Montana moose hunt

[tom]

I was lucky enough to draw a resident moose permit this year. I'm not near the writer @Dave Way is, but I'll do my best.


Early scouting pics below.



Haven't seen a moose but have singled out some good looking spots. Make note, I was soaked and about froze on July 4th, so now we can count down to "next winter" from there, lol.


Tom

 

[tom]

Beautiful country and some moose had been there, but I didn't see one.





My boss, and friend Dennis was along. We saw a few goats, and the drainage I was in July 24th was to our right. The drainage to our left looked like great moose habitat, but was just to tough to get one out of we figured. After about freezing to death on the 4th, I about had heat stroke today!

Tom

 

[tom]

Beautiful moose habitat below, and goat country above. This was gonna be a spot to come back to.



Glassing from a distance I could see what drainages looked promising, and happened to see a nice Billy from about 6 miles.


Tom

 

[tom]

Attempting to glass in my units more eastern half, but smoke inversion was becoming an issue.



Found a cow from the truck! Bait for later I hoped.



First day carrying a rifle for me. I slowly moved up the drainage and never saw anything. So I was heading out rather recklessly and jumped a bull and cow that laid down on my backtrail....dang it!

Tom

 

[tom]

Went back into the drainage I bumped the moose yesterday and climbed to a vantage point. Started to feel ill, sweats, chills, the whole bit. Snapped one photo and started my way out the 4 mile hike. Got to the truck, cranked the heat and fell asleep. Woke up in a sweat and headed for home. Got in to see my doctor, and sure enough I had the damn coodies.



Took it easy with a lower elevation spot after being sick all week. Didn't see anything, but I had seen a cow and calf in the road past here last Saturday.



Taking it easy again, I snapped this before heading down as I heard one grunting below. I caught up to a cow, calf, and couple year old bull following behind. They were 39 yards above the truck, but I passed. I felt a better one would show up as the rut was just starting.

Tom

 

[tom]

 

[tom]

Went back to the spot I really liked from August 7th, as Cody now calls it "that hole". Saw a cow with twins, and a cow with what appears to be a yearling bull. I passed, but will be back!



Took it easy on this Sunday, as "the hole" is a bit demanding. Just had some mulie does attacking my truck, and didn't see any moose.

Tom

 

[tom]

Went back to the hole and found a few cows, and that silly little bull again. Passed again hoping maybe next weekend something older may show up.



The moon setting as I waited, listening in my "take it easy" spot. Nothing doing this day, came home wondering if I should have shot the one in the road a couple weeks ago.

Tom

 

[tom]

Heading in to the hole in the starlight.



Saw a couple goats above and got a picture. Dennis was with me, and before leaving my glassing spot we had only seen a lone cow. I wanted to move around the head of the drainage and try looking down the other side of a timbered knob. While moving through the brush we heard one grunting. Sure enough he was on a beeline straight for us ready to run us off. He was mid 40s with shallow paddles and a single brow. I decided he was good enough for me and tried to get a setup. He never presented a shot and eventually smelled us and headed back into the timber.

Tom

 

[tom]

Winter is back, tried the drainage I had jumped the ones and came out sick the next day. Nothing doing, and no visibility so I headed our early.




Went in the hole on a Sunday and saw one lonely cow is all.

Tom

 

[tom]

Cody went with me into the hole the following Saturday and we saw a cow, a calf and this same little bull. Really wishing I'd have taken the one in the road now! I passed again.

Tom

 

[tom]

Tried another easier spot Sunday. Never found a moose, but tons of sign, but it looked to be cows and calves. Unfortunately the rut passed me by before finding this spot.

Tom

 

[tom]

Back to the hole, as we had gotten some more weather I had the saw out 9 times to get in there.

Goat ass!



It was knee deep, and I found that damn little bull again, but failed to get a picture.



No more worries about heat stroke!


November 13th must not of thought to take a photo. It was a drive to high points and glass unsuccessful day.

Tom

 

[tom]

Wolf tracks heading up the road as I headed to my area looking for tracks. I now have the rest of season off.





I saw 2 cows but failed to get photos.



Plenty of tracks around, but never got into a fresh one. Did see a 4 year old nanny though.

November 19th, cold as heck and tired. Drove around the easternmost section of the unit glassing and looking for sign to no avail.

Tom

 

[tom]

Yup, definitely not a worry at all about heat stroke now! Never located one this day either, so now I'm really thinking back to that road bull!



After an uneventful morning walk around, it's too cold so I'll go glass......damn fog. Had cell service sitting there so visited with Alex a bit, while waiting on the fog to lift.



Oh boy, the fog lifted about 1:15 pm and looky there. He's 3 miles out, but I know I can get the pickup about 2 miles from there. Let's try!



I got to the burn at the bottom edge, and across the creek from him. Ranged him at 865, 12 degree uphill. It's now 25 degrees so I run my dope. No problem except for one thing, I couldn't settle down. After about 10 minutes to get myself under control, and rebuilding my rest 3 times, I felt 100% on the shot. Slight quarter away, the 185 jug obliterated the liver and off side lung. The bull turned 180 degrees and was on his feet. I settled for a follow up and he fell before sending a second round.







Called Dennis and he brought his youngest boy Spenser out there that night. We got him broken down and bagged up, and got 3 loads of meat out that night. 12:38 am we were warming up the trucks, and went on the 2 hour drive home.

Tom

 

[tom]

The next morning we met at the glass shop at 7am. Dennis, Cody, myself and my other buddy Dennis. We headed out to get the last 4 loads off the mountain. 11 hours later I was back at home and totally exhausted.



I got him hung this morning and will be running a knife the rest of my vacation!

Tom

 

[tom]

I can't apply again for 7 years, maybe by then I'll forget how much I hurt. Man I'm glad I had friends to come help me with this! Must be my charming personality I guess, lol.

Tom

 

[INTJ]

Nice!!

 

[longshot406]

Congrats Tom well deserved! I almost feel guilty being able to use my E bike in my unit. NOT!

 

[INTJ]

Thanks for the write up. Well earned indeed!