Ate tag soup on the 1st 2 tags. Hunted for 16 days on the 1st tag in the ranches of southern Alberta, Porcupine Hills area, got one 70 yd shot at a 50 inch bull and cut hair off his hump, was a little excited. That was my only decent opportunity. Then my 2nd tag I drew in northern Alberta, Peace River region where we do our guiding business. Hunted for 8-12 days, can't quite remember how many, got one chance at about 50 yds on a well put together 45 incher with a big drop tine but it was foggy and I couldn't get a rangefinder reading. The bull finally got tired of me standing there, clicking away and he walked off. That was my only good chance.
Then this year I hunted about 8-10 total days between guiding days spread out over Sept 24 to Oct 30. could have shot about 8 different bulls up to about 38 inches wide, with some called in as close as 10 yards! I had some really fun, exciting close encounters, with pissed off bulls walking right up to me dressed in black, grunting, slobbering, rocking their head back and forth, really cool stuff. Then finally found the bull I killed on Oct 29th, got a brief look at him before he walked off into the trees, figured he was a good 40 inch Poper. Came back the next day and called him into 20 yards with another classic Jim Shockey type rutting moose encounter. He was stiff legged walking by at just 20 yards, rocking his head, grunting, while I sailed an arrow through his chest, complete pass through. He ran 70 yards then bedded right away and fully expired 10 minutes later. (The shot angled back so it took a bit of time. poor guy.) I was a very happy guy though! Only slightly disappointing part is that he didn't make Pope and Young, his lack of points, only 7 scoreable ones in total, most bulls his width, right at 40 inches, will have 16-20 and a somewhat smaller left antler knocked him out of contention. Oh well, not a big deal. I love moose!! Hope you like the picture anyway? Thanks for checking it out.
elkmtngear's Link
Best of Luck, Jeff (Bowsite Sponsor)
P&Y is only a number, I'm betting that this one is pretty special to you.
All the points thing means in my book is I wouldn't have to take my shoes off to count em.
Thanks for the story and the pic, sounds like it was a very exciting hunt, many close encounters. too cool.
Hope it wasn't too far from the road... =D
Mark
