Plans for this hunt began about three years ago. I have always wanted to hunt Moose and after talking to my financial guy about my retirement I could see this was going to happen. It was going to happen as many times as my wife would allow. Research begins and thanx to old post from Kevin Dill, I educated myself about the process of hunting Alaska. It is a logistics game, but after you do it for the first time, it becomes easy. After attending the Banquet in St. Augustine and listening to Monty Browning, I was more determined.
During that banquet, I asked Mike Vines if he was interested in a future moose hunt and he had several hunts already on his schedule. He knew of another PBS member that had ask him the same question and contacted him after the banquet. Steve Chappell from Michigan contacted me and planning began. For the next 18 months we decided where to go, what pilot we would use, etc by email and some phone conservation. I was lucky because Steve is a logistics person. I more of a researcher.
On September 12th, I met Steve for the first time in Anchorage. The next day, we planned to fly to a small village where we would meet our Pilot and hopefully fly in to the area we decided on hunting. Well, we made it to the village but small planes were grounded due to the fog and low ceiling. We did get to fly out the next day and the views were spectacular. I first seen a cow on the ground and then seen a very large bull bedded while in flight about 8 miles from our drop camp. We had to land at a remote landing strip unload the gear and fly in one at a time after we siphoned fuel from the plane to make it lighter. Interesting experience and I flew in last. After reaching the area, we banked the plane a flew around looking for any game in the area. None was seen and we landed on that tiny kinda flat area. The pilot stayed with us while we set up our camp but weather forced him to fly off.
The next day was our first hunt, it seemed the area was void of game. I picked an elevated spot across a small stream where I intended to glass the area looking for cruising bulls up the valley. From talking to other PBS members, the plan was simple, I would watch for a bull and try to cut them off, get the wind at my advantage for a shot.
(http://i.imgur.com/rOvtSiR.jpg)My view to the south of my lookout spot
Day two of many, we decided to keep our routine, we hiked to the small landing strip, we cow called and then we retreated to the hill. Steve wanted to hike further up the hill so we went almost to the top. Yes, the views were great and you could see further. It wasn't no time when Steve seen the first bull, we looked down and he was heading right for the area we had cow called an hour earlier. This can't be happening, we hurried to the area and my last view of him placed him standing 10 yards from the landing strip which was still almost a half mile away. We covered ground and Steve was walking ahead of me with those long legs. I am more slow and stealthy. As we approached the area, Steve walked as I seen the bull in some brush to the right. I tried to get Steve's attention when the bull spooked. I remember reading if you do a long cow call, sometimes a fleeing bull will stop. I quickly cow Called and the bull stopped allowing me to take his picture.
(http://i.imgur.com/n7s6q6L.jpg)
at least we knew Moose were in the area
Day 4 Raining and fog, we had two days out of the whole hunt when the sun came out partially. It was about 11 and I was sticking it out remembering that the other bull showed up at 1030. I looked out over the area and seen a bull headed along a tree line. I rushed to get in front of him then I called to him and raked the tree with a Mike Mitten antler. With the wind in my favor he came to 20 yards unaware of my presence. My first thought was "cow-dung", this thing is big, how could you miss. I quickly discovered that he was not a legal bull. I slowly put my bow down and started to take pictures.
(http://i.imgur.com/Pmzc1mP.jpg)young bull
(http://i.imgur.com/3Rs5Jsp.jpg)ambush spot with Mike Mitten antler
Day seven- On the way to my calling spot by the landing strip, a grouse flew up in a tree and I walked up to within 15 yards. I remember keep pressing, keep pressing then he seem to explode and the judo point hit him. The arrow, judo and all went 20 yards down the runway. I cleaned him for lunch and cooked him with a little olive oil. I soon realized why gun hunters hunt them. It had a great taste.
Day 8- another waiting game day. At the end of the day, light was fading and I decided to do some bull grunts while raking my plastic antler on a small tree. It was not long until I heard a response coming from the area of the airstrip not 50 yards away. I thought initially, it was Steve returning to camp. I closed in while checking the wind and I did not see Steve. I then saw a bull at the same place we cow called from. Again, 10 yards from the runway. As I closed in, I could not get a good image but as he disappeared, I judged him to be right at 50-55 inches but he was walking away. I tried to cut him off but he walked away and not down perpendicular to the runway.
I hunted the rest of the time without seeing another bull but enjoyed everyday, rain, sleet snow and all. Here are some more
pics.
(http://i.imgur.com/BDUJrFS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ugAvrR6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tDamIx8.jpg)
Steve on the runway
(http://i.imgur.com/rfJACvL.jpg)
close up of the tundra
I want to thank Steve for sharing this adventure with me, I will get him to tell his half of the story and the bulls he called in.
I also want to thank fellow PBS members Kevin Dill, Mike Mitten, Steve Ho, Mike Vines, and Walt Francis for their
correspondence and help on this hunt. Tim Antoine
Sounds like you had an awesome adventure!
Great story Tim, bet your hunt was the making of some great memories!
Like Fred Bear used to say "a hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of the ultimate goal"
I'm gonna make it to the moose woods someday - thanks for the share
Tim B
An awesome adventure guy's.
Thanks for sharing! :campfire:
Thanks for taking us along with this adventure Tim.
Great Stuff !! :thumbsup:
If I were a betting man, I say you are already planning the return trip. This hunt was a success, all the way around, in my eyes.
Wonderful country, thanks for taking us along.
Thanks for sharing
Cool story and looks like you had a great hunt even if a bull didn't hit the ground.
Great story Tim! So glad to see you still going at it strong. Keep in touch buddy.
Great Hunt Tim, Thank you for sharing it with us!
That's Alaska and huntingin General. Lots of spectacular scenery and animals dispersed throughout it. Great story-thanks for sharing
That's Alaska and huntingin General. Lots of spectacular scenery and animals dispersed throughout it. Great story-thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing. Nice pics.
Great story and great pics. I hope to go someday myself. :campfire: