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While bull moose scouting here in Colorado I found the moose mother load today. More to come. My best, Paul
AWESOME!! Paul the one behind the front one is a good bull! He may not have forked fronts but he has everything else really decent, and still a few more weeks of growing!
Just make a good shot Paul. Wouldn’t want to relive that cow elk experience back in 2018 you and I had after you made that not so great shot and lost that cow.
Cnelk….thats an interesting way to support him.
Paul I can’t wait to read this story. Good luck!
What a cool photo! Good luck Paul.
You are not going to be able to sleep. So exciting to see them.
Awesome Paul !!! His close were you from them?
Sleepless nights and an arrow in your future Paul.
Sweet! Good luck getting into them come open season.
What unit are you hunting Paul
Good looking bulls Paul! That's cool
Nice pictures! Mark that spot.
Heck yeah! Be on your target bull the day before the opener and kill him early on opening day before he figures out that hunting season has started! Good luck! Hunt of a Lifetime!
Nice Paul!! Excited for you!!
Nice pictures! Mark that spot.
Still have time to find older age class. Can’t imagine there are that many permit holders. This isn't a fill your tag hunt this is a trophy pursuit. Hold out for a multiple brow tine 40” plus , no regrets. You’re the caliber of hunter to get it done. It is a multiple day season, ENJOY!
Getting excited for you, Paul!
Here is now the moose scouting unfolded yesterday . from the first moose to the last.
Here is now the moose scouting unfolded yesterday . from the first moose to the last.
Awesome- glad you're on em, Paul!
small bull and cow behind in trees
small bull and cow behind in trees
I switched to another drainage two hours later
You must be having a blast with the scouting and anticipation. Going to be a great fall, Paul!
good moose bottom
good moose bottom
long shot with the camera. got to get closer
long shot with the camera. got to get closer
and then way back in the same drainage, a larger bull. I get within 60 yards and take a few pictures. NIce bull, single forks like some of the others I have seen. Width???? IF there is 9 inchs between the eye, then this bull in over 40 inches. Based on CPW data, not any over 50 inch antlered bulls have been killed in this unit.
Later in the afternoon I drive back to where I saw the multi bulls and there were two bulls and a cow in the same area. The problem is that they are just off the forest road and are seem by many campers driving past in truck and ATV. We do know they will disperse in a few weeks and I rather not kill one this close to the road and that the moose have seen tons of human traffic. IS THIS BULL THE ONE?
Rather not kill one close to the road? Seriously?
A couple good options there…best of luck.
The Illinois River drainage is always full of moose
Bruce, well I hope if this is the one, he is a least over the hill from the road. Currently he is the most photographed moose in the area. A lot can happen during the next 24 days to moose season on Sept 7th. He can be a few miles away. I have only seen one bull that has a double brow tine during my scouting. One more scouting trip the end of this month. I will arrive in the hunting area on Sept 4th.
Those are great pics Paul! Looks like some good options. Like in our talk don't worry about hunting close to a road as we have just as much right to hunt there, we need to start pushing back or the cry babies will get all areas closed to hunting that are anywhere near roads or trails, just like they did at Brainard Lake and other places, they don't want to see animals killed stay out of the areas during hunting seasons.
Brad , I see that and by CPW data, over 25 moose have been killed in that drainage during the past 5 years and the most moose in the drainages in the unit. The majority of that drainage is in private land so hard to tell how many have been kill on private land vs pubic where I will be hunting. I will surely check that out the next time I scout but I am still favoring the area to the east at this time. If possible, I am trying to stay away from the human traffic as much as possible as you know the area well and how much human traffic there can be. Thanks for the note. Paul
Dennis, not so much about the right to hunt but I would like to believe that when I kill a bull, I am the only person to step foot in that spot so the farther from human traffic I can be the better. Now that can all change when the season opens but still my thoughts on the matter. Yep, that can all change for sure. Paul
Paul, That is a valid personal point, but I also look at the ease of a closer pack out as well. Have seen many moose calves with cow's?
Nice, hopefully you will have cell reception so you can give "live" updates. Good luck, Bob
Slow and easy Paul. It's very easy to get burnt out. I know I did. I scouted every weekend, walked miles up drainages, slept up top, then walked back out the next day all summer and even during the week. I walked the Eagles Nest Wilderness areas flat and never found the bull I was looking for. Turns out, they were all near the roads where there was lots of traffic, not unlike your area. My goal was to kill a nice one in a very remote area. I passed a couple decent bulls, then a really nice 50 inch non split brow bull I called in, and ended up with a bull similar to the ones in your photos. I’d love a do over, that’s for sure.
