For opening morning we headed down river to an area that had two areas of great sign across from each other. We got there about half an hour early, anchored the boat and sipped coffee while we waited for sunrise. The wind was reasonable for either side, but better for the west side. Once we could see color we headed in as quiet as possible and set up in a group of big old maple over looking an area of old rubs and wet areas.
My sub permittee Alvin set up and waiting.
I made a set of cow calls, waited five minutes and did another set. As soon as I finished the second set we hear two grunts. They were behind us on the other side of the river. We repositioned and called again. Suddenly I noticed a big black object in the trees on the other side. He stood for a minute or two looking in our direction.
The moose's view across the river. We were about 50 yards back in the woods
He turned and headed further to our left. I heard him rake a tree, and then a loud splash. I was sure he was swimming over. No moose showed up so we carefully moved to the river. He had crossed a stream on the other side and was nowhere in sight. We waited a bit more and paddled the boat across the river and set up to call again. No response. We waited about an hour calling every so often, but no return visit.
We hit a couple of more spots on the river, with no responses. We returned to camp and headed out in the truck to look for some upland areas. We took Alvin's truck up an old two track that was quite a challenge.
We found a great area with tons of fresh tracks and some fresh thrashings on some small brush. We set up and called that evening but nothing. That is what the next four days turned into. River in the morning, scout and call during the day and set up in a promising place we found during the day for the last hour and call.
We walked, called and scouted for miles. Traveled the roads looking for sign and moose in different cuts. We never had problems finding tracks, but actual moose were tough to find. Normally by this time in October the leaves are all off this far North, and temps are below freezing at night and maybe 40's or 50's during the day. Not so this trip. You can see from the picts that the foliage is at peak. Even in te old clear cuts there was a lot of foliage.
Carl in one of the cuts. He is standing where the one other bull we saw was standing. It was Friday and rains had arrived Thursday. We focused more on moving around the roads checking new areas since the river had not been productive. How my buddy Alvin spotted him as we drove by I still don't know. He grabbed me and shook my shoulder saying "moose, moose!!" I couldn't see him until he gave specific bush and landmarks to lead my eyes to where he was. All I could see was the top of his palms. He turned and moved off up and further into the old cut. We gave him time and moved to get the wind right. We set up and called, but no response.
That was the last moose we saw. It was great hunt! I regret not having a freezer full of meat, but I set out to have a real hunt, and not a drive by shooting. The hunt was everything I dreamed of for four months, minus the dead moose. My camp partners were fantastic companions who were willing to put in the time and effort to make this a special hunt. I put together a film piece, so if you have 12 or so minutes to waste check out the sights and sounds of the campsite and some of the set ups. Thanks for reading.
My hunt video
Topic: 2011 Maine moose hunt (Read 1825 times)
