My Moose Hunt Ended Abruptly

[SJB358]

Well, I don't know about the 338 Federal. The new Trophy Copper bullet doesn't work well at all. I shot my moose, and it ran for at least forty yards before it toppled and died! :mrgreen: Moose hunting is ruined for the remainder of this season for me. I'm going back out with Gil this evening after doing some laundry and I'll be headed back out with Kurt on Saturday. We saw the first moose at about 4:50 this morning, but we couldn't get oriented quickly enough to look it over before it darted into the bush. However, we were shortly in a new logging block. There, standing majestically in the centre of the block was a fine looking two and a half year old bull. He was facing me, just slightly quartered to my left. I waited for him to move just a bit before I pulled the trigger on the 200 grain Trophy Copper. I hit him just behind the left shoulder and the bullet passed through both lungs. He did run about forty yards and I hied across the uneven ground until I could clearly see him again. He wasn't moving very fast, so I was reasonably certain that he was hit hard. I gained a bit of ground on him when he turned. At this point, I was approaching him from behind a brush pile when I noted that he was wobbling. As I raised the rifle for a second shot, he collapsed in front of me, and the hunt was over. He was a fine looking young bull, which is what my wife ordered.

Now, the work would begin. However, it was made somewhat easier by the use of a quad and a tow strap.

We towed him out of the bush and began the work of skinning and gutting. I pulled the trigger at 5:16, and we delivered him to the butcher at 9:00. Then, it was off to breakfast. The boys soaked me for the meal, but there will be another day, and the next time it will be on them.

Heinz, the butcher I frequently use, had shot his moose at 5 this morning. He already had two in the cooler, and mine was the third. Two more were coming in from across the river. He had seen five bulls this morning and at least as many cows. The population looks strong and the animals look to be quite healthy. In all, it was a successful hunt. Now, to get the other fellows a moose later this week.

Son of a GUN! Way to kick off the Fall Mike! Congratulations buddy! I knew you were serious about running that 338 Federal into some moose, but you really took the fight directly too them this Fall! No messing around and that is very cool to see the red mouthed beast on the ground! Great shooting buddy. I am so excited right now, I can't believe I didn't see this sooner! Way to go!

Seems like that 338 has earned its place into your safe right outta the gate. WOW! Can't say enough good right now. Very happy for you buddy, on broken toes and everything!...

Whats up on the docket next? You have a chance of pulling a near BC Grand Slam this year with moose out of the way already!

 

[DrMike]

I'm keeping my eye opened for a nice black bear. Elk opens on September 1st and cow elk on September 15th. Mule deer and Whitetail open for bow, and I'm thinking of carrying my crossbow to see if I can't stick a nice fat buck. Otherwise, I have to wait on them until October.

 

[owenv]

Way to go DrMike! Fine looking beast right there. I did the same thing one year, shot my elk about 1/4 mile away from camp and the hunt was over just like that.

 

[bullet]

Mike, I still don't believe you when you say you have not already died and gone to heaven. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Just saying man...... :lol:

 

[jmad_81]

Nice work Mike! That is a fine bull with a fine choice of calibers. Hope those toes heal up for you soon.

 

[OU812]

Your moose traveled 40 yards before giving it up? Epic bullet failure in a under powered round is all I can say. Mike ya might want to send me the rifle and the rest of the ammo before word get out about how poorly the caliber and bullet performed. Don't worry I'll keep it on the down low for ya buddy.


Congrats buddy on a very fine moose. I only hope to take one so nice my self.



Bill

 

[CatskillCrawler]

Way to break in that 338F!! That's some good tasting vittles there Mike. I am a bit envious of your 4 hours from "shot to butcher" time. :? Nothing like the help of good friends! Just doesn't seem right as I remember the successful moose hunts I've been privileged to participate in.

Good news with that Trophy Copper bullet! I was hoping you would try the Fusion but you can't argue with success.

 

[sask boy]

Thanks Mike he will be a terrific eating. I am glad that you were able to take him with your new rifle :wink:
We are going out tonight to do some walleye fishing if things work out right.
Photos and the particulars are excellent as well.

Blessings, Dan

 

[DrMike]

Bill,

Your generosity is simply overwhelming. Somehow, I'll manage to hang onto this rifle and see if I can't make it somewhat more deadly.

I spent the day afield looking for a moose for Gil. It has turned hot again, however, and the animals were holding tight to the bush. I will try to get out early Saturday to see if I can't find an animal for Kurt. I found a site that has a great deal of moose and elk traffic. It should be good if we can get set up early enough.

 

[JD338]

Bill,

Your generosity is simply overwhelming. Somehow, I'll manage to hang onto this rifle and see if I can't make it somewhat more deadly.

I spent the day afield looking for a moose for Gil. It has turned hot again, however, and the animals were holding tight to the bush. I will try to get out early Saturday to see if I can't find an animal for Kurt. I found a site that has a great deal of moose and elk traffic. It should be good if we can get set up early enough.

