Post by: WAcoueshunter on February 27, 2008, 10:13:54 PM
This was my first foray into moose...my cousin and I hunted with Scott Mackenzie out of Sugar Valley Outfitters in southern BC (just east of Kelowna) in October 2007. This is my cousin's bull. Although not the biggest, it's really a pretty bull with his vertical paddles. The weather essentially stole 4 of our 8 days, and the archery gods played tricks with us a few other times. Long story, but my cousin was the shooter for the first five days. On day four, he glanced his arrow off a tree he was hiding behind, missing a 140 class bull at 25 yards. He shot this guy on day five after Scott worked this bull and his grandpa for well over an hour, ultimately calling them in twice from long range. We spent day six getting the bull out, so I only wound up getting two days as the shooter. Day seven was really warm and windy, so not much activity - had one small bull circle us at about 30 yards, but we passed on him and that was it for the day. Last day had a 25" bull stop broadside at six yards, but that was the only bull for the day and wasn't what we were looking for. Altogether an amazing hunt even though I wound up eating tag soup. First time in six years that Scott sent someone home without an archery opportunity at a mature bull.
As mentioned, my cousin's bull had his grandpa with him. A good solid 55", significantly larger paddles than this guy, and 8-9 points up top on each side. I'd be looking at a 170 class bull right now if I carried a rifle, but 75 yards is 3x the distance I wanted to shoot at a moose with my bow! I wanted to go back in there to hunt him the following days, but Scott wisely suggested we hunt other areas given the grizzly population and this bull's carcass on the ground. For the hunt, we saw nine different bulls within 100 yards, six of which were this size or better, seven were within 35 yards, but all told we only had the two shots. That's archery.
I can't say enough good things about Scott and his operation. If you're interested in hunting BC for moose, 140+ class whiteys, 180+ class muleys, black bears (we saw six just driving to our hunting spots), or winter cougars with dogs, all with archery, I'd highly recommend him. They're located about two hours across the border from Oroville, so easy to get to. In reference to the other thread, Scott's as "hardcore" as anyone I've met. Oh, and the last two years he's taken two archery muleys (both on September 2nd) himself that grossed 202 and 204...simply because he didn't have hunters that week so he hunted for himself.
Post by: russ on February 27, 2008, 10:19:00 PM
Post by: Ray on February 27, 2008, 10:30:48 PM
Post by: WAcoueshunter on February 27, 2008, 10:41:44 PM
In case anyone's wondering, the outfitter wouldn't let his clients haul out bloody quarters without a rifle...apparently they had an unpleasant grizzly encounter getting a moose out of the woods.
Post by: Ray on February 27, 2008, 10:43:02 PM
Post by: bobcat on February 27, 2008, 10:45:28 PM
Post by: WAcoueshunter on February 27, 2008, 10:59:16 PM
Did you saw that tree off for the photo or was that just already like that?
We cut them down. Can't move those buggers, so we had to cut the small trees/shrubs out of the way to butcher it up.
Post by: WAcoueshunter on February 27, 2008, 11:02:33 PM
Thanks for the story and pictures. After reading it I looked up your outfitter's website, and emailed him asking for more information on a moose hunt. I'd like to do a hunt in a couple years. Might as well start planning now, and I like that it's an easy day's drive from here. By the way, that's a great looking bull...who cares if it doesn't score real high.
That's great. I think they're booked the next two years for moose, but happy to tell you all about our experience, the outfitter's operation, etc. if you want to PM me. I'm hoping to save the $$ and go back in a couple years too.
Post by: LongTatLaw on February 28, 2008, 02:06:59 AM
And with a bow...excellent!
Im very jealous!
Post by: boneaddict on February 28, 2008, 06:17:09 AM
Post by: Head-shot on February 28, 2008, 01:37:27 PM
Post by: saylean on February 28, 2008, 04:31:45 PM
Thanks for the pics and write up....looks like a blast. ;) Grats on the moose to you and your cuz..
Post by: WAcoueshunter on February 28, 2008, 08:51:03 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 28, 2008, 09:02:43 PM
Post by: Bookworm on February 28, 2008, 09:26:35 PM
Post by: Wea300mag on February 28, 2008, 09:47:13 PM
Post by: cohoho on February 28, 2008, 10:38:39 PM
Post by: robb92 on March 05, 2008, 09:22:10 PM