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Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: h20hunter on February 09, 2018, 09:40:36 AM


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Title: Exciting , BC Moose, Tag soup, recapped
Post by: h20hunter on February 09, 2018, 09:40:36 AM
Ambush Outfitters,  moose rut hunt,  2019. Long way off but I'm excited to say the least.
Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 09, 2018, 12:01:30 PM
Good luck!! :tup:
Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 09, 2018, 12:08:53 PM
Nothing beats moose steaks at camp !



Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 09, 2018, 12:17:22 PM
 :yike:  freaking jealous here.....even though I'll be in Alaska in 2019 as well but for mountain goat :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: jackelope on February 09, 2018, 12:26:49 PM
:yike:  freaking jealous here.....even though I'll be in Alaska in 2019 as well but for mountain goat :IBCOOL:

Dang....happy for both of you. And jealous of both of you.
Green with envy may be a little closer to the truth.
Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: jmscon on February 09, 2018, 12:32:30 PM
Rut moose hunt is my #1 dream hunt right now! Very jealous!
Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 09, 2018, 12:33:01 PM
I can't stop thinking about moose steaks the size of my torso now!!!
Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: h20hunter on February 09, 2018, 12:39:47 PM
Well, I guess if I miss I'll just blame that Travis guy and my gun.
Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: NOCK NOCK on February 10, 2018, 06:26:40 AM
Nothing beats moose steaks at camp !


Those peas ruin it. LOL   I hate peas :puke:
Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 10, 2018, 07:19:08 AM
Nothing beats moose steaks at camp !


Those peas ruin it. LOL   I hate peas :puke:

Those dehydrated peas and corn were amazing! Maybe it was just the 5 mile moose packout but one of the best meals ever. 
Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: Calvin Rayborn on February 10, 2018, 11:07:00 AM
Git er dun!  :tup:
Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: h20hunter on June 27, 2019, 08:57:42 AM
3 short months and I'm hitting the road.

Reference info.

Form 4455 is needed to declare firearms on US side to make rentry smooth.

To early to start packing? I think not.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Woodchuck on June 27, 2019, 09:09:56 AM
That's awesome man, I would have been packed when you started this thread. Good luck.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: cougforester on June 27, 2019, 09:14:01 AM
Woo!  :tup:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Timberstalker on June 27, 2019, 09:15:59 AM
Nice!  You're gonna have fun.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on June 27, 2019, 09:17:00 AM
Coug...learned a lesson last week......got on the bench, sighted on the 220 yard plate....complete miss!!!!! Wha???? Oh yeah....i was still dialed from my last shot. Whoops. Come back to zero, send it, whammo!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: D-Rock425 on June 27, 2019, 09:23:36 AM
Should be shooting that bow not a gun :dunno:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: 7mmfan on June 27, 2019, 09:24:54 AM
Coug...learned a lesson last week......got on the bench, sighted on the 220 yard plate....complete miss!!!!! Wha???? Oh yeah....i was still dialed from my last shot. Whoops. Come back to zero, send it, whammo!

That is a tough one. I still catch myself doing that. It's hard to program yourself to making setting your dial back to zero after every shot when you never had a dial before.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: cougforester on June 27, 2019, 09:57:39 AM
Coug...learned a lesson last week......got on the bench, sighted on the 220 yard plate....complete miss!!!!! Wha???? Oh yeah....i was still dialed from my last shot. Whoops. Come back to zero, send it, whammo!

