I must start this post off by offering HUGE thanks to SRUPP for the tips, advise and encouragement. He gave us a solid foundation to start our first moose hunt with.
I've been coming up to visit my brother in WL area to hunt for the last 5 years, and this is the first year we've got a moose draw. 3 of us put in, so we drew 2 bulls. Unfortunately the 3rd guy couldn't come, so it was left to my brother and I to hunt. After some scouting online and a phone call to SRUPP, we knew where we had to start.
We went out at first light on the first morning to scout a couple meadows and hang some scents. We parked the truck and went our separate ways, each to check out different spots. 30 minutes later, and I wasn't even at my spot yet, when I heard my brother's shot.
He had literally walked out into the meadow, called once, and a bull came out at 50 yards. He dropped him where he stood, and we had one moose down. Not a monster, but at least a bull about 700 pounds we guessed. We were able to get the quad to it and packed it out in 2 trips.
I spent the next 7 days sitting patiently, calling, and waiting, with no luck. We tried a few different spots, but none of them produced. We saw some beautiful country, but was beginning to get tired and frustrated.
So that evening I went out to a familiar spot where I had been lucky with deer, and that I knew well. I hung some scents in the evening where I would hopefully draw them out of 2 separate areas towards me and came back in the morning. I spotted a Cow Moose first thing, and she wandered off into the timber. Looking at her tracks in the road, I could tell she was alone. I called for 2.5 hours after that before I heard my first reply. I answered. It was close. Then a stick break, and another grunt in my direction. I could only see one antler and part of a nose at 60 yards, but he winded me and ran the other way before I could get a shot. So close, but I was pretty excited that I'd called one in finally.
His tracks as he left...
I regrouped and headed back the next morning with high hopes. I parked the quad 1KM back, and snuck into the spot. I made my first call of the morning and settled in to my chair.. 5 minutes later I spotted him coming towards me at 275 yards. He was the same bull as the day before. At 175 yards he stopped behind a tree, which gave me time to compose myself and get ready. He grunted once, I answered, and he walked into the clearing. I put one shot through the left shoulder, also hitting both lungs. He went 50 feet and crumpled on the lower quad trail. It was a LONG 9 days for me, but it ended well with an amazing animal, and a lifetime of memories.
Thanks again to SRUPP, who was really instrumental in helping us succeed. I met with him the next day to chat about the hunt and to drop off some salmon and a few pieces of backstrap. I wish I could have stayed longer!
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