As a native of Arizona, I always figured my best opportunity to hunt moose in the lower 48 would be Idaho due to their draw system. Even with that expectation, I always applied for moose in every state that offered them to nonresidents. Having been a member of Huntin’ Fool for over 10 years, I always applied where I could and hoped for the best. Much to my surprise, I was checking draw results for Montana when I discovered I had drawn one of the best non-resident moose tags in the state. Having no experience hunting moose and no experience in Montana, I immediately turned to Austin Atkinson at Huntin’ Fool. Lucky for me, Austin’s coworker, Robert Hanneman, had been hunting my unit for years and was very familiar with the area.
Along with reaching out to Huntin’ Fool, I utilized social media and my friends to see if anyone else had experience in the area. This is where my luck really turned. My good friend, Jay Scott, was able to put me in touch with Heath Hansen. He lived in the area I would be hunting, and he knew it very well. I spoke to Heath often, and he was full of valuable information. I decided to fly out to Montana in July with my dad and meet up with Heath to learn the area. Heath took the time out of his life to spend a day with us and show us around. Although we did not see any moose that day, I felt like I had a great game plan for the start of my hunt.
Nearly three months after my scouting trip, I was finally hunting. The first morning found Matt, Nick, and me hunkered down in the security of our truck. Montana was experiencing an impressive early storm that was dumping snow throughout the state. With over 40" of snow being dumped in some parts of the state, we were thankful there was only 6-8" on the ground where we were. As the morning light crept over the mountains, we could see the clouds racing over peaks and dropping down into the valleys. Although the weather was going to be challenging, I knew we had the chance to do something special.
Between rounds of snow and sleet, we would all quickly scramble out of the truck to glass. These intermittent glassing sessions would last anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes. The third 154 time we set up behind the glass, we spotted our first moose, a cow and calf feeding in the willow bottom. This is when we all realized the benefit of the snow. These dark chocolate-colored Shiras moose were going to stand out with the surrounding landscape being covered in snow.
After nearly three hours, the weather finally began to clear. We loaded our packs and headed up the canyon in hopes of looking into the head of the canyon. As we trekked up the canyon, it was a surreal feeling to think we were chasing an animal that neither one of us had ever seen. As we reached our glassing point, it was nearing midday. After a few short minutes, Matt and Nick located a cow bedded in some willows. Knowing the rut was on, I figured there had to be a bull nearby. I repositioned so I could get a different angle into the willows. Sure enough, I spotted a giant paddle as it swayed back and forth. The bull was bedded, and I could only see the side of his paddle. Based on what I could see and my limited knowledge, I knew it was a solid bull.
A plan was devised, and although it was a rifle hunt, I was hoping to use my bow. I dropped into the canyon, and as I came up the other side, it was difficult to figure exactly where the bull was. After trying to figure out the best move, I decided to start aggressively calling and moving towards where I thought the bull was located. I moved through the willows, hoping to catch a glimpse of the bull. After 100 yards, I could see the bull standing, looking in my direction. I kept calling and moving, trying to find a shooting lane through the willows. I finally reached a small window when the bull turned broadside. I grabbed my rangefinder to get a range on the bull, but the willows were preventing me from getting a reading. I guessed the bull at 35 yards and sent the arrow on its way. The arrow was tracking perfectly when it dropped low.
The bull trotted a short distance and stopped, and I began moving to get another angle on him. As I crossed the bull’s tracks, there was a small amount of blood. As I was setting up for a follow-up shot, the bull took off. Not knowing how good the hit was, I waited an hour and then began tracking the bull. With the fresh snow, there was little doubt I would lose the track, but the blood was very minimal and I knew it was not fatal. After following the tracks for hours, I finally bumped the cows but never saw the bull. A blizzard started to move in, and I headed back to the truck to regroup with Matt and Nick. At the truck, I explained what happened and we decided to come back in the morning and start again.
The next morning was crystal clear. Matt and I went back to the location where I had left the bull’s tracks, and we sent Nick back up to the glassing point in case the bull had reacquired his harem. Matt and I began following the tracks when the bull did a complete 180-degree turn and started heading back to where I had initially located him. As we continued along the tracks, we began to hear the distinct grunt of a bull moose. We could tell he was heading up the drainage. Knowing our glassing point would give us the best angle into this country, we turned and headed to the glassing point.
As we neared the glassing point, Nick was standing there and immediately told us he had our bull. Nick pointed out the bull standing in a small opening with three cows bedded around him. He had been watching the bull for several hours, and the bull appeared to be on alert and would not bed down. Based on this and for fear of losing an animal I had wounded, I opted to finish the job with a rifle. I set up the rifle, and three well-placed shots later, the bull was down.
This was only day two of 14 that we had to hunt, and we had just killed a great Shiras bull. We worked our way over to the bull, and as we walked up on him, we realized how giant he was. The sheer body of this bull was incredible. It took everything we had to position him for pictures, and then we began the daunting task of breaking him down for the pack out. With grizzlies in the area, we did not waste any time. It took the three of us two hours to break the bull down, and it took six of us roughly six hours to get him packed out.
There is no way this hunt could have been possible without everyone who helped out. Thanks Austin, Robert, and Heath for all the great information. A special thanks to Nick and Matt for taking time away from their families to be part of this adventure. I also want to thank my wife for supporting my crazy passion for hunting. As always, you can’t draw if you don’t apply.
More Info: Montana Shiras Moose Hunting
Login