Posted: 10/18/2008 5:36:06 PM EDT
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This was the first year I have drawn a moose permit. I let my daughter (14 years old) have the first 3 days since she was designated as my subpermitee. I had really hoped she would get the chance to shoot one, but its just didn't work out for her. She is familiar with firearms and can shoot responsibly, but she is not very familiar with hunting. I found a small bull for her, but she couldn't see it standing in the trees beside the road in time to take the shot. The next one we saw was a little far, and it was getting dark making it hard to tell if it was a bull or not. Her and I did the slow sneak on it but it ran off pretty quick as well. The last evening we hunted together, we came up to an old clear cut that had 5-6 year old hardwood coming up in it. Standing 150 yards away was a beautiful bull. I looked at her and asked if she thought she could shoot that far, her hesitation was answer enough. There was no place for her to get a good rest or I would have let her take the shot. Once again we tried to stalk up closer, but the moose didn't cooperate. She went home without a moose, but had a really good time. My wife and son (5 years old) went as well every day. Over 400 miles were driven over the course of 3 days looking, plus hours of walking, calling, and sitting. I think everyone in the house has a different perspective of "hunting" now. I hunted the following day without the family and managed to see another small bull and several cows. Finally I found this bull, standing broadside 75 yards from the road. He was standing in front of a beaver pond and I had a bad feeling he would run directly into the water once shot. I decided then that I would have to make sure he didn't get that far. First shot was both lungs behind the forward shoulder. He spun around (shot #2 forward shoulder other side) and ran directly towards me. 3rd shot (somewhat defensively) clipped an antler, ear and buried in the vertebrae in his hump. 4th shot I really dont have a clue where it went. He only ran 60-70 feet before he dropped, no finishing required, he was done. Not a huge bull, but he will definitely eat well.  |
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Nice Hunt. Keep that girl in the woods and she won’t get discouraged. My favorite quote from Ted Nuget is, “Bring your kids hunting and you won’t have to hunt for your kids.” We eat moose about twice a month, which is not common for someone living in Louisiana. Stew, fixed the same as beef, in a crock-pot is great. We recently made spaghetti with ground moose for the first time and it was excellent. Merk. |