Sept. 24th me and 5 others boarded an anphib. Caravan to actually one of the fly out camps we used to own up north. Though very heavy we did get off the runway and just over an hour later landed to our destination. The group departing from there had 1 small bull. With the climate change we are experiencing, I believe you could make a strong argument that we were going to be a week early, though right on time 10 years ago. We were going to give it a shot anyhow. it was raining when we loaded the plane, and landed. I'd flown the river system, the area I chose to take a newbee (Joe) along with me many times in the past with the Super Cub, but never had my boots on the ground back in there. This was about 6 miles from the cabin we were all staying in. Our first order of business once settled in camp was to load an extra motor for the portage boat I saw sitting at the base of the rapids when we flew over while on final coming into land. I could tell by the tracks the hunters the week before had walked down there and though had fished, I felt they may have been calling from there too. Joe and I portaged the motor and fuel tank and off we went exploring. More of a test drive for the narrow river full of rocks with the water being low.
At the first bend in the river, I leaded forward and told Joe "We drew the long straw...." once I saw what was waiting for us. It looked like any other moose heaven I've seen in the past 40 years of moose hunting.
I found a log to sit on, now drenched, but comfortable. This is where I chose to start my calling from.
I start my calling and once in a while do I hear something or not? I assume with this wind, I'm hearing all the sounds a forest could make for near and hour. I know way better than to move anywhere in the last 10 minutes but I'm thinking I'm coming back here in the morning, will that old beaver house covered in thistles give me a better view and should I just ease over to have a look on such a low percentage evening hunt? I don't go 10 feet and Whack!!! A 3 inch thick birch tree starts whipping back and forth not 30 yards from me. I ease forward and can see him but he's coved with a spruce tree root I can't shoot through but he's busy doing something but I can't see what.
He turns to leave grunting now and 1/4ing away. I hit him in the last couple ribs and he does 20 yards and is rubber legging it. In seconds he's on the ground. I'm looking at his diaphragm heaving and I have to lay my hands on him as he takes his last breath. Very surreal and private thoughts and thanks go through me with my favorite animal on the planet.
Moose hunting is my absolute favorite thing to do. I am not sure how many I've taken but kinda think this is #37 or #38 and called in nearing 140 bulls. I love it.
Those short hunts are the much-deserved payback for all the long, hard, bust your butt hunts you've had.
Thanks for taking us along! It's more work than folks know.... but much appreciated.
#37 or #38......incredible!!
Mark
