Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: GoldTip on October 10, 2011, 07:10:34 PM
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Well fella's it will be a bit long and pic heavy, but here goes. After a long and arduous 6.5hr drive including approx. 48 miles on dirt roads, I finally arrived at moose camp. It may look a bit rough but trust me, the cook is just fair and the camp boss is old and ornery. You can see my pickup had to sit outside for the entire 10 days in camp!
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Actually Moose camp for this hunt would be much better than any I've had before, this is where my folks live. 48 miles from the nearest power and phone. Dad runs everything on generators which charge a battery system which then runs the house. We would be hunting within 5-10 miles of the house.
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The first day dawned clear and cold, Dad had a place he wanted to try, on the edge of 8 year old burn. This was on a gated road approx. 1 mile from the house. As we drove to the road from the house at daylight, we spotted a good silvertip grizzly in the road, didn't hang around long enough to get a picture unfortunately. he was an average bear, maybe 300 pounds, but damn pretty. About 3 miles into our walk we hadn't had any responses to my calling, but we bacame acutely aware that we had competition for the area. Thats a shell on the ground from my 454 Casull. We evidently found morning bears grandpa.
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Day two was completely uneventful, full of walking and calling. My Dad is a guy who likes to stay busy and does not like to sit, not the best combination for moose calling in my opinion, but we saw some very good ground. I grew up hunting this area and knew most of the spots I wanted to try. So when my brother showed up that night with his horses. I suggested he take Dad for a ride the next morning into a basin about 5 miles back up a trail. The spot was always loaded with grizzlies, but also with willow bottoms and beaver ponds, I was hoping to do some scouting myself of a completely other area. So Saturday morning Oct.1 we headed out in different directions, me on foot and them on the horses..
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If you go to bed tonight before finishing this, there will be ramifications...... :)
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If you go to bed tonight before finishing this, there will be ramifications...... :)
:yeah:
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Sorry this is slow going guys, but my internet connection sux tonight and my typing skills leave something to be desired. So my Dad and brother head out on a horses and I hike back up a gated road about a mile and then off a skid road into a 20 year old clearcut that had burned over during the fire about 8 years ago, got set up and waited for things to calm down, I cow called and within about 5 minutes could hear a bull grunting, got my camera out and he was coming into the clearcut 10 minutes later.
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wow you dad has my dream house! :chuckle:
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So I snap a few pics and smile confidently to myself that once again, I can at least call in small Moose. the clouds are rolling in very hard and as Mr broken paddle grunts around the clearcut establishing his reign I am smiling, cuz I now have pics to show Dad that moose really do come into that weird sound I keep making with my mouth. Mr broken paddle slowly wanders off and I slide my rain coat out of my back as the skies start to open up. As i get my coat on I hear another grunt from far up the mountain, I assume mr broken paddle made it until it grunts again and I realize that he has not been gone long enough to be that far up the mountain. I break into a couple of mournful sounding cow calls and i hear a grunt from over where Mr Broken paddle headed and one further up the hill. now the guy from uphill is definitely coming and Mr broken paddle is coming in again from my left. I slowly slide my camera back out of the pocket and I hear a large branch break from the far side of the clearcut. I look left and Mr Broken paddle is now leaving I hear another grunt and this guy walks into the cut. He follows the edge of the cut to a small tree and makes a rut pit right there in front of me at around 70 yards, then he comes for the cow he so badly wants.
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if you look closely in the next few pics, you can see that he was close enough the flash of my camera was lighting up his eyes. I have just a point and shoot with poor zoom, good lord could I have used Boneaddict tagging along for these next couple shots. He came to about 30 yards and i could have easily taken him with my bow.
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Closer......
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Goodlord is right, and YES, where the hell was I. :chuckle: Chasing dinks. dang it! :)
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And now a shot of the icing on the cake........A drop tine on his left paddle. I think I might have peed myself a little when I saw this!
