A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
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A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Dawn of the 4th of October found my wife and I sitting in our 1992 Toyota pickup on a dirt road that follows up the East Fork of the Wind River near Dubois, Wyoming. The weather was clear but nippy at about 25 degrees and a crisp wind blowing out of the North. It was the first day of hunting for my once-in -a-lifetime moose. I had several goals in mind for this hunt. First, I wanted to harvest the moose with my 1886 Winchester rifle, caliber .33 WCF, it being a family heirloom near and dear to my heart. Secondly, I looked forward to a pleasant day afield with my Best Hunting Partner. Next, I wanted a younger moose that would be good eating, not a big tough old greybeard, size of the horns were not much of a consideration. Lastly, I was determined not to shoot ANY moose unless I could back the Toyota up to the carcass. Those of you who have killed a big old elk or large deer down in a canyon and had to pack it out will appreciate that. We are both pushing 70 years of age and are not up to packing anything anywhere.
There were several other hunters in the vicinity of the East Fork, so we took a less-traveled trail leading up a tributary river known as Wiggins Fork. The terrain here was a long draw with the bottom area along the river being fairly flat , lined with tall cottonwoods, willows and brush. We sighted a moose within about 15 minutes. Determining it was a small bull, and making sure he was on the right side of the river, I slipped out of the truck and was going to put the sneak on him when he headed right over toward us. Waiting until he was within about 80 yards and presenting a broadside shot to me , I popped him the neck with the .33. He went down right there, hunt over at about 8:00 AM.
Well, the fun was NOT over! My wife went back to bring up the Toyota as I walked carefully over to the moose, keeping a cautious eye on him. Imagine my dismay in discovering the critter was NOT on the right side of the river at all! The river divided for a ways just upstream, forming an island in midriver. The moose was on the island. I simply had not seen the situation due to the brush and terrain.
This being the Rocky Mountains, the river bed was of course entirely composed of rocks, BIG rocks, the smallest being the size of a man's head. The river at this point was maybe 40 feet wide, running fast , perhaps a foot deep at worst. Luckily, just where we needed it, we discovered where there had been a crossing at one time, with a little trail leading down to the bank. Likely, nobody had used it since the last string of oxen pulled the last freight wagon up it. Nevertheless, nothing to do but have at it. I jumped in, Nancy put it down in 4WD Low and away we went, down over the bank and bouncing throught the river over the boulders. The river was a little deeper than it looked from the bank, but we made it across in good order and backed the truck right up to the carcass.
By about noon we had the animal dressed, skinned, quartered, cooled out a little and loaded up in the Toyota. What a chore! It was a small moose, but when dealing with moose, small is a relative term. It was all we could do to wrestle the quarters up onto the tailgate and into the bed. We loaded up the gear and headed back down to the river.
I picked what looked to be a good line and headed 'er back into the river, spurring the truck right smartly as we bounded over the boulders once more, headed for the point where the trail entered the river. Nothing doing! We made to to the bank, but spun out in the slippery wet large rocks adjacent to the embankment. Several runs at it produced nothing. Backing out into the river a ways to a point where the water was not quite so deep, we pondered our situation. Finally, my wife got out and waded over to the embankment, slipping and staggering over the wet rocks in the fast-moving current. She was able after a while to move about a dozen of the biggest rocks blocking the way to the embankment. Gunning the engine for all it was worth, I gave it another valiant effort, to no avail, still spun out. I tried again, and yet again, still couldnt get out of the river and the place where I was doing all the spinning was getting deeper with each effort, the water almost over the wheels now. Finally on the fourth try the front wheels somehow found a little traction and the faithful old Tojo came leaping up out of the river at full throttle, up the embankment and onto dry land. We were home free!
We found a sunny spot among the cottonwoods out of the wind where my wife got out of her wet clothes. We had bite of lunch and headed out for the hour and half drive back to Lander, I had to keep the heater going most of the way to get her feet and legs thawed out and to keep her from getting a chill. Arriving home, we managed to get the meat hung up, then got cleaned up a bit and, being totally and completely tuckered out, spent the rest of the afternoon napping and recovering.