I had a tag for a high alpine unit back in 2020, and had some nice bulls pegged. If you recall we had over 2 feet of snow up high and I lost every one of those moose, they simply vanished and I never saw any of them again. Your unit is lower, so I don't think big snows will be a worry, I just had bad luck. But, they will move, and when they do, it's amazing how far, and how fast they can move, as in miles in under an hour and they can be incredibly hard to find once they get into the timber. On the flip side, that means some moose you're not seeing yet, may show up from other units. Keep in mind those “season choice” tags can be a pain, (especially if those moose are close to roads) as the archery dates can start on the ML weekend. I had a couple nice plan “B” and “C” bulls located but they were were killed by guns early on while I was looking for my lost bulls.
It's easy to say, "hunt the whole month" but man you will get tired. Maybe you won’t. But, If it gets slow, and you don't kill early (best time) it will get better right as we get to the end of Sept, just prior to the rifle portion of the season.
Good luck, and stay positive, they're big targets, and can be (not all) pretty stupid once you find them.
Paul, I think Chad summed it up pretty well. Really good advice.
I had the same qualms about killing a bull around viewing areas. I spent most of July and August scouting and really enjoyed that part of the hunt and sharing with another bow hunter who had the same tag.
However, I only saw one of my top bulls after the season started. I made it about 9 or 10 days before I started feeling the pressure of killing a respectable bull for my area. I even started looking in those high traffic areas almost taking a bull there. In hindsight I’m glad I didn’t but if it had been one of my target bulls or similar I’m pretty sure I would have pursued it and delt with the fallout later. A cow hunter got mobbed by tourists and the Parks and Wildlife were called in to allow him to get his meat out. Similar story with a rifle hunter that killed one of the bulls I saw scouting. Hard to say until you’re in that position, so find the bull you want and take it early.
I killed my bull on the 11th day of the hunt and felt relieved. Looking back I would have done things differently being a once in a lifetime tag and after applying for over 30 years.
How will you sleep at night, Paul???? Thinking about all those mooses!
Way cool Paul, kinda like a bachelor group of whitetails...
Best of luck...
The following, Trail Camera pictures moose scouting
The following, Trail Camera pictures moose scouting
Bull of another kind
Bull of another kind
This is going to be epic! Get-r-dun buddy
Here’s Paul’s latest scouting video. Sizing up the bull
That is the guy I need on my hunt, ie, the moose whisper. On second thought, NOT.
Must be some captive moose in Europe.
Awesome photos! Thanks for bringing us along and good luck.
Awesome Shiras bull tag and an awesome adventure on the horizon! Going to be a majestic September experience for you Paul!
More great photo's Paul!! Just following your thread brings back memories and the excitement when I got to hunt my Co. moose. Chad put out some good solid advise!
Comparing the two largest racked moose from the other day.
Awesome Paul! I am looking forward to seeing your hunt here!!!!!!!!!!
As a fellow Buckeye, thanks. Should be exciting and the season is 24 days long. Hope to fill somewhat early, but one never knows wild game and what they might do. Paul
This is great! Gonna be awesome, Paul
Wow sounds like a plan get after em Paul Good luck as always Lewis
Wow congrats on the tag Paul!! Looking forward to an epic "follow along"!
This has been really fun Paul. Been really fun to see your scouting. Some of those bulls are studs. I can't wait to see what you lay down.
VERY cool! Looks like there’s a dead moose walking…………….
Wish I could be there just to tag along and help with the pack out. Best of luck Paul!
Nice pictures, good luck!
How’s the recurve practicing going Paul?
Good luck Paul! Those moose have never faced a more determined hunter.
Brad, I am dead on at 20 yards and very good at 25 yards. Do not want to take a 30 yard shot. Of all the archery moose hunting videos I have watch, the vast majority of shots are under 20 yards and some as close as 5 yards. That is with recurve or compound. Twenty yards was the shot and kill, my last bull elk two years ago.
As usual, good luck Paul. This is coming together nicely, hope you find a good one when the season opens.
Hard to miss a 5 yd shot. My closest was9 yds on an elk. I like those where you have animal above and below your hand or sight.
DL, when the BEAST, shows up at 20 yards and under, I hope to have my head on straight and focused on "the spot". I am sure I will have a man to man talk with my recurve bow just before the release of the arrow. My best, Paul
Even on the supposed to be chip shots always do a mental check before releasing. With a compound I always say anchor, point, pin and make sure I have accounted for all 3 before releasing. More times than not when all you have is brown filling your sight pins you can miss unless all 3 are accounted for and you still need to pick a spot.
I'm getting excited just as if it was my hunt.
Good luck Paul.
Hopefully you get it done early enough to then kill an elk.
Maybe someplace will have freezers on sale. :)
Holy moose’s! Hope your planning and prep pays off with a great bull. I have no doubt that it will!
