Aaaaahhhh!
Now that was some good meat!
I just had a supper of the most wonderful meat. It was from my Hunting partners recently killed Moose!
On Sunday (September 24th) we were Hunting here in SW Montana when I spotted a dandy Moose for my Hunting partner.
It was the biggest of the 35 Bull Moose we had seen in two previous overnight scouting trips and so far during the actual Hunting season. We were on our second 4 day Hunt since the season opened (September 15th) when we "got lucky"!
My partner was getting a little "antsy" or anxious regarding "filling" his VERY RARE and hard to get, Bull Moose tag!
My partner harvested the sneaky Moose (after it had given him the slip on two previous stalk attempts in a willowy river bottom) with his T/C muzzleloader!
It will surely make the Black Powder Records Book for Shiras Moose (if there is such a thing?).
The Bull had 10 points to a side with large (tall?) antlers that measured 43" width wise.
Thats the good news!
The bad news was the Moose had led my partner on a chase that included crossing a river and a couple of small bogs!! The Moose fell mortally wounded on the far side of the river and the bogs, from our camp, truck, ATV and our horse!
Neither of us had chest waders or hip boots even!
The Bull fell at 9:26 AM and our cleaning, skinning, quartering and full body preperation of the pelt for a body mount had us working until 10:30 PM that night! I fell into my bunk then without even considering eating dinner - I was so tired! It was only a mile trek each way but the cold water, bogs and river crossing made even just walking difficult!
Sundays work included 3 round trips (or six river and bog crossings!) across that freezing river with meat (thankfully most of it was carried by the horse!) then on Monday morning we were up before dawn and had two more round trips with the full hide and hooves, meat and then lastly the full skull and antlers!
We had the Moose to the taxidermist by 5'ish that night!
I was EXHAUSTED!
Our feet were cold (frozen!) and prune like for two full days!
I just got the pictures back from the photo shop - if I do say so myself several of the pictures did turn out wonderfully!
My partners pictures are not yet back from his developer.
Our scouting and Hunts were filled with lots of mini-adventures with Skunks, Coyotes, Elk, Deer, Antelope and Grouse!
Fresh Sage Grouse is very tasty I have decided and I have become a confirmed Sage Grouse Hunter!
I used 12 gauge steel #3's on them and that sure seemed to do the trick!
In the area my partner's permit was good for he was the first Hunter to take his Bull - a Cow Moose Hunter did harvest a Cow on the opening weekend that we know of!
During all of our scouting and then our actual Moose pursuits in some of the best Elk country in Montana, I did not hear any appreciable bugling until last Saturday morning (September 23rd) - this was during the dark of the moon and just after a 2 - 3 inch snowfall by the way!
They really TURNED ON that day.
I personally am of the opinion that the Bull Elk are "learning" to hold off on the bugling until they just can't stand it anymore!
Bugling by Elk simply brings in the archers and the resulting turmoil to their mating cycle!
We saw Bighorn Sheep, Badgers, several hundred Antelope (they are really doing well in SW Montana these days!) and countless Mule Deer and Whitetailed Deer, as well as several huge herds of Elk!
We also got to see some amazing Bull Moose on Bull Moose fighting and several examples of the rutting rituals of the Bull and Cow Moose!
One scenario had a Bull Moose digging a hole in the soft grassy willow bottom, urinating in it and then getting down on his knees and wallowing in this "rut hole"! Next his "lady-friend" Moose came over and knelt into it as well!
Interesting!
Our personal opinion of the Primos Moose Call was that it worked to make Moose stand up when they were laying down but did not bring in any Moose to us!
With one exception!
My partner was calling on his Primos call to two large Bulls that were fighting over a Cow Moose! Our objective was to try and pull these Moose out onto an area "convenient" for Moose retrieval after they were harvested! The two Bulls would not quit fighting and come our way no matter how we tried our calls. After an hour of calling I spotted (from on a ridge line a full mile and one half away) come running, a third Bull Moose! This Moose trotted directly at my partner until he was within 300 yards of the fighting Bulls then he veered over and they had a "three-way" clashing for quite some time!
I am sure the whining calls from my partners Moose call is what brought him out of the mountain thicket and down to the willow bottoms. But the clacking of the fighting Bulls had him alter course and we eventually gave up on these rutting Bulls!
Its a good thing we did as the Bull we eventually got was better than they were!
I have mixed feelings now on putting in for a Moose tag!
Its just an absolute ton of work!
The taxidermist thought the Bull was at least 5 1/2 years old.
My legs are still wobbly from the ordeal!
Back to this Filet Mignon of Moose - I think I will in fact put in for a Moose tag next year!
I can't wait to try a Moose roast!
This Filet Mignon of Moose just melted in my mouth!
Of course anything fried in olive oil, butter and flour then seasoned with salt and pepper is bound to taste good!
Long live the Shiras Moose of the Rocky Mountains!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Awesome report and big congrats to you two boys. Loss of points for forgotten gear, but bonus points for the price paid in suffering involved! Note to self: bring waders, just in case...

Just back from NH's White Mountains on a second scouting mission for my October hunt. Found what looks clearly to be a dominant bull's area, with pits and tons of fresh sign. His tracks we measured at 9 plus inches from front to back and 5 inches across, in sand that left perfect impressions. Hope he sticks around; I'm pretty sure we found the big boy in that neck of the woods!

KG

Kamo Gari: Best of luck to you and your mates on the upcoming Moose Hunt!
I hope you get the Big One!
I am going to the online Atlas now and look up the White Mountains!
Never been out in your neck of the woods and I just like to look at maps and familiarize myself with whats where!
Is that the proper term, "pits" for the holes (wallows?) that Moose dig - apparently for rutting purposes?
"Our Moose" had huge hooves and we saved them along with the gigantic "one piece pelt/cape"!
These hooves were dark down to about 2/3's distance to their ends where they turned the most lovely shade of ivory/silver color! The tips of the Moose hooves reminded me of the color of the "ivory" tips of mature Buck Antelopes horns!
Be sure to bring friends for "packing" - several friends if possible!
Again best of luck to you on your Hunt!
Be sure and keep us up to date on your ventures.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

VG,

I'll be thrilled with any moose we manage to get, but hoping for the big guy to come to the call.

Thanks for the well wishes! I'll post a report, and hopefully pics of a healthy and mature specimen; I can't wait! Between now and then I'll be on an antelope hunt in WY with good friends. Got in on an alligator hunt a couple weeks ago. Local whitetails, lots of bird hunting and small game here too. Busy, busy! Ah, it's a brutal life, but some of us have to do it...

Post up any pics you have if you could, eh?

Cheers,

KG

P.S. Yes, a moose 'pit' is the same as a WTD scrape, but surprisingly small for the size of the animal.

"When the moose drops, the fun stops... "
- mike

Hey VG, Great Hunting story. I can feel my muscles tighten from your all's toting!

Tell us a bit more about the shot when you have a chance. What caliber, placement, distance, etc.

Great memory of a fine Hunt with your buddy.

VG, Thanks for sharing the tale. I am sure you will tell it again for years... great hunt and you are so right about how good Moose is to eat. Thanks again.

Hot Core: My friend was shooting a stainless steel T/C Muzzleloader in 50 caliber. He was using "pellets" of some type to propel the copper clad 50 caliber slugs. I retrieved one mushroomed piece of lead that had seperated from the copper clad outer shell - later I recovered a copper only piece. It also was very uniformly mushroomed or flattened as well.
We talked a lot about the aim point for my friend to use on the Moose with this muzzleloader - we decided that a double lung/heart area shot would surely be the most reliable killer.
He was lucky enough to get a broadside shot on this big Bull and that shot did not exit. The Bull went down and then another shot was placed into the front of the Bulls chest - no exit here of course either.
Just at 100 yards was the first shot and a tad closer for the follow-up.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Couple quick questions, please: anything you guys wanted/needed but forgot or didn't think of (other than waders )?

