From Selkirk to 49 degrees north, Moose OIL, My story..

[The Gobble-stopper]

     It all began with the first year of Moose raffles for Washington in 1997, when I put in for the draw. 27 years later and with 2 bonus points added for a total of 29 points, and hopes of ever getting drawn fading away, I got drawn. Here is the story!
     From the age of 14 I dreamed heavily on getting drawn for a moose tag. The thoughts of going to Alaska stayed with me through the years. Watching videos, going to sport shows and talking to outfitters. It was truly a dream. As the years went by and I began to work, trying to put money away to go on a trip, as the prices for the hunts steadily climbed. It was then that I new it was not going to be. I was put in a position to help my family. So we worked together for the rest of my working life with me being employed by my parents.  Helping family through hard ships, and many customers filing bankruptcy against their bills. Tough times, but I learned how to budget my money and let my wages go to saving our businesses. I could not afford a lot of groceries, only staples like salt, flour, etc. And was blessed that my father taught me how to hunt and fish. I lived off the land and grew my own vegetables. Hunting came easy for me and it I never found myself without food. My freezer was always full, a rotating process, when something ran out, something else was there to replace it. I ate everything I harvested and nothing went to waste. I have taken elk with rifle, muzzleloader, archery and pistol. Deer with rifle, archery and shotgun. I have taken both blacktail, and muleys, and need to someday get a whitetail.  Along with the elk and deer, I love hunting ducks, grouse, dove, bandtailed pigeon, chukar, and turkey. I grew up catching trout, as my father took us camping on the cispus. My brother and I would wake up at the crack of dawn, and sneak out of the tent as Dad slept, we would catch our limit of trout, bring them back to the tent and wake Dad up and have him cook them for breakfast. In my high school years I learned how to bass fish and I wanted to become a Bass pro and go out on the curcuit. It never happend. My first time Steelhead fishing trip in 1974  I was taken to the Skookumchuck to try for the famed steelhead. I did not have a rod, so they brought me one. It was a 4 foot long childs pole, with a plastic reel with mickey mouse of on it. They gave me an orange hard orange berry shaped corky like thing to put ahead of the hook. I casted it to the far shore and reeled it back, cast again and bamm! After twenty minutes I brought to shore a beautiful 12 pound hen. Within a minute a man walked up to me and asked if he could by my eggs. I told him I didnt bring a lunch. Thats how naive I was. He explained that my fish had fish eggs in it. And I gladly took the $10 he offered. Later in 1975 I took up fishing on the Toutle and Green for Kings and Coho. That was when the Green was fly fishing only and talk about a blast, my biggest fish on a fly pole was 28 pounds. Now years later I enjoy Chinook, Coho, Chum, and Pink fishing and continue to do well. I still need to try for Sockeye.
    Turkey hunting is my favorite. It starting with watching the outdoor channel on tv, watching every turkey hunting video I could find. Again I was a poor boy, so I studied the looks and shapes of the box calls, and ultimately made my own. Still not hunting for them yet, or even seeing a live one I practiced on my call constantly. Years later I asked my father if he would like to try it, Sure he said. Our first trip was over to the Klickitat area. opening morning as daylight cracked we could hear some toms on a far away knob. My father and I trecked down a canyon, up the other side, over a ridge, and set up looking at a faraway hill. I began calling and withing minutes, it sounded like there were10 or so toms gobbling behind us. Half and hour later, everything went silent. I waited and called again, nothing! So I picked up my binoculars and studied the faraway hill. (probably 3/4 miles away) Dad and I were talking about the excitement we had this fine morning as I searched the far hill. Then I saw a tiny dot take off on that hill. As it got closer, I told Dad that it was a red-tailed hawk and it was coming right at us. I told him, that it was probably coming for the turkeys that made a ruckus. Within a half minute the hawk landed 20 feet from me. It wasnt a hawk! It was a tom turkey, I swung my shotgun and shot, hitting him hard on the slope of the hill next to me. I was super excited, I jumped up dropped my gun, and ran to retrieve it.  Mistake! The bird jumped up as I dove to catch it. I dove onto and the fight began. He kicked my ass, I was laughing all the way, as was my Dad. I finally got the best of him. What great memories. Years more of hunting turkey with my father including a fall trip, where I ran through the middle of a flock and was able to grab to as they began there flight. These and many more hunts got me hooked, but good! I have now taken all 3 species of turkey in Washington, 18 years, with 15 of those years consecutively. I have take them with shotgun, muzzleloader and archery.
     Now fast forward. 2024 I told myself, the system doesnt work, I will put myself in for the Washington Moose, one last time. With no confidence that it will ever happen. As I have had friends and neighbors get drawn first and second years.
