Early Huckleberry Bull Moose tag drawn!

[baldopepper]

Could also add it's very unusual to go wandering around above Fruitland early in the am without seeing at least one or two moose. Can't say I've seen any bruisers but see them virtually every time I go up that way.

[HillHound]

Thanks. We have been down that way on our  first trip over and plan on revisiting it on our next trip over. Although this heat still makes it tough to do much but look for fresh sign and learn roads. Might catch a moose out in the first or last couple hours of light and then they bury themselves in the willow draws. Saw one last trip only because we jumped a bear that ran into a draw and the moose came running out in front of him.

[baldopepper]

If you get in a bind I have 20 acres just north of Hunters I could probably let you park your trailer.  Locked gate entrance.  Probably be kind of a boon docking thing, but I have available water.

[HillHound]

Awesome! Thank you. For now, we do have a place we are keeping our trailer so we don’t have to tow it back-and-forth every time. It is about 45 minutes from where we plan to camp, but still a lot shorter than pulling from the house every time. We were over for the weekend and saw a few moose. One okish bull, that was exciting. Only one month left!

[baldopepper]

Ran into this guy up Harvey Creek
  Not sure if he'd do or not

[jrebel]

That's a nice bull.   

[HillHound]

Dang, that would definitely do. I am assuming last hunting season since he has no velvet?

[baldopepper]

Yes, that pic is last fall, but pretty sure I saw the same bull (I think) up there last week. Just got a quick look before he popped back into cover. Same general area and looked like could be the same bull.  Another one with him but couldn't get a good look at it, but seemed smaller.

[HillHound]

Made it back over for a few days. Only cows spotted this trip and one small bull on camera. We are Finding sign in lots of areas we have gotten pm’s on. There are Lots more people out chasing elk now,  none of them had any intel or sightings to share that we talked to. The pressure is definitely building. For some reason I feel more on me trying to ensure my son gets a decent bull than I felt when I had my own moose tag in my pocket. We have taken a lot of camp stuff and one trailer over already so that should make the trip over to stay for the first week a little easier. I am going to be there 4 or 5 days before season, my Son will get there the day before and can hunt the first 7 days and then has to head back to work for at least part of a week, then back over for 3-4 day intervals if necessary. We will have my brother there to help that first week and my brother in law and a friend from Idaho we met on our Alaska moose hunt there to help that first weekend. Along with the wives and my sons girlfriend so we should be eating good the whole trip. If we happen to fill the moose tag in the first couple days we are still staying the full week. There will still be half a dozen bear tags in camp, a couple muzzleloader elk tags, a stack of turkey tags, and a few cougar tags if the unit is still open. We could have a chance for a good old fashioned meat pole picture. Then we will be on our own if there are more trips. I did pack my Washington moose out on my own so I know we can do it, but I would much rather share the experience, and work, with everyone while they are here. Pm me if you see a good moose between now and hopefully when we are posting the one my son gets. 

[baldopepper]

I have a crew of family and friends coming over for the muzzy hunt. They are very familiar with the area and I'll text immediately if they spot anything.

[HillHound]

We were back over this week. Had a good thunderstorm that actually dropped a significant amount of rain and got the animals out moving earlier. Saw some more cows and ran into the guys with one of the raffle moose tags starting their pack out. Apparently we were in the right area but a day late and a dollar short. I’m sure there will be more nice ones around when our season starts. Still haven’t connected with any other tag holders in the unit.

[trophyhunt]

We were back over this week. Had a good thunderstorm that actually dropped a significant amount of rain and got the animals out moving earlier. Saw some more cows and ran into the guys with one of the raffle moose tags starting their pack out. Apparently we were in the right area but a day late and a dollar short. I’m sure there will be more nice ones around when our season starts. Still haven’t connected with any other tag holders in the unit.

was that raffle tag bull huge??

[HillHound]

Yep. Definitely raffle tag worthy. Hopefully it shows up on here or one of the other forums

[hunter399]

Moose are starting to rut.
Anyway looks that way to me.
Find a hot cow, you'll have bulls close by.

[HillHound]

Awesome! We are headed over today to get camp set up and have a few days to hopefully find Mr. big before opening day