I am back from my first LEH moose hunt and I want to share my story and give credit where it is due! I chose a sub-region of 5-2 for my draw based on some initial research & proximity to home. I reached out to SRupp for advice and he was enthusiastic and willing to help me with area knowledge and the art of finding & calling a moose. Me and my friend started our hunt on Sept 21 by going to swampy areas I had chosen on google earth and set up pee soaked tampons. We called for 45 min in each spot and didn’t see or hear a thing. By end of day 2 we hadn’t seen a moose but had seen tons of sign and even found a complete set of huge shed moose antlers. We got discouraged one evening and decided to give Steve a call and he told me to stay in one spot and call all day. Well we sort of did that. We lasted about 3 hrs in each spot after getting bored / discouraged. In one particular spot we called moose hotspot because we say tons of trails/ bedding areas and fresh poo with a meadow and some water. We set up tampons the day before and went in at 5 am and set up some chairs and started calling. After about 2 hrs we hear urgh urgh urgh urgh urgh in fast succession ever so softly and that happened 3 times. My friend looked at me and said did you hear that?? I think it was a moose!! We then heard it in the bush to our left. After 20 minutes we never saw that moose and we think he worked around us in thick bush and caught our smell because he took off. So I gave that spot a day to calm down and tried different spots on Sunday. My Friend had to go home so my dad came with me to moose hotspot again at 5 am but this time we set up on a higher ridge overlooking the meadow. After 2.5 hrs of calling we hear urgh urgh urgh urgh urgh again and we both wait. All of a sudden a moose walks between tree islands and disappears! I thought crap did I miss my opportunity? Then all of a sudden the moose appears at the tip of one of the tree islands staring in our direction looking for a date. I took aim and fired. He didn't move so I shot again. This time he disappears into the bush but I felt my shot was good. I wait 45 min and go look for him. I found his blood trail and eventually him. I was so excited and a bit remorseful for taking this great beast! He was huge! The next 8 hrs was gutting, quartering and packing him out which was tough as he was 500 m from the truck down a hill and across a swamp. I did this with a small cart and Cabela’s Alaskan pack frame (lifesaver!!). I had to do this mostly by myself as my dad is 70 and has health issues.
My trip would not have been successful if I didn’t receive advice from Steve. It was those little details that made all the difference. Big shout out to him and his generosity of sharing his years of knowledge. It’s a big temptation as hunters to hoard all our hunting knowledge to benefit only numero uno and those close to us. But this man is a legend in my books for all the help he gives hunters like me! I am forever grateful! I am now a moose hunter!
Reply With Quote