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Post by grasshopper on Aug 30, 2021 8:28:18 GMT -7
Jr. I was just wondering if moose season still opens up there for AK residents on the 1st of September like it used too? I still remember my first season as a resident and my first moose. I was hunting on Greely back at the most North West boundary next to granite creek. I went with a guy that I worked with and we camped the day before so we could set up camp and do a little scouting. When I was there a bull had to be at least 50” or have four brow tines on one side. While scouting we saw a good bull that looked really close to the 50” minimum but as luck would have it he had the four brow times on one side as required. We got up early the next morning and we split up to see if we could find that bull again, I walked parallel to a ridge running to the north and west and the other guy said he was going to go down and walk along the creek. I had been walking and looking for a place to stop and glass for about 30 minutes when all of a sudden I heard a loud shot, a second later I heard and SAW another one strike a rock about 50 yards to my left! Well, Rob hit the dirt pretty quick after I found out the other guy didn’t care where I was he was just trying to hit a moose. He fired another rifle shot and at least 3 more from his model 29 44 mag with all of them missing me and the moose thank goodness! While I was laying on the ground facing the sound of the shots I placed my rifle on my daypack as a rest. The bull we had seen the night before came trotting up and over the rise I was facing. He turned broadside and was about 250 yards from me presenting the perfect shot. I placed the crosshairs of my Browning Safari 308 Norma Mag at the base of his neck right at the spine. I fired and I’ve never seen an animal that large just drop like he did. He didn’t take another step or move forward or back at all, it was like all four legs collapsed at the same time. I still think it’s probably the best hunting shot I’ve ever made. I gave him about 15 minutes to make sure he was done and then went to check things out. When I got to the bull he was all done and looking where I hit him it was exactly where I wanted, it had severed the spinal cord and turned his lights out just like a switch. Thankfully the other guy hadn’t hit him(or me) anywhere at all. When we measured he went 58” so way too close for me to take a shot had he not had those four brown tines on one side. Then the real work began! Had it not been for the kindness of a few Delta residents that were camped across the creek showing me the best way to dress out the moose it would of been a mess I’m sure. To this day I still tell my wife the pot roast she made with that moose is still by far the best I’ve ever had! Hope you get a big one this year Jr!!!!
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Post by missionary on Aug 30, 2021 10:35:44 GMT -7
Good tale ! Praise God you heard the shots and saw the one strike the ground nearby. Then the foresight to get ready. That is one of those fine hunting stories that are well worth reading. Thank you.
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Post by Bullshop on Aug 30, 2021 12:32:13 GMT -7
Rob did you take that fella with you knowing full well that his inexperience would likely make him the hound ? Come on tell the truth !
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Post by grasshopper on Aug 30, 2021 13:11:32 GMT -7
Well….. To be completely honest here I knew he didn’t have a whole lot of experience, he was a nurse that worked inside the health clinic at Greely and he had been asking and asking if he could tag along when I went hunting. In retrospect I really wish I would of asked him more questions about how experienced hunter and shooter he was but I didn’t. The main reason I relented is because at that time up in AK four wheelers were still really new and not many folks had one at all. Having a four wheeler was a huge bonus because you could go a lot further quicker than you could on foot for sure in a much quicker time. It also provided the ability to carry extra amenities that made camp life all the nicer too. I didn’t tell this part before but when we got up that morning he asked me who was going to get the first shot if we spotted the bull we knew was legal the evening before. I told him I didn’t really care it was whomever had the best shot, he insisted we flip a coin(who carries change hunting) he had a quarter and we flipped and I won, he wasn’t happy and you could see it on his face and that’s when I suggested we just split up and do own own thing and whoever got a shot got a shot. I always thought this may have added pressure to him and perhaps that’s why he didn’t wait to get a better shot, instead he started shooting all over the place like Yosemite Sam! Dan, I can’t believe you would ever think ole Rob would use somebody as a hound to drive game my way🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Post by grasshopper on Aug 30, 2021 13:15:24 GMT -7
Oh and Pastor Mike, you are most welcome for the hunting tale. It’s far and away the most exciting tale I have, well concerning getting shot at by another hunter anyway!
