March 2026
Legend of the Lochsa | Idaho Moose Hunting
Story By: Ralph Thompson
May 2025 marked the start of an adventure that would become unforgettable. Logan Bond had drawn the lone out-of-state moose tag in Idaho’s Lochsa unit and reached out to Matt Canoy of Pinpoint Outfitters about a guided hunt. Matt asked if I could guide him, and together we picked dates that would give Logan the best chance at success. Once plans were set, the countdown to the hunt began.
Scouting the Bulls
In June, I set twenty-four trail cameras across the unit to track moose movements. By late August, reviewing the footage had revealed our top three bulls. One bull immediately stood out—a giant we knew could define the hunt. I placed ten additional cameras in his favorite areas, then settled in for seven long weeks of waiting.
September was busy with guiding bear and elk hunts, making it hard to keep track of moose harvests. Two days before Logan’s hunt, a Fish and Game officer called to tell me a large moose had been taken. From the pictures, I could tell it wasn’t the bull we were after, which was a relief—our bull was still out there, and the hunt was still on.
Day 1: Learning Patience
The hunt began under cool, rainy conditions—perfect for rutting moose. Logan, Doug Bond (Logan’s father), and Chance Stack (Logan’s friend and our videographer for the hunt) joined me while my friend Chris Bones scouted other areas.
We made our way to a high mountain lake. I pulled out the Bull Magnet Moose Call, and, moments later, Logan whispered, “Moose.” A bull ran in from the far side of the lake, disappearing behind a line of trees before stepping back into the open at 249 yards.
He was a solid bull, pushing 50 inches, but not the monster we had been tracking. The bull stood there for over five minutes, giving Logan a perfect shot opportunity. I reminded him, “Don’t pass on a bull you would shoot on the last day.”
Logan thought for a moment, said, “I came here to hunt rutting bulls,” and made the tough decision to pass. Watching him make that call reminded me hunting is about more than trophies—it’s about the experience.
Day 2: Close Calls
The next day, another bull appeared at roughly 460 yards. His attention was locked on the far north side of the lake, completely ignoring our calls. No matter how many times we used the Bull Magnet Moose Call, he stayed focused on that side, clearly intent on something we couldn’t see.
Logan said, “If we can get him into range, I’ll take him.” We carefully tried to close the distance, moving back into the timber to approach, but the bull nervously slipped back into the far-side cover, staying just out of reach.
Meanwhile, Chris had found another bull in full rut at a neighboring lake, but four hikers spooked him. The rest of the day was uneventful, but our plan for day three was clear: we had to go after the big rutting bull on the north side.
Day 3: The Legend Emerges
We parked in the fresh snow and started hiking in the dark, using our headlamps to navigate the trail. Just after morning light, we reached a rocky overlook to glass and call. For four hours, we enjoyed the view, scanning ridges and lake edges—but nothing moved.
We decided to split up for the afternoon: Logan, Chance, and I would cross-country five miles to another lake while Doug and Chris hiked back to the trucks to meet us there. We moved carefully, calling and glassing along the way, but still saw nothing.
As we walked up a closed road, we came across fresh moose tracks—massive tracks that immediately told me this was a big bull. We followed them for about half a mile. When they started heading toward the lake, I knew we needed to go that way.
We came out on the road and met up with Doug and Chris, who told us that a small bull had been on the south end and a cow had been in the water earlier. The small bull stayed on the south side—clearly not our bull.
We moved to the north side of the lake, the same area where the bull from the day before had been focused. Based on his behavior the previous day, I believed a big bull was in this area. The tracks and signs we had seen only confirmed it—this was likely the bull we had been waiting for. I positioned all of us to quietly slip into the north-side timber. As we moved carefully, scanning the lake and shoreline, sunlight glinted off massive antlers in the trees. The bull had seen us moving and was watching closely.
We froze. Slowly, we lowered our packs and got Logan set up. “He’s 151 yards,” I whispered. “Take your shot once you’re comfortable.”
The shot rang out, and the bull was hit. He ran to the lake’s edge. Logan and I moved quickly, and he fired again from a standing position. The massive bull hit the ground.
Walking up to this incredible animal, the reality sank in. Logan had harvested a once-in-a-lifetime Idaho bull: 54.5 inches, with massive fronts and paddles. Passing on the first bull allowed him to hunt the rutting bull he wanted, share the moment with his father and friend, and have it all captured on film.
Memories Over Trophy
This hunt wasn’t just about the bull. Patience, planning, and persistence led to the perfect opportunity. Sharing the experience with family and friends and capturing it on film made it even more meaningful. Logan truly became part of the Legend of the Lochsa.