I know, the 2 year old moose is probably not what most of you would have shot on your once-in-a-lifetime hunt, so be it. It met all the criteria I had for my hunt. We had a grand adventure, we did not have to hike out and get help and we have a winter's worth of good eating. What more could a person want?
The moose and I:
Lunch time:
There were several other hunters in the vicinity of the East Fork, so we took a less-traveled trail leading up a tributary river known as Wiggins Fork. The terrain here was a long draw with the bottom area along the river being fairly flat , lined with tall cottonwoods, willows and brush. We sighted a moose within about 15 minutes. Determining it was a small bull, and making sure he was on the right side of the river, I slipped out of the truck and was going to put the sneak on him when he headed right over toward us. Waiting until he was within about 80 yards and presenting a broadside shot to me , I popped him the neck with the .33. He went down right there, hunt over at about 8:00 AM.
Well, the fun was NOT over! My wife went back to bring up the Toyota as I walked carefully over to the moose, keeping a cautious eye on him. Imagine my dismay in discovering the critter was NOT on the right side of the river at all! The river divided for a ways just upstream, forming an island in midriver. The moose was on the island. I simply had not seen the situation due to the brush and terrain.
This being the Rocky Mountains, the river bed was of course entirely composed of rocks, BIG rocks, the smallest being the size of a man's head. The river at this point was maybe 40 feet wide, running fast , perhaps a foot deep at worst. Luckily, just where we needed it, we discovered where there had been a crossing at one time, with a little trail leading down to the bank. Likely, nobody had used it since the last string of oxen pulled the last freight wagon up it. Nevertheless, nothing to do but have at it. I jumped in, Nancy put it down in 4WD Low and away we went, down over the bank and bouncing throught the river over the boulders. The river was a little deeper than it looked from the bank, but we made it across in good order and backed the truck right up to the carcass.
By about noon we had the animal dressed, skinned, quartered, cooled out a little and loaded up in the Toyota. What a chore! It was a small moose, but when dealing with moose, small is a relative term. It was all we could do to wrestle the quarters up onto the tailgate and into the bed. We loaded up the gear and headed back down to the river.
I picked what looked to be a good line and headed 'er back into the river, spurring the truck right smartly as we bounded over the boulders once more, headed for the point where the trail entered the river. Nothing doing! We made to to the bank, but spun out in the slippery wet large rocks adjacent to the embankment. Several runs at it produced nothing. Backing out into the river a ways to a point where the water was not quite so deep, we pondered our situation. Finally, my wife got out and waded over to the embankment, slipping and staggering over the wet rocks in the fast-moving current. She was able after a while to move about a dozen of the biggest rocks blocking the way to the embankment. Gunning the engine for all it was worth, I gave it another valiant effort, to no avail, still spun out. I tried again, and yet again, still couldnt get out of the river and the place where I was doing all the spinning was getting deeper with each effort, the water almost over the wheels now. Finally on the fourth try the front wheels somehow found a little traction and the faithful old Tojo came leaping up out of the river at full throttle, up the embankment and onto dry land. We were home free!
We found a sunny spot among the cottonwoods out of the wind where my wife got out of her wet clothes. We had bite of lunch and headed out for the hour and half drive back to Lander, I had to keep the heater going most of the way to get her feet and legs thawed out and to keep her from getting a chill. Arriving home, we managed to get the meat hung up, then got cleaned up a bit and, being totally and completely tuckered out, spent the rest of the afternoon napping and recovering.
I know, the 2 year old moose is probably not what most of you would have shot on your once-in-a-lifetime hunt, so be it. It met all the criteria I had for my hunt. We had a grand adventure, we did not have to hike out and get help and we have a winter's worth of good eating. What more could a person want?