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So I let Mr drop tine wander off while I have butterfiles in my stomach sitting behind a stump. I am looking at my 2"x2" display. I was thinking, good lord looking at him up close thru bino's that i might have actually found dad a 50" moose. looking at my camera I wasn't so sure. He's big I told myself, but really? 50 inches Jay, is it real. No way, tell dad it's probably 45". Then you can't be wrong. So I snuck outta there and went up the road in a different direction from him. I'ts only 8:45 am and dad and bro won't be back to trailhead till noon. So I roam around and called in another small 35-38" bull that has real potential for next year I'd say. No pics as I quit dinking with him when he came through an opening maybe 200 yards out. I hike back to the truck, look through my pictures and think to myself, this is everything dad wants, double brows, at least 45" and long points. He had passed a 42" earlier before I got there because he didn't like the short tines. That one he could have gotten his tractor too! That kind of put the pressure on me when I heard that. So I headed to the trailhead to meet Dad and bro. Ate a sandwich, took a nap, looked thru pictures again. Only 10:45am. Went for a walk, tried bugling elk, heard nothing went thru pictures on camera again. Could I call him in again? Do I really think he is 50'?
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Show both Dad and brother the pics and Dad is excited and so is brother. It's noon now and they want to head right back. was very had to convice them we should wait for evening. It gets dark about 7:30 there so I told them lets go home and take a nap and be back in there around 5pm. Was a very short nap, Mom looked at pics, Dad kept asking if I was sure it would go over 45" and I assured him it would. At around 5pm we are back at the edge of the clear cut and getting set up. I wait for about 30 minutes thru silence and I let out a few calls. I had instructed them both we would sit for 15 minutes after my first round of call then I'd call again. After about 14 minutes I hear a grunt and whisper to Dad, here he comes. He looks at me and says, " that was my stomach growling." I wait a second and let loose with a series of more cows, and grunt, grunt, grunt comes back at me. I look at dad and said "was that your stomach too?" He smiles and I have him get in behind me. The bull is about 6-800 yards up the hill from the sound of it and grunting every step. I was nervous, nervous as hell to be honest, would it be Mr Broken paddle or Mr drop tine, the bull of my Dad's dreams?
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And??????
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The bull is closing the distance quick and then I see a paddle and an eyeball at about 90 yards, it's Mr Drop tine. I tell Dad it's the big bull and to get ready for the shot. He comes out of the brush straight on and grunts hard. I think he's a little more nervous this time about the cow he couldn't find earlier in the day and he turns left and walks thru some small trees. He stops exposing only his head and neck. Dad was an outfitter years ago and abhors neck shots, so I know he is not gonna take that shot. I turn my head and give out a cow moan and the bull comes from behind the tree. Dad is resting the gun on my shoulder and he takes the quartering to shot and the bull stumbles hard. He turns and run maybe 30 yards and holds up. If he runs another 10 steps he's right back in the open and Dad is moving to be able to get that shot. I throw up the bino's and see his vitals and can see he is swaying and he crashes down hard. I tell Dad he's down and he has just a look of utter joy on his face. Probably the greatest hunting moment I have ever shared with anyone was right at that moment.
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We make a slow circle and walk up on dad's Moose. He had killed one 27 years ago and it was a Moose. Back when you cruised roads and knew that the best place to shoot a moose was close to the road but he always wanted a good Moose, not just an easy Moose. Here is Dad walking up to his good Moose.
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An "as it lays pic"
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:tup: great moose and a great read! :tup:
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Here is a good pic of Dad and it shows the drop tine. We had measured Dad's gun length earlier in the day and knew it measured 44.5" from butt pad to barrel end. Dad, was pretty happy when he saw it would easily break 45"!
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Another pic of Dad and my brother and then the work began!
