Post by: GoldTip on October 09, 2009, 02:18:38 AM
So the title of this story comes from mine and Bob's wive's both thinking that it's hilarious there are actually a couple movie characters called Jay and Silent Bob, so if you get the reference here goes.
My Moose adventure started with me asking multiple questions here on the forum in regards to the Selkirk unit for which I'd drawn the tag, just had never really hunted that area. I got very excellent scouting advice from guys like Boneaddict, Intruder, Machias and WAcoyotehunter. So to those fella's and anyone else who gave me advice I need to thank all of you, I appreciated your help.
1st hunting day (Oct 1) started with me lying awake all night, as on September 30th when I shut the generator off in the camper, the whole trailer went dead. My batteries were dead and come to find out had gone bad, so we had no heat and at the elevation we were camping I was concerned for busted pipes and and frozen water. So toss and turn for both good reasons and reasons which had nothing to do with hunting. Opening morning dawned mostly cloudy and cool. Silent Bob and I put on about four miles that morning finding multiple rut pits and some serious rubs. Did quite a bit of calling in very good looking area's with no responses. Came back to camp at noon, drove into Priest Lake and bought 2 new deep cycles and came back to camp and got the camper figured out. Hunted that night in the same area as the morning, setting up over some ponds/marshes where I had seen Moose while scouting over the summer. NWbrute was camped up the road from me and we touched base, he had much the same experience opening day, covered lots of miles, but no Moose sightings. Here is a picture of Silent Bob on our overlook from opening day.
Post by: GoldTip on October 09, 2009, 02:46:39 AM
We spent the day driving around hitting area's I had scouted and glassing, ran into NWbrute and he had passed a couple bulls that morning as they weren't just what he was looking for. That night NWbrute came by camp and said he was pulling up stakes and heading into the area we ran into him earlier in the day as he had seen more Moose down that way. We went to bed that night with 2 days of hunting under our belts and no Moose sightings as of yet.
Post by: GoldTip on October 09, 2009, 02:51:45 AM
Post by: GoldTip on October 09, 2009, 02:58:17 AM
Post by: GoldTip on October 09, 2009, 03:12:23 AM
Got back to camp that night and Boneaddict (aka Moose whisperer) comes into camp. He's got pictures of a 41" bull with good paddles and 3 brows on one side and 2 on the other and he has seen a 45" bull with triple brows on both sides, worst part is he knew where we'd gone that day, so he had actually been watching them, waiting to see us come back down the road, from the direction we should have came from, but in my infinite stupidity had gone the other direction and had not even seen him. I could not believe my poor luck, was getting a bit down in the mouth. But Bone gave me some good advice on what to do the next morning to get on these two bulls and off into the night he goes..... Here is a pic of the Grizzly marking tree, these marks were right at 18" to 24" above where I could reach and I am 6'1". I could tell you where it is, but then I'd have to kill ya......... ;)
Post by: GoldTip on October 09, 2009, 03:18:30 AM
Post by: washelkhntr on October 09, 2009, 03:38:37 AM
Post by: GoldTip on October 09, 2009, 03:47:33 AM
I thought Silent Bob was gonna shoot me. He can tell Bone knows what he's doing, and we've been stumbling. I truly just did not want to impose on Boneaddict to help me. But I did say well, Bone, if you don't mind Silent Bob and I will go hunt this other area for the afternoon, but if you've got nothing better to do, then I would appreciate meeting you back at the spot where you had them all rung up for me from last night. Bone agree's and we'll meet there at 5:30. So off we all go in different directions. I get a bull talking to me at around 3:30, but he just won't move for me. He's hanging in this bottom and I got no time to go after him and still meet up with Bone. So around 4:45 we head out to go meet the Moose Whisperer and there is Bone standing on the corner right where he said he'd be. Silent Bob and I drive past then get outta the truck. This is not gonna be a bow shot where we were located, so I pack only my Browning stainless stalker in 325wsm. We get back to Bone and he whispers that he's just waiting for the sun to go down behind the mountain before he gets calling. The Moose don't wait that long. We're not there 10 minutes when a bull grunts up on the ridge probably 700 yards away. Bone grunts back and a completely different bull answers this time, even closer. Bone grunts a few more times and now both bulls are talking, one up on the ridge to our right and one down in the bottom. It sounds like the one in the bottom is gonna come through an opening down below so I head off the road and about 50 yards away from where Bone and Silent Bob are at.
I no more get set up then a third bull starts firing off and raking brush to our left, this one is even closer and he's not in a good mood. His grunts were more angry sounds and you could just hear the big hollow sounds of his paddles raking brush. This goes on for about 10 minutes and it's getting late, lots of shooting light left, but it's around 6:10 or so and we are in a valley. Bone is down there calling and raking brush and the bull to our left is getting fired up and the bull in the bottom is still coming in. The one up the ridge that first got the ball rolling has now shut up. Silent Bob works his way down to where I am at and at about the same time, I see a tree shaking and hear the bull to our left raking brush, now I see a big paddle and he's gonna step outta the brush. I tell Silent Bob where he is and to get a range for me and let me know how big he is, I switch to prone over my pack and Silent Bob speaks, "He's 270, and your gonna want to kill that Bull." I cross hair him with the 300yd reticle in my Leupy and let him have one right through the front shoulders. I thought I heard a thwop and he jumps about 3 jumps forward and downhill and all I can see is antlers and make out his head through the brush. Silent Bob says, "He's still standing, but he can't hold his head up." I hold where I know I should shoot him for an angling to shot and this time I hear a thwop and he drops outta the scope. Silent Bob says he's down and Bone come's down the road. He didn't see the bull getting shot, but could hear the bullets hit and knew we had him down. Hand shakes and congrats were handed around and we headed to see my bull.
Post by: GoldTip on October 09, 2009, 04:02:54 AM
Bone came back to camp and we cooked him our Moose camp specialty, Dinty Moore stew with grouse breast sauteed in it with some Kings Hawaiian sweet rolls. I think Bone will agree it is actually a really great way to make both grouse and Dinty Moore taste better! A couple libations were enjoyed and once again I offered Bone a dry place to sleep, but he rolled off into the night. He offered to help us pack the bull out, but he had been way more than gracious and helpful already, and it wouldn't be that bad of a pack.
The next morning Silent Bob and I halved the bull and slid him down the hill about 250 yards to a flat spot where we could work, then the butchering and the packing began. It truly could have been much, much worse. I butchered, and Silent Bob packed. We timed it and it was a 8-10 minute round trip from where I was butchering to where Silent Bob dropped off the bagged meat. So it went pretty well. The most work was actually getting him down the hill to a spot where we could work on him. Here is a couple pics of Silent Bob heading out with a pack full of Moose meat.
Post by: GoldTip on October 09, 2009, 04:10:29 AM
Disclaimer: no forest service roads were damaged in any way or form by our use of four wheelers. No gates were crossed and we followed all rules in regards to their use on the national forest in which we were hunting. :chuckle:
Post by: GoldTip on October 09, 2009, 04:26:57 AM
And for those of you who might not know Boneaddict all that well I can tell you this, when he say's an animal is a certain size, then it's by god that size. On Sunday night when he saw this Moose, he told us it was right at 45" with good palms, triple brows on both sides and right at 12 total points per side, but not all would be scoreable. My bull is pretty much exactly that to the gnats eyelash. Bone might not know diddly, but he damn sure knows Moose. Some of you younger guys may not get that reference to tv commercials from the 80's, but it's pretty damn funny for 4:15am. :chuckle:
Now I rough green scored him and gross came up with right at 157". It was a rough green score, that I am posting because everyone will read this thread and ask if I put a tape to him yet. I may have counted an extra point that wasn't quite longer than it was wide, but I didn't count every bump on his palms either, so keep your second guessing to yourself. I know how to add, and I've seen the score sheets, so it's not all that far off.
Hope you all enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I know you didn't enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed living it! :chuckle: Oh, and NWbrute, if your reading this, I hope you found a nice bull.
Post by: MADMAX on October 09, 2009, 05:09:35 AM
Post by: boneaddict on October 09, 2009, 05:58:11 AM
It was pretty cool working that bull. He was fired up. I think I scared Bob when I dove onto that bush and started "working it". LOL From my point of view I was trying to pick the bull out or watch the brush moving, meanwhile the other bull was coming in. I saw Jay bring his gun up so figured he had a visual, then he switched to prone. At that time the other bull came into view about 50 yards down the hill. I couldn't see his horns but could see a lot of bull so he must not have been as big. I hadn't seen this guy yet, but man could hear the paddle when he was raking. I knew it was a good one. When I heard the crack of the rifle and heard that thwack, I was elated. I was so excited as I ran back to the truck to get the smaller lens and some gear, I locked my keys in the truck. THANK GOD I learned my keyless entry code that morning.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2FAntler%2520Images%2FThemoose.jpg&hash=0f86079bf378f4512a46cd40a16b2b6fdf16907a)
Post by: boneaddict on October 09, 2009, 05:59:09 AM
Post by: boneaddict on October 09, 2009, 05:59:45 AM
Post by: boneaddict on October 09, 2009, 06:01:05 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2FAntler%2520Images%2Fgtanddoug2.jpg&hash=c2c418f8ba15241a3db469b1275f34add69d5a3a)
Post by: boneaddict on October 09, 2009, 06:01:39 AM
Post by: boneaddict on October 09, 2009, 06:02:26 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on October 09, 2009, 06:03:07 AM
Post by: boneaddict on October 09, 2009, 06:10:38 AM
Hes pretty close on the score. When I first sized up the bull I was thinking 140 class but then changed my opinion to a 150 class bull. The only thing he "lacks" is some mass and tine length, which both count for nothing in score. I was so thrilled when I heard him put that paddle to some brush. That sound is such a rush. Then when we were looking for the bull "In the Deep", I was excited to walk up on it and see those Triple Brows. We got the King of the area.