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Moose 2021
Aug 30, 2021 15:02:56 GMT -7
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Post by Junior on Aug 30, 2021 15:02:56 GMT -7
Im not going to get a chance to hunt this year. I was supposed to get 5 days off during general season and they changed their mind, and I didn’t have time to go to glen Allen this summer and get federal tags. And by the time I get off work, it will probably be too late in the year for bear hunting, so my chances of getting anything at slim to none at best. Not real happy about it, but it is what it is.
After working 20 weeks straight, 12 hour days away from home I had told them to find someone to replace me for those 5 days I wanted off to hunt or find someone to replace me permanently. At first they agreed, and now just a couple days ago they changed their mind and I am heavily considering telling them to take this job and shove it where the sun don’t shine, but unfortunately work is slim in Alaska right now and I have a very good paying job that will not be easy to replace.
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Post by Bullshop on Aug 30, 2021 15:26:26 GMT -7
Rob no Sir I did not want to believe such a thing and was hoping you would clear it up so I could put it far from my mind. I have though known such things to happen and orchestrated by someone we both know but I don't want to mention any names because I, I mean the person has a reputation to uphold.
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Post by Bullshop on Aug 30, 2021 15:30:58 GMT -7
Jr. do you remember me talking about the native fellow I had visit my camp when I was setting up a few days before the season opened ? He came in and I fed him and we talked a bit. He told me he had to get hunting because poaching season ended in a couple days. You can learn a lot from some of the natives !
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Moose 2021
Aug 30, 2021 15:36:07 GMT -7
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Post by grasshopper on Aug 30, 2021 15:36:07 GMT -7
Yes sir I agree completely my friend, better to let sleeping dogs lie as they say! Plus as you say they do have quite the reputation to uphold!
Jr. all I can tell you is unfortunately there are no “perfect” jobs and I’m sure your pops would second that even if you work for yourself. I would also tell you what I told my son, if you don’t like the job you have look around for another one and one of two things might happen, you might find a better job you like much more or you may discover your job just ain’t that bad after all. I’ll also tell ya what my dad always said about advice “ a smart man doesn’t need it and a dumb $&@ won’t take it!🤣 I do hate it looks like you won’t get to hunt this year though!
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Post by Junior on Sept 8, 2021 20:09:29 GMT -7
Since work has me up north until the 15th of September, im trying to plan a alternate way to fill the freezer this year. I was looking through the game regs and I see that unit 20A remainder is open until the 25th of the month with a 3 brow tine restriction. I had started to plan a trip with a friend who also has to work through moose season but he has come down with the Kung Flu and won't be able to go now, which means I won't have boat usage. So. 20A remainder area. Have either of you guys hunted across the delta river? Im thinking I can probably cross the river with my 4 wheeler up by Donnelly creek, and then ride the south bank to find a hunting area. Any ideas? tips? I'm including a link to the online map that shows that hunting area. www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/hunting/maps/huntmaps/genseason/pdf/hmb20a_re.pdf
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Post by Bullshop on Sept 9, 2021 7:20:51 GMT -7
Trying to cross in that area will be dicey at best . I have watched people try and fail. The river channel there is wide and has numerous braided forks some shallow but some too deep to touch bottom and that is where the problem lies. Once your machine begins to float you have no control and you are at the mercy of the current. If you remember Kevin the part owner of Big Horn guns and ammo when we first got to Delta that had tried with a fat tired raised pick up loaded with men and gear and they lost it all including the truck. The men survived but had to be rescued by helicopter from Ft. Greely. Even Buckley Hollenbeck a well experienced rider lost a 4 wheeler in that area of the river. For my vote I think its a bad idea. If you need meat the risks of poaching are far fewer. Not that I am officially promoting that but just saying. Better to face a fine as a worst case scenario than to face death which is certainly a fairly high probability. There used to be a fella that crossed the river there in a huge articulating rologon with a boom and winch and he would carry several 4 wheelers at a time across the river. He set up just past Donnelly creek and ran the pay to cross service from there through the hunting season. That unit used to be an any bull area so lots of people hunted there. The year I went with Dean Bialik we used a boat to cross a main channel but that was not really simple either and we had an oh sh-- moment that completely destroyed the prop on the outboard. I had to bail out with a rope and pull the boat with Dean and equipment out of the current as we were in danger of loosing the boat. Tricky business at best even with more suitable equipment than a 4 wheeler.
