Zim

Attached are photos of my New Hampshire bull moose taken October 27th near town of Berlin.

Bull has 20 points, weighed 780#, with a rack width of 53 1/4". This moose will score in the top 5% size wise in the state of New Hampshire for 2012. Only one bull wider than 53 1/4" was taken in my unit C2 all of last year. I spent 8 days of scouting, and 7 days hunting. The first 6 days hunting produced very few sightings. I had only passed on one small bull up to that time. We decided to shift gears and abandon my scouted land. Instead went around looking for new timber cuts. Came across a timber cutter Harold. Super nice guy who gave us a few specific suggestions where he had seen moose. He claimed I would have my bull within the next 3 days. It only took me 1.

On Saturday I got up early and made the 45 minute drive there from camp. Was extremely foggy. Could only see 40 yards at sunrise. Finally cleared enough to creep down the ridge glassing as I went. From this ridge I could glass 200 yards on either side on the basin. Very beautiful terrain. Heard some clicking of antlers, hunkered down and spotted a small bull. Given there was only one day left to hunt, I was planning on taking anything. Put my rifle crosshairs on the tiny bull and clicked the safety. Started squeezing the trigger when I heard additional tickling of antlers by another bull just to the right of the first one. Eased up and decided to gamble. Let the small bull walk, hoping I was doing the right thing. I grunted a bit, then after 15 minutes decided to try a stalk to view the other bull. Stood and snuck up downwind slowly through the fog. There he was, king of the timber, 60 yards away, flashing his rack. Seemed like a mirage after 15 days of no big bull sightings. Settled in shooting sticks slowly as bull watched me. Touched off trigger and bull dropped right in his tracks. After a long day and numerous obstacles, we got him out and on the trailer. Then we got 2 hours sleep and took him to the check station in West Milan. From there we drove down to my hunting partner's home in Shapleigh, Maine, where I am now. We spent all today prepping meat for my return drive to St. Charles tomorrow. Hope hurricane remnants subside for my drive.

We were extremely lucky to take a moose of this caliber. Thanks much to fellow Huntingnet member Jay English (hurricane1) for accompanying me on this hunt! I met him right here on this thread. He helped scout, locate logger, brought trailer for hauling, and used his garage for butchering. Huge help. A total team effort.