Hello All:

I got a message from a friend of mine in NH. He told me to call him. So I did and discovered my Dad was picked for a bull moose permit in zone 4 for the September hunt in Maine.

We are elated at this news. This zone is the biggest and most wilderness like with few camps in it. Also September is the rut so you can call them within close range to take.

I am a subpermittee on his permit.

The way the system works in New England for moose is that when you obtain a permit you also can designate what is known as a subpermittee. That person is allowed to hunt with the permit holder and can shoot the moose if the permit holder allows it.

Dad and have contacted a lodge in that part of Maine. This may be our last big hunt together sad to say. Dad is 77 and has some health issues. So roughing it in a remote tent camp is not going to happen.

Moose hunting in Maine has changed a great deal. In the past you had some time to get a guide or some other arrangements but now almost all of the guides and outfitters are booked up within 48 hours of the official drawing.

We ran into many brick walls because we waited an extra day or so to make any contacts.

To make a long story short we got ahold of a camp in that zone and they are putting us on what is called a stand by hunt. That means that on the first day we are on our own to call in a moose. As a rule other hunters tag out on the first day thus after the first hunter tags out that guide will come assist us in getting a moose.

The September 28th season is the best in the fact that they are in rut and you can call them in. The lady I spoke with guided someone last year and called in a bull to a hunter within 20 feet. When the love is in the air they let down their caution quite a bit. Her and her husband run a decent camp and we will have a well maintained camp with modern plumbing and hot meals. Dad said we need to have a good time. I am looking forward to this special and quality time with Dad.

Believe it or not an Indian friend taught me how to call moose. So for the first day I will do my best to bring in a bull for Dad. I did some practice but my wife gave me some evil looks so I will have to do this outside the house. Also I have a shoulder blade from my last hunt that I can use to rake bushes. It is the sound of antlers being rubbed and can get them excited about a challenger. I do have another trick I have to check out to see if it is legal to do in Maine. Maine forbids the use of decoys to hunt moose but I don't know about the antler trick. You can take a plywood cut out of moose antlers and hold them up. The trick is to cut them a bit small so a big bull thinks that a puny weakling is trying to get his cow. Kind of like using a jake decoy on a big boss gobbler. Again I have to call up Maine fish and game on this.

Dad plans to take his Remington M700 in 30-06. He has killed moose in Newfoundland before with the 30-06 and it worked very well. He did ask me about reduced loads as he doesn't deal with recoil very well any more.

I am planning to take one of the following:

1. TC Super 16 in 4570 . Gary had refinished this barrel and installed a muzzle brake. Believe it or not shooting the barrel isn't that bad. Kind of like a warmish 44 magnum. I am not sure what bullet and load combo I want to use. Last time I used a Nosler Partition 300 grain soft point( which is no longer made) and was not impressed by it. I am thinking of a Hornady 350 grain flat point loaded in the TC Contender.

2. TC Super 14 in 375 JDJ. Again the load I am not sure.

3. TC Encore 15 inch in 30-06. Maximum load for a 165 or 180 grain bullet.

4. TC Encore 16 inch 50 caliber muzzleloader.Max load of Blackhorn 209 with a 300 grain sabot round.

We spoke about a strategy. The plan is since we are going to call for moose is to set up a small blind and sit next to each other. When we see a good shot Dad said I have first crack. I told him that what we should do is shoot right after each other. So if I take the shot then immediately he shoots. Two shots in a moose should do the trick.

Moose normally don't react to being shot. It seems that they absorb the shot and when they run off and you see them stumble then you know you have it.

Well. We are pretty excited about this.

That is exciting! I hunted a cow moose in Maine a few years ago and had a great time. This is a great opportunity! Congratulations!

Congrats to the two of you. Sounds like it'll be fun.

Awesome! Congrats! Great hunt opportunity and being able to spend the time with your dad will make it all the more special!

This sounds like a hunt both you and your dad will never forget. I wish you good luck. Take plenty of pictures.

Congratulations. I am sure that hunt with your father will be a very enjoyable and memorable one. I remember several with my dad.

You have a very enviable choice of handguns for your foray. All should work well on a moose with the correct bullet.

I would like to see how the Muzzleloader would do... And the 45-70... and the... ??

Let us know what you choose!

Congrats! Y'all should have an exciting hunt, it's beautiful country up there. I missed out on getting drawn this year....maybe next year.

Congratulations. Good luck.

congratulations!!!! Can I ask, how many points did your father have before he drew?

I am not sure off the top of my head. I believe it was close to 40 or so.

I have 13 points, as of this year. Maine has some amazing quality Bulls, if you don't mind let a few smaller one walk. They have definitely managed the state for a quality herd, and have done very well. Good luck, make sure you share photos when you get back.

good hunting with the best of luck...

Zone 4 is good. I've had two permits (Bulls) and have been subpermittee on 4 additional hunts. Love moose hunting and September is my favorite! Doesn't take much to call a moose in, I've only used a .270 with 130 grain Barnes TSX. Works very well... If drawn this year I was planning to use my S&W .44 PC revolver. A very exciting hunt for sure! Don't have to remind you to buy a Maine Gazetteer and outline your zone. I've never had a problem with other hunters, wardens or folks in general while moose hunting. People are always helpful. Get that butcher lined up and congratulations. Looking forward to seeing some pics in September!!

dad got to hunt moose here in ME about 4 years before he died. had a great time. im sure that your dad will love it. start thinking about how your going to get that big bas... out of the swamp/brush after he tips over. forget four wheelers. comealongs work but so do you. veh winches are nice if the moose is close enough to the road. chain saws are a last resort.

We have very sad news.

Dad passed away on Fathers Day morning. He went to Church, did some shopping and put things away for Mom. He sat in mom's chair for a rest and had a heart attack.

The past two weeks have been very tough as we lost Dad. Not only was he my Dad but closest confidant. We did everything together and it has been incredibly painful.

Ironically Dad was picked for a New Hampshire moose permit on top of the Maine permit. Two permits?

I called both states and they said due to the rules they cannot transfer the permits to me.

I really don't care in a number of ways. The woods won't be the same without Dad.

That's terrible! My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Sorry for your loss. I feel closer to past friend's and family while in the woods or on the stream . Kind of a home coming of memories as i sit and and enjoy the day.

So very sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May many happy memories of time spent with your dad comfort you in this time.

Eric.

My condolences to you and your family. I lost my hero two years ago.

your in our prayers

so sorry....

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. He sounded like a pretty special guy, my thought and prayers are with you and your family.

I am so sorry for your loss. I loss my dad almost three years ago. Like your dad he taught me to hunt, fish and play sports but the most important thing he taught me was to be a man who was always there for his family.

I still miss him as I know you will your dad. Some times when I am in the woods deer hunting I go back to times with my dad. They are very sweet memories.

I am praying for you.

I'm terribly sorry to hear of your loss.

So sorry to hear about your dad. I was excited reading the post and hit that. Prayers for all..