     I had been to new doctor for a checkup to find out that I was in perfect condition! He told me my lungs were perfect, no cancer anywhere, and my heart was that of an 18 year old Olympic athlete. And at 67 years old, I couldnt be anything but happy to hear that. I had been eating a can of sardines everyday of my life for years. The omega 3's did it. My resting heart rate stays in the low 40's and when I go with my younger friends hiking, I can beat them to the top of the mountains, without even breathing through my mouth. So I am thinking please give my a tag before I croak from something else.
     So on June 9th. I still did not see the results of the draws yet. And on the morning of June 10th I woke up to massive unlivable pain in my stomach area. Instantly l began to throwup, straight for hours. I was stuck on all floors in the bathroom I couldnt stop, I couldnt move. I could barely talk. My wife strained for what to do. She begged me to let her call and ambulance. I told her it would take more than a half an hour to have them arrive. I begged her over and over, to get a gun, I was going to end my life. I couldnt stand the pain any longer. I had never had pain like this, I have had broken bones, cut off finger, lots of 30 to 40 stich lacerations. And I laughed at all of them, but this was something else. I couldnt take it anymore. I wanted to die, but did not want my wife to see this, or for her to lose me. I told her to call her father, he was 4 minutes away. Within those minutes, she told me he arrived... It was all I could do to crawl outside. He had pulled up to the door, and asked if there was anything he could do. I told him to open the back door, have it in gear and somehow I would make it inside. "Dont worry about closeing the door. Just drive fast, and that I was dyeing. I heard his door slam, along with my wifes door. It took all I could do to drag myself into the back seat, still on all fours. My father in law asked if I wanted my seatbelt on, NO, JUST GO. I rode on the back seat on all fours to the hospitol emergency room. My father in law drove up on the sidewalk clear to the door. I fell out of the SUV and crawled 3 feet into the hospitol. Someone was yelling, I think it was my wife, and with in seconds. a bunch of I assume hospitol workers picked me up and put me on the gurney on all fours, as I could still not move at all.
Xrays, catscans, tubes, Its all a blur. I do remember them ramming a huge hose through my nose while I was instructed to suck water and dont stop with my chin on my chest to get it into my stomach to evacuate everything in there before the surgery. Emergency surgery, When I woke up. My wife was still there, and she stayed with me at my side all through the hospitol stay. 8 or 10 days. I will shorten the next part, because there were a lot of things went bad in the hospitol that was not fun, and a couple that I felt I was not meant to live.
     Soon after I woke up, a nurse came in with a trainy. She was here to put a catheter in. The young girl was doing fine, but the older nurse was not happy, she said "give me that thing" she grabbed the catheter from the younger trainy and began to pound it as if she was driveing a spike into a railroad tie. Pain, Pain and more Pain. She half shouts out " there I think I broke through your prostate!" What is that suppose to mean.
     Somewhere down the line, someone decided to get me on a blood pressure pill, that is only designed for someone with high blood pressure. My norm is in the 102/50 to 112/55, yes I had high blood pressure before the surgery. And it came nicely down within the day after the surgery. When I was released they told me to continue all medications. 30 or so days later I felt like something was wrong. I went in and the nurse checked my medication. And said "what the beep" hospitol personell came from near and far to see what was wrong. It turned out I was never supposer to have those pills. And she told me that it may have completely destroyed my kidneys. A week later and me thinking Im screwed the test results came back for my kidneys. They told me someone was watching out for me. My kidneys were perfect.
     During my stay and 30 days after, the hospitol had me on a soft diet. Which only constisted of icecream, possicles, yogurt and pudding. Well guess what 45 days later, they tell me I have diebeties now. Thanks. They did tell me that because I did not have it before, that it will go away. I am back on real food now.
     Fast forward again. I get out of the hospitol, the first thing I wanted top know was did I get drawn for MOOSE?  Checked my email. Yippee, I did, but I got my last choice. Selkirk my last choice. Heard it was a lot of walkin. I have lost 30 pounds and all my muscle mass, and I can hardly walk. How good is this going to work. All the while, that I am feeling like Grizzly bait. I will make it work. I asked the doctor will I be able to go? I would have 2 months to do it. He said you may want helpers because you may not be able to lift what you normally can. Nice. I have one family member that can help I have pretty much taken care and packed all my own animals. It will work. Like 10 days later my father in law told me the game depts. drawing people screwed up a bunch of the draws. something like 700 or so draws. Well it turned out that I actually got drawn for 49 degrees north/117. Better news, less grizzlys, more driveing. bigger area, sounds like better chance all around.