Yikes. That would be a bummer to miss a moose at 100 yards after all your clay pigeon shooting at 560  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: elkrack on June 27, 2019, 10:41:29 AM
Stoked to see how your hunt turns out! The build up to the big day you leave has got to be gettin to ya. I know I would be a total scatter brain  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on June 27, 2019, 10:46:08 AM
It's been a long wait do yeah. Im taking an extra day on the drive up so really looking forward to being fully "away".
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: fliesitdies on June 27, 2019, 07:15:16 PM
Be ready for a great time. And if you like to hunt Grouse take your favorite 22, 20ga. or 410 and plenty of ammo they are everywhere they are Franklins and Ruffs. I had a awesome time it was almost 3 years ago and I am still eating moose.
Good luck my friend
Fliesitdies
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on June 27, 2019, 07:17:07 PM
Oh yeah...i have a 410 and a 20, both over unders....tough decision.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: kselkhunter on June 27, 2019, 07:24:13 PM
Good luck. And please share results of the trip. I had a BC moose hunt planned but had to hold off due to job change awhile back. Still planning to do one in the near future. Nice you can drive across border and get a tag and get into moose. A bit more expensive being required to use an outfitter in Canada but the fact you can drive across helps offset the cost delta.   Hope you fill the tag and have a great hunt. I'm really hoping to get there in 2020.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on June 27, 2019, 07:37:29 PM
Will do.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: dewandgin on June 27, 2019, 08:01:05 PM
Tagging along due to recent life events this hunt is now 3 years away. Have the money just not the time at the moment.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Jpmiller on June 27, 2019, 08:11:37 PM
Good luck!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: CaNINE on June 27, 2019, 08:28:44 PM
Will our friends to the north let you use that .460 for moose?
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on June 27, 2019, 09:17:25 PM
Nope. No semi autos or pistols. Pretty pretty awesome.  Id take up to a 200 yard poke with it if conditions were right. Ill be toting my Rbros 7mm rem mag.

I've got a thread on the gun....titled something like...with all this custom rifle talk...
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Jason on June 27, 2019, 09:26:25 PM
What dates are your hunt? Pretty exciting for sure.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on June 27, 2019, 09:39:32 PM
First week of Oct roughly.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Jason on June 27, 2019, 09:44:38 PM
First week of Oct roughly.
Nice, in the rut.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on June 27, 2019, 09:47:05 PM
Yup. Hoping we get to bring one in in the call.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: RB on June 27, 2019, 10:03:09 PM
Best of luck this is on my bucket list! Looking forward to Moose pictures in October!!  :tup:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on June 27, 2019, 10:16:50 PM
I've secured a sat phone so just maybe I'll send a call down with the   :hunter: :EAT:
Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: wadu1 on June 27, 2019, 11:04:28 PM
3 short months and I'm hitting the road.

Reference info.

Form 4455 is needed to declare firearms on US side to make rentry smooth.

To early to start packing? I think not.
I've never used a 4455 form but I have 4457 forms for all my firearms, spotting scopes, GPS and laptop. I would check and see what is best your local Customs office should be able to tell you.  :twocents:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Rob on June 28, 2019, 01:11:10 AM
Sounds like a GREAT hunt!  Relax, unplug and enjoy it while you are there, it will go too fast.
Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: h20hunter on June 28, 2019, 06:51:43 AM
3 short months and I'm hitting the road.

Reference info.

Form 4455 is needed to declare firearms on US side to make rentry smooth.

To early to start packing? I think not.
I've never used a 4455 form but I have 4457 forms for all my firearms, spotting scopes, GPS and laptop. I would check and see what is best your local Customs office should be able to tell you.  :twocents:


Yep....I called the sumas crossing and checked in.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: bearpaw on June 28, 2019, 07:39:25 AM
congrats, sounds like a great hunt :tup:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: starbailey on June 28, 2019, 08:09:06 AM
Good luck and have a great trip!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: greenhead_killer on June 28, 2019, 09:35:02 AM
This is awesome! Good luck and enjoy it. Super easy to get in and out in Canada with firearms. Just fill the paper work out and have cash because if I remember it’s a $25 paperwork fee to get firearms in. I’ll be in Alberta late nov for deer and have to go through same process. Just have it all ready. The outfitter should give you info on the easiest way back in as well. Good luck
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on June 28, 2019, 09:38:03 AM
 :tup:
Title: Re: Exciting
Post by: Carl on June 28, 2019, 02:18:49 PM
Quote
Yep....I called the sumas crossing and checked in.

