No Moostake

I told Taunya on the way back from our New Zealand trip, " You know I probably get drawn for a moose tag in Maine or and elk tag in Ky. We got home early Friday and just chilled. Then up to the hill Saturday to blow on the harp with to boys and show NZ stag and rusa deer pics. Having coffee when I remembered that they drew for the moose tags Saturday night. As I scrolled down the website I saw my name to my utter disbelief. I had drawn one of the most coveted hunting tags in North America after 13yrs of trying. I called Darren at Bulldog Camps almost immediately. I had hunted bear with him 10yrs ago and he told me get a tag and I'll get you a moose. Oct 14 seemed like and eternity from July 1. My little brother and I don't get to hunt or spend time together like we used to, so I thought he could come along and film. He was down and trip was on. I would be taking the Tenpoint as calling in a moose is a close range thing and love nothing more that hunting with my crossbow. Darren advised to bring a gun just in case, the 45-70 was the only choice. Mounted a new scope in case I had to shoot at distance. After a 17hr drive Rob and I arrived at camp. A new lodge had just been built and ironically we we're going to be staying in the old kitchen cabin. Darren then advises me that a tick infestation in last few years had killed off the moose population by more that half and that the rut came and went early so the bulls weren't responding to calling. We were going to have to take the gun and beat the woods to death to get a moose. Death alright, me, I never hiked so far, so much slash, up and down, thru muck, and stands of young trees that you could barely walk thru. Many time I thought if do kill a moose how and hell are we going to get it out of hear. We did stalk up on bull the first day, but Darren said it was too small, we should wait on a bigger bull. I reluctantly agreed, but it was hard with  30" bull standing there, clueless,  50yds away. Day one done with 7miles of hiking hell, legs like Jello, and very tired. Rob was so sore he went back to the truck early and had cramps to bad he couldn't go the 2nd day. No video.  Another beautiful and 2 1/2 mile morning hike before 9:30 when easing down and old logging road Darren takes a knee and says "Shooter". There before me was a bull staring us down at 50yrs. He took off to run down the trail and gave me 50yds broadside running shot. Bam, he didn't even flinch, Bam miss, Darren said " Take your time". Bam, shot to the back of head and his day was done.  The first shot had indeed hit him right thru the heart. He was dead on his feet and didn't even know it. A testament to how tough a moose is. The fact was, I was standing over a lifelong dream and beautiful Maine moose. Elation and sadness overcame in one fail swoop. I don't take taking an animals life lightly. A willow twig stuck in his mouth and whispering for forgiveness in his ear was first.  Pictures and getting this big bastard out of here was 2nd. A 2 mile hike to the truck and a 2 mile ATV ride back up the old road and we could hook on and drag it out. To town to check it in, weighed, and off to the butcher. Rob and I spent the next to days, skinning the head, shopping and hiking to couple waterfalls. Thurday picked up our meat and then headed to nearest Walmart to by more coolers for the meat. The 5 we brought weren't enough as we had 250 to 300lbs of meat. And if your wondering it's delicious, so far I've made keesh, chili, roast, meatballs, jerky, and sloppy Joes. I had a ton of fun with my little brother and was glad we got to spend that time together. That's no moostake.

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