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2019 Maine Moose #203145 11/04/2019 5:11 PM
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KRal Offline OP
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Earlier this year, a fellow handgunner (gasixgunner) and I were able to acquire cow moose tags for the last season in Maine. To say we were happy would be and understatement (especially since we would be able to ride together making the 1400+ mile drive much better). The east coast fall colors were in awesome vibrant colors and made for a beautiful trip.

We met in north GA on the 24th of October and started our journey to Caribou, ME. We arrived at Back Woods Guide Service on the evening of the 26th, got our gear unpacked, and got to bed in preparations of an early morning scouting session the next morning. Sunday morning found us up at 2:00am preparing for our two hour drive to our Zone 1 hunting area. That morning welcomed us with cold temps and the moose were up and moving. Within the first hour of daylight, we had seen 15 moose: 10 cows; and 5 bulls - one bull being a stud! At this point, our confidence levels were above average! We couldn't wait till opening morning and was planning to be in our areas well before daylight to "claim our spot". The area we had tags for is a 4 million acre zone privately owned by a timber company and 125 permits were issued for this area.

2:00am Monday came early, but was not an issue with the anticipation of what was to come. The weather had change with warmer temperatures and snowfall! Hopefully it wouldn't impact Moose movement.

gasixgunner and I were both "planning" to take our cow's with revolvers - he had his FA83 41 mag and I had my SRH 480. I had been practicing almost every day for the month leading up to the hunt. I had a load of 390gr cast hollow-point over 14.5grs of HS6 that was shooting great and all my practicing had been from field shooting positions - mainly standing with shooting sticks and standing free hand.



Although my confidence level was great with my chosen iron, our guide (Jesse Cote) suggested bringing a backup gun capable of longer ranges. He said he'd do his best to make an iron sight revolver shot possible, but wanted us to know that realistically, it probably wouldn't happen. This is due to the rut being over, area we were hunting, method we would be hunting and last of the season pressured moose. I've always heard, "Don't guide the guide", so I packed my 270 encore and gasixgunner packed his 284 XP 100. Sunday afternoon we did our scope checks and for reasons I didn't have time to rectify, my encore was shooting all over the place at 250 yards! Knowing I couldn't hunt with it, gasixgunner was kind enough to let me us his XP 100 for backup, if needed.

Well, the warmer temperatures and snow had the moose locked down! By lunch time, we'd only seen 4 moose and they had some other place to be and was not interested in a ride in the back of our truck. After lunch, we decided to split up in two different vehicles and see if we could make something happen. Not long after departure, gasixgunner spotted a cow about 1000 yards away in a clear-cut and was able to put a stalk on her. At 389 yards out, he placed a 160gr Accubond through the heart of a 598 lb (field dressed) cow. She went about 30 yards and down. One down and one to go.



Meanwhile, we weren't having much luck. We seen three different cows, but couldn't make it happen with an iron sighted revolver - either too far or too thick. But, now that gasixgunner has tagged out, I'd be able to bring along his XP 100 for longer shots.

Tuesday morning brought more warm weather along with misting rain - the rest of the week wasn't any better with over two inches of rain forecasted. Tuesday had to be my day and the pressure was on. We we're back in our area better than an hour before daylight. As legal shooting time approached, we headed to an area were several moose was spotted on Sunday morning. It didn't take long and we spotted a cow. At 168 yards, I didn't hesitate grabbing the 284 Win XP 100 and the BogPod PSR. At first glance, the cow appeared to be bedded down and wasn't showing to be spooked. So, I got my video camera out and was setting it up when the cow took a step - she wasn't bedded! I put the camera in the control of the guide and got prepared to the shot... "Are you on her?......Yes......"Are you sure?...Yes...I settled the crosshairs just below center of the shoulder, focused on the crosshairs and started squeezing... BOOM!!! and the cow disappeared. I looked at Jesse and he said, She dropped like lead!"




The 160gr Accubond struck just where I hoped it would - high shoulder/top of the lungs so no tracking needed....7:09am on the second day and "tagged out"!

Well, my cameraman wasn't much of a cameraman and the hunt is on video, but it's not on video
If that makes since. So another words, the video will not be published.
I told Jesse that I was glad he was a better guide than he was a cameraman...
\:D


The next two hours was the retrieval process...








After the recovery, we headed to the weigh station and check station. She field dressed at 578 lbs. It's always a great feeling to be tagged out and stress free...



Once butchered, she yielded 448 lbs of boneless meat for the freezer. And some fantastic meat it is!!!! I grilled some tenderloin last night and it's comparable to prime beef steak; some of the best venison available....definitely not what I was expecting.

One more of my bucket-list hunts checked off! Now for a BULL!