I went through Sumas last year with 2 shotguns. Beforehand, had form 4457 filled out (not signed).   US customs gent walks out and verifies your serial numbers. I had a really nice guy.  Easy-peasy!

The clown on the Canadian side told me I couldn't bring them in because I wasn't hunting with a guide! I told him that's only for big game. He said "Oh...that could be"!.

US customs didn't even check coming back.  But he asked if I had tags for the ducks!  :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:  Once again, I informed him that's big game only. Fun times...

Good luck!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: steeleywhopper on July 01, 2019, 09:35:22 PM
Make sure you have Shane grab you a bird license. Those grouse up there are all over and you can bring 30 per person back with you.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Jpmiller on July 02, 2019, 09:39:02 AM
Make sure you have Shane grab you a bird license. Those grouse up there are all over and you can bring 30 per person back with you.

30? How much is a outfitted grouse hunt?  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on July 02, 2019, 09:44:43 AM
Free....with a moose hunt! Confirned my licensing needs just today.

I've decided on the 20g for forest chickens
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 02, 2019, 10:06:34 AM
Have a great time H2O
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Jason on July 02, 2019, 12:29:13 PM
Did the guide include a wolf tag?
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on July 02, 2019, 12:32:12 PM
Nope. From my chats with Shane and previous clients they can and do kill other critters but really the main 95% focus is on killing moose.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: steeleywhopper on July 02, 2019, 12:34:51 PM
Make sure you have Shane grab you a bird license. Those grouse up there are all over and you can bring 30 per person back with you.

30? How much is a outfitted grouse hunt?  :chuckle:

I think Grouse hunting is one of the few things an out of country Alien does not need a guide for  up in B.C. I may be wrong but I looked into it a few years ago when a buddy asked me to come up and tag along during his Mule deer hunt.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on July 02, 2019, 12:36:55 PM
I think that is correct...i can wander around solo for grouse.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on July 02, 2019, 02:46:59 PM
Congrats!  I'm excited to follow along vicariously!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Buckmark on July 02, 2019, 03:20:43 PM
I think that is correct...i can wander around solo for grouse.
In Grizz country???  :yike:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on July 02, 2019, 03:31:24 PM
Psh...I ain't afraid of no grizz.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: fliesitdies on July 02, 2019, 03:48:14 PM
No one is Afraid of a Grizz until you meet !!! Like me I'm not Afraid of my wife until she gets Mad!!! So always remember to save the last round for Your Self,  just sayin
Fliesitdies
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on September 03, 2019, 07:25:43 AM
Exciting day....I flipped the calender and can see ny departure date!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: greenhead_killer on September 03, 2019, 08:36:17 AM
That’s exciting! Can’t wait to read your write up when you get back. Keep us posted and good luck!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on September 14, 2019, 07:14:09 PM
20 cubic feet of moose storage in effect.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: MADMAX on September 14, 2019, 07:30:31 PM
Good luck
Definitely on my bucket list
Let us know how the outfitter works out
Looks like pretty good price
Are you driving up ?
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on September 14, 2019, 07:35:01 PM
Yup. Driving and giving myself two days just to make it relaxing.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: MADMAX on September 14, 2019, 07:42:05 PM
 :tup:

Good luck kill a big one
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on September 14, 2019, 09:23:30 PM
 :drool: :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: 7mmfan on September 14, 2019, 10:11:52 PM
20 cubic feet of moose storage in effect.

Could dang near put him in there whole. Definitely a good move! That dink of a freezer I saw in your garage could barely hold a Whidbey Island deer.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Whitpirate on September 15, 2019, 05:31:17 PM
Coachcw and I will be in Williams Lake chasing moose the 27th-Oct 6. 