     So 20 days or so after  being released from the first surgery. I have to go to another hospitol to fix the prostate that the hold nurse destroyed. Before all this happened, I could pee  just like I did when I was a teenager. Now nothing. So for some reason, I was up to my 19 catherter, and I am really getting tired of it. I went in for tests and they said they could fix the damage. And keep all my sexual functions. Lets do it! I was scheduled for November, so my hunt would have to be canceled. Not gonna work. I got a hold of the scheduler and I asked if it could be moved forward. She told me no, there were too many people ahead of me. But she asked why? I explaing about my OIL and she had sympathy for me and told me she would see what she could do. A week or so later she called and told me to get ready to come in the first of the next week. Yay, Good things! I had Aquablation done, came out of surgery, with flying colors. Over night stay didnt work. 3 days later I was released. Bloody masacure. It was either Custers last stand. Or Fighting on Porkchip hill. I bled and bled both throught the cathater and past the cathater, and one day the little tuby they had in my arm popped out and squirted all over the room. Finally got to go home. With instructions to get well. And hopes to go on hunt. Good, because I had allready purchased my Moose tag.
     About two weeks later as I began to walk. My heart began to race full speed, my chest above my heart got hard and hurt and my arms were going numb. I told my wife to get me to the hospitol. We were quickly admitted, test after test, scans etc. All they could tell me is, that its not a heart attack, and they would fix it. 10 hours later, they came in with the results. I was anemic. WEll goody goody guymdrops, the second hospitol, should have know and tested me there, after the massive blood loss.  But another yay sent out to the nurse that diagnosed this. I had been tested between the two surgeries and I had a high 14 count of red blood cells, now I have a low 9. I explained to her that I am going on this hunt one way or another, can I do it? She said I will give you instructions, and you should be able to get my count up enough, with help during the hunt to do it. So pumping the iron, foodwise, and waiting for my iron pills to arrive, doing my exercises. And getting some of my muscles back. Even went for a morning dove hunt and got 5 for 5.  She said my blood count wont be back to normal for 4 months, but with my history, I should be allright.
     So, sorry for the long story, I am hoping that at least a few of you had kept with it to this point. I am vaguely familiar with the are, 49 degrees, but it has been a lot of years. I will not be able to scout till like the day before. My father in law that was going to go, and could be a help has injured his back and broke his had. I only have one brother in law that would be good help, but can probably only go for the first 7 days. I need some questions answered. I am worried about the daytime heat during the first part of October. Now that they are mandating we debone the moose. Will take a lot more time in the sun. Are there any cold storage places that meat could be taken to cool, till the trip home. And what would be the cost. As I am still a poor boy, and it will be all I can do to make this work, with food and gas, etc.
     I purchased some good maps of the area, can any one tell me a bunch of good areas to find the bulls. I know how to call and in hopes of getting one on a road, or pretty darn close to it. I am hoping for a big moose, which should also mean more meat. Not expecting to have someone give me a location for a record moose, but surely wouldnt turn it down. I have dreamt about this for too long to shoot a little 2 point or something. This hunt means truely once in a lifetime for me. And I will do all that I am physically able to do to make it happen. And if I get in a bind, is there anyone able to help pack if I get in a bind. I dont have a lot to offer, other than apprecation. But maybe I could figure out something.
     I really want to hunt early, do to the calling in of the animal, but worry about the heat. I was told that the end of the season, in October, there can be a lot of snow, which may make it difficult do to medical conditions.  I know some of you probably think I should have turned my tag in. But after aprx 30 years of waiting, I am not going to start over. I hope that makes sense. Its just too long of a wait.
     I will be using my 270. And I just got done reloading my 180 grain barnes originals I bought aprx. 30 years ago. I shot a few back then and they shoot perfect in my remington 700. Thought it would be a little nastalgia to go along with the hunt.
     I really will appreciate any and all help.
     Also wish WDFW would allow us to quarter the animal. I believe Idaho allows quartering as long as they leave the spine and brain areas there. Makes more sense to me!
     Thank you all. I do not have a computor so have to go to my in laws to answer any questions. So be patient, I will try and check every couple days. I believe my email is on here. Let me know if is not. And I will get it to you. You can also message me on here. Thanks, The Gobble-stopper, also known as David
 

