121 Late Moose No Big Bull but A Blue Ribbon

[nwskier]

From the beginning of the 121 Late Bull Hunt I had been putting in the miles from Four Corners to Empey Mt., Lane Mt., Stranger Mt., and finally to Monumental Mt. in search of a big bull.  With encouragement from several on this site and hunters met along the way I was committed to grinding it out and finding a big bull.  It was a tough road with cows and little ones being all I could find.  Fortunately after first declining but then reconsidering and accepting assistance from Jbanich we headed up to Monumental Mountain Monday morning planning on an orientation that would set up me up for a day hunt after he departed for a morning appointment.  With the extended forecast showing the possibility of getting snowed out by the end of the week I was beginning to be concerned that I might blow the tag.  After glassing 3 or more clearings we slipped into a drainage that was the first target spot I recorded on onX back on July 25th.  Passing a cow on the way in we stopped at the top to glass and stepped right into two young bulls.  The bigger of the two slipped away and I passed on the smaller one which remained in range for sometime. After listening to the snapping of limbs in the bottom of the drainage a small spike bull emerged followed by the one shown in the picture.  At first I passed on both but as I watched the 2nd bull climb out of the drainage turning his head occasionally showing his left branched eye guard I decided this was my bull and took the shot.  When it was all said and done there were smiles and high fives and in Jbanich's words "great memories" created.  This outstanding young man hit the nail on the head.  We are not going to win any big bull contest from this OIL opportunity but for years to come when I look at this mount I will remember what a Blue Ribbon experience this OIL was and a lot of quality people who contributed to the journey.  Thank you all.

[HikerHunter]

Sounds like an adventure with a great finish, nicely done!

[Widgeondeke]

Congrats on filling your tag 
Thanks for sharing

[Katmai Guy]

Congratulations! 

[elkboy]

Awesome!  Congratulations on a moose, meat, and memories!  Great to see members helping members on here. 

[Pathfinder101]

Congratulations.  "The Locals" tell me that tag is getting harder and harder to fill.  I think you did well.
  Shoulder mount, or euro mount?

[fishngamereaper]

 

Any bull moose is a trophy.

And they taste so good.

[snake]

You did good for that area.  I spend a lot of time in that unit and the population has taken a nose dive the past 5 years. I can't believe they are still giving out cow tags for the unit.

[hunterednate]

Congrats!

[Stein]

Congrats, it's so much bigger than the bulls the rest of us are likely to ever shoot in WA.

[Whitpirate]

The fact they are giving out any moose cow tags at all is criminal.  That said congrats on a memory made, a dream achieved and a freezer full of delicious family meals!

[RB]

Right on nice Bull, congrats! 

[huntnfmly]

Nice bull congrats and thank you for sharing

[Rainier10]

Cool bull, thanks for sharing.

[nwskier]

Pathfinder101 thank you for your interest.  I just returned from the taxidermist and given the long time associated with tanning I decided to swing both ways and have a eruo done while waiting for the tannery.  When the tanning is complete I most likely will have the shoulder mount done.