Hi Steven, here is a short recap of my moose hunt.
My 2020 Wyoming Moose Hunt turned out just perfect. The season runs from September 1st through October 31st. I couldn't decide when to schedule my time off to go hunt and debated options all summer. Obviously September was the focus during the archery only season, but early or later when the rut starts? On my August scouting trip I found a number of good bulls, including one I named "kickstand" because of a droptine. This bull was of B&C size, but was taken on opening day as I understand it.
I stuck with my original plan heading north on Monday, Labor Day. The weather called for a significant winter storm coming in Monday night through Wednesday across the Rocky Mountain west. I thought the weather system may be just perfect for getting the moose up and visible through the day. By 9:00 pm on Monday, it was still in the 70's and clear - where is the storm anyway?
Tuesday morning was another story with over 10" of snow on the ground with more falling throughout the morning. Fortunately, as I hoped the weather had the moose up and moving. We found 6 bulls and another 8 cows & calves in the first few hours, including a couple of really nice bulls that I would be happy to tag.
I had to put on hip waders to deal with the multiple stream crossing as I made my way through the willow bottom that held the moose.
The snow made for silent movement and I was able to sneak up on a group of three bedded bulls that morning, but couldn't get closer than about 100 yards. Hours later, the wind finally gave away my position and they moved away. I continued to dog the group, zigging and zagging through the willows, crossing the creek and trying to keep the wind in my face.
Finally I was able to get close to two of the three bulls that had made the acquaintance of a cow with calf. Moving within 25 yards of the group, I waited for the large bull to give me an opening. Moments later the cow and calf came in the opening with me, walking directly at me - at 7 yards they turned and maneuvered through an opening in the willows. Next came a bull still in velvet, grunting I was glad to watch him follow the girls.
That left just me and the big bull alone, one on one. He reversed directions and came around the backside of the willows. Turning as his head was screened, I was ready when he entered the opening 15 yards away. The Bighorn Ramhunter longbow buried the Zwickey Delta tipped douglas fir arrow into the bull's side. 50 yards later he was down.
The hunt went by quickly, but I'm sure the weather conditions played a favorable part in the early success. The King of the Mountain wool kept me warm and enabled me to have a silent approach.
The bull has a 47" spread. I haven't scored him yet and won't as I never tape my own animals, but will wait the 60 days and take him to a measurer.
It took Jim and I until midnight before we had the bull in the back of my truck. R&B Meats in Green River processed the bull in two days for me and the meat is delicious! Randy at R&B reported this is the largest bodied bull they have had in the shop in 6 to 10 years. He was a brute for sure - 4" taller than the other bull in the group that may have scored better, but was certainly younger.
It took me 21 years to draw the tag. Two 4 day scouting trips and a 1 day hunt cumulated in this wonderful trophy. I'm truly blessed!
Topic: Bighorn Bows (Read 35332 times)