The moose and I:
Lunch time:
Last edited by jnyork on Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Shootist
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
WONDERFUL. I KNOW JUST ABOUT WHERE YOU WERE AT TOO. MOOSE IS LOVERLY VENISON.
RIDE, SHOOT STRAIGHT, AND SPEAK THE TRUTH
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
That is one cool hunt and a great story! Congratulations to you both on a great moose!
Professional Hunter
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http://www.TARSPORTING.com
"Worldwide Hunting Adventures"
Professional Hunters Assoc of South Africa
SCI - Life Member
NRA - Life Member
NAHC - Trophy Life Member
DWWC - Member
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
fantastic hunting story....Congrats...
Looks like your set for meat....for quite some time...
Looks like your set for meat....for quite some time...
LETS GO SHOOT'N BOYS
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
It doesn't get any better than that! Congratulations!
My "HB" (Hunting Buddy) She's a good cook too!
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
That has got to be one of the best hunting stories I've ever read! Very happy for you.
Except I'm a little cornfuzed, tomorrow is the 4th of Oct. Was this a hunt from last year, or did ya typo the date?
Except I'm a little cornfuzed, tomorrow is the 4th of Oct. Was this a hunt from last year, or did ya typo the date?
NRA Life Member
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Naw, old dummie here was looking at the September calander when he wrote the story.TedH wrote:That has got to be one of the best hunting stories I've ever read! Very happy for you.
Except I'm a little cornfuzed, tomorrow is the 4th of Oct. Was this a hunt from last year, or did ya typo the date?
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
I agree with TedH, That has to be one of the best hunting stories I have ever read. You met all of your goals, filled the freezer with a once in a life time Moose, and used a wonderful rifle, with history and made a wonderful shot, had an adventure and got back safe. WOW thank you for sharing
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
WONDERFUL story, AWESOME photo's!
Congradulations!
22
Congradulations!
22
"Yes, we did produce a near-perfect republic. But will they keep it? Or will they, in the enjoyment of plenty, lose the memory of freedom? Material abundance without character is the path of destruction." - Thomas Jefferson
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Outstanding hunting story and CONGRATULATIONS on a great hunt. I hope ya'll enjoy all the fine meat, it should be even better after taking it with your 86 and bestest hunting partner.
Ricky
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- J Miller
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Congrats on the moose. I suppose if everything had gone perfectly it wouldn't have been near as much fun. This way you'll enjoy the meat a whole lot better.
I think.
Joe
I think.
Joe
***Be sneaky, get closer, bust the cap on him when you can put the ball where it counts .***
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Such a moose would be fine for me!
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Good shooting that swamp donkey will eat good. danny
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
I'm most impressed that you have a wife who would wade into a swift river in 25 degree weather and move several boulders!
They don't make 'em like that anymore.
Congratulations on a great hunt and a great memory!
bogie
They don't make 'em like that anymore.
Congratulations on a great hunt and a great memory!
bogie
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- KirkD
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Excellent! .... and with a classic '86. It must be especially fulfilling to have harvested that Moose with your '86. Your wife sounds like a good woman to take on a hunt.
Kirk: An old geezer who loves the smell of freshly turned earth, old cedar rail fences, wood smoke, a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, pristine wilderness lakes, the scent of
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
cedars and a magnificent Whitetail buck framed in the semi-buckhorn sights of a 120-year old Winchester.
Blog: https://www.kirkdurston.com/
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Great hunt and fine trophy. Don't apoligize for a two year old bull. The best troply I will ever take was a doe I stalked and killed with my longbow.
- 2ndovc
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Pretty darned neat and with a .33WCF too!
One of these days I'll get my moose. I'll have to use my .33WCF too.
jb
One of these days I'll get my moose. I'll have to use my .33WCF too.
jb
jasonB " Another Dirty Yankee"
" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
" Tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?"
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Outstanding! I have found horns to be mighty tough eating myself <G>.