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Post by grasshopper on Sept 9, 2021 7:57:43 GMT -7
Just like your pop said it’s a risky venture at best. You have lived up there long enough to know that the river can be nice and calm in the morning and crossing isn’t a problem but come back to the same crossing point 10-12 hours and it’s a different animal all together bud. I’ve seen guys mainly from Greely try to cross it in all kinds of ways and I’ve also seen them lose brand new four wheelers and even one guy lost a brand new Dodge pick up! I can’t lie I’ve been guilty of crossing it numerous times in my old Jeep CJ but like your dad also said once your just floating you’re truly at the mercy of the current. I’m not sure if they still do it now but way back then we would always mark the “lane” we used to cross because after awhile the bank on either side looks the same. The biggest danger I believe is like I said before though it can be nice and calm say when you cross early in the morning but when the temp starts to rise and all that melt really starts running it’s almost impossible to cross with any type of conventional vehicle. Think I’d have to go with your dads advice also, if you need meat and are hungry you know what you need to do. Like that saying goes, I’d rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6. Maybe it’s cause I’m almost 30 years older than I was back then but nowadays I’d stay on the side of caution for sure! Good luck!!
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Post by Junior on Sept 9, 2021 8:57:54 GMT -7
Well that puts a pinch in my plans. Guess I could always try for a late season bear.
Mostly pissed that this is the second hunting season I’ve missed because of work. I even bought a new hunting rifle for this year and won’t even get a change to take it out of the safe let alone use it it.
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Post by grasshopper on Sept 9, 2021 9:06:52 GMT -7
Do you still have that cow moose that’s being a problem around your place? I was thinking there was one there that was really bad about wanting to charge or chase you or your wife around. Not sure how they handle those things as far as you being the homeowner. I know if you feel you or your families life is in danger you can take care of it, just didn’t know if you had to call in to the troopers and they would call a church in the area to come and harvest it or what. I know it sucks that it’s two years in a row but it’s far better to be safe concerning that river cause you wanna be around a whole bunch more to hunt and be with your family. One thing I’ve learned so far bud is each new day is different and you never know what comes with it. Hopefully something will happen in these next few weeks to allow you to go hunting. I’m sure hoping so anyway!!
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Post by Bullshop on Sept 9, 2021 9:36:33 GMT -7
Is it too late to go to Glenallen and get subsistence caribou permits ? Between you and your wife you can get eight. You can also apply to proxy hunt for your wife and she wont have to be there so you could get eight all at once or spread out over the winter. The pipeline corridor just south of Paxon is a good place for that.
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Moose 2021
Sept 9, 2021 10:01:36 GMT -7
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Post by Junior on Sept 9, 2021 10:01:36 GMT -7
Is it too late to go to Glenallen and get subsistence caribou permits ? Between you and your wife you can get eight. You can also apply to proxy hunt for your wife and she wont have to be there so you could get eight all at once or spread out over the winter. The pipeline corridor just south of Paxon is a good place for that. I’m not in the system so I have to go into the office to get tags. Unfortunately they are not letting anyone into the office because of COVID so I’m just out of luck as far as the BLM hunt goes. They have also changed the hunting rules that you can not hunt within 5 miles of the pipeline now on BLM land.
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Post by Bullshop on Sept 9, 2021 12:18:07 GMT -7
The Denali highway out of Paxon in the Tangle Lakes area is good too. You will most likely need a snow machine to get there in winter though.
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Post by Junior on Sept 11, 2021 13:07:36 GMT -7
Looks like I can be home in delta by noon on the 15th. Figure 2 hours to check the sights on my rifle, load the 4 wheelers and head out.