Good luck!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Rob on September 19, 2019, 01:56:35 PM
Looking forward to seeing the results!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on September 23, 2019, 08:32:13 PM
Thanks. Guns are fired for the last time, coolers on hand, forms filled out where I can......one work day down  4 to go. Just gotta load up Saturday and roll out Sunday.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Jason on September 23, 2019, 09:24:38 PM
Thanks. Guns are fired for the last time, coolers on hand, forms filled out where I can......one work day down  4 to go. Just gotta load up Saturday and roll out Sunday.
Good luck up there and shoot straight! Looking forward to comparing pics with you all after these moose hunts.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: elkrack on September 24, 2019, 12:19:12 AM
The last few days seem to almost crawl when leading up to a much anticipated hunt. Good luck up there :tup:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Skillet on September 24, 2019, 05:52:49 AM
Tag.  Good luck man, looking forward to the story when I get back from shrimping.  :tup:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: 7mmfan on September 24, 2019, 06:22:31 AM
Good luck. I'm green with envy. Looking forward to an epic tale when you get back.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on September 24, 2019, 06:40:18 AM
@Parasite

Leaving Sunday.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 24, 2019, 07:20:51 AM
Tic toc tic toc! Good luck buddy! Dont suck at moose killing :chuckle:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: 92xj on September 24, 2019, 07:57:53 AM
Good luck and looking forward to your story and review.

Has the outfitter talked about the daily routine of the hunt?  I'm curious what the process is during a typical day there.  Clearly you will know the exact answer when you get back. 
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on September 24, 2019, 08:03:11 AM
Nope.....I have a general idea based on talking with past hunters but just ready to go with the flow.  I figure my job is to shoot and be a good client! :tup: :bfg: :mgun2: :guns:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: BD1 on September 24, 2019, 08:14:08 AM
Give'm hell buddy...enjoy the WHOLE experience  :tup:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Buckmark on September 24, 2019, 08:26:39 AM
Good luck, these few days before will seem like they are the longest then before you know it your week up there will seem like it went fast.
Oh and on this hunt you are killing stuff with antlers  :peep:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on September 24, 2019, 08:34:13 AM
I killed someyhing last year with antlers.....one point per side thank you!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: 7mmfan on September 24, 2019, 01:34:33 PM
Now your goal is at least 2 points per side. Baby steps.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on September 24, 2019, 01:36:40 PM
Yup. A forky moose!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Stein on September 24, 2019, 01:37:32 PM
My last MT deer was a 1x2.  They are out there if you hunt hard enough.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Buckmark on September 24, 2019, 02:37:20 PM
Yup. A forky moose!
Don't get to cocky there spanky, there is a pic of one on their hero page  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Machias on September 24, 2019, 02:59:31 PM
Good luck!!!!  I hope you have a great hunt!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on September 28, 2019, 03:56:58 PM
Well, truck is loaded with gear and coolers. Just gotta rekax, get some sleep, off we go in the am.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: steeleywhopper on September 28, 2019, 04:34:03 PM
Good luck and have a safe trip.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Widgeondeke on September 28, 2019, 04:35:55 PM
Looking forward to seeing you and the moose you shot dead  :hello:

Travel safe
Aim small miss small
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: elkrack on September 28, 2019, 04:36:48 PM
Nice! Good luck safe travels  :tup:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Dan-o on September 28, 2019, 06:02:13 PM
Have a blast, brother!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Skillet on September 28, 2019, 08:29:48 PM
 :tup:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 28, 2019, 08:37:50 PM
Go get em my friend!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: jmscon on September 28, 2019, 09:14:42 PM
Drive safe and have a blast!
Just thinking of moose meat makes my mouth water!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: dewandgin on September 29, 2019, 10:44:46 AM
be safe and have alot of fun
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on September 30, 2019, 11:54:41 AM
Free Beer for all hunt wa members today and today only. Oh....and only between 6pm and 8pm. Oh.....and you have to be here in Prince George.  Arrived, two split days of easy driving and saw one massive rack on display from a the back of a truck. So far good. Relax today, off to camp in the am.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Buckmark on September 30, 2019, 12:01:40 PM
Free Beer for all hunt wa members today and today only. Oh....and only between 6pm and 8pm. Oh.....and you have to be here in Prince George.  Arrived, two split days of easy driving and saw one massive rack on display from a the back of a truck. So far good. Relax today, off to camp in the am.
Careful what you wish for as im almost 1/2 way there  :chuckle:
Have a great hunt and remember HW loves pictures.....
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on September 30, 2019, 12:04:51 PM
Roger that. Pics will have to wait until home. No coverage in camp and plan on making a direct....maybe a stop or two.....beeline home afterwards.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Jpmiller on September 30, 2019, 12:08:33 PM
Maybe I missed it but what sub species of moose is in this area?
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: cougforester on September 30, 2019, 08:58:44 PM
Can't wait to see what the 7 mm puts down!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Jason on September 30, 2019, 09:10:26 PM
Shoot straight fellas.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: jmscon on October 07, 2019, 08:55:52 PM
Anyone heard how things are goin?
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: trophyhunt on October 07, 2019, 08:58:02 PM
Anyone heard how things are goin?
:yeah:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Dan-o on October 07, 2019, 09:33:46 PM
Waiting......   impatiently......
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: ctwiggs1 on October 07, 2019, 10:09:21 PM
Come on D!  We’re getting impatient!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: 7mmfan on October 08, 2019, 08:53:00 AM
I'm sure he's taking his sweet time traveling home. Drive an hour or two, stop for a pee break and snack. Maybe a nap. Go for a walk along a babbling brook. Maybe read some poetry. Get back in his FJ and drive another hour or two. He said he was going to draw this out, I'm pretty sure that's what he meant.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Parasite on October 08, 2019, 09:03:55 AM
Hopefully that snow storm last week didn't impede things.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: 2MANY on October 08, 2019, 09:05:19 AM
Nothing impedes an FJ.

Except a tariff.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: TVHunts on October 09, 2019, 03:59:44 PM
Tick Tock...Tick Tock...Tick Tock... :hello:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on October 09, 2019, 06:01:44 PM
10 minutes from home....
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: 7mmfan on October 09, 2019, 07:03:42 PM
Well it’s about time. There’s a lot of impatient people here waiting on moose threads these days. A lot has happened since you’ve been gone, and not reported on. Near mutiny.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on October 09, 2019, 07:22:52 PM
I saw that. Such drama.  Drove straight through today from PG to home.  Pretty nice drive.

So....tag soup. We cut fresh bull tracks every day.....got about 1200 yards from a stud that would be a shooter on any day. We closed the distance but they were 50 yards.....bull and cow....from a treeline in three different directions....but when we crested a hill to look for the shot they were akready in the timber. Good hunt, good camp,  bulls simply would not respond to calls and were for all purposes nocturnal.  Weather was way to warm and nice. I'll write more later but still have a day or two off and gotta get adjusted to normal stuff.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 09, 2019, 07:36:34 PM
That's why it's called hunting and not killing.  :tup:
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on October 09, 2019, 08:07:18 PM
Well it’s about time. There’s a lot of impatient people here waiting on moose threads these days. A lot has happened since you’ve been gone, and not reported on. Near mutiny.

I'll own my part in all that. Ate some crow today over it. Crow goes great with tag soup. Stinks not getting a bull h20hunter, but it sounds like a thrilling adventure. I've seen amazing sights on trips I came home with all my tags. This truly is a wonderful world to live in.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: ctwiggs1 on October 09, 2019, 08:34:42 PM
Sorry to hear man - but glad you got out and got to take all that countryside in!
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: 10mmg on October 09, 2019, 08:43:43 PM
I ate the same soup from Alberta last year. Worst soup ever.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: TVHunts on October 10, 2019, 03:34:19 AM
Well crap, wished it had turned out better for you. 

