Saga of the Moose Bow

jhg · October 03, 2009, 06:16:00 PM

Hanging game is a Maine tradition that goes way back to the sporting camp days. They wanted to show proof of the big adventure in the wilds of maine and the game pole was a big deal/great way to show off the success rate.
Lots of old archival photos showing game poles sagging with moose, deer and bears.
it is impressive to see a big moose or 260lb (dressed wt) whitetail buck hanging there in one piece.

Joshua

Bjorn · October 03, 2009, 06:17:00 PM

Too damn amazing!

Congrats!

Izzy · October 03, 2009, 06:25:00 PM

Man o man what a beautifuleast.Congradulations!!!Ill start applying for my next tag next year.I waited 12 years and thought that was along haul.27 years is some determination.

Craig Warren · October 03, 2009, 08:10:00 PM

Thanks to all for all the kind words.

Rainman, as it turned out I didn't use the new bow. I had had rotator cuff surgery back in early Spring and had made a 38# bow for the rehab. Then in June, I found out that I had drawn a tag. My thoughts at the time: Wouldn't you know it, after 27 years, I get the tag shortly after shoulder surgery. As soon as I could, I started shooting the light bow and things went well, but with slow progress. I made a 47# bow thinking that would be as far as I would get before the Moose season. Then, with just a couple of weeks left, I tried one of my early prototype Bow Bolt bows made with an aluminum Bow Bolt. It was about 4 years old and I had shot a small 8 point buck last season with it. The weight is 53# @ 28". To my delight, I could handle two or 3 shots with it quite accurately on the first try. I shot several shots with it each day for the first week and got to about ten shots per day before the opening day of moose season. So that's the one I used. The total weight of the cedar arrow with the broadhead was 540 gr. so it was just a tad over the magic ratio of 10 gr. per pound of draw weight and it did the job pretty well.

Kevin, the whole story is way too long to tell here. After all, it started 51 years ago. I'll probably get it together for one of the magazines this winter. As you know, the winters in Maine can be long and cold. What better way to spend the days than to re-live the dream each day writing the story.

To all of you who have been applying for a tag for many years, all I can say is don't stop because if you do, you'll end your dream and "without a dream, it can't come true."

Mark U · October 03, 2009, 08:15:00 PM

Way cool!!! How do you get an animal that big TO the meat pole???

AkDan · October 03, 2009, 08:50:00 PM

JHG, I have to say hanging a 1klb moose is pretty damn impressive...you never see a hole one hung up here LOL! then again most of us cant get skidsteers to them either

Can't wait for the story Craig! dont forget ALaska winters are colder...AND darker LOL...and it'll take a year or three for one of those mags to get it published..but when you do drop me a line I'll definatly buy a copy (if I dont already have a subscription!)

Craig Warren · October 03, 2009, 09:27:00 PM

Mark,

In the early days of the moose season back in the early 80's it was a requirement that they be brought out whole. (dumb law) So the "hunt" was really more like a "harvest" in that most Moose were shot by gun hunters at the edge or on the road or out in a clear cut from the road. Skidders were used sometimes and the rest of the time truck winches or come-alongs were used to drag them to and up on a trailer or the back of a pickup turck. Now they can be quartered in the woods if need be but most guides were already geared up for taking the whole animal out. We used a chain saw winch and several hundred feet of 3/4" rope. We hooked the portable winch to a tree and dragged to it and then repeated until we could slide it up on the trailer.
The weather is usually cool enough this time of year to be able to hang the animal to age the meet for up to a week before butchering and most find it easier to skin and then quarter the animal with the moose hanging if the means to hang it are available such as a chain hoist or block and tackle. Other reason were mentioned earlier in this thread such as bragging rights, but I think what I have just described is as much the reason.

Steve O · October 03, 2009, 09:34:00 PM

YES!

That is TREMENDOUS! It is so great to see people who can appreciate it have success!

Well done!

hunt it · October 03, 2009, 10:01:00 PM

Awesome,awesome adventure and a fantastic moose. Congrats on an amazing trophy.

jdemoya · October 03, 2009, 11:39:00 PM

Craig, what unit did you hunt in? Thanks.

Great animal!

I have had not luck yet in ME. I have 3 points in NH. Maybe next year.

God bless,

Jose

Shaun · October 03, 2009, 11:49:00 PM

One of the best dream hunts I've ever heard of. Congratulations on a dream come true and kudos for the hard practice and steady hand to make it all come together! I bet that broad head was retrieved and will be in a place of honor along with that beautiful trophy. Well done sir!

AkDan · October 04, 2009, 01:17:00 AM

shoot just seeing one on a pole is wow factor enough...it aint like I've seen a ton of dead moose but I can say I've NEVER seen a hole one on a pole LOL!

Craig Warren · October 04, 2009, 07:00:00 AM

Jose,
It was unit ONE in Allagash. That's in the northern most part of Maine. I've known Wade Kelly, my guide, for about ten or 15 years and they don't come any better. I consider him a good personal friend. Both he and his father are trad bow hunters and both shoot one of my bows so he knows what trad hunting requires in the way of guiding. I sat down for a cup of coffee with Wade and a few other guys when I first got there for the hunt and told him not to be disappointed if I went home at the end of the hunt without a moose because I wouldn't be. I told him that it would be with a stick bow or not at all, and I didn't even bring a gun on the trip. Most of my bow hunting friends who have moose hunted here in Maine have usually put away the bow, usually a compound, on the third or fourth day and pulled out the heavy artilary to be sure to fill their tag. Wade said if I was OK with that he was too and said he would do all he could to find a moose and get really close to it. I said, (a little toung in cheak) good but there were just two requests I had. First, it had to be 60" or better and second, 20 yards or closer. Everyone laughed and he said "I'll do my best." He did a lot more than that.

Craig Warren · October 04, 2009, 07:02:00 AM

Shaun,

We found it in the shoulder, and Yes, it, and the rest of the arrow which we also found will have a special place for sure.

SteveD · October 04, 2009, 07:08:00 AM

Wow Congrats. That is fantastic.

PV · October 04, 2009, 07:40:00 AM

Congratulations Craig!! Huge bull. Does Maine keep stats on bowkills?

fishone · October 04, 2009, 08:07:00 AM

Congratulations!! Awesome story, Awesome moose. I think it is so neat you took that moose with a Bear Rasorhead that your mother got for you on your 14th birthday. Doesn't get any better than that!!! Wow!!! Craig

Randy Morin · October 04, 2009, 08:41:00 AM

Oh man Craig that is just an amazing story. Congratulations Sir. I'll look forward to re-visiting this story in one of the mag's.

Osagetree · October 04, 2009, 08:50:00 AM

SWEET!

Craig Warren · October 04, 2009, 09:27:00 AM

Hi Paul,

Yes, the state does have stats on bowkills. I haven't seen them yet but several bowhunting friends have told me mine is probably a all time state record. All I have right now is the width measurement which is about 10" wider than the widest in the book, but I'll have it green scored next week and have a better idea then. It is also possible that it is the overall record including all weapons because the largest gun kill in the books is just 2" wider and one of the points measured to in the width measurement on mine was broken off and it still measured 65 3/4". They said the overall mass on the gun record was low for it's width. We will just have to wait and see.

How's that beautiful bow you made shooting? That sure is a sweet looking bow.