[jrebel]

I wish I could offer up words of wisdom for that unit, but I'm not your man.  I hope someone on here PM's you with some good intel and helps you be successful on this hunt of a lifetime.  I have an elk hunt in early Oct. so won't be able to offer any assistance with packing, but if you are still hunting later in Oct.....shoot me a PM and I will likely be able to assist with packing, cutting, transporting, etc. 

I wish you all the luck in the world and hope you find the moose of a lifetime.      Also hope you heal fully and recover from your medical ailments. 

[HntnFsh]

Dude, glad your here to tell us this story. I was enjoying it all until your health went south. I am of no help with your hunt but pray you heal up and kill a monster bull on a hill just above the road. You definitely deserve it! Good luck and keep us posted! Hopefully there are others here that can help make your dream come true!

[JWBINX]

Paul, who owns the Nordlig Inn Hotel in Chewelah knows that unit very well.
Contact him and relay your situation, He is a good guy and has helped out a lot
hunters.
It's also a great place to stay.
Good luck on your hunt.

[boneaddict]

Temps should cool pretty well, hang your quarters in the shade with good air. You can bone it at leisure in camp, not in the field.  That much lose meat is a real pain to cool and deal with.   

Sorry about your health and I am glad you finally drew.  My Dad never did.

[Falcon]

Good morning.   

Prayers for your health🙏 I love your positive attitude.    Hunting moose in Wa is a wonderful experience.   I wish you all the best on your adventure

[The Gobble-stopper]

Thanks guys, feeling better today. Counting the days!

[The Gobble-stopper]

Whoever sent me the information on the Chewelah motel owner could you resend the information. Somehow the information got lost, was ready to call him. But want to make sure I have the right information and motel.  Also update, found out I had an infection from the last surgery, taking anti biotics for that. Looks like I will be able to go hunting by the opening. Could still use any help on good areas with moose, as I have not been able to go scouting. Also is there anyplace over there that has cold storage in case the temperature is too warm for hanging? Thanks for any info.

[GASoline71]

Good luck to you!  I wish I knew more about the area to share with you, but I don't.

When my Dad was in the hospital last year for a one to 2 week stay for the umpteenth time fighting cancer. One of the older nurses did pretty much the same thing with the catheter, and she was really gruff with how she did it and my Dad would wince in pain.  My Mom was in the room with them during this ordeal and was not happy about it.  My Dad told me later that when the nurse was done, my Mom pulled her aside and said, "You ever treat my husband that way again, and you'll walk out of here with a bloody nose."  My Mom doesn't screw around.

Again, good luck to you, and I hope you heal up well.

Gary

[baldopepper]

Can't offer any help.with the actual.hunt, but you'd be welcome to do any processing at my place near Hunters.  Big garage with several nice tables and most of the implements you might need. Might be further than you want to travel. but could accommodate you in my rustic guest cabin if needed. We use my Kubota tractor to hoist animals.  I'm an old dude also and can sympathize with your ailments. (Cacass disposal is easy as I have 20 acres with lots of coyotes, eagles and ravens that do a good clean up job)

[HntnFsh]

Incredible offer!
Thank you!

[Whitpirate]

Give Bearpaw (Dale) a call.  I know he sells some maps but you could also look into what a semi-guided may look like.  I know the unit fair to middling well but haven't been in 2.5 years no so I can't give you localized up to date access. 

Quick google search:  Mason's Meat Packing in Newport does game cutting.  (509) 447-3788. 

[bear]

When I got my moose there we brought the meat in and paid to have it frozen at a meat shop in Chewelah.  I also took my head to the local taxidermist to have it skinned and prepped for my taxidermist at home.  Shot mine first day and no one wanted to go home right away. Ended up kinda scary when we had a bull walk right to us on a road and we had no means to even defend ourselves. Fun times

[The Gobble-stopper]

Can't offer any help.with the actual.hunt, but you'd be welcome to do any processing at my place near Hunters.  Big garage with several nice tables and most of the implements you might need. Might be further than you want to travel. but could accommodate you in my rustic guest cabin if needed. We use my Kubota tractor to hoist animals.  I'm an old dude also and can sympathize with your ailments. (Cacass disposal is easy as I have 20 acres with lots of coyotes, eagles and ravens that do a good clean up job)

Nice offer, I will put it in my notes, WE will see what happens and where he falls. Thank you for the offer!

[The Gobble-stopper]

I wish I could offer up words of wisdom for that unit, but I'm not your man.  I hope someone on here PM's you with some good intel and helps you be successful on this hunt of a lifetime.  I have an elk hunt in early Oct. so won't be able to offer any assistance with packing, but if you are still hunting later in Oct.....shoot me a PM and I will likely be able to assist with packing, cutting, transporting, etc. 

I wish you all the luck in the world and hope you find the moose of a lifetime.      Also hope you heal fully and recover from your medical ailments.

Will see how season goes, might have to wait till late just to get some cooler weather, Thanks for the offer!