Unfortunately, none of us got a moose this year. Close, but just couldn' t make it happen. The temperature was PERFECT for the first time in probably 4 years, with lows in the 20s at night, highs in the 40s during the day. The moose were moving all over the place! The problem was, it was extremely windy every single day of the hunt. 15-20 km/hr winds day in and day out. With winds that high, our calling wasn' t carrying very far, nor could we hear a moose answer unless he was within 100 yards or so. We had maybe 10 min of calm wind every morning right at daybreak and every evening right at dusk and if you couldn' t get one to answer in that short timespan, it was pretty much having to walk the logging roads and riverbeds and hope to catch one moving around.

Despite the winds, I managed to call a small bull to within 30 yards or so on Thursday evening. He was heading right for me, but when he got to within 60 yards or so he got nervous since he didn' t see a cow anywhere and circled downwind below a small bluff where I couldn' t see him. When he finally popped out at 30 yards I couldn' t turn around quick enough to get a shot before he winded me and took off.

Then on Friday night I called in a very respectable bull. Probably 40" spread and nice palmated fighting tines in the front. He came about 200 yards across some cuttings right to me before cutting across about 50 yards in front of me. I had a perfect broadside shot, but elected not to take it. 40-45 yards is my max for feeling comfortable with a shot and I didn' t want to risk a bad hit on the last night. So I let him walk.

In any case - for anyone that has never had an adult bull moose within bow range and gotten to hear him grunt and rake trees with his antlers - it is something you should all try to do before you die. I would give up deer hunting in a second if I could moose hunt every single year. There is no better adrenaline rush in the world.

Here are a few pix I took. Enjoy.

Great pics of some beautiful country, sounds like you had a great trip even though you all didn' t get one.

Nice pics JZ. Its not always the kill that makes the hunt. You' ll get them next time.

Nice Pics, thanks for sharing. Where in Canada did ya go?

Those are some beautiful pictures. Sure makes me jealous. That' s a great camera you got there. Glad to hear you had a great time.

I was in NW Ontario. About 20 miles South of Ear Falls, if anyone knows where that' s at.

Moose hunting is definitely a lot of work. Get up at 5, hunt all day, eat lunch in the woods, hunt the evening, drive home, shower, eat, sleep, do it all again the next day. But it was definitely well worth it.

I' ve been going moose hunting with my dad since I was 12, but this is the first time I could actually afford a tag on my own. It' s amazing how much more excited you get when a moose is coming into calling when you' re trying to kill it rather than just videotape it.

A truely remarkable landscape.
Thanks for sharing with us.

awesome pics.....looks like some beautiful country.....you definitly were not in NJ!

Great pics, better luck next time on the moose

Nice pics,

Don' t worry last year I didn' t get my Moose the first time archery either(last year). Keep trying and put in the same effort and you will get one...

You made a WISE decision to pass on an animal that was outside your comfort zone. I have known too many hunters that have gotten excited and wounded bulls that were too far away.[:' (]

I had a similar experience last Wedsday, I called in a BIG bull but when he couldn' t see the cow he circled down wind and when he smelt me at 75 yards he ROARED like a LION and left immediatley.

I was feeling pretty down after blowing that chance but stuck it out and arrowed a 40" Bull at 17 feet(yes feet NOT yards) Friday evening(WHAT A RUSH). He was grunting all the way so that made the heart beat even faster. I almost crapped my pants to have a bull that close to me at ground level, very INTENSE situation.

When my pics get developed I will post the whole story...unfortunately I didn' t get any field pics as shot at sunset and we wanted to get meat out fast.....lots of bears in area.

P.S

You almost regret shooting these HUGE creatures afterwards when your back is stiff and soar for days later[][:@]