COOSEFAN

I really don't want to give out the name, they were nice guys, they just didn't have there "poop-in-a-group" on this one. If you ever book a hunt or know someone who does, PM me and I will tell you if it is the same guys. I had spent a ton of money on my .270 to get it ready for this hunt and at the last minute I chickened out and grabbed the 300 Win Mag. I at least knew it had enough power without question and I sighted it in and was dead on out to 300 yrds....BUT this gun is an old trusty one that has a peice of _ _ _ _ scope on it, but it has always done well for me. It was a Bushnell 3-9 x 40 and it is going in the trash. I'm sure a newer Bushnell would have faired better, but I really missed my Leupold!

sorry for writing a book here.......i've just been excited to finally share the experience! Thanks, JIM>

I forgot to mention that the night before we got the Caribou, we were fishing on the beach by camp where I had made some calls earlier, and we heard some bull grunts and branches breaking. There was a bull coming down to the beach and Bret ran to get his rifle. I had the binos and light was fading. We tried to close the distance but the Moose came out fast and started heading toward us. We set up and tried to evaluate him. He was huge with points all over, but he only had two brow tines per side and when he stopped at less than 80 yrds, neither of us could tell if he was definitely over the 50" mark. He stood there for about 2 minutes and turned to leave and I stopped him broadside for another minute. We still couldn't agree he was over 50" and had to let him walk! I really feel he was right at or maybe an inch or two over because of his long tines on both sides, but our thoughts were it would be better to come home saying we passed him instead of coming home with hefty fines and a ruined hunt! Bret got to have him in his scope for a long time and that was incredible by itself! With a new hope, an animal under our belt, and the boat for two more days, we put our plans for the mountain on hold and went looking for better Moose country. We found it about 2 miles East of camp. The country had meadows and a beutiful pond with lillypads, Moose heaven! We hunted it for one morning and one evening never hearing or seeing anything, but our hunting partners had some vocal interaction with a bull Moose not far from us so with one morning left with the boat, we planned on giving it our best. We hiked in before light and set up on the pond. It had several meadows feeding into this area and the fog that morning was very thick. It was an unbelievable sight, just like being in a picture, all we needed was a Moose in the picture with us! Shortly after it got light we heard bull grunts way behind us and moving away to the South. We jumped up and ran into the adjacent meadow and set up with his grunts getting farther away on the opposite side. I started bull grunting and it seemed to stop him and he started tearing a tree apart. I imitated him and took it a step further and started beating up an Alder bush harder and louder than he was. Over the noise I was making, I could hear his nonstop grunting getting closer and closer. Because of the fog I could barely make out the opposite side of the clearing, but when the Alder brush started to indicate something big moving through and towards us, I got set up and ready! His antlers appeared first and then the huge dark body and he was on a steady swagger towards us in the boad open now. I could see he had huge brow tines and looked gnarly, but he only had three per side so I knew it would have to come down to his width. I learned that the distance between the eyes is 10 inches and use that as a guage, he looked like he had extra distance on his right side and his left side looked to be right at what it takes to be 50". I looked back at Bret 3 different times with the bull now standing broadside at 60 yrds to get his oppinion. He was seeing what I had and agreed he was at least the 50" minumum with enough room to spare, so I leveled on him and shot! He spun around and I shot again in the same spot on his opposite side. He then started walking straight away back towards the Alders and that is not where I wanted him! We were trying to stop him or turn him with "elk" calls out of habit and it finally worked and I hit him again. He didn't even flinch! I hit him a fourth time and that is when he finally tipped over! The camera was rolling the whole time and Bret did an outstanding job with it! I never got too excited until we ran the tape on him and all my fears went away. This was the highlight of my hunting life and I can not explain the feeling Bret and I felt that morning! The Moose taped out at almost 57" and was the biggest critter I have ever seen outside of the zoo! It took us 12 hours to pack every last scrap of meat and bone (legally have to take the quarters out UN-BONED) back out to the shore about 800 yrds away. The State Trooper had to fly in and give us gas for the boat so we could make it back to camp and he then flew over and checked the carcass, they don't mess around up there and I was glad we took the time to do it right! This is the Troopers plane, they are also the G + F officers up there. I owe alot to my good buddy Bret who selflessly let me carry his rifle after he tagged his 'Bou! He wanted to video me for a change and my rifle scope was all messed up from the moisture. He also is my taxidermist and he did ALOT of work that day that he didn't have to do, but he knows where to make the cuts and I just sat back and acted stupid! We were spent and had 4 more days left so we just relaxed and fished and took in the scenery......the rain came back and never let up also.

Are you smoking crack??? Not affected by the drought??? You and your buddies need to stick to your Coues and forget about the elk. I wouldn't doubt that you saw a 380 bull, I've seen them too, but they are not what they should be. The beam length and tops are not what you would like to see. There are a ton of bulls that are solid on their first 3 with ok 4th's and then dinky 5th's and are lucky to be pushing beams that are 50". Go take a look at this post http://forums.coueswhitetail.com/forums/in...ic=3531&hl= It says it all there with pics. Is a 380 bull a great bull??? You bet, but it is bummer that we aren't seeing most of the bulls full potential. I'm sure you are seeing some big deer. Look at the timing difference from when they drop their antlers and grow compared to the bulls. It was perfect timing for the deer, but too late for the elk. When you read the post notice that your buddies at Mullins agree..... Just take a look at the Raffle tag bull that was just killed, that is a prime example of what happened this year. It is unfortunate that bull only had a 378" rack, I would bet that bull scored in the upper 390"s last year, the fronts are huge and stay big up past the thirds but peeter out and his tops are shorter than they should be and very weak mass up top. It's still a great bull and those boys did a great job getting that bull, but just imagine what he looked like last year! I bet they have comparative video from last year to this year on that bull also and I bet we'll see that video sometime next year! I would be careful this year on what I would hold out for as far as score, If a 350" bull steps out..........he's gonna get whacked! I haven't seen many that score higher than that. JIM> Hey Shortypants, I wish you would have just told me those pics were from our unit down South! That's about the size of the buck you are gonna find for me ...........right!

Thanks for the replys guys. In regards to the outfitter, I can tell you that I was very upset for the first couple of days I thought that our camp would already be set up and waiting for us, We also were told that our spot held alot of Caribou, and after my first hour of hunting, I was pissed that we even spent the extra money for the 'Bou tags, and last, they bought a boat for us all to share and tacked on the cost of the boat between us without any warning prior to the hunt. If all this stuff was spelled out up front, I would have had no complaints. Setting up camp sucked, it was one of those huge WeatherPorts and weighed a ton, carrying it on and off the plane and down the beach and up a hill.........no fun........especially on your first hunting day in Alaska. BUT......it was a very comfortable camp and we had an older gentleman who cooked for us and the food was incredibly fattening but was outstanding........Moose tenderloins smothered in gravy and mashed potatoes and corn As far as leading us on, making us think this was a combo hunt for Moose AND CARIBOU..... we brought the 15's and tripods and found the Caribou, the tags were burning holes in our pockets, and we almost executed a suicide mission to the top of the highest mountain to fill those tags. If we had the boat for longer, we would have done it, but thankfully, a couple of lost 'Bou came strolling by. I didn't shoot a 'Bou, I was the video guy on that one and had my mind still set on one of the bulls on the peak..........but then the Moose killed that plan later. And as far as the boat deal......I would not have gotten my Moose if it weren't for the boat. It was the only way we could get to a huntable area........otherwise it would have been about 4 miles of nasty shoreline to travel just to get to the area, and no matter where you hunt....you always have to ask yourself if your willing to pack a Moose all the way back to camp from there.......I was happy to pay for the boat......just would have been nice to have been told prior to the hunt. I feel things could have been much worse and all in all we were taken care of. I don't know of any other outfitters in Alaska so I don't know how my experience ranks in comparison to others. I do know that out of all the other hunters we talked to, it was a big accomplishment just to have gotten a Moose and a 'Bou, it definitely helps if you are already a dedicated hunter and had done your homework on calling Moose!