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Got him caped and quartered that night by the light of our headlamps and layed him out on a couple logs to cool over night. Made the little over mile hike back to the truck and had a good cold one. Just as we finished we made our turns leaving our scent markers around the meat cache and hoped that would keep the grizzlies away for the night. Just our luck the wolves started howling back at the truck as we were headed out, so we knew we had more than the griz to worry about getting the meat. Headed back in the next morning with horses and my pack frame. One of bro's horses was hurt years ago packing horns and he will now not load horns on his horses. I was scared to ruin the cape by fully caping it out. So I brought full head, horns and cape out in one piece that day. It was just over a mile by GPS tracks and I made it with only one rest. The load bottomed out my brothers pack scale so I knew it to be over 120, but when on the scale at home it tripped out our hanging meat scale at 139! Probably would have killed a lesser man.
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Nice story, pics and way to guide your dad to some awesome memories you'll never forget! :drool: :drool:
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We spent the next several days cutting Moose, but all dad could talk about was how fun calling Moose was and he couldn't wait to get the meat in the freezer and go call more Moose. We tried valiantly on Wednesday and thursday, and they were grunting and responding but not coming to cow calls or bull grunts and raking. This past Friday morning he and I went out and tried another set. After my first series of calls the wolves started howling about 4-500yards out. We waited about 5 minutes and I told Dad I would call again, if they didn't howl back then keep his eyes peeled, cuz they were probably on their way. Sure enough, I cow called and no howls, I winked at Dad and he winked back. 30 seconds later I saw a silvery back and tail thru the brush at about 30 yards and I pointed. Dad has a wolf tag, but does not bowhunt, I had a bow but no wolf tag. I could just see it's back and tail, but Dad could see the whole animal. He was there long enough he could have shot with a bow if he'd had it, but it was not to be.
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Thanks for enduring the story and pics boys and girls, hope you enjoyed it. Undoubtedly the best hunting experience I've ever had. Easily tops my first deer, first bear and first elk and any of the Moose I've killed. Getting Dad that Moose was really something special. Anyone care to hazard a guess at what the final width measurement was when the Taxidermist put the tape to him? ;) And no Hunt, you dont get to guess! :chuckle:
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And??
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Awesome hunt recap, congrats to your dad. :tup:
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I will guess 50 1/2 ". Great moose and congrats on a great hunt with your Dad And bro.
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Awsome read, thanks! :tup:
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Very cool story and nice moose :tup: sounds like a great time.
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:IBCOOL :tup:HOW FUN IS THAT!!!! Thanks for the great hunt story! ( outdoor life pay's good money for stuff like this)
Tell you dad congrats, you all did us proud!
I'll venture to guess 47-48 inches wide ;)
Annie
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What do you mean I can't guess? My guess is bigger than you guys think it is! :chuckle:
Thats one hell of a moose and a great story! Congrats. I can only imagine how good that feels to be able to call him in for your dad. :tup:
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Awesome story! Beautiful Bull :tup:
I'm guessing that bull goes 53-55
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What a great story, and pictures. Truly a dream house, and dream hunt by the sounds of it. 55-56 Brute.
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No matter how big your the winner here you can;t beat being with your DAD.
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Awesome moose. Even better story! It must feel amazing to share that experience with your pops! Great job. I am leaving friday for a cow moose hunt but hope to call in a bull as well and get it on video.
Nice job.
Bianb
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Awesome story Goldtip! That moose is 52 4/8" tip to tip :chuckle:
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Awesome, congrats to you and your Dad!!! Thanks for sharing the story and the great photos!!!!
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OUTSTANDING! Don't even know what to say. Don't even know your dad but I feel I do. I can feel the emotion because of knowing you and having been on a hunt like that with my Dad. Going to let this one sink it. AWESOME!
I can't wait to draw this year! I hope you left me one.
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Awsome story, great time with DAD. Very cool.
Mulehunter.
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53 3/4
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Awesome Trip!! Great job! Beautiful bull!!!!!
I"ll just go with 50 1/4... Either way...he's wide enough!!!!!
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Nice work- I'm certian that the pack you carried would have killed a lesser man! :)
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That is a beautiful bull. Congrats on the family hunt.
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Memories that will never be forgotten. Great job to all of you!
