Trad Gang

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Sept 5th started out as an 18 day solo Alaskan moose hunt in memorial of the ten year anniversary of my friend Bart Schleyer's passing. Bart passed away on Sept. 14, 2004 on a solo moose hunt in the Yukon. (See chapter in my book "Solo Spirits and Cherished Memories" or the article posted on  www.brothersofthebow.com (http://www.brothersofthebow.com)   site). The planned dates of my hunt would put me in the Alaskan bush during this important date.

After waiting two days at the hanger for weather to improve, I finally got flown out to a remote river drainage in the Chugach Mountain range. I set up camp and began glassing the area for moose since I couldn't hunt they day I flew. I saw several cows in the distance and an immature "40-inch" bull. I also spotted a nice bull with 3x3 brows and slightly over 50 inch spread. Excitement mounted.

The next day I got up before dawn, and at first light I spotted 3 bulls together on the first shelf above the river at 1.5 miles. I went after them. The biggest of the bulls went high on the opposite hill side so I dropped down and crossed the river after him. The river was lined with alders and willow, so a tough task was at hand. I lost the bull and did not have good wind to continue, but I saw one of the other bulls back on the other side of the river going up toward my camp side high country. I pulled up the waders and crossed the river again.

:campfire:   can't believe it's been 10 years!!

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After calling on several set ups I lost this bull too. Continuing up the valley and side hill, I stayed with my original plan to explore the upper basins early on in the hunt since moose tend to summer high. I could then concentrate my calling effort down in the thick spruce at lower elevation once the rut picked up more and the bulls started cruising.

Looking forward to this one!

What beautiful country........

Yep, this is gonna be good.   :)

  :archer:

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At 1 pm I was laying down eating jerky when I heard a bull grunt. I saw the bull I was after coming toward me. He may have heard my calling a half hour earlier. He was a good bull with over 24 points, but his palm edges were parallel and turned in. He could have been over 50 inches (legal bull), but I could not chance it. So I only filmed him until he caught my scent at 40 yards.

:campfire:

This will be good.....

:campfire:     :coffee:

Wow!    :campfire:

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I won't drag out too long so here it is.

Looking back at camp (3 miles away), I decided it would be good to start heading downward so I wouldn't be in the thick brush after dark. So I started hunting my side-hill back. With a little over an hour of daylight left, I spotted a good bull about a half mile past my tent on the same side-hill. I dropped down and hurried to get a better look. It was the same bull I passed up 2 miles up valley from camp earlier. Since I passed him up already, my excitement dropped. BUT, he had another bull with him. At 150 yards, I could see he was much wider, so I got low and moved closer. I crawled on hands and knees, bear crawled, and belly-crawled the last 70 yards, staying below their line of sight and using the dwarf birch as cover.

They were both above me, but I had a good wind as the cool 40 degree evening down thermals were to my advantage. Glassing through the brush I could see the lower bull had good swoop to his beams leaving his head, and flared palms with long side tines. He did not have many brow points, only 2 on left and 3 on right, but rack sure looked to be over 60 inches wide.

They were preoccupied and raking brush, allowing me to get among them. The upper bull kept looking in my direction, but he never knew I was there. I finally slid my pack off and crept up behind a spruce sapling. The wait was on. The sun was setting. I could get no closer.

Finally the upper bull moved down to the same plane as the wide one, and then the wide one viewed the encroached personal space as a threat and turned toward him. But once the first bull backed off, it turned around and headed up toward me. I glanced ahead and looked for a shooting lane, then back at the upper bull. His head was down feeding. Now all my attention went to the wide bull, as I rose to my feet. He came up the trail a little more, with me standing behind the spruce at 30 yards. I thought about shooting, and then about the clear lane. I waited.

