Well, I know and thats all I am saying about that!
Last Friday 10/17 started our 4th moose hunt week, started back in June really but we had 4 tags staying with us for the week; 3 (ES) either sex and 1 (AO) antlerless only. We always get excited about the whole thing and I have to take the week off, just so I can be around for the guys and sometimes gals. Friday evening was full of anticipation and a little bit of stress, you can feel it when they talk to you; worried that something going to go wrong I think mostly. We had a boat loadd of food for dinner everyone brought something to the table - Just really cool when that happens but I come from a large and extended family so it works for me.
Sat am, everyone of the guys and their sub's where out the door by 5:30 and I started to prepare the beef stew for the evening meal. In fact I had it one the stove by 7 and it was cooked by 1pm and I ate some piping hot - Damned I am good cook! lol
I was actually interrupted by the first "moose down" call by JD (Protect the innocent) just after 1 and boy was he in deep, they hit him but he kept going laid down a couple times but kept getting up and moving further into the White Mtn National Forest. Where you can't use anything thing to get them out - Some rules need changing // Honestly, its a 1k lbs animal folks, how do you expect us to harvest it? Thats what the hunt is all about, as well as the overall health of the herd! So, JD asks me if I "have any miracles for getting him out?" Sorry JD, but we are going to have to Qtr him, I could see his disappointment, just to damn far it and no tools to use! So, he comes out (710lbs est. bull) about 6 hours later and in 9 pieces, and we are beaten senseless. But the NH F&G biologist is ecstatic about our tale and wants to have the PR folks @ F&G call and talk w/him - COOL, he's my hunter!
Sat. evening another awesome meal, good thing I started it early! Sun am, we start at the same time, less two hunting and drinking coffee so I wasn't overwhelmed at the pot. Around 10 or 11 not sure, we get another "moose down" call (660lbs Bull), and its M & C and I know from riding around with them on Fri exactly where they are located. Decent drag out on my new best friend the barrel sled, made especially for moose lol, I need to get me one of these, makes my life easier during the week! And. whats best is that M has already scouted the way out and its downhill - Sweet! Pictures, beer and steaks follow and good spirits for most. The cow (750lbs) was taken while we where gone for M & C and I never got to see it, that sucks no pictures!
Mon am JD & M as well as M&C all bail out for south and to show off their prizes to people who matter more than us, we are sure. But, R & R are still in for the fight, and the 1st R's spirits are dipping a bit, he's a sseasoned hunter who has not even seen a moose yet. We try our best to keep these guys up, but all day long hunting and getting no glimpse is tough on them.
BUT, Tues am change's everything, they tag out on a 2.5 yr old Bull (550lbs), and good looking boy and will be good meat in the freezer for this winter - Here's to keeping your chin up boys!
So, with all of that, we have closed 17 out off 18 tags in the 4 moose hunts we have been open, better than the states averages and everyone has told me this year was the toughest hunt they can recall - Strange for sure from start to finish, from where I sit anyway // Gas prices and Presidential election year, broken financial system and a wet summer - Why not have a tough moose hunt?
Can't wait to start seeing dogs around here again!
Till soon - Travel well!
