Iron-Head
10-07-2009, 09:32 PM
Well after a great season guiding for Wilderness Fishing Yukon, it was time to get some hunting in. After getting an invite to accompany the Stehelin family for their annual moose hunt, it was a time crunch to get back from the Sunshine Coast on the 10th of Sept, for our 9:30 AM departure on the 11th VIA Bernard's Cessna 180.
After a scramble to pack and organize, as well as do laundry.. it was a late night to say the least. But feeling rested as the alarm sounded at 7AM, I was excited to get airborne.
Mid morning Sept 11. I had met Bernard as well as some of his family at Squanga Lake to be picked up. As he landed I had the fuel and gear ready and waiting, after a quick load of gear I was enjoying the scenery on the brief flight to their camp.
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/5260/p9170588.th.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/i/p9170588.jpg/)
Upon our arrival I was greeted by a returning customer Johannes, as well as a few members of their extended family. After another 4 flights to pick up the rest of our party and gear it was time to relax, and enjoy the scenery!
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/7756/p9130564.th.jpg (http://img44.imageshack.us/i/p9130564.jpg/)
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/729/p9130565.th.jpg (http://img188.imageshack.us/i/p9130565.jpg/)
The next morning everyone was up early to head towards the crossing, a well known area that has produced bulls in the past.. Long story short day one was a bust with nothing moving, and only a lone black wolf spotted (sorry no pics).
Day 2 began much like the first with little sign, although we did spot a cow on a small lake.. We continued our hunt with high hopes but the rut just had not begun.
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6721/p9120558.th.jpg (http://img62.imageshack.us/i/p9120558.jpg/)
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3981/p9120560.th.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/p9120560.jpg/)
Day 3 had us sitting on the same small lake that the cow was sighted on calling at a very young hour, withing minutes we had a response from the south end of the lake and our spirits where high. After a brief sweet talking session the love ended for us and our bull went quiet.. The Rut had begun!
The next few days where scattered as Bernard and a few others took the horses into the high country before they had to leave, and my self not yet being a Yukon resident I was left only to "prime" the area without a rifle for hunting purposes.
Upon their return I was excited to head back to the small lake to try and down the bull who had evaded us a few days prior. We where up and at her early in the AM without a returning call for 2 days in a row. Finally it became evident that our bull had either left the area or was holed up with his cows.
At this point we decided Eryn and Johannes would take the horses up to a small alpine lake for the night, and with my self having to spend a week guiding and maintaining another one of Bernards camps the following day, I stayed behind. That night after a couple drinks by the fire I packed it in, only to be woken up shortly after by Bernard telling everyone that Eryn and Johannes had shot a bull when they arrived at the lake. It was great news and everyone was happy to hear we finally had one down.
A nice 56" Yukon Jughead.
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/5175/p9220610.th.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/i/p9220610.jpg/)
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/1228/p9220612.th.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/p9220612.jpg/)
The next morning was spent quartering and flying the moose back to the truck at Squanga Lake.
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/9430/p9220615.th.jpg (http://img41.imageshack.us/i/p9220615.jpg/)
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2766/p9220618.th.jpg (http://img62.imageshack.us/i/p9220618.jpg/)
A great way to end part 1 of this 2 part hunting trip!
Iron'
After a scramble to pack and organize, as well as do laundry.. it was a late night to say the least. But feeling rested as the alarm sounded at 7AM, I was excited to get airborne.
Mid morning Sept 11. I had met Bernard as well as some of his family at Squanga Lake to be picked up. As he landed I had the fuel and gear ready and waiting, after a quick load of gear I was enjoying the scenery on the brief flight to their camp.
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/5260/p9170588.th.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/i/p9170588.jpg/)
Upon our arrival I was greeted by a returning customer Johannes, as well as a few members of their extended family. After another 4 flights to pick up the rest of our party and gear it was time to relax, and enjoy the scenery!
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/7756/p9130564.th.jpg (http://img44.imageshack.us/i/p9130564.jpg/)
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/729/p9130565.th.jpg (http://img188.imageshack.us/i/p9130565.jpg/)
The next morning everyone was up early to head towards the crossing, a well known area that has produced bulls in the past.. Long story short day one was a bust with nothing moving, and only a lone black wolf spotted (sorry no pics).
Day 2 began much like the first with little sign, although we did spot a cow on a small lake.. We continued our hunt with high hopes but the rut just had not begun.
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6721/p9120558.th.jpg (http://img62.imageshack.us/i/p9120558.jpg/)
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3981/p9120560.th.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/p9120560.jpg/)
Day 3 had us sitting on the same small lake that the cow was sighted on calling at a very young hour, withing minutes we had a response from the south end of the lake and our spirits where high. After a brief sweet talking session the love ended for us and our bull went quiet.. The Rut had begun!
The next few days where scattered as Bernard and a few others took the horses into the high country before they had to leave, and my self not yet being a Yukon resident I was left only to "prime" the area without a rifle for hunting purposes.
Upon their return I was excited to head back to the small lake to try and down the bull who had evaded us a few days prior. We where up and at her early in the AM without a returning call for 2 days in a row. Finally it became evident that our bull had either left the area or was holed up with his cows.
At this point we decided Eryn and Johannes would take the horses up to a small alpine lake for the night, and with my self having to spend a week guiding and maintaining another one of Bernards camps the following day, I stayed behind. That night after a couple drinks by the fire I packed it in, only to be woken up shortly after by Bernard telling everyone that Eryn and Johannes had shot a bull when they arrived at the lake. It was great news and everyone was happy to hear we finally had one down.
A nice 56" Yukon Jughead.
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/5175/p9220610.th.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/i/p9220610.jpg/)
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/1228/p9220612.th.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/p9220612.jpg/)
The next morning was spent quartering and flying the moose back to the truck at Squanga Lake.
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/9430/p9220615.th.jpg (http://img41.imageshack.us/i/p9220615.jpg/)
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2766/p9220618.th.jpg (http://img62.imageshack.us/i/p9220618.jpg/)
A great way to end part 1 of this 2 part hunting trip!
Iron'