WY MOOSE Quest Oct '17

GregE · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2017 12:44 pm Post subject: WY MOOSE Quest Oct '17

Judy and daughter Kim left Friday eve for Wyoming near Bridger Wilderness and the continental Divide for a Moose hunt. The ride share she was going to use has a conflict so they are driving our Dodge 1 ton to be able to transport several large coolers back. They should arrive in Unit 25 near Big Piney WY mid afternoon today, Sat 9- 30 and have time to sight in Kim's 70's Sako '06 prior to the season opener tomorrow.

Kim is a Veteran with a 50% disability from her 6 years in the Army. An organization called Hunting with Heroes based in WY selected her for a Shiras Bull Moose hunt and cover hunt expenses including transportation.
http://huntingwithheroes.org/
She asked Judy to be her plus 1 for this up to 2 week trip. They will be staying in a motel and gear packed for snow.

Apparently this is the First moose tag they have ever drawn for this program. They have received permission from several nearby ranches ( that rarely give permission ) and have scouted 5 bulls for her including one that should make Pope and Young

High Hopes for this near 10,000 foot high desert hunt.

https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=INCOH2&PC=IC05&PTAG=ICO-83b53610&q=Shiras+Moose

Magic · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:30 pm Post subject:

This is exciting!! Wink

GregE · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2017 8:47 pm Post subject:

Targhee Natl Forest, E Idaho. SW of Grand Teton

Judy and Kim arrived at Big Piney WY about 3 pm, 18 hours to travel 1000 miles.

Kim with tag donated by Rick seated, and guide Shane

GregE · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2017 11:32 pm Post subject:

High Desert- not sure how high but..

GregE · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2017 5:57 pm Post subject:

More pictures of the high valley. There's a moose out there......

Fall and Winter come early this high.... ( "You've come far Pilgrim..." Bear Claw Chris Lapp to Jeremiah Johnson)

Sunrise Opening morning

Snowing on the Bridger Wilderness mountains along the Continental Divide.

GregE · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2017 6:12 pm Post subject:

Hmmm, did ya spot the bull at the left past the pond? He was hanging around a cute cow ( actually 6 )- which often gets you in trouble.
Kim is sighted in for 300 yards but the bull is at 900 yards, a fur piece for an '06. So Shane took Kim 5 miles around the far right to cross the river then up a gully where they were able to work up 60 yards from the bedded bull.

I'm sure she's thankful for helpful ranchers. The land owner cranked up the Kubota when he heard the shot. Two hours later it was in the truck.

GregE · Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2017 11:04 pm Post subject:

More scenic shots will be added- stay tuned.
This is hunting and wildlife viewing country. Here's the General Store front.

Magic · Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:33 am Post subject:

Terrific, and thanks to the very generous tag donor.

falconred · Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 7:29 am Post subject: Great

This whole story is fabulous and I am proud that she got the chance and everything worked out. It sounds like it was a good trip an the results speak for themselves. Great Moose and a life time of memories.

Thanks to all who made this possible for a deserving veteran.

GregE · Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 12:59 pm Post subject:

The ladies are on their own, I'm going TUNA fishing tomorrow but have to use a borrowed truck.....

You can see how huge that thing is when it's hanging, no ground shrinkage there. Rack is 40" wide but tall, front forks are 20"

GregE · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 12:42 pm Post subject:

Its been down to 20 degrees and not much above freezing day time but they keep the quarters in shade.

Judy and Kim are finishing up getting the over 400# of boned out MOOSE meat ready for the trip home. Good thing I sent both 165 and a 110 qt coolers with them. Dry ice will keep it cold on the 18 hour drive. They should be home Saturday eve.

We'll be setting up a processing table under an awning to cut and wrap- probably for many hours....

GregE · Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2017 8:26 pm Post subject:

ELK country. Sure would like to be in those Aspen groves!!

Maybe next season Very Happy

Magic · Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2017 4:33 am Post subject:

Handling that much meat is a chore, kind of a dreaded necessity. Shocked

Beginning this year all game meat brought into Mississippi must be boned out. The head must be caped out and all flesh removed from the skull plate. That sorta puts the stops on the possibility of a euro mount.