The scenery while there and the drive North and back are something in itself.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 10, 2019, 07:09:41 AM
That's how she goes sometimes man. Way to have a good attitude about it and looking at the positives instead of the negatives.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose
Post by: h20hunter on October 10, 2019, 10:27:11 AM
So here is a bit more of a recap......

So drove up and had an nice drive. No issues and met up at the local meet up spot and headed to camp. Camp consists of small hunter cabins with wood stoves and basic rack for sleeping. There is a larger cabin that has the kitchen, storage, and dining area. Shower available next to the guides cabin. Pretty dang basic but watertight, plenty of wood, over sized stoves and just fine for camp. Most nights I burned one stick of wood and the cabin was way to hot. On site is a 100 yard plus range to double check you sight in if needed or to simply run some rounds for kicks and giggles. I learned very fast that you better not leave a single glove, boot, book, or hat unattended. If so, Tucker, the sub 2 year old wirehaired pointer was off to the races with your item.

Food.....dining. More than you can ask for. Full breakfast, mid morning sandwich and treats prepared for the morning hunt, full lunch, full home style dinner hot and ready at the end of the day. Very good and I was never left hungry. One of my favorite dinners was the 10 grouse ( 5 of one, 5 of another) that were baked with grouse heart stuffing and all the fixings. So good.

Hunting. Hunting was a combo of road hunting checking clear cuts, looking for animals crossing and putting some time in on foot to get into other areas, glass, and explore. We called, beat the brush, set up in travel lanes, cut bull tracks and tried to work the areas morning and evening. Most days we did see moose. Our issue was it was warm....most days were simply pants, normal boots, long sleeve shirt. Blue skies but not getting cold at night. Day two was my one and only shot at a bull. We spotted a brute of a bull and a cow at I would guess 1k to 1200 yards. They were in a corner at the end of a logging round on a small hillside. They knew we were there and we really on had two options. We could go almost straight at them and try and cut off 600 yards right through the cut or we could circle around and try and drop into the cut for a shot. My range was anything inside of 550. We put on the sneak, could here them a bit, dropped in.....no moose. Close. We spent the next days cutting tracks, spotting a few bears, yotes, a porky, some cows here and there and grouse. I did shoot grouse almost every day, had a fun double, popped three out of one flush and had some fun shooting them.

Yes, it is tough not filling a tag after the obvious financial, time, and away from family expense. Now, i would be much more bummed if folks around us or in camp were killing moose and I wasn't. There were a few town hunters buzzing around on quads but only one other long term repeat client hunter in camp. They never even saw a bull. We know of one other camp that got a moose during my time there. We believe we came across the kill site and in the drive out over I'd say 60 miles or so I saw one "on the road" kill site. The moose were there but they just weren't rutting hard. The bulls would sneak the cows into the timber which was dark, dense, and really impenetrable.  We would call, grunt, rake the brush, and couldn't get a single vocal reply. Tough hunting. My guide, Justin, was a local that has been with Shane for a long time and at only 32ish years old the only fault I could find was his affection for Milwaukee Best Beer. He pushed his bush truck through stuff I would not have believed we could get through. One night we did get to dig it out and without the winch on the other truck we would have had a long night ahead of us. Good times!

Overall.....the big question is would I go back? Yup, I would. Like I said, yes I'm bummed but I don't know what they could have done better or worked harder to get us on a moose. Just wasn't our hunt.
Title: Re: Exciting , BC Moose, Tag soup, recapped
Post by: 7mmfan on October 10, 2019, 10:51:09 AM
Thats the way it goes sometimes. I guided fishing trips for many years, and sometimes the fish bite, and sometimes they don't. When you book a trip a year or more in advance, there's no way of knowing the weather is going to be warm and rut is slow. It's cards that are dealt and it's no ones fault. It seems like you're content with the effort that was put out and that they worked hard for you. Next time you'll show up on the back end of a cold front with fresh snow on the ground and highs in the teens. The bulls will be frisky.
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