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Congrats Jay, what a great time to be in the woods with your family.
I say that bull is 54 5/8" wide. A slammer bull for sure.
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Sweet, sounds like a great time.
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Im gona say 56 just because I want it way wider than he was hoping :tup: DAndy Bull, congrats to everyone invloved. Bet your dad is on cloud 9 !!
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Thanks for all the compliments guys, and Bone, you know when you draw over there, I am tagging along, right? ;) Here is one of my favorite pics from when we dropped it at the taxidermist, really shows the drop tine and , well just shows everything real well. And when we got home, Mom even ponied up with my Guides fee. Fresh Huckleberry Pie.
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Sounds good! I was going to go 52-54. It pushed the limit. He sure layed out flat. I love those deep points too. AWESOME bull.
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I was gonna guess 56, but you gave it away.
That was a great read. Congrats to you and pops. AWESOME!!!! :drool:
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OK, here is the pie.....
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Yeah, that yellow tape picture was taken by me at the house, the Taxidermist used a flexible metal tape like B&C says to use when he scored it and came up with a width of 53 7/8". Just flat a danged nice bull and I don't think any of us could be any happier, especially Dad!
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I can understand exactly how you felt or what you were describing. As you have, I've had some pretty good hunts, but NONE compare to the one where I helped Dad with his moose. Best feeling I have ever had hunting I think. I imagine it might be good if I ever do something similiar with my kids, but still, that was a high you did nothing but help rekindle with your story. It probably sounds corny to some folks....
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Congrats to Dad! what a great montana moose, tons of great memories for all :IBCOOL:
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Man O' Man, Great read Tip, that is one of the best memories i have is when I killed my moose with my dad.. He didnt get one, but it was the first moose I have ever got and his eyes were as big as mine when we pulled that thing out of the lake it died in.. There is nothing like Moose Hunting especially with Family.. Once again, great read & awesome bull!.. Kudos! :tup:
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It probably sounds corny to some folks....
Not corny at all. My dad has been gone 16yrs. Would love to have shared a moment like that.
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HOw long into October do you think you can grunt or cow call a moose in? When do you think calling would no longer work.
Thanks
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I've grunted in many in the middle of November. About Thanksgiving they shut down completetly and then lose their antlers moments afterwards.
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Thats a dang nice bull :tup: and that daang pie is making my mouth water :chuckle: :yeah:
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Awesome moose! Thanks for posting all the pics!
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Fantastic story and pictures. Congrats on your team hunt and a what great memories.
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Great story and a great bull, sounds like you guys had a great time!
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What a story and glad you were able to share the moment with your father! :tup:
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Awesome post Jay, keep practicing your calling skills as I now expect big things to happen next year when I pull my Selkirks tag! Tell your dad congrats for me and I'm happy to see he wasn't wearing his robe and slippers :chuckle: Well done!
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That is truley a blessed experience. I would give almost anything to be able to hunt with my Dad again. Thanks for sharing.
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Awesome post Jay, keep practicing your calling skills as I now expect big things to happen next year when I pull my Selkirks tag! Tell your dad congrats for me and I'm happy to see he wasn't wearing his robe and slippers :chuckle: Well done!
I'll certainly be there to call for you when you draw, but fairly confident that old Hoyt of yours probably wont get the job done.......... You may have to talk the old lady into letting you get one of them there fancy Carbon Elements or something!:chuckle:
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Boy, he actually gets bigger every time I look at him. At first I was thinking 150ish for him... but with that spread and the palm width and length! WOW! Congrats again and I am still reeling from moose fever.... even with my tag eaten up, I am still thinking more of moose than elk!
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Great write up! and congrats to all of you! What a great hunt :IBCOOL:
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Wow! That thing is amazing! Congrats! :tup: I hope someday I can share an amazing hunt like that with my father :)
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Great looking country and even better moose. What a great hunt your dad had and it was easy to read you had a blast too. Thanks for the great read and photos.
