First Season, First Moose, First animal

[RackStar]

Hello, this is my first post to this site. I have been a lurker for over a year now gaining awesome valuable information. But told myself I would not sign up till I got my first animal. Well that happened on oct 7 2014. Better late than never??
Well I was at work one Friday, I was going to leave for my moose trip the week later, but read on here that the moose rut is generally last week of sept and first week of oct. I said hell with it, got the green light from my boss and wife left work at noon and was going right now. (helped the antsy feeling of the whole next week, I love spur of moment). Called up my buddy in 108 and he was game. I rushe d home at noon and started packing and grocery shopping. I had time for a quick nap and hit the road at midnight fully loaded truck so I can be in 108 for first thing in the morning. Met my buddy for a quick coffee and off we went 2 trucks fully loaded headin for just north of vanderhoof. First time driving up that way and I must say it was a relaxing awesome drive. We drove in about 80 km down a dirt road and camped at a remote lake, set up camp and headed down to the lake with a good ol worm and bobber for some of the most productive trout fishing ive ever had. Brought back dinner had a few drinks and up for 4 am. Spent 2 days scoutin the area and on the last light of the second day spotted a massive black object on the side of the road, yup it was a moose, not sure of sex till it turned its head and off into the thick it went, sure enough it was a big bull. Bummed but excited I spent the rest of the next day hiking the area and decided that I was going to sit in the exact spot I saw the moose for the last 4 hrs of hunting light, seeing that there was a bunch of well used moose trails heading down to a swap. Dead set that the moose was going to come out infront of me my good ol buddy reminded me "hey look behind you asweell" about ten seconds later I happen to look behind me and there he was, big ol bull crossing the road, I hop up and draw my gun, he is heading for the sticks as a smaller bull comes out behind him and stands right in the middle of the road, having a given 100 yard broadside shot I hit him right in the lungs with my 30-06 150 gr barnes, didn't even flinch, as I panic and think I missed I let one more go into his neck, still no reaction my buddy thought I missed too and he let his 308 off for one more, the moose takes 2 slow steps and tips over. sure enough 3 shots hit the moose. The work began working well into the night. As we get back to camp around 11pm we were exhausted, and decided to hang and skin the moose in the morning, so we celebrated with a few whiskeys and some beers and hit the hay. We had 1 more tag but the temp went up to 25 degrees and we decided to hit the road and get the moose to the butcher. 320lbs in quarters it weighed in at. not massive but enough meat to keep me fed for a few months I was happy.
All in all I am now a full blown hunting junkie fully addicted. Its all I think about, its bad.... (or good). BC is the most amazing place on earth and im glad to have the privilege to hunt and fish, could not think of a better way to spend the rest of my life but in the bc back country.
heres some photos of my trip, my camera and phone died so theres only a few.

I have a browning x bolt hunter in 30-06 with a vx2 3-9 x40mm, and a marlin 30-30BL, and Ruger 10/22.
although I can get by with what I have can anyone recommend another caliber/gun to make my rifle battery more efficient? I plan on getting into backpack hunts aswell as fly ins, I Plan on doing lots of northern bc and koots hunts. Leaning towards a stainless synthetic gun maybe tikka, maybe 300 win mag? I have read that wood tends to warp in long exposure to elements, then I have read that it is a myth. Not sure what to think. Any advice from a seasoned hunter would be greatly aprecheated. Thanks for welcoming me to your website/family.

I guess theres something about a joke for your first post.. Im bad with jokes, especially ones that are not offensive to others

A little boy with diarrhea tells his mom he needs Viagra. The mom ask why on earth do you need that?
The little boy replies "isn't that what you give dad when his s**t won't get hard?"

bad I know sorry guys..
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo197/RackStar/avtar_zpsyvmfxxfw.jpg (http://s375.photobucket.com/user/RackStar/media/avtar_zpsyvmfxxfw.jpg.html)
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo197/RackStar/rack_zpshe9uqego.jpg (http://s375.photobucket.com/user/RackStar/media/rack_zpshe9uqego.jpg.html)
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo197/RackStar/freezer2_zpsgc0vssf8.jpg (http://s375.photobucket.com/user/RackStar/media/freezer2_zpsgc0vssf8.jpg.html)
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo197/RackStar/moose%20hanging_zpshqdiecbr.jpg (http://s375.photobucket.com/user/RackStar/media/moose%20hanging_zpshqdiecbr.jpg.html)
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo197/RackStar/freezer_zpss106tpsf.jpg (http://s375.photobucket.com/user/RackStar/media/freezer_zpss106tpsf.jpg.html)

[markt308]

thanks fro posting your story and congrats on your nice moose. sounds like it was a good hunt!

