Moose hunting

[shootist7]

Leave in 2 1/2 weeks for Northwest Saskatchewan Canada for a 10 day moose and bear hunt. I'm taking a 338 Win Mag and a 308 Norma Mag, both sighted in with Barnes TSX bullets on top of my hand loads. Not trying to start a bullet debate, Barnes have served me very well over the years, just sharing. The 338 has 250 grainers and the Norma has 180's. Using a Burris Euro Diamond 2.5-10x50 with illuminated reticle on the 338 and a tried and true Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8x36 on the Norma. The 308 Norma is my true warrior with many miles in a saddle scabbard or over my shoulder in many states and provinces, I got the 338 because I could! I'm 0 for 4 on moose, just haven't had what I wanted in front of me inside my range. The 338 is a stainless steel Ruger M77 Mark II with rifle sights and the Zytel, boat paddle, stock and I use Warne quick detach rings to hold the Burris in place in case I want, or need, the iron sights. The 308 Norma started life, many years ago, as a Remington 700 BDL in 30-06. Had it re-chambered to 308 Norma with no regrets. Both rifles are shooting great, 200 yard zero, and I hope the next thing I see through either scope is the bull moose I've been waiting for. But I'm not afraid to come home again without one... again! Anyway, just thought I'd share, I love hunting and I love rifles! Best of luck to all going out this fall, take care. Dean

 

[284winner]

Good luck Dean. Shoot straight. That's a dream hunt. I've been applying for Maine for lots of years and have a lot of chances in my bank. Would like a bull but would arrow a cow if I drew a tag. I'd at least try.

 

[Jaybo]

That's going to be a a all some hunt hope you get a monster. that is a hunt of a life time. I have also been applying for Maine moose tag for the past 9 years with no success maybe one day.

 

[shootist7]

Been back for a month, finally getting around to this. The first week the weather was unusually warm, in the 70's! Nothing was moving except for the black sand flies. That was incredible! You couldn't breath without covering your mouth, thankfully I had my head net with. The second week the weather got more seasonal and we started finding moose tracks. We got into some calling situations and were getting responses, bulls responding to our cow calls. You could hear them grunting back and hear their antlers on the trees as they were coming in. And then you'd hear them going away! It's not just moose that respond to calling, the wolves and bears do too! Every set up we had with moose working got broken up by either wolves or bears coming in. The wolves steered well clear of us as soon as they figured it out, but the bear literally came right up to us. We would spook them away, and for the most part, that took care of it. A couple times though, the bear came back. One time a bear came up behind us, the guide and I, to within 10 feet and "woofed" at us trying to figure out what we were and we had no idea it was there until it "woofed". Needless to say, that got the adrenaline going! Even though I had a bear tag, I didn't take any bear. All the bear that came in were younger bears, not what I was interested in shooting. It got real exciting, but thankfully, that's as far as it got! So I came home without a moose or bear, but had some great walks through the wood with my rifle! Already planning for next year, hope it works out!

 

[284winner]

Been back for a month, finally getting around to this. The first week the weather was unusually warm, in the 70's! Nothing was moving except for the black sand flies. That was incredible! You couldn't breath without covering your mouth, thankfully I had my head net with. The second week the weather got more seasonal and we started finding moose tracks. We got into some calling situations and were getting responses, bulls responding to our cow calls. You could hear them grunting back and hear their antlers on the trees as they were coming in. And then you'd hear them going away! It's not just moose that respond to calling, the wolves and bears do too! Every set up we had with moose working got broken up by either wolves or bears coming in. The wolves steered well clear of us as soon as they figured it out, but the bear literally came right up to us. We would spook them away, and for the most part, that took care of it. A couple times though, the bear came back. One time a bear came up behind us, the guide and I, to within 10 feet and "woofed" at us trying to figure out what we were and we had no idea it was there until it "woofed". Needless to say, that got the adrenaline going! Even though I had a bear tag, I didn't take any bear. All the bear that came in were younger bears, not what I was interested in shooting. It got real exciting, but thankfully, that's as far as it got! So I came home without a moose or bear, but had some great walks through the wood with my rifle! Already planning for next year, hope it works out!

That's hunting. No bonuses this time. They'll come eventually. The experience will last longer than any mount on your wall. For what it's worth, I'd love the opportunity you had.

 

[shootist7]

Absolutely! It's the hunt, not the kill, I'm interested in. Was just sharing the experience. Of course if the opportunity raises itself, I'll do my best to take advantage of it. But that's not what keeps me going back as often as I can!

 

[284winner]

Absolutely! It's the hunt, not the kill, I'm interested in. Was just sharing the experience. Of course if the opportunity raises itself, I'll do my best to take advantage of it. But that's not what keeps me going back as often as I can!

No I hunt in Michigans Upper Peninsula every year and never miss a hunt. Opening gun season for a week. It's deer camp. Old fashion traditional deer camp. Same guys for 30 years and it's all about the comrodary. A bonus kill is always hoped for but never a requirement. We have the same great hunting experience with or without pulling the trigger. Seeing deer always makes it better of course but that seems to be rare the past few years. Good luck on your future hunts.

 

[shootist7]

Thanks 284winner, same to you!

 

[jepp2]

You saved yourself a lot of work. This was taken 2015 in Colorado. Took almost 10 years of preference points to get the tag.

[URL=http://s860.photobucket.com/user/jepp2/media/Moose%20Muzzleloader_zpstqrzldii.jpg.html][/URL]

 

[stacy]

BEST OF LUCK SIR ON YOUR I HOPE A 5' MOOSE FEELS THE CROSS HAIR !!!!!

 

[CADDIE5]

Glad you had an enjoyable Moose hunt. I haven't pulled a moose tag yet in Maine. 16 yrs. trying. Also have a 338win mag with 215gr Nosler Partitions waiting to be taken hunting. Hunting for deer now but haven't found one with enough meat on the hoof to pull the trigger. Hunting with my son and his friends make it all worthwhile.

 

[chuckshooter]

barnes TSX--- 1 shot kill--one hundred present weight retention-- you don't have to convince me. 4 elk, countless deer, one moose.. those pedals are as sharp as razors, good luck on your hunt

 

[shootist7]

Great moose! Congrats! Yeah, the Barnes work, period! Where where you for the moose?

 

[chuckshooter]

Great moose! Congrats! Yeah, the Barnes work, period! Where where you for the moose?

Alaska, by the Skwentna river and 20 mile slew. nothing but marsh for days. felt like walking on carpet on top of a lake, not really my style of hunting but turned out successful.