I was hunting Moose today and got rained out again. Has been a weird Fall here on the "Rock" thus far. Weather has been unseasonably warm. Doesn't seem like the Rut is full on yet. I'm hunting Area 34 (opened Oct. 1) Bay de Verde, which also happens to be my home area. Have been seeing lots of cows, but the bulls are fewer and further between. Haven't been seeing as many cows with calves this year either. I'm wondering if the Coyotes are finally making their presence felt in my area?

Opening Day (Oct. 1) was last Saturday, saw 14 Moose, got within shooting range of six, including two young bulls. Passed on 'em as I'm looking for something a little bigger for the freezer. Saw a really nice Cow, should've went maybe 1100-1200lbs...wished I had an either sex license! Stalked a really nice Bull for about an hour and was about 2 minutes from taking a shot when a couple of yahoos from St. John's glassing from a nearby hill, started blasting away at the same animal from about 400-500 yards away. Blew my shot and worst of all, they hit the moose in the hind quarter. Having no idea what they were doing, they drove down to within 50 yards of where they "thought" they shot the moose, proceeded to tear up any sign he left and then wandered off in the opposite direction from where the moose had run off to. I was PO'd, but there wasn't much I could do.

Luckily, another couple of hunters happened across the wounded moose that afternoon and put him down. Glad he didn't suffer too much. On the other hand, I still needed a moose!

Sunday was a no hunt day, but I used my time productively and did more scouting. Located a nice "shooter" bull, along with 3 nice cows. None of them had calfs with them though, which was odd.

Monday, saw 4 cows, 2 bulls. No shot on the big "shooter" bull, passed on the little 'un.

Tuesday, temps hit 24 degrees C. Moose hunting in a T-Shirt? Saw 3 cows and two bulls. One of which was the "shooter." Couldn't coax him out of the deep woods unfortunately.

Wednesday, goodbye hot weather, hello cold! Windchill put a damper on the day, with temps darn near zero C. Not fun glassing bogs from high ridges and tolts with 60km/h winds making it feel like freezing! Saw 3 cows and one small bull. Heard the "shooter" bull from yesterday, but didn't see him.

Thursday, rain and fog...hard to glass. Got within 50 yards of two really nice Cows. Heard the "shooter" bull again, but he stayed out of gun range.

Friday, rain, rain and more rain...plus fog. My folks asked me to help them unpack and arrange the new living room set and bedroom set they had delivered that morning. Couldn't say no, so I had the whole morning shot! Hit the woods in the afternoon, saw two more cows and came across the gutpile of a freshly killed Moose.... Yep....my buddy Dereck had shot "MY" bull that morning while I was unpacking a queensize cherry headboard and matching footboard!

Saturday, back to square one. Search for a new "shooter" bull. Saw two more cows, plus a another cow/calf combo, but no bulls. At noon, the heavy rains forecasted finally hit us and that was it for the day.

I'll be back at it again this Monday. I have until January to fill the tags, but I want something early because the meat tastes better. The best meat is from an animal that hasn't been driven too much.

This is the first time in a number of years I haven't tagged out in the first couple of days. On the up side, I guess I get to spend more time having fun, but my Beagles gave me some hard looks this morning...somehow they knew bunny season opened today! Hope to get Mr. Moose out of the way this week so I can start running the dogs! The one question I want answered though, is why do I ALWAYS happen upon ponds and gullys that are literally covered in ducks, when I have a rifle in my hands, but NEVER when I'm carrying my 870 12ga?

top story, I just love reading moose tales. One of these days I will bring my trust Whelan to your shores and bag me one.
malcolm56

Hi M1911A1 Shooter......
Get a drilling! Or, invite me to go with you....and I'll lend you one!
Alex

Wow I can hardly wait for the next installment .. Too bad that you can't take the beagles moose hunting .. Now that would be a great hunt .. and a 'bunny' that they could brag about to all their buddies !!!