we spent Friday night huntin. It was pretty uneventful till about 815, when a moose popped out into the meadow. We quickly moved about 50 yards closer, and set up for a shot: sitting down with the shooting sticks. The moose 4 or 500 yards off, and moving toward us slowly. Moving toward the pond the moose was closer now, maybe 120 yards at that point. Once in the pond the noise produced by moose rose exponentially, stepping in the pond mud, splashing, and sucking noises from the water, and the mud. It became clear this moose would walk away tonight, as it was a cow, although I kept hoping some knub antlers would appear. I practiced holding the rifle holding steady, scoping this moose and knocking it down in my mind. She came closer and fortunately on the other side of the pond. I begin scanning behind his moose looking for a bull to appear. Closer still she came , 40 yards away now. Her massive size revealed; she eating munching and drinking water, her whole broad side revealed, yet another beautiful shooting opportunely. My buddy laughs and our presence make this moose uneasy. She is browsing still, moving away now, out of the pond and into the high grass, then suddenly running for the trees. I doubt she saw us, but at 40 yards maybe she winded us. In any event it 9pm and the light is fadding.
It was a beautiful scene, and I felt grateful to be there. I hunt this meadow alot, so much so the locals call it Ivan's Meadow, which makes me smile. I feel fortunate. Coming home it feels colder still, and it had been a cold day, and riding in the boat my head was freezing . A hard winter is appearing. Two days of snow this week already. I think I will dress warmer if I hunt anymore this season.
Our boat pulls up to the beach in near darkness. We load up the 4 wheeler and drive home. When my my buddy and I get home our families are waiting, at my house; they have food on the table. We laugh and eat, our wives and us talk, tell stories, and laugh. The children entertain themselves. The whole evening was perfect.
Happy Moosing