\Mike,

Good luck to Gil and Kurt, hope they both score on some dandy bulls.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

Well, I just fielded a call from Kurt. I tracked several large bulls this afternoon. He has tomorrow off and wants to go out. So, that means another short night. However, if we are successful, it will be good for him.

 

[cloverleaf]

Fine eating I'm told. Congrats on filling the freezer. Yeah your right......either the buwwets is defective or da rifle is broke.... Send it my way for evaluation. Be sure to send your ammo too. We is on a budget. :wink: CL

 

[Gm weatherby man]

That is a fine moose Mike, congrats. Just 45 more days till I get to start my season this year. Again nice moose. 8)

 

[DrMike]

Well, 2:30 rolled around awfully early this morning. The downside of early moose is that it gets light so early. (Please, Lord, make it October so I can sleep until seven and still be out in the dark!) I'll gulp a cup or two of coffee and head for the field with Kurt. I guided Kurt to his first moose two years ago, and he didn't go with me last year. I scouted out a good area yesterday, and I believe we can connect this morning. Kurt is a retired RCMP sergeant. After twenty-five years, he has some interesting stories to tell. He did allow that he had only shot one other moose before the one I guided him to. It has been hit by a car (the Valemount detachment has on average, two moose/vehicle collisions per week, and the Tumbler Ridge detachment has quite a few in its own right).

It was a holiday, and Kurt was patrolling in his red serge. He assessed the situation, determined there were no injuries to the driver or passenger of the automobile, though the moose was not in such good shape. Someone suggested that he should dispatch the beast, as it was clearly suffering and struggling. Being a compassionate fellow, he drew his nine millimeter and walked over to put the poor moose out of its misery. Afterwards, he allowed that he was absent from the class on killing moose the day the lecture was delivered, and so he made it up as he went. He considered that a head shot was appropriate, and so he approached so as to permit a good view. He also determined that he should be close enough that there would be no possibility of a miss, regardless of how slight. One of the things that he learned from this experience was that the ear of a moose makes a perfect funnel, directing whatever blood and other bodily materials may be ejected from the impact of the bullet outward and away from the ear. He also learned that the ejecta can travel a surprising distance. One final lesson he learned is that one should not wear red serge when dispatching moose at a close distance.

Covered in blood and brain matter, he calmly holstered his sidearm, wiped his face and turned again to the work (that still had to be completed). He saw a look of awe (?), or perhaps it was astonishment, on the face of the few onlookers who were watching this scenario play out before their wondering eyes.

The recounting of the story does make for some hilarity at the expense of the local constabulary.

 

[SJB358]

That is a GREAT story Mike!

 

[sask boy]

Mike is that the gentleman who so kindly invited us for lunch when
We were up there May long weekend?

Blessing,
Dan

 

[DrMike]

You nailed it, Dan. Kurt and Gwen are a great couple. We didn't get him a moose this morning, but we did see elk and whitetail in abundance.

Scotty, moose stories are always fun. When Kurt was detachment commander in Tumbler Ridge, he had a new guy join the detachment. After the new fellows first call to attend after a moose/vehicle collision, Kurt casually inquired about the accident report. After reviewing what had been written, he stated, "It's incomplete." Of course, this was met with a protest that everything was in order. "No," the detachment commander stated firmly, there was a fatality and we don't have the name of the victim. "But, no one died!" the new guy countered.

"Is the moose dead?" Kurt asked.

"Yes," replied the new guy.

"Here's the report, complete it."

For the next day, there was incredible hilarity in the detachment as the new guy had to figure out a name (the form demanded a name). So, "Marvin Moose" was the deceased. He had brown eyes, stood about two meters at the withers and had no tattoos or distinguishing marks, other than seasonal antlers. Each time the report was returned to the detachment commander, it was pointed out that something had been left blank. Was this intentional? Or was it a mark of inattention. Consequently, this was the same new guy that was given a bucket and a brush one quiet evening with instructions to wash the stop signs (an annual chore that had to be cared for by the most junior member).

Moose! They occasion great hilarity among those with a sense of humour.

 

[SJB358]

Man, I have been the subject of and also been the giver of some jokes, but those are pretty good..

I once sent a new guy to the Company GySgt's office to get an ID-10-T form.. Didn't go over well for me or him. God knows how many Marines have went looking for a spool of FLIGHT LINE!!!

 

[sask boy]

Yes we have all been apart of giving and taking. When I started with SGI I was sent to the stores department to get a carbon paper stretcher. After being sent up to 10 different floors I figure out there was no such thing. :roll:
I did give a few as well :wink:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[DrMike]

I did have a new salesgirl asking the gunsmiths about changing the bolt oil on her rifle on one occasions. After three years, the gunsmiths still laugh over that one. When I last saw her, she was laughing about that, as well.