Update
Wednesday morning we hunted off the access road to the camp. That being said in 15-20 minitues your in a whole different landscape, After 3 hunts in NF, i am always amazed and in awe of the landscape.
Fog below in the valley, nothing moving. Moved to another area across the way. Nothing responding to the call so he asked me if i want to go to his spike camp which i agreed.
We stock up with a few supplies and off to the guide’s personal camp on a lake. The access road is a mile from our access road but then off on the ARGO for an hour. On the way we see our first rub and scrape and lots of track on the trail. We saw a set today on our way out. Finally get to his camp, overlooking the lake. Honda generator starts right up and we have power then start the wood stove, then we are off for two hours on the ARGO to the back country.
We hit a mud hole and bury the left side of the ARGO. 15 minutes later we are off. Did some calling, no responses.
Back at the camp my brother in law shoots a nice 12 point and my son a spike.
Thursday
We head out at first light from the spike camp and drive an hour or so. Up the hill over what i call mini moguls and bam, we hit a hole and the front end is buried and rear wheels in the air. NOthing phases the guide, he will handle it later. Up the hill and the top has a commanding view of the lake and a bull swimming across likely a call from a waiting cow. In fact 10 minutes later we hear a cow calling.
I walk down and he gets the ARGO out of the hole and picks me up. Back to camp, call along the way, nothing.
However we did see 3 caribou, 6 Ptarmigans and a few spruce grouse.
We clean up the camp and head back and decide to go out at 4 close to the camp. Off we go and ARGO for 30 minutes to the top of the hill and call. NOTHING. Try another spot on the way back, same. A little windy.
ON the way to the truck we both turn to the right and 200 yards or so is a moose wanting to cross. I jack a bullet in the SAKO S 20 06 and lean across the hood of the machine. I told him earlier, I’ll neck shoot this late,
First shot I’m feeling good, right on with the S& B set at 4x. Damn she is still standing, jack another one in and the guide says shoulder and let it fly, Direct hit, spins around and drops like 25 feet int the bush. He’s searching too far down and i walk closer to the edge of the brush line and she’s dead. Bullet took half the heart.
Thanks to everyone who responded in a previous thread re: 30-06 bullets for NF moose. What worked in the new SAKO S 20 were 165 greasing Barnes TSX. 1 -1 1/4” group at 200 yards.
While i was getting ready today for the afternoon hunt my son took my gun and shot at the target to ensure nothing got out of wack after multiple days in the ARGO. At 115 yards he was an inch low.