Last edited by KRal; 11/04/2019 5:19 PM.

It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: KRal] #203146 11/04/2019 5:25 PM
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CONGRATULATIONS Kim


The Eyes are Useless, When The Mind Is Blind
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: Franchise] #203147 11/04/2019 6:07 PM
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Way to go Kim.... You got that big son of a gun....

PS-you put that bullet right where it belonged....
\:\)


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Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: jamesfromjersey] #203149 11/04/2019 6:42 PM
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Great job on a dream hunt Kim, getting a moose in Maine is a hunt of a life time, rifle or handgun, congratulations. Whose knife did you use for gutting, skinning??

Dick

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: sixshot] #203150 11/04/2019 6:58 PM
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KRal Offline OP
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 Originally Posted By: sixshot
Great job on a dream hunt Kim, getting a moose in Maine is a hunt of a life time, rifle or handgun, congratulations. Whose knife did you use for gutting, skinning??

Dick


Dick, I?m almost ashamed to say
. Although Jesse owns two Ralston Knives, he did not have them with him. And...although I build Ralston knives, I haven?t had the opportunity to build myself one. That being said, I had a razor sharp custom on my side (made by David Winston) that I gladly handed it over to Jesse to use. 😎


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: KRal] #203155 11/04/2019 8:24 PM
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Congratulations! Well done!


It's not the gun, but the man behind it.

Sheriff Russell Cottle, Ret.
USMC; 1967-1970; Vietnam-'68-'69
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: Russell] #203156 11/04/2019 8:42 PM
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Randy M Offline
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Awesome, Kim! Holy smokes those are big critters. Congrats on two fine animals and TONS of delicious protein. All with handguns too. Pretty much hunting nirvana right there!


The meat won't fry if the lead don't fly.
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: Randy M] #203157 11/04/2019 8:53 PM
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Congratulations! That's great that you all were able to make it happen.

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: Brenden] #203159 11/04/2019 9:09 PM
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Good writeup and congratulations. Plenty of good eating.

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: KRal] #203162 11/04/2019 10:16 PM
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cmnash Offline
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Maine moose is a bucket list hunt indeed! CONGRATULATIONS!

I am happy for you guys, and happy to hear that your moose is such good table fare, seeing as you have so much.

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: cmnash] #203166 11/04/2019 10:57 PM
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That's a freezer-filler for sure. Congrats to you both.

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: cmnash] #203167 11/04/2019 11:11 PM
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Congratulations Kim, sounds like a great hunt and the moose were abundant.

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: cmnash] #203169 11/04/2019 11:27 PM
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KRal Offline OP
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 Originally Posted By: cmnash
Maine moose is a bucket list hunt indeed! CONGRATULATIONS!

I am happy for you guys, and happy to hear that your moose is such good table fare, seeing as you have so much.


When my wife walked over and looked in the freezer, she said: ?Well I hope it?s good?.


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: KRal] #203171 11/05/2019 12:22 AM
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Huge congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


"A quiet hit in the right place is better than a loud miss in the wrong place followed by 10 more shots on the run"

I was a handgun hunter, when handgun wasn't cool.....
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: cmnash] #203177 11/05/2019 12:52 AM
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Congratulations on a nice trophy and an excellent write-up of the trip!

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: Pa. Mike] #203181 11/05/2019 1:36 AM
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WOW THOSE THINGS ARE HUGE! GOOD STORY, GOOD HUNT.


"ADAPT OR DIE". I USE ALL CAPS, NOT BECAUSE I AM YELLING, BUT BECAUSE IT IS AN OLD HABIT FROM MY ARMY DAYS, PLUS IT IS EASIER TO TYPE AND READ.
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: 45MAN] #203182 11/05/2019 2:04 AM
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Dude, that gal is huge!

Pretty cool hunt. Well done.


"To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: Zee] #203184 11/05/2019 2:12 AM
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KRal Offline OP
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 Originally Posted By: Zee
Dude, that gal is huge!

Pretty cool hunt. Well done.


If you think those two were big, you should have seen the one a 13 year old girl killed the day after mine. It field dressed at 732 lbs!....yes a cow!


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: KRal] #203191 11/05/2019 2:40 AM
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Congrats to you both.


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Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: Okie Hunter] #203195 11/05/2019 3:27 AM
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Well done guys. Lots of good eating for you both.


junebug
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: junebug] #203200 11/05/2019 3:37 AM
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They are soooo big!
Congrats!


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Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: Ernie] #203205 11/05/2019 5:57 AM
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I`ve always heard that Shiras and Maine moose were about the same but if that`s the typical weight on a Maine female I think they may have them beat....
\:o


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Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: jamesfromjersey] #203214 11/05/2019 2:03 PM
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KRal Offline OP
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I actually seen some that were bigger than the one I shot, I just wasn?t able to get a shot at them. I thought the one I got was kind of unique in the coloration; the light colored face and light colors through out the coat was pretty - if you can call a moose pretty 😜. Out of all the sighting, this is the only one seen with that coloration, all the rest were the common dark brown color.


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: KRal] #203217 11/05/2019 3:06 PM
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Great job, Kim! That moose will provide some good eating!


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Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: Whitworth] #203219 11/05/2019 4:01 PM
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KRal Offline OP
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 Originally Posted By: Whitworth
Great job, Kim! That moose will provide some good eating!


You ain?t kidding! Moose is very tasty!


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: KRal] #203233 11/05/2019 11:45 PM
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GREAT looking Moose coloration! Congratulations to both you and Robert!

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: 500WE] #203237 11/06/2019 1:14 AM
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Looks like a great moose hunt Kim, congratulations.

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: BRASF0311] #203238 11/06/2019 1:25 AM
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Very happy for you ... Grats!!


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Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: cmnash] #203253 11/06/2019 11:58 AM
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Awesome job guys!

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: racksmasher1] #203275 11/06/2019 9:29 PM
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Congrats Kim! A full freezer is a great thing!


Vance in AK.

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Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: Vance in AK.] #203292 11/07/2019 3:41 PM
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Congratulations Kim! That looked like it was an awesome hunt!


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Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: Randominator] #203301 11/07/2019 10:35 PM
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Congratulations! Definitely a bucket list hunt!
Is it hard to get a tag in Maine for a cow?

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: rougerocco] #203305 11/08/2019 12:19 AM
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KRal Offline OP
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 Originally Posted By: rougerocco
Congratulations! Definitely a bucket list hunt!
Is it hard to get a tag in Maine for a cow?


Depends if your trying to get drawn or decide to buy a tag. I?ve been putting in for draw since 2012 and have not been drawn. This year I bought a tag that was for sell.


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: KRal] #203382 11/10/2019 12:50 PM
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 Originally Posted By: KRal
 Originally Posted By: sixshot
Great job on a dream hunt Kim, getting a moose in Maine is a hunt of a life time, rifle or handgun, congratulations. Whose knife did you use for gutting, skinning??

Dick


Dick, I?m almost ashamed to say
. Although Jesse owns two Ralston Knives, he did not have them with him. And...although I build Ralston knives, I haven?t had the opportunity to build myself one. That being said, I had a razor sharp custom on my side (made by David Winston) that I gladly handed it over to Jesse to use. 😎
And the cobblers children go bare foot. Congratulations! glad to hear that you enjoyed yourself here in vacation land.


Everything before "but" is B.S.
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: bluecow] #203383 11/10/2019 1:07 PM
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rougerocco Maine reinstated the moose hunt in 1979. my father and I put in every year and we didn't get one till 1999, though i know of a few people that got drawn 3 and 4 times in that time frame. It's luck of the draw no big deal. Thank you Lord for allowing dad to go moose hunting before he died even though it liked to kill all of us. I think now you get points for putting in and not getting drawn, not sure as one moose hunt was enough for me. The next moose i get is going to be by accident with a truck and I'm going to sit down and eat em in place, retrieval my foot.


Everything before "but" is B.S.
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: bluecow] #203436 11/11/2019 12:56 PM
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Awesome job. That is a lot of meat.

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: ruger4570] #203484 11/14/2019 3:43 PM
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Yes! That's awesome!

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: RH Custom Guns] #203777 11/26/2019 12:24 AM
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Congrats!! Hope you enjoyed your stay here. I was an alternate this year for my father we ended up with 611# dressed cow. They do get bigger a few years ago my best friend and I shot a cow that dressed out at 855# My son shot a 54" bull that dressed at 995# I shot one last season that was 48" and dressed 800#. The biggest one that I saw weighed here this year was I think 1150 to 1200# dressed can't remember exactly and the rack was 60"s. We are also the home of 200+ pound dressed Whitetails the biggest two that my group shot dressed out at 260#s and the Other at 259#s we also have 226#,235# 201# and 213# dressed bucks. All those bucks were shot by myself my best friend and my father.

Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: KRal] #204088 12/09/2019 1:46 PM
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Very cool KRAL,

Congratulations! I hope you get to go on your bull moose hunt someday too.

Until then, enjoy what must be excellent table fare!


"If you are going to go through all the trouble to put a hole in something, why not make it a big one?"
Re: 2019 Maine Moose [Re: cmnash] #204119 12/10/2019 5:27 PM
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RBO21 Offline
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Well done! Congrats.

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