Finally done with the moose. The pictures of the freezer is all I kept, my dad and I finished up what’s left and are riding around and giving meat to his friends. Most of them are too old to hunt, and can barely drive if at all.
We've got draw tags for antlerless moose, so hopefully I'll get to start my own post in 2-3 weeks! Any advice you'd give to a newb?
You will do just fine. The one quick piece of advice, is make sure the moose is in a good spot to get to. After the bang is the wrong time to second guess how can you get the moose out. What are you shooting for a gun and what bullet you going to use?
It's a big zone, but a lot of mixed farm land and some low areas. Might have a few dinky creeks running through it too. I'll be running a Marlin bolt action 9.3 x 62 mm, 285 grain Privi bullet, loads clocking 2,450 fps. I think my gal will either use my gun, or give her the 30-30 with 170 grain bullets, as she will not shoot past 100 meters on game. She can shoot decent out to 200 meters, but just won't on animals. I've heard the 30-30 is decent enough for close range work?
Sounds like your in good country with good access. Don’t shoot her in the water unless there is no other option. Make sure your knives are sharp. If you have a jet sled they are helpful for dragging and lifting. Probably should just talk in the phone it would be better.
Negative on shooting in water!! I'm sure we'll get it figured out. I recall a time I wasn't a deer hunter, until I was. Learned pretty quick that day.
Funny thing water is always deeper than it looks. Quartering a moose in water sucks, add current and mud bottom.
Not sure how I missed this thread. It is a dandy! Congratulations Rope on a fine hunt. That sounds like the hunt I've wanted and the area is beautiful. That meat also looks fantastic! I could almost taste it from here! Eat hardy my friend and hopefully those kids will have great memories too.
They have fun from hunting to freezer. Mom and I think they are better people by knowing how and where their food comes from. At their young age they see the difference in meat quality when they are at the store or restaurant.
Not sure I can do it any more Rope. Dave has offered but so far I have not taken him up on it. Trouble is this Friday I turn 76 and my body is badly beaten up so physically there are limits that I never used to have. Tough to live with but have to, at least for now.
I should add that even last night I tracked a deer for someone (and found it too) but once I knelt down to look for blood and could not get back up. Ended up falling backward while trying to get up. But at leave I fell by a witch hazel so was able to grab that to help me up. Needless to say, that fall did not do me good so I did not hunt today. Think I will in the morning though!
This Mr. John currently 77 that hunted with me this season. He is retired out of Army SF and his body shows the ware and tare. He needs his ankle works on, and will have that done before the sheep hunt in August. When he found out that my son and I are going he lite up like kid at Christmas. When I asked if he wanted to go, he just smiled. Told me his boys have not been interested in sheep hunting since he was 62.