Well done Mike!...thanks for taking us along on the journey

Thanks for the write up and pics.

And yeah that one bull especially, what a monster.

All the best.

Another cool thing that happened I want to tell you about was when I finally got up to the same spot where I killed my bull last year. Brian was out hunting on his own, so I was alone when squatted down and imaged the arrows release. I followed the path the moose took after taking the arrow, and stepped over the fallen tree the moose ran over. I found the dwarf birch bush that the broken arrow shaft fell into. I ran my hands through its branches before continuing on the bull's flight path. Eventually I got to the exact spot where the bull fell and died. The place was still flat and void of fresh vegetative re-growth. Pieces of rib bone and the skull portion I left behind were clearly evident. I can't describe how I lived in the moment from a year's past memories of hunching over the massive bull while cutting meat from bone and placing in game bags.

I was excited to find both jaws in the brush outside the perimeter of the site. I am pretty good at aging deer using comparative wear of teeth since I have collected many dozens of jaw pieces over the years. Moose however, are different since I have not seen that many and moose live much longer than deer, maybe out to 15 to 20 years. I am also not sure the age of maturity and fully mature moose. But I can tell that the moose I killed in 2017 was very much older than the one I killed in 2014. The dentin was much more exposed relative to enamel in the 2017 bull.

2017 bull teeth
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2014 bull teeth
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Great job with the story telling and pics, Mike.  Must have been exciting yet frustrating to have a legal bull come in but by then it's too dark to shoot...😢😢

Yes is was very frustrating. But ethics won out. The bull that came up in fading light was one that I dreamed about all year because I saw him last year, but the other huge bull is a dream bull. You have to click on photos and enlarge and zoom in on its rack. Ha Ha Ha Ha

Very captivating story that has to be a rush like no other. If only drug addicts could gettem a mess of moose! Thanks for sharing

Great recap Mike!  Meat or no meat it was a dream hunt for just about anyone.  Tough years only makes success in the future that much sweeter.  I have no doubt you'll be tasting it soon.

Great story and pictures. The 60" brute was seemed very cautious, like he knew you.

Thanks for sharing Mike. Looks like some great memories that you and Brian

Great Story!

Good stuff as usual Mike.

another awesome adventure Mike!  I have read your book 4 times, always a great read.  "Chasing Solitude" is on the Christmas list for sure.

How do you like the Sawtooth shelter?  I need  a new 4 season shelter, my Trango 2 had some issues and needs replacement.

Amazing stuff brother!! Thanks for sharing!!

I like the SawTooth because low weight and durability, but single wall and no floor will cause significant condensation during changes in cold wet weather. I definitely recommend the liner for mounting inside ceiling. For long trips it is nice to stand inside to put cloths on etc. Brian used a small wood stove in his, but I do not use one in mine. 

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Such beautiful country...........

Thanks for sharing, your pictures of the Alaskan wilderness is stunning!

Mike,
You had a great adventure, thanks for sharing, it is appreciated.

I finally had a chance to sit down and read this. Per usual it was excellent. Just like being there without the sore muscles and getting out of breath. Why do I have the feeling this won't be Brian's last trip there? Good job guys... no.. great job on taking us along. Thanks my friends! BW

Well done recap of the adventure.  Thank you for bringing us along Mike.