The bull on the hill was probably that 42 incher and he was probably thrilled we just knocked out his competition.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2FAntler%2520Images%2Fsmiledudelol.jpg&hash=55b174894d1bf2566019f4f594a383c43e80c9b8)
Post by: boneaddict on October 09, 2009, 06:14:21 AM
This was probably the bull he abandoned to come meet with me. Oh the faith you trusted in me. :chuckle:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2FAntler%2520Images%2Fmoreoctober.jpg&hash=7309083a9f09f52f473a05d9da8a0902137cc4d6)
Post by: markts on October 09, 2009, 06:14:30 AM
Post by: Gobble on October 09, 2009, 06:27:51 AM
Post by: whacker1 on October 09, 2009, 06:32:45 AM
Post by: GoldTip on October 09, 2009, 07:02:57 AM
Post by: jackelope on October 09, 2009, 07:17:21 AM
Post by: Hornseeker on October 09, 2009, 07:31:29 AM
I'm glad someone does!
Good job guys...thats a great bull and sounded like a good calling sequence and such...
Applause!
Post by: Ray on October 09, 2009, 07:31:49 AM
Post by: olsy on October 09, 2009, 07:33:21 AM
Post by: MtnMuley on October 09, 2009, 07:57:28 AM
Post by: Ridgerunner on October 09, 2009, 08:12:35 AM
Post by: bucklucky on October 09, 2009, 08:26:23 AM
Post by: bigdave on October 09, 2009, 08:47:35 AM
Post by: Machias on October 09, 2009, 08:49:01 AM
Congrats Goldtip, I'm VERY happy for you guys. GREAT story and great photos. Awesome country up there.
Post by: saylean on October 09, 2009, 09:43:55 AM
Cheers~
Post by: huntnphool on October 09, 2009, 09:49:31 AM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on October 09, 2009, 10:08:12 AM
Post by: coop2424 on October 09, 2009, 10:10:32 AM
Post by: HUNT on October 09, 2009, 10:11:56 AM
Post by: M_ray on October 09, 2009, 10:17:59 AM
Post by: popeshawnpaul on October 09, 2009, 10:33:52 AM
Post by: NWBREW on October 09, 2009, 10:44:03 AM
Post by: dobby on October 09, 2009, 11:13:13 AM
Post by: kirkl on October 09, 2009, 11:22:10 AM
Post by: Gamblin Guy on October 09, 2009, 01:13:13 PM
Post by: TheHunt on October 09, 2009, 01:27:19 PM
Post by: GoldTip on October 09, 2009, 02:52:28 PM
Post by: Watimberghost on October 09, 2009, 05:20:44 PM
Post by: runningboard on October 09, 2009, 05:37:57 PM
Post by: WaltHenry on October 09, 2009, 07:25:16 PM
Post by: Black Ghost on October 09, 2009, 08:17:37 PM
Post by: boneaddict on October 09, 2009, 08:48:25 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2FAntler%2520Images%2Fscorin.jpg&hash=45d19b5e69b9f71edff2a6429dd38f4f004fabd7)
Post by: SkookumHntr on October 09, 2009, 08:56:09 PM
Post by: Elkpiss on October 09, 2009, 08:58:54 PM
Post by: nw_bowhunter on October 09, 2009, 09:06:07 PM
Post by: PacificNWhunter on October 09, 2009, 09:34:28 PM
Post by: shag on October 09, 2009, 10:56:31 PM
Post by: Deke on October 12, 2009, 07:30:26 AM
Post by: NWBrute on October 12, 2009, 09:06:19 AM
I found one that I liked, I'm trying to get work sorted out, then I'll get some photos and a bit of a story up.
Again Congrats on a fantastic bull.
Brute
Post by: boneaddict on October 12, 2009, 09:17:26 AM
Post by: Intruder on October 12, 2009, 09:18:21 AM
Post by: Backstraps on October 12, 2009, 10:13:07 AM
Post by: GUscottie on October 12, 2009, 10:57:03 AM
Post by: boneaddict on October 12, 2009, 11:03:25 AM
Post by: T-ROY on October 12, 2009, 01:51:17 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on October 12, 2009, 09:45:46 PM
Post by: whacker1 on October 13, 2009, 12:11:37 PM
Post by: robb92 on October 13, 2009, 01:36:49 PM
Post by: buckhorn2 on October 13, 2009, 02:59:19 PM
Post by: Austrian Hunter on October 13, 2009, 03:40:05 PM
Post by: tonymoe on October 14, 2009, 08:20:08 AM
Post by: Hoythunter on October 15, 2009, 07:04:13 PM
Post by: rasbo on October 15, 2009, 07:21:24 PM
Post by: Spuddieselwwu on October 15, 2009, 08:28:25 PM
Post by: Alpinegus on October 22, 2009, 09:02:53 PM
Awesome bull, love all the brow tines. Great story...Thanks.
Great hunt :hunt2:
Post by: coachcw on October 22, 2009, 10:05:55 PM
Post by: backpacker on October 23, 2009, 03:26:35 PM
Really nice standing moose pic there Bone, as well.
Post by: actionshooter on October 23, 2009, 04:12:13 PM