Bob, no elk hunting this season. I drew my 6th elk hunt in the Flat Tops but turned it in when I drew the moose tag. While I might have killed an elk after killing a bull moose, I can not afford another large freezer :). Just have to settle for a few ducks and geese. Paul
Good luck Paul, fill that Freezer. It looks like you're off to a good start.
Looks like you have them scouted pretty good. Good luck Paul and thanks for all the photos, some nice looking bulls. Will be looking forward to your "story" !
Based on your scouting,Paul, you are gonna have a lot of fun on this hunt. Good luck. Looking forward to your story.
I’ve got some extra freezer space for some moose meat, Paul……for a nominal fee ;-)
21 days to go.
The first bull picture above with the widest antlers. Anyone's guess at how wide his antlers are? Some figure the distant between the eyes can be 7,8,9, inches. Also the length of the ears can be use, ie, 6,7 inch long. I will add this, according to the CPW data, the bulls in this area and their antler width has been under 50 inches.
They all look bigger in velvet.
Interesting that PY scoring is the same for velvet and hard horned moose antlers. Ie, 125 inches. Not sure that either of these bulls would score 125 inch after deductions. Either one would be on my kill list. Time will tell.
Paul, I’m glad you’re getting to enjoy the adventure. So many who draw this tag are pressed for time whether it be being able to scout or spend the time needed to be successful.
You will remember this year for a long time and it’s just getting started!
Dave, so true. I have been elk, deer, pronghorn hunting for many years so I have been accustomed to those hunts most years. I killed my Colorado Big Horn Sheep in 1997 and my Mt Goat in 1999 and I was excited to draw those tags but I expected to draw those tags within a reasonable time. Six years waiting for the BH sheep and 8 years for the Mt Goat tag.
I told Tricia that I might be aging out of a moose hunt in Colorado,, and that was 2 years ago after 23 years of applying. I even stopped paying the $50 for a weight point as I felt it would not make that much difference. Well, a miracle happened this year and I am very excited, as I was when I did draw the sheep and goat tag. Maybe even more with this bull moose tag, a tag that I thought I would NEVER draw. Yep, just getting started. My best, Paul
Great photos, Paul, and looks like very successful scouting. Looking forward to seeing your success.
Really enjoying following along !
The best as usual Paul... Thanks for sharing... and great pictures!
Exciting, exciting, and the hunt is almost here for ya man----->
Pick-A-$pot,
Robb
Well Paul at least you picked the easiest to pack out for last :>)) The state probably wanted to give the moose a chance and age you a little more. :->))
Seriously though this may be the most watched hunt YTD. Luckily you’re old enough to enjoy the ride. And realize this period and the hunt are the best part. Killing the animal is just the last step. But by no means more exciting than this period.
Ok, maybe an hour of adrenaline:>)))
Jay I can only hope for the best and put in the work. Thanks everyone for your encouragement and advise along the way. Fun to share this moose hunt and the many hunts I have been on there in Colorado to fellow Bowsiters. Stay tuned for more action to come. My next scouting trip with be August 27 and 28. Will be interesting to see how the bull's locations might have changed some and to see the change in their antler growth. Oh, and lets not forget that 300 pounds of wild game meat. YUM. My best, Paul
Your photos bring back a lot of memories of past hunts. Thinking back, some of my most enjoyable times were the hours spent scouting and watching wildlife. There is little pressure without a bow in hand and it's exciting to get critters on film. I always enjoy just kicking back and watching them.
It's really good that you are getting a feel for the bulls available in your unit. It is likely easier knowing what bulls are available and which ones get you excited. It is good that you are aware that a lot can change in the coming weeks. Once bulls rub their velvet things dramatically change. As mentioned several times, bulls tend to move a lot more...which can be both good or bad. Keep tabs on where cows are located and you will find bulls.
One nice change in September is there likely are fewer people in the field during the week. There tends to be fewer people when school is in session...especially during weekdays.
Have fun and thanks for sharing your experience and photos!
Nice pictures, good luck!
Jim, Like most hunters, I need lots of quite time in my life and the hunting woods provide that for sure. What I enjoy about archery seasons and bow hunting is that most often you find animals in their natural state, unhurried, and going about what animals do. Having a camera along provides a good record of those times and those quite times. Will be dong more scouting and picture taking next week. My best, Paul
Paul, here is no doubt in my mind that you will kill a good bull. Just waiting for the story! I may still be out of cell range to check up on your progress when you start, but there is a moose out there that will hear the single string sing and will dance to the music.
Enjoy the journey (you always do) and thanks for taking us along!!
Paul, good luck! Have fun-- enjoy the ride!
Awesome pics. Best of luck on your hunts sir.
