Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: Machias on September 21, 2023, 09:48:57 AM

Title: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on September 21, 2023, 09:48:57 AM: We were super lucky and drew TWO Idaho Bull Moose permits this year. Opening weekend, we did not go out and hunt as it was 88 degrees on Saturday and upper 70s on Sunday. I was worried that even if everything went perfect we would risk losing meat. Not too worried since we have the 15 Sep - 01 Dec permits. Tuesday I get home from work and I'm in the house hanging out, waiting for the wife to get home and my pup, Reaper, starts barking. This usually means a deer is walking through the back pasture. I stroll over to the kitchen window and there about 40 yards from Reaper is a pretty respectable bull moose. :yike: Go into the spare bedroom and grab the .30-06 and load three rounds. Step out onto the utility room steps and he's nowhere to be seen. Walk out to the fence line on the back yard and there is this bull standing about 90 yards out in a plowed field, not a stich of cover anywhere. Standing there broadside looking at me. Only one problem at this point. He is standing on CdA Reservation land and this dummy had yet to purchase the tribe's hunting license. I talked myself in and out of shooting him several times and decided it's just not worth getting my one and only moose confiscated. The chances of that happening were/are about almost zero, but I decided it was not the right thing to do. Standing about 30 yards from my property. :bash: I thought, well maybe I'll cow call and he'll walk back over to my property line. I must have said something really nasty to him, because he starts trotting, in the opposite direction! I have permission to hunt the property next to mine and I've been getting a bunch of cow moose and this bull on my trail cameras, so I think there is a good chance me and him will meet again, hopefully when my wife is there so she can slap a tag on this fella. Yesterday I purchased my CdA Hunting License. I'll keep you all posted on our hunt over the next few weeks.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 21, 2023, 10:28:43 AM: Sounds like a pretty good start. :tup: Can't wait to see what you guys end up with. Good luck :)
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: boneaddict on September 21, 2023, 10:45:02 AM: Fun to get the blood flowing, but you made a good choice.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Gentrys on September 21, 2023, 10:56:14 AM: Great decision! Plus, you don't want it to be over yet! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Jpmiller on September 21, 2023, 10:56:33 AM: That would be pretty cool to get a porch moose lol hope he's around some more and one of you bags him. Going to need a mighty big freezer soon! Good luck!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: JakeLand on September 21, 2023, 12:12:33 PM: Can’t wait to see some pics Fred !!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Naches Sportsman on September 21, 2023, 12:42:24 PM: Have a Fun season Fred! I’ll be getting after it in unit 10 at the end of next week!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: ganghis on September 21, 2023, 01:05:36 PM: I think many of us have been there with an ethical dilemma like you describe, whether it's an animal we run into just outside of shooting hours or just outside of an imaginary line on the land or uncertainty about the right # of points on an antler. It always takes more thinking than it probably should to make the right choice - good on you!

Looking forward to tagging along on your hunt.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: HikerHunter on September 21, 2023, 01:54:22 PM: Sounds like the start to a great season, good luck!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on September 21, 2023, 02:48:13 PM: Quote from: Naches Sportsman on September 21, 2023, 12:42:24 PM
Have a Fun season Fred! I’ll be getting after it in unit 10 at the end of next week!

I'm excited for you! Good luck!!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Rob on September 21, 2023, 02:51:52 PM: Tagging along! Looking forward to the journey!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 21, 2023, 03:08:27 PM: Good luck Fred and Mrs. Fred. Fill up the freezers. :tup:
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on September 21, 2023, 03:12:00 PM: Also tagging. Moose hunts are fun!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: nwwanderer on September 21, 2023, 04:08:30 PM: Can have a loader tractor over there in an hour or so, good luck!!!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: LDennis24 on September 21, 2023, 04:54:11 PM: That sounds just too easy! Good luck! Following along...
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: bearpaw on September 21, 2023, 05:02:26 PM: Good luck to both of you! :hunter:
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: bearhunter99 on September 21, 2023, 05:54:10 PM: Best of luck to you and the missus!

From personal experience being able to shoot one that close to the house would be a blessing. Nothing prepares you for the size of a moose until the first time you walk up on one on the ground!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on September 24, 2023, 09:36:23 AM: One down, one to go.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on September 24, 2023, 09:38:17 AM: couple more, finally made it home at 10 pm last night. Plum wore out.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on September 24, 2023, 09:39:05 AM: Boom! Good work mister. On to moose #2.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: MADMAX on September 24, 2023, 09:43:12 AM: So cool to see your success
Right on
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: fishngamereaper on September 24, 2023, 10:20:06 AM: :tup:
Good job
That's a perfect eater bull and not a bad one for the unit...
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: idaho guy on September 24, 2023, 11:32:37 AM: Nice Job!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: boneaddict on September 24, 2023, 12:04:01 PM: Best meat in the world! One Freezer full! Next.......
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Naches Sportsman on September 24, 2023, 12:17:36 PM: Way to get er done Fred!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: nwwanderer on September 24, 2023, 12:22:02 PM: :)
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: wadu1 on September 24, 2023, 02:21:48 PM: Nice job Fred, now find one for the wife.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Caseknife on September 24, 2023, 02:23:07 PM: That bull will be good eating, congrats.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: 300rum on September 24, 2023, 02:45:29 PM: :tup:
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: LDennis24 on September 24, 2023, 03:43:25 PM: Right on! Congratulations! Man he is almost black too isn't he! Did you save the hide at all? I'm just thinking that one could be tanned and look great! You know, for around $1000...
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Cylvertip on September 24, 2023, 04:08:39 PM: Very Nice! I am betting one fills the freezer, can't imagine 2. Would be a good problem to have.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on September 24, 2023, 04:51:56 PM: Quote from: LDennis24 on September 24, 2023, 03:43:25 PM
Right on! Congratulations! Man he is almost black too isn't he! Did you save the hide at all? I'm just thinking that one could be tanned and look great! You know, for around $1000...

I did not, I did the gutless method and cut the hide into 4 sections.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on September 24, 2023, 05:05:08 PM: So a little bit about the hunt now that I have recovered a little bit. Really kicked my tail getting him out last night. So I have a tag that runs from 15 Sep to 1 Dec. Some might wonder why I would take such a young bull. First off I'm so happy with the harvest. But if you guys knew how bad both of my knees are and how so out of shape I am, it's a miracle I even got this bull. So any bull, young or old in the right location was getting harvested. I have three different bulls on camera and several cows. I was going to go out and scout out a new spot for the wife and I to hunt from on Sunday. I got to a big meadow, turned off the ATV and sat for a while just listening. 20 minutes before this on the way to this spot, I saw a really nice bear. Stopped and called for a while, but could not entice him in. After about 30 minutes I was about to move on and decided to cow call. 5 minutes after I called I heard a grunt. He came out about 75 yards and stood quartering away. Legal bull in a good spot. Boom, let the .30-06 loose. He staggered, then down he went. I chambered another round, he got back up. I nearly made a HUGE mistake. He staggered, went down, got back up. I should have hit him again, but was sure he was done. Problem was he staggered over to the edge of a really steep hill. But by that point I could not get a shot off. I thought I was going to be screwed. But he dropped 3 feet from the edge. I walked over and found him lying there. Watched him for a full 2 minutes and no breathing, nothing. Touched his eye with the rifle barrel and he blinked and twitched his ears. Holy....Took a step back and shot him one more time in the neck. Took my wife and I about 3.5 hours to get him quartered and back to the house. So sore this morning, man they are a HUGE animal, even the young ones. Hope to get one more with the wife.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on September 24, 2023, 05:07:57 PM: couple of bulls on camera, about a mile from the house.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on September 24, 2023, 05:09:04 PM: couple more photos.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: teanawayslayer on September 24, 2023, 05:10:49 PM: Quote from: Machias on September 24, 2023, 05:05:08 PM
So a little bit about the hunt now that I have recovered a little bit. Really kicked my tail getting him out last night. So I have a tag that runs from 15 Sep to 1 Dec. Some might wonder why I would take such a young bull. First off I'm so happy with the harvest. But if you guys knew how bad both of my knees are and how so out of shape I am, it's a miracle I even got this bull. So any bull, young or old in the right location was getting harvested. I have three different bulls on camera and several cows. I was going to go out and scout out a new spot for the wife and I to hunt from on Sunday. I got to a big meadow, turned off the ATV and sat for a while just listening. 20 minutes before this on the way to this spot, I saw a really nice bear. Stopped and called for a while, but could not entice him in. After about 30 minutes I was about to move on and decided to cow call. 5 minutes after I called I heard a grunt. He came out about 75 yards and stood quartering away. Legal bull in a good spot. Boom, let the .30-06 loose. He staggered, then down he went. I chambered another round, he got back up. I nearly made a HUGE mistake. He staggered, went down, got back up. I should he hit him again, but was sure he was done. Problem was he staggered over to the edge of a really steep hill. But by that point I could not get a shot off. I thought I was going to be screwed. But he dropped 3 feet from the edge. I walked over and found him lying there. Watched him for a full 2 minutes and no breathing, nothing. Touched his eye with the rifle barrel and he blinked and twitched his ears. Holy....Took a step back and shot him one more time in the neck. Took my wife and I about 3.5 hours to get him quartered and back to the house. So sore this morning, man they are a HUGE animal, even the young ones. Hope to get one more with the wife.
congrats! The young ones eat way better anyways. A buddy shot one that was 4 years old and the meat was tender good eating. His dad shot one a year later that was 8. It was like chewing on a piece of leather.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Duckslayer89 on September 24, 2023, 05:58:09 PM: Congrats, nice work man!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: opdinkslayer on September 24, 2023, 06:13:03 PM: Congrats on the tags & a freezer full of the most delicious meat on the planet!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Rob on September 24, 2023, 06:25:10 PM: Well done! Congrats!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Dan-o on September 24, 2023, 06:27:49 PM: Awesome!
Super happy for you.
I hope you have a stock of ibuprofen.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: wadu1 on September 24, 2023, 06:54:38 PM: Quote from: Dan-o on September 24, 2023, 06:27:49 PM
Awesome!
Super happy for you.
I hope you have a stock of ibuprofen.
I've heard that beaver castoreum for pain relief works well! Fred may have some around. :dunno:
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: HillHound on September 24, 2023, 07:05:13 PM: Awesome! Congrats. Definitely the favorite meat in our household. You’re not kidding about using the gutless method either. You don’t really have any other choice If you don’t have a come along or a crew of guys there’s no rolling that moose over to get the guts out of it and you don’t have a choice but to take the hide off piece by piece. Looking back at my 2018 49° north moose I would’ve loved to save that hide but being by myself and short on time even with several block and tackles there was no saving the hide just had to worry about getting it processed quick enough to preserve the meat. I cannot imagine having two moose in one year. So awesome. You will not have to worry about meat for a few years. Looking forward to see what the Mrs. gets. Keep that rifle handy and Maybe she can get that yard bull if he comes back through.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Gentrys on September 24, 2023, 07:17:00 PM: Congrats!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: 10Key on September 24, 2023, 07:42:04 PM: Love it, what a blessing to get 2 tags! Good luck chasing down #2.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: JakeLand on September 24, 2023, 08:27:35 PM: Right on buddy ! That’s some good eats right there!! And that is was a beautiful hide !
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Rainier10 on September 24, 2023, 10:19:44 PM: Congrats on a great hunt. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: bearpaw on September 25, 2023, 05:35:43 AM: Good job Fred, I'm happy for you!
Best of luck with the wife!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: C-Money on September 25, 2023, 06:51:43 AM: Excellent! Congratulations! Good luck with tag #2!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 25, 2023, 07:08:54 AM: Congrats! :tup:
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on September 25, 2023, 07:51:46 AM: Thanks everyone!!! Another BIG bull showed up on camera last night. Hoping the wife can put the smack down on him this coming weekend! I'll post a photo of him tonight. Plus the bear I saw on Saturday afternoon was on camera last night, about 500 yards from the house.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: bearpaw on September 25, 2023, 08:10:29 AM: Cool, you are definitely living in the right spot! :tup:
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: High Climber on September 25, 2023, 08:28:12 AM: Congrats and good luck!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on September 25, 2023, 08:46:07 AM: Nicely done.👍
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: jackelope on September 25, 2023, 08:47:14 AM: Congrats Fred. Can’t wait to see what your wife gets. Also can’t wait to see the freezer pics.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: BULLBLASTER on September 25, 2023, 10:36:30 AM: Hey Fred, you know theres a few of us (or more) just waiting for the post asking for help. If im not gone hunting out of state im only 30 min from you!

Keep us posted.
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 25, 2023, 11:02:54 AM: Congrats Fred!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: bearhunter99 on September 25, 2023, 11:17:22 AM: Congrats! Best meat in the world right there. One of these days I will go get another one....
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on September 26, 2023, 07:54:15 AM: Quote from: BULLBLASTER on September 25, 2023, 10:36:30 AM
Hey Fred, you know theres a few of us (or more) just waiting for the post asking for help. If im not gone hunting out of state im only 30 min from you!

Keep us posted.

Thank you, very much appreciated!!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: HikerHunter on September 26, 2023, 08:08:33 AM: Congrats and good luck on the next one!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Rob on November 01, 2023, 07:06:35 AM: How goes the hunt Fred? how much longer do you have on the tag?
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on November 01, 2023, 09:13:07 AM: Quote from: Rob on November 01, 2023, 07:06:35 AM
How goes the hunt Fred? how much longer do you have on the tag?

She has until 1 Dec. I have a really nice bull we've seen on camera a couple of times. I'll post his photo tonight. He was out walking around at 0800 yesterday. Hoping she can see him this weekend!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Rob on November 01, 2023, 09:32:20 AM: Still plenty of time on the clock then!

Good luck!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on November 01, 2023, 09:47:47 AM: Thanks!! :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: bearpaw on November 01, 2023, 11:32:06 AM: Quote from: Machias on November 01, 2023, 09:13:07 AM
Quote from: Rob on November 01, 2023, 07:06:35 AM
How goes the hunt Fred? how much longer do you have on the tag?

She has until 1 Dec. I have a really nice bull we've seen on camera a couple of times. I'll post his photo tonight. He was out walking around at 0800 yesterday. Hoping she can see him this weekend!

Good luck, hope you get him!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on November 01, 2023, 12:10:20 PM: Thanks Dale!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on December 02, 2023, 10:09:29 PM: Well, no luck on the second bull moose for the wife, but honestly we are fine with it. We got my bull and two deer, so we have plenty of meat. Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the good thoughts and the offers to help, MUCH appreciated!!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: huntnphool on December 02, 2023, 10:11:27 PM: Quote from: Machias on December 02, 2023, 10:09:29 PM
Well, no luck on the second bull moose for the wife, but honestly we are fine with it. We got my bull and two deer, so we have plenty of meat. Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the good thoughts and the offers to help, MUCH appreciated!!

At least she can apply again. :tup:
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Rob on December 03, 2023, 03:30:58 PM: Think of the money saved on freezers! And congrats again on your Moose
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: jrebel on December 03, 2023, 03:35:39 PM: A great year none the less. Congrats to both of you. :tup:
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 04, 2023, 08:18:26 AM: I'm glad to hear of your full freezer, Fred!
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: bearpaw on December 04, 2023, 01:03:42 PM: Quote from: huntnphool on December 02, 2023, 10:11:27 PM
Quote from: Machias on December 02, 2023, 10:09:29 PM
Well, no luck on the second bull moose for the wife, but honestly we are fine with it. We got my bull and two deer, so we have plenty of meat. Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the good thoughts and the offers to help, MUCH appreciated!!

At least she can apply again. :tup:

Sorry she didn't get one, but that's exactly what I thought, have to look on the bright side! :tup:
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on December 06, 2023, 02:36:10 PM: Yep, 2 years from now she can start applying again. :)
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Taco280AI on December 06, 2023, 04:23:29 PM: Hope to see some good pics soon :tup:
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: Machias on December 11, 2023, 01:46:06 PM: Quote from: Taco280AI on December 06, 2023, 04:23:29 PM
Hope to see some good pics soon :tup:

They're back on Page 2. :)
Title: Re: Machias and the Mrs. 2023 Idaho Moose Hunt
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on December 11, 2023, 04:05:35 PM: Congrats on great hunts and full freezers!!!!!! :IBCOOL: