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A worthwhile climb

This photo is unrelated to this story but I like it, so here it is. It is of my buddy Mike Turner and I on a Kansas bowhunt. On a side note don’t show landowners that also hunt photos like this as we can no longer hunt that farm. Early in the summer when states are sending out results of special drawings or for me notification that I was once again unsuccessful 3 of my friends called to say they had drawn moose tags. Ron Niziolek had a western Wyoming tag. David Gutshmidt had a northern Idaho tag , and Mike Turner a west side of the bighorns tag. I would think that I would be involved in all three hunts as moose hunting is at the top of my list of things to do and all three are good friends that I enjoy hunting with. As it turned out I had time to go with Mike. Ron had to put his hunt off till next year so I’m looking forward to that. As summer started I began to look for moose in Mike’s unit. After work, on weekends, as much as I could. Also called to get as much intell as I could. Mike did a bunch of research from back in Michigan. I would follow up and drive to check out the spots. We had a miserable summer,100 degrees in June, and still 75 up on the mountain after work. My wife and I finally found a good one at last light in a spot I’d seen a big bull 15 years earlier. What a relief, I was excited and called Mike as soon as I got service . Mike was able to fly out in early august to look around for himself. He used my house for home base and either he or we would drive up and look. Mike spent a day hiking into the wilderness and found some good bulls. Luckily he lived through the treks into the dangerous wilds as he isn’t a Wyoming resident and not qualified to hunt in our wilderness. As we planned the hunt we both thought it’d be better to not kill one next to the road. The biologist didn’t think anyone ever shot moose up in those high drainages. Mike thought we could pack one out but he was wrong. Luckily a friend of mine and Top Notch guy Wes Smiley said he’d pack one out for us. I’d known of Wes since I’d moved to Sheridan. High school art teacher, wrestling coach , carpenter, contractor, cowboy, mountain hunter, guide , tough guy , and now county building inspector. As I’ve gotten to known him I learned the hype was about right. He said he charged 300$ which I said wasn’t enough.

Mike Turner is a good dad. But he failed in one regard as his son Nickwas getting married on September 4thin the UP. In Nicks defense he probably still doesn’t recognize the value of this tag. I think 25 points. And his first elk hunt is still in the works. With the season opening this year on the 1st the best plan would’ve been to try to kill a bull while they were still in there summer patterns. That was still the plan but now we were pushing it.

Looking forward to the full story, Randy!

Mike drove out to Sheridan and we got ready to head in. Went to get a guide license so mike could hunt in the wilderness with me. They had no idea what I was talking about so we called our new game warden in Sheridan. Very helpful and had those licenses in his truck. He’d never issued one. Mike had gotten word from a credible friend from the other side of the mountain of a giant bull at a lake we hadn’t yet checked out. Plans were scrapped and we decided to start looking for that bull. Driving into the trailhead we stopped at a drainage where we had seen a nice bull a month earlier. Had to wait for light. As it got lighter , Mike spotted a white spot in the willows. It was that same nice bull. Neither one of us wanted to quit hunting yet so we drove away. Later in the day, in the extreme heat,9 miles into a 6 mile walk, we would’ve maybe taken that first stalk. Finally made it to where we wanted to camp and it didn’t seem so bad. Weather was hot and even the elk weren’t too wound up. Because I’m old and didn’t have a tag Mike carried the tent and stove. I was glad for the lighter pack.

After looking for a couple of days and finding nothing. Nice scenery! We ran into a backpacker coming from the direction that we were thinking of going. Retired respiratory specialist from Rapid City. Just recently figured out that he wasn’t going to live forever and he’d better get doing what he loved while he could. Solo hiking in the wilderness was his thing. He told us that the lake he’d camped on had a huge moose on it. That was also one of the lakes Mike had found a nice one on in august. We looked at onX and glassed from where we were. We could make it to that lake before dark but we didn’t have camp or food and if we killed that bull we’d have been at the beginning of another,colder adventure. We decided to head back and out, then drive around closer to that bull. Sometime when we were taking a break not whining or complaining,Mike says this is the second dumbest thing I’ve ever done. I almost died laughing,being a longtime friend , and wondering what ranking system he was using. Later he modified it to being in the top 5. Darkness caught us 3 or 4 miles from the truck. Mike thought we should go on drive to Sheridan , sleep , then hike in and kill that bull tomorrow. I had enough energy to pitch a tent where we were which is what we did. Thank god.

Broke camp at daylight and headed to the truck. Elk were bugling and had we tags it would’ve been a great day for that. Took us till noon to get anywhere to eat. We were talking about a big breakfast but we didn’t come close and settled for fish and chips in a bar. On the way to the trailhead a light came on in mikes new Ford truck, check charging system, huh? Hiked in and set up camp. Nothing was as easy as We thought it should be. Throughout the trip as my knees hurt I thought of some friends that couldn’t be there, made me thankful for the pain. We decided to go look for the moose before dark. Thankfully we didn’t find him. Early the next morning we started checking out a series of lakes with the last one being almost to the continental divide. As we didn’t find moose I was thinking of telling mikes kids what it meant to him to be there for them. Our water was freezing at night, willow leaves were turning yellow with some dropping, none of which was making moose hunting in the high country any better. As we crested a rise Mike said , there he is and he’s huge. We both know how to score things and I was thankful we weren’t picking him apart to see if he was big enough. As my buddy Scott Grumley would’ve said, he’s a nice one. We moved in then mike closed the distance,35yds, the bull was bedded behind a rock, paddles sticking out each side. He looked big. Maybe the wind swirled but he stood up broadside to Mike. I heard the arrow hit the rocks. I hope he didn’t miss. The bull looked huge and black. He stopped after 20 yds, didn’t seem to be hit and Mike never showed himself. Shortly he began to lose his balance and struggled to regain it. Then he went down. Not a sound ,my friend standing there on a rock , fist way up in the air. Me a hundred yards behind both fists up. Really seemed like a big accomplishment. It was.

Spent the day cutting moose and stacking in the shade of willows, no trees. Even Shiras bulls are big. Wore me out cutting it up. Pulled camp and headed out. Maybe 12 miles to the truck. Tired again but was sure glad to be at the trailhead. One great thing about new Ford trucks is you don’t have to worry about the keys. Just leave them inside and use the keypad and code. Made it out just after dark to find out none of That works if the battery is dead. Odd thing about being in this tourist Mecca hiking center is that there are as many young women as men going into the wilderness. Right after we figured out that we we’re screwed without help 3 girls came out and were driving home. We didn’t look trustworthy enough to offer a ride to but they took my wife’s number and told the forest service guy that we were stuck up there. I just pitched my bag out on the gravel and figured to sleep till morning. Is that thunder and lightning ? Jeez! It all worked out and Pam picked us up at the FS camp out of the rain. Mike may not buy another Ford as the dealership in Sheridan wasn’t helpful. Wes went and packed the moose out and when Mike asked him how much Wes said 300$. They may have settled on 600$ and thankfully they didn’t have to fight to get him to take it. It’s pretty nice to be around someone that does exactly what he says he’ll do. Just talked to David about his Idaho moose tag. Season goes to December 1 and he’s not close to giving up. Maybe?

What a great bull! Congrats to you guys!

That’s awesome! Good work, looks like you guys had a great time.

You guys really did your homework, sure paid off!

What a great archery bull...well done, Gentlemen !

Great bull and great story. That success photo of two friends and a moose will be a trophy for you both for a long time! But seeing that photo, I can understand why you two old farts didn't get a ride into town from those young girls !!

Awesome hunt! Thanks for sharing

How did he get the keys out? Locksmith?

Yep Rich , Mike retired police and 5 daughters between us they would’ve been ok. They talked to my wife after and felt bad. I may call to thank them and tell them they have to be careful and maybe carry bear spray. Triple A towing so locksmith and jump a long way from town.

Heck of a bull! Even better hunt, shared by 2 buddys. Congrats to both of you guys!

That’s a great hunt, and you’ll remember it a long time. Lots of delicious meat too ! Thanks for taking us along.

Fun stuff Randy and Mike. Do the work and you will be awarded. Nicely done by both. Paul

Great adventure! Great Shiras bull! Congrats to you both!

Ya did great.

Thank goodness for Horses up in there,

Robb

Congratulations on the success and the adventure

Spectacular hunt and excellent bull! Congratulations to the both of you! Hopefully Mike at least shared a little moose meat with you…

Congratulations to you guys!

Great bull, congrats

Randy-Thanks for sharing an awesome story. (I remember the days when drawing a unit 1 cow was almost a gimmee. )

Side note. You guys were not the first vehicle in Wyoming hunting season to experience the keypad/key storage process flaw. My "close friend" had it happen to him in September. (We are close enough where I let him put the charges on my credit card!) Unlock/jumpstart is a spendy option in places my "friend" visits! LOL!

Those experiences add to the story! What an awesome adventure.

Congratulations to you both! Great bull and a great experience to remember.

A great adventure. Nice trophy- thanks for sharing your experiences !!

Now THAT’S doing it the hard way! Congrats. Good story-telling too.

Pretty decent buddy to sacrifice work and part of his elk season...... This was another successful adventure in the books. I did not Randy was such a fluent writer, we should push him to chronicle a book of his adventures with bow, family and friends! I will add more to the story soon, but here is Randy and I at one of the remote highcountry lakes.

Pretty decent buddy to sacrifice work and part of his elk season...... This was another successful adventure in the books. I did not know Randy was such a fluent writer, we should push him to chronicle a book of his adventures with bow, family and friends! I will add more to the story soon, but here is Randy and I at one of the remote highcountry lakes.

Great bull and great story! Homework paid off. They should just sell those "guide licenses" from vending machines at the Kum and Go...

That would put those poor unqualified non residents at risk without sufficient licensing to protect them in our wilderness. I just had a new friend point out that even a construction worker can figure some things out

Thanks Mike. Man we look old in that photo

I think it’s just the camera angle, Randy….Upon second glance, maybe not!

Looking forward to your contributions on this thread, Mike. Congrats, again, on a great bull!

Good stuff Randy. You guys had a hell of an adventure! Congrats on a great bull Mike!

Yep it’s still here

Way to go guys. Can't beat great memories with even better people. Congrats on the bull.

Congratulations to Mike and Randy on a fabulous Shiras!! What a hunt in a great part of the world, timberline country! Quite an effort given the age of the men involved!!! Ha just kidding since I’ve got about 6 years on you guys! And your packer is to be cherished, best guy ever when a moose (or elk) is on the ground.

And it’s been too long since I’ve seen Mike…last time he had hair!

What an awesome adventure!!! What a great bull and a great friend!!

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