Great job Amanda, that was awesome to watch! Thanks for my button ad as well, looks great, and I did get the stickers! Thanks again for all you do! JIM>

Hey Allen.....I'm still here waiting for my ride......this is a great idea! Ever since I saw Coues Crazy's guided hunt he did for the organization on Exreme Bulls 3, I've been really interested. I love helping kids and especially with special needs, it does your heart good! Let me know what comes up or what is needed and My guided service and myself will do whatever we can! Again, great idea, let me know, JIM>

Well, I guess Bret never saw this thread.....I'm not gonna mention it either I'm off within the hour, just wanted again to say thanks to everyone for their info over the last couple of months. It has been very helpful and probably has eliminated problems I would have run into otherwise! I think i've already found one problem and I haven't even left yet......It has been planned that we were going to buy our tags on the 4th (Mon.) at the G+F office in Alaska...........Monday is LABOR DAY! I just thought about it yesterday and can't get ahold of anybody at G+F or my Outfitter to find out if G+F is open tomorrow! I can't imagine they are but if they aren't........then....I guess, I hope the plane waits for us to get our tags on Tues. and we lose another day of hunting! I have no clue, all I know is I'm goin to Alaska and hopefully I make it out to the Bush and not stuck at a Hotel the whole time wonderin' where my Outfitter is! ( I didn't mean the "Bush Co."! ) Thanks again...............JIM>

I keep readin' about all you guys going huntin' this weekend and at first it makes me jealous.... but then I remember ....... I'm headed to Alaska on Sunday At least you guys don't have to watch your backs for Grizzlies or hope the plane comes to pick you up after two weeks of being alone! I'm excited but not yet ready I have changed my mind on weapon choice from the .270 to the .300 Win mag., but, I am shooting the 180 gr Fusions and can kill a basketball at 300 yrds consistently off my tripod/shooting-stick set-up! All I need is for the Caribou to be there and for the Moose to be big enough! I am hunting in Unit 17 about 100 miles north of Dillingham. My Unit is a trophy unit where the Moose has to have 4 brow tines on at least one side or a 50" spread, so IF I kill a Moose.........it'll be a TOAD! My outfitter said we have a second camp set up so if the Caribou aren't in this first area, we can relocate and hopefully find them there. We are focusing on getting the Moose first though, because my buddy and I have no real experience hunting those beasts, and they seem harder to get than the Caribou. I have watched every movie made though and I think it will help! For those who have the unit 9 archery tags....I will be back on the 18th and will be up there on the 19th-26th, so let's do that meet-n-greet in Tusayan one night at least for pizza! Like I said before, I will buy the beer/soda. There is ALOT of guys from or affiliated with CWT.com that have that tag or are guiding up there, so pass it along and pick a night to do it! One last thing, I am finally an "Official" supporter of CWT.com and Amanda is working on my ad and it should be up next week! I'm excited as heck and can't wait to see my ad on here when I return. Thanks guys, JIM>

Someoen else already said this, but......"Nets are for FISH!".......I agree

That's what I've been telling him......and I know I can outrun him too! That is why Bret doesn't hunt the San Carlos.......he believes Lions will take out the "lesser" animals in the "herd" cause they're usually weak........You will never see Bret last in line when we're hiking out of the mountains in Lion country! Hey David, Bret actually gets on here regularly, but doesn't post.........so......We are just kidding with you Bret.......Being "vertically challenged" does have it's benefits: cheaper clothes cause you can shop in the kiddie section....you don't HAVE to ride the big, scary rides at Disneyland cause you don't make the height requirement.....and...best of all.......you don't have to buy the " Tall " Outdoorsman's tripod, the "Small" one works fine, and saves a ton of money! See.......there is benefits. If you read this Bret, we love ya! Hopefully this makes him wanna retaliate and gets him to actually post on here! Thanks, Jorge Gonzales

I'm not a great scorer by any means, but I would think that buck wouldn't NET score very high, but there is alot of GROSS bone sitting on top of that buck's head! I would just sit there and scratch my head if I had to score that thing! JIM>

That is awesome Scott! I think its very cool how you and Amanda do that," this is where they are", pic with the arrows! It really gives us a better sense of the "play by play" experience as though we were there with ya'. Thanks, JIM>

Hey Allen, I have a couple tags that I'm trying to sell for a guy in CA. He bought them from us for $4,500.00 each, and then decided he can't go! He is unfortunately gonna have to "eat" the tags if they don't get sold. I have been trying to sell them for him and have posted the sale on Garth Carters site, but no takers yet. I bet these two tags could be bought for a great price real close to the hunt (OCT. 15th) if they don't sell before then. They are Muzzy Bull tags in the rut, in Unit 15. We will be there at that time also so there would be free help and a place to camp for anyone that buys these tags. I will let you know how much the price drops, closer to the hunt. JIM>

me too! That guy is sitting back aways...but oh my........there is some serious length on that toad!

.......I have no worries about the business stuff, you guys got er' covered.......as far as the ol' lady......That would be great, better yet....since I live so far from you...why don't you just stay the night when you come out, I'm sure that would make her feel safe while I'm gone. I appreciate it buddy, you're the best! Thanks agian guys, and I hope we all do meet up on the Elk hunt! ............Shortypants might not be able to make it though

I was wondering the same thing, pretty cool idea if they are growing to create a fence! That is Mr. Reynolds' photo, so I don't know.

Well I wish I could say I hiked to the top of a huge mountain, through a blizzard of snow and ice and found this Monster Coues skull......but I can't......I was sitting at my dang computer when I found it. Thanks to our very own Jim Reynolds (CWT.com supporter) he was selling it on ebay and I snatched it up. I've been trying to find a good skull to mount one of my Coues bucks on as a free-standing pedestal ( I have an Antelope already done this way) and the skulls I find are too old, broke up or too small so when I saw this one I had to have it. Thanks Mr. Reynolds, can't wait to see it! JIM>

I have always just used common sense, if the skull you find is bleached out, doesn't stink and doesn't have any hide left on it, I would take it. If it is even remotely fresh, you can't take it. It used to be not that big of a deal, but now that big bucks and bulls are becoming profitable and there are so many more sneaky idiots out in the field, the laws are more strictly enforced on this issue. I have already bought the table for my mount and my tanned capes just arrived at my taxidermist last week, but my taxidermist has an Archery 10 bull tag and is going to Alaska with me.......so I don't think my mount will be done any time soon! I will post pics of it when I get it done! Thanks, JIM>

Yeah time has flown VERY fast. My business has been extremely busy ths year which has made everything very hectic as well and I just can't wait to get away from it for a couple of weeks! I'll only have probably one, maybe two days a month from here until the second week in December to see my wife, so all heck is going to break loose when I return 'cause she doesn't know about my schedule yet So I really hope this trip is enjoyable at least regardless if we tag anything. I will take a ton of pic's and video, which reminds me to buy more memory cards! Hey Jamaro....we have a couple of those "ABCO's" here, brings back some memories from our young and dumb days! Do they actually have one up there? Jazzmine sounds like a very nice, prim and proper young gal I would look forward to meeting her Hey Scottyboy, I don't know what they would think when they found out I was smuggling a BP agent on the plane? I would love to have you there though, you could show us how to hunt BIG critters! And Mike, best of luck to you in the NWT, I also look forward to your success pic's! Thanks to all you guys for your info, I posted several topics here over the last couple of months in regards to things I knew nothing about and you guys always had answers and ideas for me....I appreciated it, and never had to go anywhere else looking for it! Thanks, JIM>

in my opinion, you now own the best spottin scope on the market! Good choice...you'll never have the need to upgrade or buy another scope! Them deer down there don't stand a chance! Congrats...JIM>

That would be a dream buck for me with a bow! I also don't think 90" but I do think he's closer to 90" than 80"! Actually, I shouldn't even care...... the arrow would have flown over his back and I would have told Shortypants later that he was a 100"er!!!!

Thanks elkhunter, glad you checked it out! JIM>

man....that is one old, ugly a$$ pig and that is one midget-of-a coues! Great pics! JIM>

When people have mounts that they transfer racks on and off, the mount was initially mounted with removable antlers. This way you can add the mounting studs to the new antlers and just slide them on and off. Most taxidermists can add this feature to your mount for you for an additional fee. I'm sorry guys, I got a little excited when I read elkman's reply. It was selfish of me to try and snag those sheds. Ebay would be the most fair way for elkman to sell those. Hey elkman...You put them bad boys on ebay and I guarantee you will not be sorry! You just have to do it before I leave for Alaska this Sun. JIM>