Any particular cadence or sequence of calling seem to work?

Thanks,

KG

Hurry up with the pics already!

Kamo Gari: We called about every two minutes when we were "overlooking" good Moose habitat!
We were trying to make Moose stand up and that may have been to often for "trying to call the Moose toward the Hunter"!
I would suggest about once every five minutes if you are down on their level in the cover!
If its wet you can hear their hooves "slooshing" (sucking sound) up out of the water or wet ground as they approach!
The rut should be really rolling now!
A longer meat saw may help you somewhat over the "short" Deer, Antelope size meat saw I own.
Also "huge" game bags would be a boon. We had to use tarps for the quarters.
Its supposed to "cool off" here on Sunday and Monday so keeping meat cool after that will be easier.
By the way there is a wonderful butcher shop (and sausage making place) in Butte - its called "Western Meat and Sausage Block, 800 Dewey Blvd - 1-406-494-4319 .
I have had their sausage from Deer, Elk, Bear and Antelope many times and its VERY good!
I am still working on a lead to a Bull for you! I was in the Bugs and Bullets sport shop in Butte yetserday and the owner there is kind of information central and a very avid Hunter. He would know if anyone would where the bulls hang.
That shop is behind the Wal-Mart by the airport in Butte if you get that way.
I will look up the phone number for you. He was on the phone the whole time I was there yesterday trying to find a lost bullet shipment and I did not get to talk to him in person.
Bugs & Bullets = 1-406-782-6251

Best of luck Kamo Gari!

Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I'll second the "Meat Block"...

They know how to stuff meat!

quote:

Originally posted by VarmintGuy:
My partner harvested the sneaky Moose (after it had given him the slip on two previous stalk attempts in a willowy river bottom) with his T/C muzzleloader!
It will surely make the Black Powder Records Book for Shiras Moose (if there is such a
VarmintGuy

I would think a picture would tell a thousand (or two thousand) of your words. How about a picture?

quote:

Originally posted by VarmintGuy:
Kamo Gari: We called about every two minutes when we were "overlooking" good Moose habitat!
We were trying to make Moose stand up and that may have been to often for "trying to call the Moose toward the Hunter"!
I would suggest about once every five minutes if you are down on their level in the cover!
If its wet you can hear their hooves "slooshing" (sucking sound) up out of the water or wet ground as they approach!
The rut should be really rolling now!
A longer meat saw may help you somewhat over the "short" Deer, Antelope size meat saw I own.
Also "huge" game bags would be a boon.
Best of luck Kamo Gari!

Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Good stuff, and I do appreciate your sharing your insight, VG. Thanks.

I'll report back after the hunt, and hopefully I'll have a story with a happy ending.

Cheers,

KG

I just shot the most convenient moose ever. We figured he was about 250 yards off a road where he fell, uphill from us (already pretty convenient), but to our surprise there was a tractor track of some sort close behind where he had perished. After a bit of looking we found the road that lead to it, tied a rope to the antlers and pulled the moose to level ground. We were off and on our way home with a quartered moose in about three-and-a-half hours, including photo shoots!

F.

Frans, you should thank the moose gods. You know that will never happen again! Next time he'll be in the middle of a muskeg, or in a lake, or on the other side of the river.

the chef

When I shot a moose in Newfoundland, I got real lucky. We had just pulled into the clearcut for the power lines and there he was! One shot at 365 yards with the .300 magnum and he went down in 10 yards, still in the clearcut. We cut him in half, loaded him onto the argo, then back to the boat and transferred the halves to the boat and back across the lake to the cabin and uloaded him onto the dock, all in about 1-2 hours. He tasted quite good.

Varmit guy
Your killing Me. Was it in unit 340 by chance?
I shot mine on Sept 29th off the banks of the Big Hole. Small but oh so tasty. Pics (from camera phone, on the other thread soon. (only 2 available as I lost the camera on the yellowstone on the 2nd of Oct, but that is another story)
Junior