Bull Moose in AK

[tribb]

Anything 70" or above is a great bull. Nice moose ,great story. Good bullet choice also .

Hi Everyone, just returned from the 1st season bull moose hunt in AK with Hunt AK Outfitters (Huntalaska withus.com). With the outfitter's help I was lucky enough to draw the DM823 tag for hunting in "Unit 21CD & 24CD within the Koyukuk Controlled Use Area upstream from Gisasa River." The owner is a cantankerous 79 year-old Vietnam War veteran, Virgil Umphenour, who still spends all 20+ days of the two seasons out in camp with the hunters and runs a great operation. Anyway, its a pricey trip but they have some great genetics in the area and after 31/2 days of cold drizzle and a slow start to the rut, the clouds broke and I was able to take a moose of a lifetime. We saw a cow almost immediately after we climbed the bank into the long grass lake (meadow) we got to within 300 yards of her angled across the meadow (about 110 yards wide) and waited before starting to grunt and rake. Immediately, we got a response beyond the cow and a few minutes later this giant emerged from the willows about 400 yards out. He closed to 333 yards and proceeded to tear apart a willow stand. He then "waddled" (he was so big he dipped his head as he walked) another 120+ yards to get between the cow and us. I was ready to pull the trigger but my native guide, Alvin, said he could call him in closer. The moose came across the meadow, to get downwind of us I think, and then hung up around 125 yards out. I had my 30-year old Wby 300 perched on a walking stick ready for him to emerge from the willows when all of a sudden Alvin cow-called. Now, I'm not criticizing his calling but the moose surely didn't appreciate it. He grunted and retreated 50-60 yards. Luckily he gave me one last shot opportunity. He walked back across the meadow towards the cow presenting a broadside shot at about 190 yards. Just as I was about to pull the trigger Alvin blurted out "don't shoot... let him get to the yellow grass because he's standing in water." About 4 steps later he cleared the green grass and boom, the 180 gr Accubond went a little high but shattered through a rib (on both sides) sending parts of the jacket and bone splinters through both lungs and into his spine. The bull didn't take another step and luckily came to rest on dry ground. It would take us almost 8 hours to break him down and pack him the 500 or so yards to the boat. Thanks for reading & hope you enjoy the pix! Oh and he measured 70.5 inches wide!!

What an awesome hunting experience!!! It truly doesn't get any better than this. Congratulations sir! I trust you made plenty of videos and pictures.

 

[HappyGVM]

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all the congratulations and well-wishes! Sorry I've been off the net for a little bit, just had some computer issues. To answer one of questions, I think it took 9 or 10 game bags. Alvin deboned about 2/3 of the neck and it must have weighed over 70+ lbs because I could barely move the game bag. What was super interesting is that he separated the ribs from the backbone with a knife so we packed out each rack in its entirety. Also, he left a big chunk of meat from each hind quarter on the pelvis and rear end of the spine then we packed it out with the tenderloins still attached; o/w we would have never been able to carry out those quarters. Virgil, the outfitter, is a character and he regaled me with a lot of old Army stories. I talked to him after I made the 1st post and he told me that in 35 years of guiding, this is only the 7th bull they've killed over 70 inches. Congrats to the gentlemen who mentioned harvesting the 73in monster! Part of the deal is that the outfitter covers moving the meat (one hind quarter, loins & tenderloins) back to Fairbanks for processing at his "fish plant" and then the hunter covers shipment back home. We donated the rest of the meat to families and older residents in the village of Huslia (population 400). An interesting thing I learned is that (almost) every family kills at least one moose a year and if they harvest one over 50 inches wide, they have to cut one of the paddles in half to ruin its trophy value. Can't say enough about what a great experience I had

, my only regret is that I didn't get any pix of the bull while he was still alive. Here is 1 last pic for you guys--if you look hard towards the left side you will see the left paddle sticking up above the grass.
Cheers,
Jerry

 

[HRM Johnny]

congratulations again; and thanks for the great post and the pictures. I really enjoyed them.

 

[Ol' Red]

That is a great bull and will be good eating. Huslia was home to the Huslia Hustler. George Attla was his real name. If you get a chance to read about his life, it is very interesting. He is why Huslia village still exists. Great dog musher.

 

[HappyGVM]

That is a great bull and will be good eating. Huslia was home to the Huslia Hustler. George Attla was his real name. If you get a chance to read about his life, it is very interesting. He is why Huslia village still exists. Great dog musher.

Great point. My guide, Alvin Attla, is his nephew & told me all about him. Though I must admit i did a double take when I saw their school called the Huslia Hustlers!