Judging a Large Moose?

[35 Whelen]

Just wondering what the avg guy now calls a big moose. Just got back from Alaska and wondered how this one stacks up ? Its just a whisker under 66" so is this a trophy where you hunt moose? Trying to decide weather to mount it or just stick it up on the back of the woodshed! [Gosh I am makin this way to easy for Scotty]

 

[DrMike]

He qualifies as an excellent trophy, Earl. Assuredly bigger than the Canada moose. We do see 'em that large just up the highway a short distance, however, at the southern extreme of the Alaska variety. Very fine rack. Give us an account of your hunt.

 

[35 Whelen]

Thanks Mike , that's good information. And I will get you up todate with info . 8)

 

[SJB358]

I am saying this with the utmost respect.. You are an old dirtbag!!!! HA!!!! Just kidding buddy, that is awesome. Way to go buddy! Please tell me the Whelen took him to the big willow bog in the sky!

Great shooting buddy. Give me a ring or something. Gotta hear about your exploits. Gotta get one a moose again. Either way, great moose and if your wood shed isn't big enough, I might be able to find one to fit it!

 

[DrMike]

If your wood shed isn't big enough, I might be able to find one to fit it!

Such generosity! :grin:

 

[35 Whelen]

Well it is very true I am getting old!!! But rest easy Scottman,
A 35 Whelen is still, "king of the swampdonkeys"!

 

[SJB358]

HA! Great picture Buddy! I was skunked on my ME tag this year... Glad you were able to find a suitable fill in for me!

Great moose Earle. You gotta give us the story..

 

[35 Whelen]

Ok story to follow soon, stay tuned.

 

[JD338]

Earl

Awesome bull!
Congratulations. I would mount him for sure.

JD338

 

[gerry]

Looking forward to the story Earle, that looks fantastic. Who knew the 35 Whelen is suitable for moose?

 

[sask boy]

Earl that is a trophy in anyone's book! Great trophy looking forward to the story & some more photos!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Thebear_78]

Looks like a trophy to me

 

[Vince]

WOW!!!

Great trophy. I look forward to reading about your hunt.

 

[FOTIS]

WOW x 2

 

[35 Whelen]

:mrgreen: Its time to come clean here......Well here is the story..................................... and thanks everyone for all the nice comments!
One of my old hunting guide chums from Alaska was back here in Maine, and visited us early this spring, and wanted me to fly up and spend some time with him over Moose season. We have known each other for just over 30 years. He guided for us at Alaska Safari back in the early 1980s. So I decided to fly up while we had some slack time here at the lodge late Aug . And spend a couple of weeks with him at his hunting camp. He had let me know that he had spotted a few nice Bulls near the cabin before we got up there. He claimed one to have outradious "frontals" on one side and a nice spread of around 65". And as you can now see he was pretty darn close to right on with his predictions.
Anyway I have to come clean here.......... the moose does NOT belong to me at all, as usuall in the world of guides and guiding . We hardly ever get to pull the trigger, as we are always helping others to get their trophys! And so was the case here, after spotting him a few times up on the ridges around camp, he was called by my friend, into 255 yards, and was shot by one of the hunters with a .338 WM from an old 1970s push feed Model 70, in "beater" condition, that has hit about everything but the daily double. The hunter had plenty of time [and advice] when and where to shoot him. He was hit solidly with the first shot in the front shoulder, and droped almost imeadiately . As you can plainly see the tops of his antlers have gone flat across the top; with not much for protruding points indicating he is just passed his prime in antler development. Also interesting to note that in this area he was killed [Talkeetna Mountains]
the bulls have the same antler style in this valley, going back thru 50 years of pictures of past trophys, all seaming to show a dominate left side with big frontals when they live long enough to have them. Of course the hunters is overjoyed with the moose, and so he should be. And I was only teasing about weather to mount him or not. We had rain everyday, and some days it poured, with high winds. Terrible for hunting or flying, but because we were in a great area where moose migrate up into the top of the treeline during breeding season; if you just sit tight, they will show up. Like many of the pictures I have posted here over the years, this animal belongs to the hunters, that feel they need a guide to help them procure their dreams. In this case he certainly got his forfilled. Thanks for staying tuned for the story. :mrgreen: E
As he fell:

 

[JD338]

Earle,

That is a beautiful bull. I have seen him, and many others like him in my dreams.

JD338

 

[Kodiak]

AHhhhh the ol' .338WM. Doin' what it was intended to do .. killin' big game!

Well done to the shooter,

 

[SJB358]

Very nice! Can't argue with the 338!

 

[pre6422hornet]

Yup no matter who pulled the trigger... Great Moose, Great rifle, Great round, Great Story.

Well done Earl!

 

[LD375]

Earl

Awesome bull!
Congratulations. I would mount him for sure.

JD338

+1, that's a trophy bull for sure!..I've seen some big bulls killed here in Ontario, and yours ranks right up there with them. I leave in about 5 weeks for moose, and would just love to put my game seal on a brute like that,congrats..Lou