blsum]

Congrats again on a great bull. Glad you were able to find a good one. Also I'm glad I could help. Always more then willing to help out if I can.

[lokidog]