Two places in thinking of going would be up by the walkers or dry lake area since both are any bull. I have pipeline keys so can get inside the gates with my truck.
Gonna suck only hunting the 1 night. I wanted to hunt with B00 this year, but with the final day and hunting late I want to use something with a scope and more range, so I’ll be grabbing my 375 Ruger.
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Post by Bullshop on Sept 12, 2021 8:25:34 GMT -7
I would like for you to take B00 hunting when you can.
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Moose 2021
Sept 12, 2021 9:03:25 GMT -7
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Post by Junior on Sept 12, 2021 9:03:25 GMT -7
I had to cancel several planned hunts this year and I’m none too happy about it. Work is supposed to be a 4 week on 2 week off shift, but I’ve worked pretty much straight through since March. Had to cancel a trip I had planned to Yakutat with Danny Splain and Adam Mcnabb, had to cancel my bear baiting plans with my buddy Roy and our moose hunting because of work.
Im supposed to go home for 2 weeks on the 15th if this month finally, but they are trying to find a way to get me to work through again, but I pretty much told them to find someone to fill in for me so I can have my 2 weeks off, or find someone to fill in for me permanently. I still need to haul at least 6 cords of wood before winter, get a new stove pipe installed in my house and do a lot of other work I’ve had no time to do this summer.
I planned on taking B00 on every one of those hunts, but since I just didn’t get to go it didn’t work out. I’ll probably have the rifle in the truck with me when I go out Wednesday evening, but the 375 will be my go to since I’ve got dope for it out to 1000 yards.
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Post by Junior on Sept 15, 2021 15:29:20 GMT -7
Checking the sights on my 375 Ruger today this squirrel made the mistake of sitting on my back stop. I would say my sights are good.
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Post by Bullshop on Sept 15, 2021 18:59:46 GMT -7
Have you tried the bullets I sent you in that rifle ?
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Moose 2021
Sept 15, 2021 19:19:19 GMT -7
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Post by Junior on Sept 15, 2021 19:19:19 GMT -7
I have not. I actually just opened the package today when I got home.
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Post by Junior on Sept 16, 2021 7:39:15 GMT -7
Well, I would like to say I hunted hard, but the truth is I didn’t. After months of being away from home my wife was not very fond of the idea that I anted to get in the truck and leave again without her. She also wasn’t very fond of the idea of trudging around in tall wet grass, so we just drove out to the pipeline right of way, and as bad as I hate to say it, road hunted. I did get out and walk about a mile loop around the back side of a lake but didn’t see much.
On the way out it wasn’t quite dark yet so about 1/2 mile from the place I entered the pipeline with my truck, I decided to turn around and go back the other way and glass just a bit more. As soon as I turned around we passed 2 four wheelers going the other direction. We drove back in until it was pretty well too dark to see and then headed out.
On the way out, about 500 yards past where I turned around at to make one more sweep, those two guys that had passed us had a fork bull down right in the right of way.
Still kicking myself for that one.
I may drive down to glenallen today to go get my federal tags, but we will see how the day goes. I have a job interview today with the state so I don’t know how much time I will have after that.
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Post by Bullshop on Sept 16, 2021 8:25:13 GMT -7
If ypu do get to go to Glenallen for the subsistence permits be sure to bring the wife. She can get her own permits and if you are there together she can assign you as her proxy hunter then you can fill yours and her tags even if your hunting alone.
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Moose 2021
Sept 16, 2021 8:30:57 GMT -7
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Post by grasshopper on Sept 16, 2021 8:30:57 GMT -7
Hey Jr., I was just wondering if you’ve been over by the crossing at Donnelly creek just to see what things were looking like or if anyone up there was doing much in 20A or if they were having any luck at all. I’ve seen more than a few nice bulls taken oven in that area, just saying it may be worth checking in and lucking into one like those guys did before I drove to Glenallen. I’d rather be lucky than good any day!🤣 Good luck to you by the way!!👍😁
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