Of Moose Hunting

Here's the news... I went moose hunting on opening day, 1 September, with my running buddy Rafe. We were putting down a back slough in the Whiskey Charlie (Rafe's boat), snacking and yacking and mostly just enjoying being out of the house. Rain was falling lightly and the temperature was a little cool; perfect for being outside. Through the rain speckled windshield I noticed something odd about the water about a quarter mile ahead. Almost simultaneously, Rafe pulled his binoculars up and said "That's a f-----g moose!" Just then, the moose lifted it's head and we noticed that it had trophy quality antlers and, more importantly, its tail was facing us. Then we noticed that the wind was in every one's face so the moose had no idea we were looking at him. That moose's head plunged back into the water to eat and he still had no clue that we were watching him. We putted to about 200 yards before he noticed us. By then, we had cut the engine and we stationary, so that we were not going to go to jail for violating the law, and we both had a round in the chamber and our scopes were full of moose. Rafe said "Go ahead and shoot when you're ready." I was ready so I squeezed the trigger. Guys, that moose was huge. His antlers looked like sheets of plywood screwed to his head. HUGE!
So, I was squeezing and squeezing and nothing was happening. I whispered, "SHIT! My safety!" Rafe said "I'm shooting next to you." and then my right ear drum exploded as his .300 Ultramag sounded off. After I came too, I moved my safety lever to fire, refilled my scope and fired. Sadly, the moose was less impressed with our fancy guns than we were, because he broke for the brush. Rafe was able to get off another shot, in vane, but the moose kept moving.
It was time to start tracking. We found a little blood and plenty of tracks, so we tracked until dusk, but no moose. The next day, we went back with two more guys for help and we used all of the tracking methods that I know of, plus a few more, but still no moose. From what we can figure, one of us might have hit that bull shallow in the brisket and all we did was give him a reason to jog for a couple of hours. Pretty poor!
Questioning the reasons why we didn't get that moose, we went to the range to recheck our guns. On the bright side, our guns were right on. That leaves us each with all of the blame for missing him. I am not ashamed to admit that I was excited. That bull was huge and he had my attention. Bull Fever? Absolutely! I guess you are never too cool or too old to be trilled by the things that mama nature puts in front of you. So, plain and simple, I missed. That's why I love my life. I had a chance at a huge Alaskan Moose. I have been rubbed, teased, and taunted by everybody and their brother, but it's worth it. I got to see a magnificent bull moose and I had the opportunity to shoot him. I'm lucky.

That was my only chance for a moose during the fall season so now I'm duck hunting. I'll hunt waterfowl until they leave and then it's caribou. I am hoping to tag along with some guys on Yukon River moose hunt in December. I just have to plan it so it doesn't interfere with putting in the wilderness trap line. The wilderness line is going to be more than 150 miles long and have better than 100 sets. I CAN'T WAIT!!!
I wish you could see this operation, you would be impressed.
I don't think I told you, but my nephew (14 year old) is going to live with us for the winter semester. He is going to run the local trap line and the long line with me. More to follow on Scott.

Little Kids, Dogs, and Drunks

Pam and I were walking through one of the two local stores the other day. The day was sunny, warm, and beautiful. It was a good day to be out and about. While at the store a small child strayed away from her mother and toddled over to visit me. I chatted at her for a few seconds before her mom realized that she was gone and zipped over to get her. I thought about how common an occurrence that was for me. Kids seem to find me and hang around me everywhere I go, for as long as I remember. Pam and I left that store and went to the other store, so we could save 20 cents on something we didn't need.

When we got out of the car at the second store a loose dog came over to me to say hi. I rubbed the dog on the head and patted its should while told it what a good dog it was. The dog wagged its tail and trotted off. It dawned on me that I am often visited by dogs, cats, and other critters and they seem to like me. It has always been that way.

As we walked into the store we noticed a couple of men on the deck, near the store's entrance, who appeared to be quite drunk. The drunks that hang out around the stores are normally peaceful and waiting for someone to pick them up. However, I seem to be a magnet for drunks too. They usually salute me and then become my best friend. Why they salute is a mystery and why they feel the need to give me advice is also a mystery. The fellow I met on this day insisted I should kiss my wife every day and I should always love her. Good advice. It so happens that this guy hit the nail on the head because I do kiss my wife as often as I can and love her no matter what. He was so insistant on his advice that he kept sharing his message until I drove out of the parking lot. A drunk guy who adopted me last week, at 10:00 a.m., advised me to get everything the Army owes me, because they are bastards and they will rip me off. I'm certain that he didn't know who I was or that I spent time in the Army, but blurted out the right words despite his ignorance. Weird huh?

So, what is it about little kids, dogs, and drunks that they are all attracted to me? Could it be that they think I have a surplus of love or wisdom and they could use some of it? Perhaps they have extra of love or wisdom and they think I need it. Whatever the case is, I seem to be getting my fair share of it. I think that makes me a lucky man.