I changed not a thing from last year - 30-06, 165gr Partition @2,700fps and my old ZG in it's McMillan with Swaro 1.5-6x42 and ASE supressor.
I spotted this fellow bedded down while out stalking clearcuts on day 4. I saw a boulder and checked with the binos just in case - a bull 200yards down the hill, facing away. I made it 10yards into the trees and settled down to wait. The situation was quite tense as he was both facing away and paying attention downhill directly away from me. I decided that I'd take a more facing away shot if I had to because this was likely the only chance I would have.
He got up 45minutes later. In getting up he turned a bit so I shot immediately. I saw the strike, high lung just behind the shoulder. He whirled, fell, bellowed, scrabbled around a bit then lay on his side expiring. However he continued to breathe which worried me. His vitals were obscured by brash so I elected to cover him. After 10minutes there was still some laboured breathing so I approached and finished him as he tried to get up.
The moose are taken to the gamedealer with the chest left intact and not skinned so no proper autopsy. The placement was as per the strike I saw with no exit (a lot of meat and bone at that angle). I surmise that I hit one lung high and forward and grazed the bottom of the spine. The spine dropped him, the one lung bled but not hugely (though there was a LOT of blood in the chest cavity and some from the nose) and the lack of an exit meant the lungs didn't collapse quickly.
One shot kills are great but field scenarios can be tough. I was pleased to get this bull as there were no other chances over the rest of the week.
I spotted this fellow bedded down while out stalking clearcuts on day 4. I saw a boulder and checked with the binos just in case - a bull 200yards down the hill, facing away. I made it 10yards into the trees and settled down to wait. The situation was quite tense as he was both facing away and paying attention downhill directly away from me. I decided that I'd take a more facing away shot if I had to because this was likely the only chance I would have.
He got up 45minutes later. In getting up he turned a bit so I shot immediately. I saw the strike, high lung just behind the shoulder. He whirled, fell, bellowed, scrabbled around a bit then lay on his side expiring. However he continued to breathe which worried me. His vitals were obscured by brash so I elected to cover him. After 10minutes there was still some laboured breathing so I approached and finished him as he tried to get up.
The moose are taken to the gamedealer with the chest left intact and not skinned so no proper autopsy. The placement was as per the strike I saw with no exit (a lot of meat and bone at that angle). I surmise that I hit one lung high and forward and grazed the bottom of the spine. The spine dropped him, the one lung bled but not hugely (though there was a LOT of blood in the chest cavity and some from the nose) and the lack of an exit meant the lungs didn't collapse quickly.
One shot kills are great but field scenarios can be tough. I was pleased to get this bull as there were no other chances over the rest of the week.
