BigFin: Randy that was just an amazing Hunt and a wonderful trophy your son Mathew harvested!
Good for both of you and thank you for sharing that beautifully filmed video with us.
I spend a lot of time in that very valley every year fishing for Cutthroat Trout, Grayling and even caught a Burbot (freshwater Ling Cod) a couple miles west of your Hunt location.
That valley IS one of the most beautiful in all of Montana (the world in fact!) and I never tire of going there.
I have Hunted Elk there abouts, Coyote, Wolves and even taken several Rock Chucks from that valley.
Not far from your viewing spot we were enjoying the view two years ago when we started seeing Moose and when we moved on there were five mature Bulls in view at once.
Mathew did well drawing that tag!
I think I am up to 18 bonus points for Moose now and hope to be drawn once before I cross the great divide.
I have been along on MANY Moose Hunts here in Montana and as far as numbers of animals seen, beauty of surroundings and quality of the Bull harvested Mathews Hunt is simply tops!
By the way I have also seen Grizzlies in that valley and watched them chase Elk there as well.
A friend of mine trapped a Wolverine at the base of the mountain right behind (to the south) where you parked your truck and spotted from.
We see Wolverine tracks from time to time in that end of the valley.
In early summer when the willows are well leafed out as we travel up and down the creeks fishing that you crossed we often will get right up on Moose that are bedded in the shade - quite startling when a big Bull appears right in front of you!
You are right on when you say it is "self evident" why you (and I!) live in Montana.
A person only lives ONCE!
Thank you so much for sharing the video - thats the best thing I have see on the fire in a LONG time!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
Thanks, VG. That is a special place. Plenty of grizz around there, which is why all were carrying bear spray. We could have shot whitetails, elk, ducks, sage grouse, and our camera guy did shoot an antelope (for another day). But for this trip, it was all Alces. And, I couldn't find a better place or tag to spend a hunt with my son.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, also.