lucky2hunt Report post Posted October 8, 2008 Wow!!!! That just about sums it up! My husband and I just returned from British Columbia. I booked an archery Canadian Moose hunt with Jeff Lander/ Primitive Outfitters, mainly an archery outfitter, met him at the ISE show. My husband was going for support, photographer, and hopefully meat packer. We drove up, took 5 days to get there, we saw some of the most amazing country and the timing was perfect, the fall colors were spectacular all the way up especially through Banff and Jasper National Parks. We got to the ranch late afternoon, approximately 50 miles east of Prince George, BC, I was able to get some shots in and reassure myself I was zeroed in. Met the outfitter and then our guide for the next 4 days. We were to go into a wilderness area for 4 days and tent camp, then float a river for the next 4 days and hunt on the river. We were surprised when our guide asked us if we were willing to ride horses, we said “why not” the whole time terrified because neither of us has ridden in many years. I was astounded at how thick the woods were, it was impossible to see 5 yards in. The first 2 days were slow, no rutting activity, saw a small bull decided to practice a stalk little did we no the ‘big guy’ was about 10 feet off the road, we never saw him until he busted deeper into the mess of willows. Our only hope was if the weather got colder and the rut kicked in, AND we could pull the bulls out into the old logging punches. The first 2 days it rained and rained, on the second night it cleared and got cold (freezing cold) that morning we woke with frost on our sleep bags and hopes that the rut had started. We walked into the wilderness area that morning and left the horses at camp, within a mile we got a bull to respond. We worked him for about an hour and a half, he came off a ridge about a mile, we had him at 30 yards grunting and scraping his huge paddles. I was a nervous wreck! He was only 30 yards away but he was just a shadow through the thick brush, I couldn’t see him let alone shoot him. Just as he was really fired up and tearing up the trees closest to him the wind hit the back of our necks and we were busted… That afternoon I was too sore to ride (it killed my knees) so we asked if we could walk out of camp. We walked the opposite way from the wilderness area so as to let the bull from the morning settle down. A mile and a half from camp we had a bull answer our call, it sounded very faint and far away, my guide Aaron said “lets go get him” he rounded the corner, the next thing I know he was in a back peddle with big round eyes!!! He said ‘draw your bow’ I looked at him like he was nuts, he told me “they were right there, two good bulls, draw your bow” I drew and went around the corner, I saw the 2 bulls, the one on the left had a nice drop tine, I never even looked at the other one, I knew which one I wanted. The bull jumped back a few steps, my guide told he was at 70 yards, I told him I wouldn’t take a shot over 50 yards (I can but choose not to), I told him I had to get closer. We huddled together, hugged the willows and walked closer doing our best to act, look, and sound like a bull moose. We moved up 30 yards, the whole time the bulls nervously trying to figure out what we were. Aaron told me 42 yards, I stepped out, he was turning to run, Aaron grunted one more time, the drop tine bull gave me a hard quarter and “THWAK” we could see him start to go down not too far away, close to the logging punch. I was a mess, I hugged my guide, my husband and of course tears were shed. We noticed he was trying to get back up so I crept in to about 5 yards and blasted through the willow limbs and finished it quickly. Now I’ve seen elk down and they were big, but a moose down is over whelming!!! We were able to drag him by truck to the road and quarter him, the whole time someone standing off to the side with the rifle guarding against grizzlies. The bull was guessed at around 1100 lbs. he was about 7 feet at the shoulder, around 8 - 10 years (in his prime), and a 41” spread. I was and am thrilled!!! I can’t thank my husband enough for going along with my crazy hunting ideas. He supports and knows the passion I have for this sport and I love him even more for that. We were able to bring over 200 lbs of the most delicious boneless meat I’ve ever eaten, home, we had to leave about 80 lbs there since we didn’t have enough room in the 4 ice chest we had. An amazing trip and experience, saw lots of wildlife and even got to put a couple of stalks on huge black bears but could only get within 70 yards, maybe next Spring! Sorry for the length of this, it is so hard to put into words how great it was! Hope you enjoy the pics! Ilene my guide Aaron and Myself With my husband Roger In the brush 5' off the road Size 13 boot next to his track Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajohunter Report post Posted October 8, 2008 Awesome! Thanks for posting the pics and the story! Those moose are huge! I remember when i killed mine in Alaska, its a great feeling walking up on a animal that large! Congrats!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
devinv Report post Posted October 8, 2008 congratulations! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azpackhorse Report post Posted October 8, 2008 That is just too cool! Nice animal, congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted October 8, 2008 Thanks for starting my day off. What a great story and congratulations to you and your husband. You made me feel like I was there along with you. That's awesome. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted October 8, 2008 Outstanding!!! Congrats on the moose and thanks for sharing! Can't wait to let my wife read your post, it is awesome to hear about women hunters and see the results!!!! Congrats!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
War7664 Report post Posted October 8, 2008 CONGRATS!! GREAT PICS!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted October 8, 2008 A huge congrats to you on a beautiful moose with great character! Geat job on the write up as I was right there with you on your stalks and waking up with the frost on your bags! Awesome. Phil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHT_MTNMAN Report post Posted October 8, 2008 Great job what a great experience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
izquik72 Report post Posted October 8, 2008 Wow I bet that was a great high Very nice story congratulations to you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
125coues Report post Posted October 8, 2008 Congratulations. Awsome story and great pic's. That is the next hunt we would love to do. You will always cherish the memories. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lance Report post Posted October 9, 2008 Thats so great I'm sooo jelous Way to go! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucky2hunt Report post Posted October 10, 2008 Thanks everyone! I couldn't have done it without the help and knowledge from the guys over at Bull Basin Archery Shop! Here are a few pics from the trip. Man, there are some beautiful places around us! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chshunt Report post Posted October 12, 2008 Nice! Great pictures too! We don't get to see many moose here on the boards let alone in AZ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted October 12, 2008 Awesome!! Thanks so much for writing that up and sharing your pics. Wow, what an adventure. I love moose meat! I used to get some back when I lived in Maine. It's excellent table fare!! Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
