Sandbrew's Colorado Moose Hunt
Moose
Contributors to this thread:
I thought you all might like to read a story about my Colorado moose hunt.
Like many of you I faithfully apply every year and in hopes of drawing a highly coveted Colorado bull moose tag. I figured my chances were slim at best and even slimmer since I drew a Colorado cow moose tag in 2005 with only 3 points. That license draw reset my point total to zero and I figured starting in 2006 I could apply until I was dead or drew a bull tag. In early May I was constantly checking the CPW website for any indication of draw results when I saw a post stating moose preference point totals had be updated to show another point for 2013. When I checked my moose points my total showed 0 instead of the expected 3 plus 5 weighted points “crap I thought somebody stole my points” I said out loud. Then it began to sink in…..somehow my number was up in 2013 again and I drew a bull moose license for GMU 28 – the area around Winter Park and Grand County.
Once my tag arrived in the mail I realized it was not a computer glitch or some friends playing a cruel joke on me. I spent hours poring over maps and talking to previous hunters and CPW employees to gain as much knowledge of moose habits and where bulls had been harvested in the unit. I also tapped into my brother’s knowledge of the area and reserved a room at his Winter Park condo. I made sure several other friends including Bowsite’s “JDM” my buddy Jeff knew I had a tag since he also has a condo in Winter Park as well. I also contacted another buddy Conway who has lived in the unit his entire life. He has lots friends in Grand Country so they all knew I had a license in case they spotted a good bull.
Between myself, my brother Joe, Jeff, Conway, former hunters and the other locals I felt we had several of the best areas covered. I made several scouting trips throughout the summer and saw exactly 0 moose. Lucky for me everyone else seemed to be seeing moose and several growing bulls all summer long.
As opening day approached I made a final long weekend spotting trip over Labor Day where after a long hike I discovered my Swarovski spotting scope was no longer functioning and rattled like a pebble in an empty can. Not good - I thought 5 days before my hunt started. Little did I know that would be the start of my string of misfortunes and miscues on this hunt. Luckily, I three days before my hunt was to start, on the first day of mountain goat season my co-worker Tom connected on a really nice 9 2/8 x 9 2/8 billy. As we packed him off the mountain I asked if I could borrow his scope for the rest of the month. He said yes.
The eve before the season Jeff and I hiked into a secluded alpine basin searching for moose. About an hour before dark we spotted a bull then a cow then 2 more bulls including a pretty decent one. We made the plan to be back there at first light after running into an archery elk hunter who was hiking into the basin in the dark who said he always sees a BIG moose in the area. Day 1 Opening day well before first light Jeff and I met up with my brother Joe and our friend Conway. We hiked into the basin and at first light spotted the same moose as the night before. We also spotted several bull elk and mountain goat. We spent the entire day up above treeline checking the various basins and willow patches for moose. We decided the biggest bull was not an opening day shooter. We hiked down in the rain and dark.
Day 2 We decided to switch areas and spend Sunday hiking into far off area where several people had spotted bulls but where none had been harvested. There must be a big one in there we figured. Our hike started at first light since we figure we are in moose habitat all along the trail. After several hours of hiking we came across an outfitter bring out string of horses and stopped to chat about moose. He confirmed our sighting and even told us exactly where to go. The moose come out like clockwork every afternoon he said. So up the trail we went. At about noon we had topped out and had only a relatively flat hike to the intended moose spot when we took a break to have a snack and ring out my wet socks from slogging in and out of the boggy areas when Jeff said to me- “Have you pulled back your bow today” I hadn’t so I decided to put my release on and pull it back. As I did I said "I’ll be sure not to dry fire it” – of course as I let down I clipped the trigger and released the string – it make quite a racket as the string came off the cams, my cable slide went for a ride and my peep sailed into the unknown. “I guess we are done for the day” said Jeff. My next concern was finding a bow press and getting my bow fixed late on a Sunday afternoon Lucky for us we found the sporting goods store in Granby open and able to restring my bow and get me back in business. After the repair we shot a few arrows and figured we only had a couple hour to hunt before dark.