[Steeleco]

My first critter was a moose too, now you need to go get something different for the freezer huh? Congrats and welcome

[warnniklz]

That's awesome!! Wish Ihad thought of your user name

[Whonnock Boy]

Nice work, and thanks for sharing. Asking what rifle to buy to compliment your current arsenal will get you a pile of opinions. Most important tip in choosing, is pick the one that you shoot the best. ;)

[RackStar]

Thanks for the replies!
Yes my freezer is looking a little scarce, im still haunted by the huge blonde bb I missed in Princeton 3 weeks ago :roll:. woulda coulda been some good sausage and pepperoni for hunting camp this fall..

[Tīɡ]

Well done! I got my first animal this past spring (bear) and its an amazing feeling! Stainless and synthetic is definitely the best way for ease of cleaning and buffeting the elements, but that being said guys have used blued and walnut guns for forever and a day with the right care. Find what is going to be best for you and then go from there. A 300 win mag is a great all around cartridge but so is the 30-06. When you say "150gr barnes" are you talking about a TSX or TTSX? If so you already have a very good bullet choice but you could look at shooting a higher sectional density bullet like a 165gr. Since its a monolithic bullet you shouldn't have to go any heavier than that. But as WB mentioned make sure you go with the one you shoot the best!! Good luck out there!

[HarryToolips]

Nice work, and thanks for sharing. Asking what rifle to buy to compliment your current arsenal will get you a pile of opinions. Most important tip in choosing, is pick the one that you shoot the best. ;)
Exactly what he said about a rifle...the best thing you can do with your guns is practice lots and if you 'over-gun' you can develop a flinch, just take that into consideration...very nice moose looks tasty, good story, and believe it or not the joke ain't bad;-)..

[RackStar]

Well done! I got my first animal this past spring (bear) and its an amazing feeling! Stainless and synthetic is definitely the best way for ease of cleaning and buffeting the elements, but that being said guys have used blued and walnut guns for forever and a day with the right care. Find what is going to be best for you and then go from there. A 300 win mag is a great all around cartridge but so is the 30-06. When you say "150gr barnes" are you talking about a TSX or TTSX? If so you already have a very good bullet choice but you could look at shooting a higher sectional density bullet like a 165gr. Since its a monolithic bullet you shouldn't have to go any heavier than that. But as WB mentioned make sure you go with the one you shoot the best!! Good luck out there!
TSX I actually just sighted in 180s I figured it would be a better choice for me, my gun also shoots them better.
that's a beauty bear in your avatar. It is am amazing feeling. congrats on your first kill also. hope that bear is good eatin

[Daybreak]

That's a great start to your hunting experiences. The moose are getting scarcer so it's nice to get your first one under your belt. What steered you towards Vanderhoof? We were up there two years ago and found all our favourite areas logged out completely.

[monasheemountainman]

Nice work buddy! Congrats, I think the x bolt will do ya just fine. Also I too like the user name

[RackStar]

That's a great start to your hunting experiences. The moose are getting scarcer so it's nice to get your first one under your belt. What steered you towards Vanderhoof? We were up there two years ago and found all our favourite areas logged out completely.
My friend applies for LEH up that way every year and so did I, seeming the odds are a bit better then the 41:1 in region 3, I felt I could actually get a draw and I got lucky. we will see how leh goes this year, might have to head up into region 6

[Tīɡ]

TSX I actually just sighted in 180s I figured it would be a better choice for me, my gun also shoots them better.
that's a beauty bear in your avatar. It is am amazing feeling. congrats on your first kill also. hope that bear is good eatin

Good choice! And yes it is very good eating! Thanks :p

[RackStar]

Nice work buddy! Congrats, I think the x bolt will do ya just fine. Also I too like the user name
thanks, I wish I could take credit for the creativity... but it was my clever wifey who came up with the name

[Ohwildwon]

Ill trade you a Sheep Cape for your user name???


Just kidden :-P

Nice story, way to go!!

[325 wsm]

You cant be a RACKSTAR if your not shooting a magnum LOL, have seen moose react the same when shot with calibers up to 375. You probably won't knock them over with the first shot unless you take out a front shoulder or accidentally spine them. Neck shots are not the best area to shoot an animal. Best to anchor the moose first and kill them after if needed, especially if they are close to water. Nothing wrong with your gun or caliber. If your worried about the wood stock get an aftermarket synthetic. Congrats on the full freezer.

[kennyj]

Congratulations on your first big game! Thanks for sharing your story.
kenny

[Brno22F]

I know it has been said before but ...
There are only 2 places to shoot a moose. In the neck or on the road.
Looks like you did both on your first try. Congrats!