My son got a reissued cow moose tag about a month ago. Someone turned one in and he was next on the list. It was not the greatest timing, as my wife and I have deer tags and I committed to guide for 5 days of the season. We also have to select our replacement heifers and ship the rest of our calves.

Yes, I'm a duck on the pond these day. Calm on top, paddling a mile a minute below.

I came up Wednesday before the season opener, Saturday to get camp set up and try to do some scouting. There was a lot more snow than I was used to camping in.





By nightfall I got things squared away.

Got out this morning to start taking a look. I've talked to everybody. Game warden, pool riders, first and second season hunters. Came to one conclusion. There are a few moose everywhere, but they tend towards the oaks, and they are the hardest to hunt there.

Having never hunted moose before, I took a loop through some suggested country.

Low and behold,



Here is a closer look.



She moved off but didn't seem spooked. I was walking a trail and she happen to be close by. I have more moose track experience that I did yesterday. With the snow, it should make for an interesting hunt.


Camp


View from camp.

Hopefully more updates to follow.

Looks to damned cold there to me!

Be sure to keep the knuckles

Day 1 update.

The woods are noisy. The fresh snow we had Thursday when I was scouting and walked up on that moose has turned into a crunchy, 300 yard notice you are in the area. I know of 5 other moose hunters that were in the same drainage, and no shots fired.

On a positive note, my son isn't mentioning how old I am, as I pretty well walked his legs off this morning, then I went back up the mountain for the Mule.

Day 2.5 update.

End of the first leg of our journey without a moose. We scouted an area north of us, without any sign. Ran into the outfitter that runs that area. Said the moose were pretty much shot out because they were the original transplants and they hung near the road.

We packed up and headed out. I have a prior commitment to guide a deer hunter.

My son and I will be back after the moose next Monday.

Some pictures, because I know they are my favorite part.



Elk tenderloin for dinner.



My 14 year old son was excited about the moose hunt. Sleep also excites him.

Followed a fresh set yesterday. This is where they led us.



Not packing a moose out of there.

My kid is still a kid at heart. I'm fine with that. He built a snowman.




We will be back!