We headed to a known moose area only to find the only road into the area blocked and closed due to logging operations. We ran into the loggers done for the day and headed home. When we told them I had a moose tag they said follow us we’ll show you where we've seen moose. We quickly spotted several bulls and a few cows within a mile of each other. The logger said they had been there for at least a week every day. We didn’t think any of the bulls were big enough for the second day.
Day 3 Since we now had several bulls located and they all seemed content to stay we decided to try another area first thing in the morning where Joe and Conway had been seeing several bulls all summer long. We hiked to a high vantage point and glassed up and down stream in a very willow filled moosie looking area but we saw no moose. We hiked out at mid morning and drove back to Conway’s ranch house our western part of the unit base camp. Along the way I noticed my clutch feeling a little odd. As I tried to back up and make a 10 point turn on a tight forest service road I nearly drove of a steep embankment as my truck would not come out of gear. We limped into Granby again in search of a clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder. At the first auto part store I nearly ran into the front of the store when I couldn’t get my truck out of gear….again Of course they didn’t have right part so I was headed to Denver….if we could make it.
Luckily we passed a second auto parts store and decided to check there for the part. YES! They had the part. It was 2:06 PM and after a little struggle by Joe Jeff and I, we had the right part installed and working. We still had a few hours to hunt and since we had a working truck we decided to check out Meadow Creek Reservoir before dark….in the rain. We saw 1 smaller bull. We also chatted with another moose hunter who had seen several bulls.
Day 4 We headed out early to get up high and glass some more alpine along the western side of the continental divide- At first light we spotted several elk but no moose. Then the clouds rolled in and the rain started that would flood the front range and soak us for the next 4 -5 days. With terrible conditons for glassing and record rains predicted to continue. I decided a day off was probably best.
Day 5 – I decided to regroup, restocked and dried out. Of course- One of the elk hunters I had talked with in the field called about mid-day and mentioned he had seen a big bull right in his camp for the second time that week. He sent me this picture off his video camera.
Day 6 My break didn’t last long as I headed back up for at least a few more days – As I arrived in the unit at first light I decide to hit a couple of areas I had not visited for a couple days in the eastern ½ of the unit. My brother and Conway covered a few other areas on the western side. That morning we spotted zero moose. Jeff Joe and Conway and I all met up at midday and compared notes on what we had spotted and reports from others. We decided to split up a bit but concentrated on the last known location of the reported bigger bull.
That evening we spotted and called in “stubby” to 21 yards and saw 2 smaller bulls that responded to grunts. Right at dark we saw a cow and calf on the move.
Day 7 – after thinking about all the moose sightings and discussing what we had seen as far as moose behavior we felt the bulls all seemed pretty “rutty” and maybe if we found cows we’d find bulls. Seemed like a reasonable plan. Joe and I hunted the last know location of the biggest reported bull. We ran into yet another moose hunter’s buddy who had dropped the hunter off and was waiting for him to hike back to the truck. That night we didn’t spot any moose until almost dark-It was a pair of smaller bulls who seemed interested in our moose calls both cow and bull.
Lucky for me Conway had time to look on in a couple of places and he spotted several cows claves and a couple bulls. He could not confirm size at the distance he spotted the bulls but one of them looked wide.
To far and dark for decent photo so we'll have to look for him in the morning....we thought.
Day 8 I decided to hunt the area where Conway and Joe had been seeing bulls almost every day they went to look so we headed out before first light and Jeff and I hiked to good vantage point to start glassing. Joe headed a few miles upstream to one of our other favorite glassing spots.
Just after first light Jeff and I spotted a bull walking upstream towards us at about 600 yards. I steadied the borrowed spotting scope and a got a decent look at the biggest bull we had seen so far. Jeff and I decided if we got a better look I better go after this bull…or at least take a look up close. The next time we saw him I said. “I’m going after him he looks pretty good.” I scrambled down the hill and across the marsh and into the 10 foot tall willows as Jeff stayed behind to help spot and signal me if he could. I set a course for about a 90 degree angle to where we last saw the bull think I could intercept him 300-400 yards upstream from where I last saw him since the bull just seemed to be ambling that way. As I entered the willows I realized I could not see further than the willow bush right in front of me. As I slowly made my way towards the area I started bull grunting and brushing the willows with my home made plastic sports drink bottle with the end cut off. I simply walked toward where I thought the bull would be and called and scrapped the willows.