With his head down and moving forward, he turned to look over his shoulder toward his buddy. This gave me a rare chance to turn my feet and take a perfect stance. I thought to shoot low in the chest. He took his step and stretched the front leg forward. The 66# Schleyer model Stalker recurve, made for me by South Cox, came all the way back and the long shaft was on its way. I saw my white fletching hit tight behind the shoulder as I heard a crack.

My fear of hitting a leg bone was only momentary, as the great bull lunged forward, ran thirty yards and died in 20 seconds.

Oh man I've been waiting for this one.  I have been wondering how it has been going up there all this past week Mike!

ohh awesome. congrats on a magnificent hunt!

Patiently awaiting this one Mike.

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Since I knew he was down, I got my pack and went to him from the back side while the first bull was watching me from a safe 80 yard distance. It was now a rush, as you can see from the flash photos, to record the recovery and get pics before darkness fell.

Man alive what a huge moose! Great story and pics.   :thumbsup:

WOW! What a cool hunt and majestic animal!

WOW!

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I cut up the bull and cooled out the meat in the dark. I quite often thought of Bart as I toiled over this most rewarding task alone. This was not my first time doing it alone, but slow knife strokes and safety was on my mind. I reached my tent after midnight. There was a bright moon and clear sky that dropped the temps below freezing, perfect for cooling meat. The next morning was PACK DAY!!! It was not bad at all even though the shoulder ripped out the bottom of my 25 year old pack frame. Ha!

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I worried about packing heavy loads with bone in as this unit requires, but my knees did hold up. At the end of the day every muscle and joint in my body was in pain..... but a good pain. Ha!

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I'm all smiles inside and out. I wished the hunt lasted longer, but my rewards are not always tough hunts with missed opportunities.

Wow mike as always, very cool!
  :thumbsup:

After waiting a couple more days in the bush, my satelite phone calls were answered with a pic-up using multiple flights.

Back in town I spent over 7 hours butchering and wraping meat. My GOOD friend Dan Foster of Foster's Taxidermy let me use his freezer. I'm having all meat and antlers shipped home using Alaskan Meat Express.

Wow...Simply Inspiring Mike!  Congratulations!

I want to thank Joe Furlong for helping me with last minute arrow set up. I mounted his 225 gr Tuffhead broadhead to a 75 gr titanium adaptor. This made my 32 inch 2219 aluminum arrow with 4 x 5 inch fletching weigh about 800 gr.  I thought to my self to shoot low..... but this arrow can't help but shoot low. Ha!  Really, it flew great and I am so pleased. The head cut the rib up close to shoulkder in crossection and drove through the top of the heart. Perfect!

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Bart's name sake

Nice bull and a great tribute.  Thanks for the story.  How wide did he end being?

Congratulations Mike!

Thanks for sharing so special a hunt.

I used the Cabela's Tundra boot but wrapped them in Stealth Wrap from Stealth Outdoors to greatly quiet them. When height not need, the uppers roll down and get completely tucked under the boot flap on my Sitka Gear Stratus pant.

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What a Great tribute to a good friend!  Congrats Mike!

I'll second the WOW, and you are still smiling after the pack job.   :thumbsup:

Congratulations!

Wow, Mike That was awesome. Congrats on making a special memory.

Congrat's Mike!
I know I'll never get a chance to go on the hunts you have, but it's fun when you share them with us.

Thanks.

Just incredible.......   :notworthy:    :notworthy:

Inspiring is definitely a good word to describe it.  Mike I've given it a lot of thought after reading your book as well as these stories.  I like to think I'm pretty tough but I don't know if I could cut it on an 18 day hunt alone in Alaska. Congratulations!

That's an impressive hunt, great job, very nice way to honor your friend. Thanks for the story and especially the photos!!!

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Sitka Stratus pant worked great to tuck in fold down hip-wader uppers, and they have wind stopper lining. To me they are not just for tree stands, but great pants for Alaska. I only braught one pair of pants on trip.

Hard to beleive I'm wearing hip-boots!!!

Stealth strip material.  That's good stuff.  I put it on my treestands.  Never thought about using it in that manner.  Great idea!

Bart is probably smiling over this one, Mike!   Nice tribute to a good friend...

and congrats to you as well!  

  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Even though my 18 day hunt was cut short by an agreeable bull, my thoughts of Bart were with me as I forded streams, climbed up through the willow brush, and found grizzly scat and tracks. We are never truly alone in the wilderness. Peace to you my friend.  Mike

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Sweet!  Some day.

For an event of any kind to be well done, one has to do it well.  Your hunt certainly looks, well done.  

Congrats.

Mike, you make it look easy.  Good job buddy.

Well done..once again Mr.Mike    :thumbsup:

Thanks for sharing

Simply the Best!  Outstanding!

Kris

Congratulations!!!

Words fail, what an awesome adventure!

Magnificent, Mike!  Many congrats on such a fine hunt and a wonderful adventure to tribute to your great friend!

Wow, what a great hunt, and a wonderful tribute!

Thanks for being kind enough to take us along!

Congrats on an awesome moose Mike !!!  :clapper:  


Bill

Awesome animal!

Congrats on a great hunt!

Bisch

Congratulations.  What a hunt.  Someday

Thanks, Mike. Congratulations on fulfilling the quest. I appreciate the details on your gear, letting us know about it without making it a commercial...

Awesome bull Mike! I'm glad you got him with your Schleyer!   :thumbsup:

Truly Incredible. Well Done Mike.

I do have many bows, but it was my choice to use this one way back in Feb. when I found out I drew the tag and I would again be going solo. The bow fit me well during this hunt.

Yes, fear is a part of hunts like these. I'm glad I over came them and lived this experience.

Congrats! Outstanding story.

Wonderful story and hunt.

Great Stuff....Thanks for sharing Mike...

And CONGRATS!!!!

  :campfire:

The are hunts and then there are adventures that include hunting. That was amazing.

Great Bull Mike!! Nice tribute to Bart! Bet this one is real special! CONGRATS!

Holy Mackerel Mike!  What an incredible story.....congrats!!    :notworthy:

:clapper:  incredible!

Thank you for sharing Mike, incredible solo hunt. Conrats!!

David

Mike! What an inspiration!  You have succeeded where other Men can only dream! I am amazed as always of your skills, and prowess going strictly solo in some of the most remote country on Earth. Great story, and Fantastic BULL!    :notworthy:

Mike,
Congratulations and I know this is Special in your heart honoring Bart....What a majestic animal and I am happy this beast was taken by you Mike with a                                     Traditional bow and the right spirit..God Is Good isn't He?
Ande wrote to you but our keyboard locked up but her and Kaci's first words were "Oh My Gosh" and  "WOW" that thing is BIG..They still admire you Mike and Thanks for sharing...God Bless Ya , Keefers & the Callahan Clan <")))><

The things dreams are made of, thank you for sharing with us. You should be very proud!

Mike, congrats and thanks for taking us along.

Congrats Mike, awesome bull!   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Great story Mike and thank you for sharing it with us!  Have really enjoyed your book, especially reading about Bart and Paul!  Thanks again and congratulations on your outstanding hunt!

Awesome Mike!

Absolutely incredible Mike!!   Congrats!

Only you could one up Mike Mitten.  Outstanding in every way.  Congrats, Mike.

Absolutely first class in everyway around mike!!! You are making Bart one proud man up above way to go I enjoyed the story thoroughly..Thxs for sharing CONGRATULATIONS!

Very cool. Congrats!  Thats one of my dream hunts.

Love it

Way to go Mike! That must have been an incredible experience.
 :clapper:  
-Jay

Congratulations Mike!! That is quite a hunt. I look forward to hearing more of the details.

Seeing a thread from you this early could only mean one thing.  Congratulations Mike!
It may have been a solo hunt, but there is no doubt you were not alone.  It just doesn't get any better than that!!!!

Congrats Mike and thanks for taking us along.

Fantastic!  What a special hunt.  Thanks for sharing it with us.

What an awesome trophy and story! Thanks Mike for sharing and congratulations!   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :clapper:

Wow just like in my dreams.  Congratulations on an excellent adventure and a wonderful tribute to a lost friend.  Your story would fit in well with your book on the solo hunter, which  by the way is one of my all time favorites.

What a beautiful bull and an awesome tribute to a friend. Congratulations and thank you for sharing your adventure with us.

Just Amazing! Beautiful moose and what a tribute to a special friend.  You have my utmost respect for the way you hunt.

Congrats Mike! Great tribute!!

Awesome Mike! Thank you for sharing! What an awesome tribute!!!

Aloha!
Ryan

Fantastic story, what an experience! Bart was smiling down on that hunt with you.

Fantastic hunt, congratulations.  That has always been my dream hunt. Thanks for sharing it with us Mike

Chris

Congrats Mike!!! Just simply an amazing hunt and accomplishment. I love reading your stories/books. Thanks for sharing your hunt with us!!!

Congrats Mike...thanks for sharing such an amazing and special hunt!

Great story and pictures. Nice tribute to your friend. The moose was a brute. Congratulations on a terrific hunt.

Congrats on a magnificent bull!!!   :goldtooth:

Congratulations! That's a very nice looking bull moose!

Big Mike you live my dreams,congrats for your bravery and for the bull. Only the bests can tame a solo hunt in AK

Another great tale.
Wonderful tribute, thanks for sharing.

Great Bull Mike Congratulations

Thanks a lot everyone. The meat on this early season pre-rut bull was excellent. Bart needed to put meat in his freezer, but chose longbows and recurves to do so. Mike

Such a great tribute.  Thanks for sharing.

Congrats Mike! Nice bull!

Interesting what you did with the Cabela Tundra boots.  I bought them but sent them back due to #1 noise and #2 poor quality control (took buying 3 sets to get 1 set that fit properly).  If one could tame the noise and get a well made and fitting set they would be a great option! I am looking into the Stealth Wrap from Stealth Outdoors.

Congrats on a legendary hunt and an awesome animal. The best way to honor a lost friend.

Thanks Mike, appreciate it. Wonderful way to honor a great bowhunter and a fallen friend. What a trophy as well!    :thumbsup:

Way to go Mike!  Bart would be proud!

Congrats Mike, Thanks for sharing!

Congrats on a great tribute hunt, after reading your posts, magazine articles and your Book, its easy to see that where alot of people simply talk about this kind of adventure hunt, you actually go the extra mile and do it on your own terms. You are a inspiration to me,  thanks,...Very well done

Very moving tribute - well done.

WOW that was a great story and super pictures

You made me feel as if I was there congrats

Great tribute and a fantastic adventure. Great job Brother!

Mike, proud for you my friend! Beautiful story telling and photos. It is an inspiring hunt. I leave for BC to hunt moose in 3 weeks. I can only hope I get to experience half of what you did    :campfire:

Awesome Mike great story and photos.

Congratulations Mike, What a great hunt. Plus a tribute to your freind. I miss that place. I did not draw this year, but know the area well. I have freinds there now. Thank you far sharing and letting us be a part of it.
Take care.

Thanks for sharing this. I enjoyed every bit of it.
I thought all the photos were great, but the last photo of the sunset resonated deeply with me.

I was blessed to be introduced to trad archery by my late dad. In 1964 or '65 he and my mom bought me my first hunting bow for my birthday.

That photo reminds me of some of my last hunts walking back to my truck thinking about the times I shared with my Dad.

I've been very fortunate to  pass it on to my son, and now some of my grandsons.  

A great tribute.
Gary

Mike, great story and great hunt.  You have inspired a bunch of people to make each hunt, regardless of where they are, into a solo adventure.  Congrats!

congrats! thanks for sharing the hunt and story.

I keep coming back here to read again... so impressed! I think many of us as life progresses have to move on without brothers be they of blood or kindred spirits of the woods and water... time spent with an other person that shares an immense passion and appreciation with you creates a strong love! I like to think of my brother, uncle, and best friend as along on my hunts. If I had gone first and there was any way... that's how I would be with them. I have to say...this thread tugs at my heart a little.

Really neet story Mike! Congrats!  :thumbsup:

Congratulations Mike ... the ultimate compliment to a fallen brother, your story was very moving. That is a beautiful bull ...

best to ya, Ken

Congratulations.  Terrific story.

Well done, very nice story telling and supporting photos.

I thought this was a solo hunt...  Bart was with you the whole time.  Congrates.. What a great tribute.  Jeff

Congratulations on a nice bull!

Awesome! A great tribute to a fallen friend and great hunt.

A solo/tandem moose or caribou hunt is among my dream hunts.

Wow.  What an awesome adventure.  Great story and pics.  Thanks sharing with us!

:thumbsup:     :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Very nice account Mike of your solo trip to Alaska. I appreciate your honesty and 'realism' to the account. No way could I build up enough courage; let alone stamina to conduct a trip like that. I'm glad you shared it and I'm glad you experienced it.

Congrats Mike on a great adventure and tribute to Bart. Way to go!

Awesome  !

Nobody does it like you brother...well done!!

I am glad we can all find the spirit of Bart in our hunts. Thanks everyone. Mike

Great story and tribute Mike!!    :clapper:

Mike, Congrats you are a great hunter, Thanks for sharing

Congrats on the successful hunt and the awsome bull

Congrats Mike!

......Sometimes "IT All" comes together eh  ;)

Always enjoy the places you go , and the stories to follow . For many of us , our hearts yearn for these places . Circumstances often dictate direction....Good to see it can be done , and someone getting after it . I'm sure the skies were smiling upon you my friend .

Congratulations on making it happen , and a Beautiful Bull for those efforts .

Awesome job!!!!

Thank you for sharing.

Awesome hunt, Mike! What a great experiance, thanks for taking us along! Well Done!

LD

That's awesome Mike..great tribute and thanks for sharing

Congratulations on a great hunt and a fine bull Mike! You have my envy!

Mike, it just occurred to me that a selfbow would have been more fitting for this hunt in the memory of Bart but I'll let you slide this time. ;^) You know that is one thing I am still in awe of that he had such confidence in himself and equipment that he would do a solo hunt with that flat selfbow. That is truly taking it to the highest level.

Congrats Mike, thats a beautigul bull ! I bet Bart is smiling on you.  Great tribute hunt    :clapper:

Excellent tribute, and congratulations on the Bull!

Mike, I just got home from back east. Been on the road for the last three days. I'm tired of driving. Knowing you were going to post this thread kept me awake with anticipation of seeing more photos. Outstanding job buddy. I'm proud to call you a close friend and "brother of the bow". I think you're a great inspiration to more people than you realize, and we all thank you for that... although, in the photos your knees look fine to me and I think you're a wuss for you being such a young guy and all. UB

Congats and thanks for sharing

Greg- Yes Bart used his 90 to 104 pound flat bows in later years. But early on he used the recurve made for him by his friend Paul. This is what I have done useing South's Schleyer bow. Ha! But would love to get my hannds on one of Bart's self made bows though.

Barry- Good to see you made it. My knees are on ice as I type this, but you are right. I can't do this anymore, so I must be a whimp. Ha Ha Ha Ha!

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MIKE  Congratulations on such a fine bull. Everyone wants the biggest bull in the bush until they have to carry it out.   :)   You had to carry yours with the meat attached to the bone ..harder yet.
I am sure Bart was looking down smiling maybe even laughing as you carried those heavy loads across the tundra.  Great tribute to your friend and a great self accomplishment.

Not all can do such a great adventure but through your stories and pictures we get to live a small part .

Thanks for using the TuffHead .I am glad it did the job for you.   ;)

Fantastic!!!! Congratulations!! Your pictures are amazing!   :clapper:

Thank you all.

Joe- The ribs are frozen and should be shipped starting today. I will check out more of the damage once I get them back in early Oct. Thanks for your help.

:clapper:  Awesome Mike. A moose hunt is my dream hunt. Hope to go some day

Mike, Just read your thread congrat's AWESOME my friend

very nice hunt, good bull

I just got word from my friend in Wasilla that the meat I cut up and packaged filled 6 boxes weighing 90 pounds each. This dose not include the ribs which I left on the bone, and bagged separately. All this along with my antlers will start their way toward me on a freezer truck. I meet the truck Oct 2 at a truck stop near my house. This is the most afordable way I have found to move this much frozen and bulk home. I will let you know how it all turns out. Thanks again to you all. Mike

Well done Mike!  Fantastic sentiment for the hunt. Glad everything worked out so well and happy to hear how your arrow and broadhead performed.

Thanks you very much for sharing this. The pictures and gear tips are especially nice.

Congratulations!     :archer:

Congrats    :thumbsup:

Beautiful Mike. Congrats on a great stalk.

Congrats again Mike.  This is my favorite story so far this season!

Mike thank you so much for taking us on your hunt , for someone like myself from the uk its a dream to go to on hunts in places like this .
Your an insperation to us all .
Thank you ,
John

Great pictures, better story! Thanks for sharing.

My, my, my!  What an incredible experience!  I'll be going back and reading this thread more than once!  Not only are you a great hunter, but you have fantastic photography skills!  What a nice job of honoring a friend.  

Congratulations on a super trophy, and thanks for sharing your hunt with all of us!     :clapper:

Bernie

I encourage everyone who is interested to find out more about Bart, please check out the free reading about him as well as his good friend Paul Schafer on the home page of Brothers of the Bow website. I alwayss liked the "Lasting Smiles" photo of Bart and Paul with Bart's bear on Kodiak.

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Here is a link to the page Mike is referring to...

Click on any of the titles on the bottom.

http://www.brothersofthebow.com/html/tribute.html

thanks mike

Wow! Everything about it is just awesome

Call me late to the party, but that's one beaut' of a bull there Mike. Bryan and I talked about you while in camp and wondered how you were doing. Your success is great to see, and I want to hear the story in person some day.

Kevin, you were not late, I came out with the meat and early success. Ha! Can't wait to here of yours and Bryan's adventure as well.

That's a pic of 2 giants among men (Bart and Paul and the bear!  great stuff.  I have a few of both Bart and Paul stashed I need to find frames for...along with a host of others, someday!

AkDan- If you have rare pics of Bart and Paul, we would love to see them. But we respect your privacy and the value of your personal memories.

Great tribute to your friend and what a memorable adventure! Thanks for sharing!

Kenny     :thumbsup:

Mike, they're not rare by any means, most, if not all I believe, have been seen at some point or another.  

I have a pile of pics of many of the greats including some still with us...none of which I believe are rare at all or personal (sure wish I had that opportunity).

I'm just a hobby collector whose rat holed stuff away over the years some I've picked up, some a buddy came about and sent up. I was more into books/mags, he's into broadhead bows and other stuff.  I'm getting to a point of selling some stuff off mostly books I don't read.  He has one sweet over all collection as well as hunts with one of Paul's bows.      

I'm trying to track down some old 35mm film I know is around here and still is in their possession.   one of my pet projects for this winter when its hibernation time  ;) .

Mike, you and I exchanged text messages via cell phone while in Alaska but I want to congratulate you here on this site for your hunt.  It was and is a lasting and appropriate tribute to Bart.  Way to go and well done.

As always,   John

Awesome Mike. Such a great way to remember a friend.

Not much left to be said.  Thanks for taking us along.   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

John, I too had my hunt delayed due to bad weather just after we talked on Sept 5th.

Some people ask why I hunt alone. Well its not always by design, but now with many units in Alaska going to draw for non-residence, its tough to be on the same page with huntging partners or brothers. I have hunted solo in Alaska many times as well as in Rocky Mountain states. The challenge becomes spiritual for me usually sometime into the second week of solitude. This time the moose would not let me reach that plain, because they cooperated early on.

I knew this river valley well since, I hunted here 13 years ago. If memory serves me, I was in Dan Foster's living room just prior to the hunt when I got a call from someone. I thought, "Who even knows I'm up here in Alaska?" Well... it was Bart wishing me good luck. Ha!  And ... even now I have a friend that calls me and prays with me before every big hunting adventure I go on. So, I don't really feel alone. BUT, I can tell you I have slowed down alot, but still give it my all. Ha! Ha!  During my first moose pack-job when I was 29 years old, my hips and butt got sore from the way the pack frame seated un my skinny waist. I had to pad it with a shirt. But now I carry my own extra padding around my waist if you know what I mean. Ha!

I enjoyed this a lot. Great tribute to Bart and congratulations on a great moose!    :notworthy:

I too really enjoyed this thread. It has rekindled a fire in me, although at 60 years of age I need to temper that fire with common sense. I even am rereading your book, great book btw.

Great tribute Mike!

Congrats on a great bull Mike !

This why I hunt with Traditional bow it is truly all about the experience. It not hard to see why we have so many hero's like Paul, Bart and Mike and all the ones that came before them.

MIKE  

After your moose meat arrives and before  you barbecue the ribs      :)     would you take a picture of the entry hole in the ribs.
You mentioned you would access the damage, if there is any thing a picture would show I would appreciate .

I was curious if you remembered what the heart looked like when you were field dressing it.  Did it have a" L" cut in it or was it all mush.  

Thanks

Thats awesome, congrats Mike!!!!!

Awesome animal and a great tribute Mike!  Thanks for sharing this hunt with us!

Thanks for sharing your hunt with us, Mike, and a huge congratulations on taking a fine bull solo!  What an excellent way to remember a friend.

Thanks guys. I picked up my meat and antlers today. I got all the meat in the freezer, but left one side rib out because it didn't fit. I didn't really notice which side it was, but plan to thaw it and look for damages. Things i didn't have time to do during the darkness of skinning.

If you find yourself in Alaska with moose or caribou meat, I recomend Alaskan Express to have it frozen shipped back tothe states. Meat, hide, bone, and antlers.

Mike,
Some folks have a saying and I'm sure you heard this a time or two when they say "You are the Man" and I would say "No but I know the Man" and point to heaven..
I know without a shadow of doubt that you give thanks to our Creator and you Know that same Man and he shines His light on those who know Him...Now you know why I say God Bless you Mike you are a Hero to my girls and what you have done behind the scenes means much to me and my wife...
Mike Mitten is more then "One with the Wilderness" He's a "Brother" that cares about others and he doesn't boast about it..

              May He continue to Bless you Mike and be beside you and be your guide!
                              Keefers <")))><

Keefer- your words have touched me deeply.

QuoteOriginally posted by Keefer:
Mike,
Some folks have a saying and I'm sure you heard this a time or two when they say "You are the Man" and I would say "No but I know the Man" and point to heaven..
I know without a shadow of doubt that you give thanks to our Creator and you Know that same Man and he shines His light on those who know Him...Now you know why I say God Bless you Mike you are a Hero to my girls and what you have done behind the scenes means much to me and my wife...
Mike Mitten is more then "One with the Wilderness" He's a "Brother" that cares about others and he doesn't boast about it..

              May He continue to Bless you Mike and be beside you and be your guide!
                              Keefers <")))><

:thumbsup:

Joe- I'm not big on showing the anatomy of the kill, but I will in this case as I too have learned.

After removing shoulder blade and surrounding muscle at night with flashlight, I struck my finger in wound channel and felt the sharp edge of the ribs.The shape is more triangular than I would have expected. But again the shaft went pretty deep and then got pulled out and broke causing additional tissue separation. At first, I thought it was cut in coss-section, but now I see there was an angle to the cut. Ribs are much wider than most people think, over 2 inches wide.  The bone cut and split longitudinally.

   (http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/P1070298_zps65a6cf88.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/P1070298_zps65a6cf88.jpg.html)

 (http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/rib3_zps8ba392b2.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/rib3_zps8ba392b2.jpg.html)

From outside and inside view of ribs after cleaning a bit.

 (http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/rib2_zpsafe1013f.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/rib2_zpsafe1013f.jpg.html)

 (http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/rib_zps013089c8.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/rib_zps013089c8.jpg.html)

The heart was carefully removed, but arrow was pulled back a bit to avoid getting cut while "gutting" and bagging meat. Gives you an idea of shot placement...ie  LUCK.

 (http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/P1070300_zps276909d6.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/P1070300_zps276909d6.jpg.html)

Moose -  It's what's for dinner!

 (http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/cookedrib_zps9ecaa909.jpg) (http://s240.photobucket.com/user/MittenM/media/cookedrib_zps9ecaa909.jpg.html)

Oh man. Ribs..... What does moose taste like?
Please don't say chicken...
  :D

Those look delicious.  Its a nice reward to get some of the calories back that you spent on the packing.

MIKE   i am sure thoughts of  Bart entered you mind while preparing the ribs and eating. Those cooked ribs look fantastic     :)    

Thanks for posting the pictures of the ribs cage showing the entry and exit hole . If conditions permit and timing is ok an autopsy can be a good learning experience.  i was looking for the tell tale "L" or " s "  
cut  which we see at the inside of the rib cage. This is pretty typical damage of  most single bevel broadheads

Your shot was impressive right into the heart! While it is not visible that cut also may show the L/S do to rotation of the broadhead or scramble it into mush.

I am sure all this was not on your mind when field dressing trying to beat the clock to darkness and  getting back to camp.   :thumbsup:

This was the youngest moose I have shot, but they were all good. The meat has larger muscle bundles than deer and tends to be a little more moist. This meat has no distinctive smell as he was taken early in season. I like it better than a rutting elk. Ha! So far I have only eaten back-straps and the rib sample.

Thanks Joe. It was a sweet flying arrow. Mike

Man those ribs look lip smacking good Mike and cooking over coals instead of gas adds even more flavor I think...Man if I was your next door neighbor and smelled your grill fire up I think I would have to sneak over and see what's under the lid of the grill when you go inside your house unless you are one them fellas who don't put his guard down and sit by the fire the entire time..
 Then again with a heart shot like you put on the Moose I better stay in my yard and hope you throw a few scraps over the fence or out the back door       :campfire:

Mike,
It's been just about 24 hours since I last posted and just curious "You still eating on them ribs ain't ya"?   :biglaugh:

Ha! Yes I've been deer hunting. The ribs were very good and my Mom and two brothers came over to eat them. Served simply with corn on the cob.

I passed up this bull before taking mine.


 https://www.dropbox.com/s/94ao8y98aq70twq/moose.MTS?dl=0


VIDEO ABOVE

Congrats on the fine moose. The one you passed on is a nice bull also but I think I would have also passed on him in unit 13.To close for me to say 50".

Nice Bull
I always enjoyed Solo hunting until the game is down and the pack out begins!

Congrats

Beautiful Area. Nice bull!

Yep 3x3 and about 48" I'd say.  Good call.

Hard to believe that's not a legal bull, but is too close to call.

Mike