During the spring of 24’ my youngest son and best friend both ended up drawing their once in a lifetime Idaho moose tag. It was a unit I know very well as we have already tagged 2 moose out of it in the last 10 years.
The plan was to scout through the summer and spend two weeks hunting during the rut. As life goes we only were able to scout one day and only saw elk. My boss was gracious enough to allow me to take the planned two weeks off even though I was only 20 days into the new job. We headed out the day before the opener to set up camp and get ready for the big day.
We awake before daylight to head out to a predetermined glassing area. My buddy had come down with a serious stomach bug and told me he was unfortunately staying in camp. My so G and I load up and head out. Within the first 30 minutes two bulls were spotted! One being a border line shooter and the other a 2 year old.
We glassed for another 2 hours without seeing anymore moose. G decided he wanted to go after the moose pictured above. We made quick run back to camp to check on my buddy. He was feeling better and decided to join us! As we were headed down to the moose’s location I wanted to stop and check the back side of the ridge G and I glassed most of the morning. We parked the truck and I bring my binoculars up but can’t see anything due to the sun being directly in my eyes. I start saying they I can’t see and let’s keep going when my buddy R says the magic words “Big bull”!!
We repositioned to a better place to glass and it is indeed a big shooter bull. We glass where he is and try to come up with a plan to stalk in closer as he was bedded 604 yards away. R is a lifetime archery hunter and wanted to use his bow if at all possible. Due to the bulls location and the wind I recommend using a rifle. After setting up the spotting scope and finding a great shooting platform R agreed. We had a quick discussion on if we should run to camp and get the 338 Norma or use the 6ARC. I recommend using the 6ARC and R said he trusted my advice!
R got in position behind the gun and got comfortable and I made the adjustments to the scope. G and I watched through binos and told him to send it when ready. The first shot was true and we heard a confirming solid whack. The bull stood after the shot with his head down obviously not feeling well. I told R it was a solid hit but to send another. R sent another and it looked high. I told him to keep shooting until he is down. R ended up putting 4 into the chest cavity behind the shoulder and one into an antler tine in about 90 seconds before he was down!!
The plan was to scout through the summer and spend two weeks hunting during the rut. As life goes we only were able to scout one day and only saw elk. My boss was gracious enough to allow me to take the planned two weeks off even though I was only 20 days into the new job. We headed out the day before the opener to set up camp and get ready for the big day.
We awake before daylight to head out to a predetermined glassing area. My buddy had come down with a serious stomach bug and told me he was unfortunately staying in camp. My so G and I load up and head out. Within the first 30 minutes two bulls were spotted! One being a border line shooter and the other a 2 year old.
We glassed for another 2 hours without seeing anymore moose. G decided he wanted to go after the moose pictured above. We made quick run back to camp to check on my buddy. He was feeling better and decided to join us! As we were headed down to the moose’s location I wanted to stop and check the back side of the ridge G and I glassed most of the morning. We parked the truck and I bring my binoculars up but can’t see anything due to the sun being directly in my eyes. I start saying they I can’t see and let’s keep going when my buddy R says the magic words “Big bull”!!
We repositioned to a better place to glass and it is indeed a big shooter bull. We glass where he is and try to come up with a plan to stalk in closer as he was bedded 604 yards away. R is a lifetime archery hunter and wanted to use his bow if at all possible. Due to the bulls location and the wind I recommend using a rifle. After setting up the spotting scope and finding a great shooting platform R agreed. We had a quick discussion on if we should run to camp and get the 338 Norma or use the 6ARC. I recommend using the 6ARC and R said he trusted my advice!
R got in position behind the gun and got comfortable and I made the adjustments to the scope. G and I watched through binos and told him to send it when ready. The first shot was true and we heard a confirming solid whack. The bull stood after the shot with his head down obviously not feeling well. I told R it was a solid hit but to send another. R sent another and it looked high. I told him to keep shooting until he is down. R ended up putting 4 into the chest cavity behind the shoulder and one into an antler tine in about 90 seconds before he was down!!
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