After about 5 minutes I heard some bull grunts and antlers scrapping. I thought to myself crap one of the other hunters is right off there behind the next set of willows. Then I quickly realized 3 of the 5 archery hunters had already filled based on my intel and the chance of another hunter being less that 50 yards away in the same willow patch without us have spotted them was not likely. It had to be a real bull. About then I saw the tops of the willow bush right in front of shaking and I grunted once. The shaking stopped and a bull stuck his head around the willow and stared at me at 23 yards. I quickly counted points and saw this bulls forked brows and decided this was a bull I needed to try to harvest. The problem I could only see his rack, head and neck. I didn’t have a shot. I then realized there was some more movement just off to my right. It was a cow and a calf standing there looking at me about 10 yards away. We had not seen them before now and they seemed less than pleased I was so close. They cow moved off and the calve followed. I moved to my right to try to get a clear shot on the bull. He started to move off to follow the cow and entered a small clearing. (Actually the grassy yellow patch in above my scope in the previous photo) I bull grunted and he stopped broadside at 33 yards. The bull glared right at me and it was more than a little unnerving. I had nocked an arrow and placed my release on the string. I ranged him - 33 yards I said to myself it's a short shot it’s just like I had been shooting in my yard all summer. I drew back and centered my 30 yard pin about 1/3 of the way up the bulls chest and released the arrow. I saw the fletching fly straight and true as the arrow buried deep into the bulls chest. It looked like a pretty good shot as the bull galloped off. He stopped about 65 yards away and I nocked another arrow. I was getting ready to range him when he started to wobble and stumble then simply toppled over. In less than a minute he was down for good.
I waited a couple minutes then approached the bull to make sure he was dead. He was I snapped a few pictures then hiked out to meet Jeff at the truck to get the packs. We drove down and signaled Joe with a few horn honks and he hiked down from his vantage point and headed back to my bull to start the work.
On the way in I told Jeff and Joe he was a pretty good bull probably 44 inches wide with lots of points and split brow tines. After several minutes of looking high fives and picture taking. Jeff broke out the tape measure and handed Joe the “dumb end” As Jeff stretched the tape I saw 53 inches at the widest point and said “you’ve got to be kidding me”……and they were. Joe had grabbed the first 6 inches of the tape. We all had a good laugh and I was still very happy with my 8x10 47+ inch once in a life time Colorado Shiras bull moose.
I really can't thank Joe Jeff and Conway enough for all the time and effort each of them put into "my" moose hunt. But they all know I'll be there when they draw...hopefully soon because the entire experience was nothing short of AWESOME!
Thanks guys!!!!
Sandbrew
PS - Now the real work started. Jeff, Joe and I skinned the carcass for a shoulder mount and used the gutless method to pull off each 1/4 one at a time. Once we had the first 1/4 off we loaded Joe up and he headed for the truck about 600 yards away. This was the second moose Joe and I have hauled out together from the same drainage only about 800 yards apart. I shot my 2005 cow about 800 yards down stream. Jeff and I processed the rest of the carcass and when Joe returned with an empty pack we had a rear for him ready to haul out.
Jeff and I worked to get the other side skinned and when Joe returned he hauled out a third quarter and said "Im not hauling out this entire moose by myself." Jeff and I loaded our packs. Jeff hauled out a quarter and I stuffed my Kifaru pack with as much miscellaneous moose meat as I could fit.
The crew made a final hike back to the kill site to retrieve the head, rack and cape. and I had the "honor" of hauling that pack out
Parting shot.....It's one of my favorites and I forgot to include this picture up above. I took this one to show Joe and Jeff before I hiked out to get them.
Parting shot.....It's one of my favorites and I forgot to include this picture up above. I took this one to show Joe and Jeff before I hiked out to get them.
Outtakes....
Jeff and Joe showing what a 53 inch moose really looks like.
Thanks again guys!
Congrats! That looks like a really cool hunt!
Congrats on a great hunt and a fantastic bull! JJ
Excellent report and pictures. Congrats on a great hunt and moose!
Great Job John!
You sure tell the story better than Joe does. He called me right after you killed it and it was like "Hey Kell did John call you? me no why whats up? Oh he killed a really nice bull, hey I need some advice about my roof.... LMAO
Congrats on a great bull, great recap, and great pics!
Awesome! Congratulations!!! Especially drawing the tag twice!
Congrtats. Way to get it done.
Rick M
Excellent bull ! & congrats on having great friends !
CONGRATS!!! Great moose and hunt!
Excellent - And great story too!
Congrats on a great bull and a great story also!!
Congrats!! Great story and hunt.
Congrats, John! Nice bull. Those packs look heavy.
Great Story! Good job JOHN!! Heres one I would have shot...in the unit I apply for. 3 and 14 26 years in.
Beautiful moose. Congrats!
Well done! Thanks for the write-up.
Way to fight through...congrats on a beautiful bull!
Congrats....always love these mooose hunts!
Mark
Very nice write up, congrats on a fine moose.
Awesome!! Congratulations - that's gonna make a great looking mount.
Great job, and great bull! Congrats!
DJ
That is fantastic. I think moose is the animal I'd most like to kill with my bow and I'd be very happy with a bull just like yours. What a great animal, congrats.
John,
Let me rub your license for a little luck. Next year it will be 15 years of applying. I need some help.
Good job my friend.
Wow... fantastic... great bull... Ed F
Awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Way to hang in there! Congratulation! Thanks for sharing.
Great trophy! Thanks for sharing your hunt.
Awesome story and great animal. A huge congrats on the hunt.
Congrats Sandbrew....well done!
Great story! Thanks for sharing.
Scott
Nice Bull John, couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy.
Gives me hope in 4 years maybe I'll draw a Bull tag like you too!
Awesome adventure. A moose hunt is on my list...Good job!
Nice Bull. Congratulations.
Colorado moose hunting is awesome. Got mine last yr. Congrats.
Congrats! Thanks for the story and pis, a great job from start to finish.
Glad you all enjoyed the story.
Mathews Man- Remember no waiting period when you harvest a cow.
Good luck to all in the draw next eyar.
Sandbrew
wow...nice bull, and fun story!
Great hunt! Nice pics too.
Congratulations, beautiful bull!!
John, you da man with lots of karma, and a great story and bull - congrats.
Congrats! Great hunt and great story.
Excellent. Thanks for the hunt report! Bask in your success! C
NIce bull John. Colorado sure has some great moose and many of them came from an area where I used to hunt deer, here in Utah.
I was over to Colorado just a few weeks ago and took a few moose photos. Most of Colorado's average moose are far better than most of Utah's in that class.
Glad you had a great bow hunt. BB
That was great.Enjoyed that.HUNT
It's beeen 60 days anyone care to guess the score?
Sandbrew
What do I get if I guess correctly? Cause I bet I could come pretty close!
......and the winner is Mathewsshooter
Gross was 153 6/8 Net 148 0/8 Width was 47 0/8
Sandbrew
Great sticktoitivness. I thought you always test a bow draw with an arrow in it. On the other hand, diagnosing and changing our master cylinders gets bonus points.
Hey BB, that is a stunning moose pic. Actually looks kind of ...majestic. Addresses the schnoz very nicely. Wouldn't mind seeing it in a calendar.
Are you sure you didn't get the width and the gross measurements mixed up? He sure looks 53 wide and about 147.
Dang SB, don't know how I missed this...Awesome, congrats!
WOW,
I was going to take an educated guess and say 114"
Great job telling the story. Hope you have enough open wall space for him. Congratulations!