Hard to beat a 4x4 Toyota isn't it? I have an '01 Tacoma now, but used to have a red '90 4x4 pickup that looked a lot like yours.
Hard to beat a 4x4 Toyota isn't it? I have an '01 Tacoma now, but used to have a red '90 4x4 pickup that looked a lot like yours.
- kimwcook
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
How absolutely wonderful was that. Congratulations are deserved for the both of you. Excellent story. Thanks.
Old Law Dawg
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Well done! I love hearing about 86's that still go out hunting. Looks like a great way to pack the freezer. What load were you using?
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Congratulations, great story well told! You both sure earned that Moose.
Whatever you do always give 100%........... unless you are donating blood.
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Congrats,.... nothing more gratifying than meeting the unexpected on a wilderness hunt and conquering it. I agree with you, moose is really nice eating. I was never into the trophy thing when I hunted, nice to read about someone hunting just for some real good eat'n!!!!
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Thanks for the great story! The old .33 will make meat every time provided you do your part, which you most certainly did. 25º, brrr. It's still in the 70s at 6000' in these parts, but no moose.
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Got that right!! Poor young guys these days just dont know what they're missing!Bogie35 wrote:I'm most impressed that you have a wife who would wade into a swift river in 25 degree weather and move several boulders!
They don't make 'em like that anymore.
bogie
Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Nice job making the packsaddle look like antlers.
Seriously tho congratulations on drawing the permit, and finding the moose....
Seriously tho congratulations on drawing the permit, and finding the moose....
- deerwhacker444
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Excellent indeed.! Great story.!
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shall possess the highest seats in Government,
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- Modoc ED
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Great story and pictures.
I woke up to 4-inches of snow this AM at 0530.
When are you going to head out to AZ?
I woke up to 4-inches of snow this AM at 0530.
When are you going to head out to AZ?
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Got maybe 9" on the ground right now and still snowing. Will be in sunny Yuma around the 25th of this month. Maybe sooner if the dang snow keeps falling.Modoc ED wrote:Great story and pictures.
I woke up to 4-inches of snow this AM at 0530.
When are you going to head out to AZ?
- Modoc ED
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
All you guys that insist that you must wear camo in order to "Blend IN" for a successful hunt please note what "jnyork" is wearing.jnyork wrote: The moose and I:
Lunch time:
Hunting experience and hunting skills +1.
Camo -- not so much.
Thank goodness "Mrs. jnyork" and the truck weren't in camo or "jnyork" would have starved to death and missed his ride home.
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Wow, Great Hunt and story. Thank You.
- Whit Spurzon
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Great story! Thanks for sharing.
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Great hunt and a Fine moose!
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Great job !!! That is the way things are supposed to work out !!! I've been trying to get drawn for a moose permit in Maine for about 5 years with no luck....maybe next year Enjoy the moose burgers, Thanks, Tom
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Top class hunt if you ask me well done and what a woman
Thems Toyota's are tough ain't they!
Nath.
Thems Toyota's are tough ain't they!
Nath.
Psalm ch8.
Because I wish I could!
Because I wish I could!
- Sixgun
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Super duper extremely cool story Oh, I melted when I saw the '86---a special order full length mag. with seldom seen cresent buttplate and what looks like to be a special order 22 inch barrel. Standard was 24". and.......an original Lyman #2
I have to know---what was the load?
You have a mighty good woman there! Mine is about as motivated as a snail and would have watched me struggle.
Your a lucky man to have experienced such an adventure ----------Sixgun
I have to know---what was the load?
You have a mighty good woman there! Mine is about as motivated as a snail and would have watched me struggle.
Your a lucky man to have experienced such an adventure ----------Sixgun
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- Advanced Levergunner
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
The load is 41 grains of 4895 and a Hornady 200 grain flatpoint, pretty much a factory load at about 2000 fps.
- Pathfinder09
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Re: A levergun moose hunt in Wyoming
Well done. Who said you can't hunt and be successful with and old style gun. They have been used for a long time. The meat should be great.