Another 3 generation spectacular

[Jim Prawn]

As many hunts do, the planning started with the onset of this seasons LEH draws. A "hunting meeting" was quickly coordinated and the group gathered with regulations, maps, and of course, cold Luckies. Much like my wife's "Book Club", our hunting meetings often involve more booze and BS than actual planning (or talking about books in her case). We managed to settle on a draw for moose in an area we used to hunt for mule deer over a decade ago. Despite reports of low moose numbers in the area, our main goal was to see if deer numbers had yet rebounded. A moose draw, let alone a moose, would be a bonus. As luck would have it, myself, my 13 year old son Riley, and my 72 year old Dad (JM), pulled the shared hunt. My bro Deano and his son Ryan (16), as well as our friend Dan and his son Trey (16) would join us. Of course, after news of our success in the draw, another "hunting meeting" was arranged. Dates were set, camper/vehicle rigs were picked, meals planned, and this hunt was ON!
Being Islanders, our journey began as always with the joyous ferry ride to the mainland. Reserve, drive, wait, board, wait, offload, drive.... And cheap too..... Anyhoo, after about 5 hours of driving we parked for the night and continued on our way early the next morning, another 5 or 6 hours deep into the heart of the Chilcotin country. Having been a relatively long time since any of us had been in the area, it took a while to locate a suitable camp spot, but eventually we settled in, campers off, trucks ready to go.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/camp12.JPG

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/camp_21.JPG

[Jim Prawn]

After a few days of scouring the area for decent looking country, and any fresh sign of moose and deer, we began wonder if we had made the right choice. There were deer around and plenty of grouse to keep the kids entertained. Nephew Ryan harvested a dandy Mulie, but I'll let brother Dean tell that story.... After one close encounter with a bull moose, calling aggressively just far enough in the timber to stay unseen, we focussed our efforts on that location for a few days. There was no further sign of that moose and I can only assume he must have eventually winded us and left the area. So another plan was hatched and early one morning we ventured far from camp in search of new country. After 3-1/2 hours of bouncing down mud-rut ridden roads, we could see on the map and GPS that we were approaching a small lake. The road was rough and thick, and finally I decided it was time to park and stretch our legs for the last KM or so to check out the lake. As we approached the lake, I noticed a large dark object on the far side... Could it be? No way. Binos up, holy crap, giant bull in the lake. Having broke my back 6 months ago, and hunting with a 13 and 72 year old, this situation needed some assesment. I knew there was help back at camp, but that was a long ways away. Riley wanted desperately to start shooting but the bull was 368 yards away. I knew we could kill him, but I wasnt sure any of us was going to be happy about the extraction process. The wind was favorable, so the decision was made to try and call him in. I let out a cow call and the bull looked our way, then went back to feeding. I let several minutes pass and tried again. The bull turned and walked into the timber.

[spear]

OK, you got the hook in...

[Glenny]

OK, you got the hook in...
Goona rip our lips out now. Looks intriguing.

[Glenny]

Hey "Put those wagons in a circle pilgrims" :)

[plumbcrazy]

You basterd jimmy, put down the lucky and start writing!

[two-feet]

A spectacular! Cant wait

[Jim Prawn]

OK, dinners done. Continued; We could see the bulls rack in the timber and he just stood there, occassionally turning in our direction. Finally he started grunting in response to my cow calls, and after another several minutes he wandered back to the edge of the lake. All I could think was that this could be our only chance and I knew my 7mm WSM could do the job, but I also knew that Dad wouldnt be happy... So I kept calling every 6 or 7 minutes. The bull returned to the timber and travelled a ways to his left before stopping and turning back yet again. All of a sudden he had covered about a hundred yards in no time and it became apparent that we better get our poop in a group quickly because he was coming in hot. I dug a large boulder out of the ground and placed it for Riley to use as a rest. We lay prone in the wide open following the bull as he crashed through the timber around the lake towards us. He crossed an opening about 250 yards away, where I would have considered taking him, but he didnt hesitate and kept coming. He rounded the corner at about 200 yards, and turned 90 degrees coming right for us, finally stopping head on. Knowing we could get the truck right to where he was and with the lake on one side and scrub timber on the other, I didnt want him going anywhere so I gave Riley the go ahead. " Now Riley, shoot him in the head". After only brief hesitation, Rileys 7-08 cracked. I was stone cold (ish) on the bull ready for the follow up, but then his head cocked back slightly and he folded in his tracks. Moose down! This event couldnt have played out more perfectly, and watching my son drop that bull with his Grandpa standing by watching was truly the greatest moment of my life. I couldnt be more proud or more satisfied. I'd also like to acknowledge Srupp for his input on this hunt. Hope you enjoy the pics, watch for Dmace's post on the mulie story....

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/moose4.jpeg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/moose2.jpeg?4330

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/moose11.jpeg?2845

[Jim Prawn]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/moose3.jpeg


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/moose5.jpeg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/camp31.JPG

[604ksmith]

Wow, great bull and great story. Love to hear the multi-generation hunts. Makes me wish I grew up in a hunting family.

Guess I gotta listen to the parents and start one of my own if I want a family hunt.

[finaddict]

Great story and pics JP. Thank you.

[bang flop]

Wow, beauty!

[The Hermit]

Jim that is an AWESOME moose buddy! Huge congrats to you and the family... how special is THAT!!

[Foxtail]

Holy crap! Hell of a bull for a 13 year old... You have ruined him now. He is going to want a bigger one next year lol.

[Jim Prawn]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/trip3.PNG

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/trip1.JPG?3350

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/trip2.JPG

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/trip4.JPG

[srupp]

Hmmm what took so long? Lol..congrads to all the crew.
Certainly glad my imput was of value..hence my insistence on some things.
Jim..thats as good a Chilcotin..Canadian moose as they come. .truly outstanding..well done..
I love to repeat..I told you...
Congrads again. .
Cheers
Steven

[rudysteelhead]

I second that!!! Thats a fantastic moose young man! Great write up JP. Not to long and we will be reading some BT stories! Cant wait for those.

rudy

[fuzzybiscuit]

Great thread Prawn...you had me at the mention of a Lucky...had to put the I-pad down to get a cold one before finishing the story. Lol!

That is one kicker Canadian bull. A big congrats to your son, it will be hard to beat that one. Three generations on a highly successful trip like that doesn't get any better.

[mpotzold]

Well written & well done!:-)
CONGRATS!

[moosinaround]

Holy moly that's a dandy of a tank! The mulie looks nice too! Good job men, memories for a lifetime!! Moosin

[Seth]

He's a cranker bull! I couldn't wait for the story that I knew was coming. Congrats Riley! You guys deserved that one James. Looking forward to more mulie photos as well.

Chris

[mad_mallard]

That's one hell of a Chilcotin moose !
GREAT BULL anywhere !! Well done, another prime example of persistence !!

[Wrayzer]

Awesome story and fantastic bull. Great to see the 3 generations in on the hunt.

[panhead]

You three models of Prawns sure look the same. Great story and ending. Nothing like a "Chilcotin vacation." Congrats from here too ...
.................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ............

I am in a good position. I speak two languages. English and profanity.

[albravo2]

What a bull! Congratulations to Riley and all of you.

That kid knows how to get it done.

I love the family hunts!

[rifleman]

pretty amazing hunt, what a great story. that is one nice bull. look at the fronts on him, wow.

[Steelpulse]

Awesome bull great hunt first picture is a great one

[HarryToolips]

What a awesome bull, congrats! I've never tried a head shot on an animal, especially face to face, did your boy aim like 6" below the antlers or whereabouts??

[benevs]

Amazing bull, congrats! Those beers by the fire must have been damn tasty!

[kennyj]

Wow!! Thats an awesome Chilcotin bull. Very cool rack. That mulie looks pretty good too. Thanks for sharing your family hunting trip.
kenny

[northof49]

Nicely done gentlemen.....emotions must have been running high and that there is a dandy bull !! Good going for the youngster to keep his cool and tip him over. Thanks for sharing.....some good memories there for sure.

[avadad]

Good one JP! What a great family memory you created there! Congrats!

[Jim Prawn]

What a awesome bull, congrats! I've never tried a head shot on an animal, especially face to face, did your boy aim like 6" below the antlers or whereabouts??

Funny you should ask... He aimed right between the eyes and hit about 1-1/2 high 1/2" to the right. We keep discussing that he needs to remember to hold 2" low at 100 yards (this shot was 130, gun is zeroed at 200). So the bullet hit right where it should but Had he pulled the shot another inch or two high it would've been a miss.
JP

[BimmerBob]

Wow, what a great animal you got there Jim, congrats on the success and thanks for sharing your family story, really enjoyed it and the pics you have posted. Memories of a lifetime for sure!

[bcsteve]

Nice bull! Love those long tines.

[guest]

How COOL IS THAT ! Would ya look at that !

Congrats to to the young guns, our future in hunting in BC.

Congrats to to you all.

CT

[scoutlt1]

Great story, pics, and what a hell of a bull!
Very cool rack!!

Good stuff....and how awesome for a 13 year old to shoot that beauty!

Thanks for posting!

[DR.DOUG]

That's a beauty Bull, Congrtas Riley! I am sure gramps was smiling just as much as you.

[HarryToolips]

Funny you should ask... He aimed right between the eyes and hit about 1-1/2 high 1/2" to the right. We keep discussing that he needs to remember to hold 2" low at 100 yards (this shot was 130, gun is zeroed at 200). So the bullet hit right where it should but Had he pulled the shot another inch or two high it would've been a miss.
JP
LOL wow ok good to know, I just know I won't try it on a bear...

[LBM]

Congrats on a beautiful looking bull, the mulie looks nice as well.

[Blainer]

Fantastic share!
Fantastic bull!

[Hammerhead]

Congrats to the young fella, that's a moose we all dream of and spend many years to find, and lucky if you do find it.
Well done
HH

[kennyj]

Did I mention Very cool looking rack?
Are you doing a euro?
kenny

[Jim Prawn]

Did I mention Very cool looking rack?
Are you doing a euro?
kenny

Yup working on a euro for him. Got it all cleaned up ready for degreasing, then peroxide.

[Sitkaspruce]

Awesome bull boys!!! Tines and paddles with great fronts!!

Thanks for posting JP

Cheers

SS

[srthomas75]

I think one of the better write ups on here recently. out of curiosity what did this dress out at? 650? 700 lb?

[Xenomorph]

Amazing crankers and amazing story for a kid. Well done, wow!

[tomahawk]

awesome front bowls on that bull. great story and doesn't get better then the young of the family having success.

[RB2]

Very jealous. Good times spent with family. Congrats on an awesome Bull.

[.264winmag]

Outstanding bull, congrats and thanks for the 3 Gen story. Super jealous!

[Krico]

Now that is a wicked unique bull, amazing fronts with those cool long tines sweeping out both sides. Well done gentlemen!

[Daka]

Congrats on ... Everything!
great story and something to remember for life ...
throw few pics of mulie...when you get a minute

[Getbent]

wow...wow...That is awesome.
Thanks for the share...what a stud bull...

[Spy]

WoW what a fantastic moose Good job :-) Good shooting again from Riley :-)

[dmace]

Well done Riley !
:shock: that's what my eyes looked like when I saw that rack in the back of the truck !

[jackthebear]

Awesome story guys! And great bull! I love hunting the Chilcotin and it's nice to see a whopper coming out of there. Can't wait for the mule deer story.

[swampthing]

Heck of a bull. Great havin the whole huntin family in on it!

[Jim Prawn]

I think one of the better write ups on here recently. out of curiosity what did this dress out at? 650? 700 lb?

The skinned quarters (ribs attached, lower legs removed) were 120 lbs each for the rears and 150 lbs each for the fronts.

[TimberPig]

Congrats to Riley on an awesome moose. Not many that compare to that in the Chilcotin (I've seen a couple that compare in size, but neither had the character of those fronts, of course I didn't have a tag when I saw them either).

He's going to have to hunt a lot of years to top that bull.

[sniper ren]

That's one awesome story! Congrats to everyone!

[Wood butcher]

Sweet bull Mace Clan!

Good to see your back hunting after being layed up with the back injury.
Congrats to Riley, and the rest of you on a great hunt.

Thanks for sharin the story,

Cheers!