For you hunters out there

[The emperor has no clothes]

I know hunting is confrontational with some, even some here. But it's part of my upbringing and who I am. So I thought I'd share this story I just read. It kind of is an insight into my makeup. I haven't hunted moose in 10 years, but it's still a big part of me. Anyway, I liked the story. And I hope you do too.

https://www.adn.com/outdoors-adventure/2017/09/28/who-i-am-for-some-alaskans-fall-moose-hunting-is-woven-into-their-being/

[John Schmidt]

Darn things are huge, I've been up close to one....much closer than I wanted to be. I was stationed in northern Maine back in the early 60's, Loring AFB outside of Caribou, ME. We often had moose prevent a/c from taking off, had to be chased away by the base police with sirens howling. One of the methods of earning extra $$ was to go pick potatoes when in season, real back breaking work. The French Canadians always came down and really put us all to shame in the amount they picked. One day during the lunch break, they suddenly jumped in their old beater of a truck and took off across the rows, bodies flying all over. The bull was rather small and was heading right toward us so my wife and I jumped in the back of the truck that hauled the filled barrels. That bull ran right past the truck and right over where we were standing a few seconds before, and the truck load of Frenchies were hot on his tail. One crazy fool climbed on the side rail of the pickup with a big knife in his teeth, when they got next to it he jumped on his back and buried the knife in his neck, then grabbed his antlers and held on for dear life. The young bull went about another 50 yds. and dropped, the crazy dude rolled another ten at least. They strung him up in a nearby tree, had him field dressed before the lunch hour was over, then hauled the meat back home that night. There was at least three guys and two women working on that bull, looked like a pit crew at the drags.....zip, zip, zip and he was done. Would have loved to had a video of it, but back then....not a chance.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Darn things are huge, I've been up close to one....much closer than I wanted to be. I was stationed in northern Maine back in the early 60's, Loring AFB outside of Caribou, ME. We often had moose prevent a/c from taking off, had to be chased away by the base police with sirens howling. One of the methods of earning extra $$ was to go pick potatoes when in season, real back breaking work. The French Canadians always came down and really put us all to shame in the amount they picked. One day during the lunch break, they suddenly jumped in their old beater of a truck and took off across the rows, bodies flying all over. The bull was rather small and was heading right toward us so my wife and I jumped in the back of the truck that hauled the filled barrels. That bull ran right past the truck and right over where we were standing a few seconds before, and the truck load of Frenchies were hot on his tail. One crazy fool climbed on the side rail of the pickup with a big knife in his teeth, when they got next to it he jumped on his back and buried the knife in his neck, then grabbed his antlers and held on for dear life. The young bull went about another 50 yds. and dropped, the crazy dude rolled another ten at least. They strung him up in a nearby tree, had him field dressed before the lunch hour was over, then hauled the meat back home that night. There was at least three guys and two women working on that bull, looked like a pit crew at the drags.....zip, zip, zip and he was done. Would have loved to had a video of it, but back then....not a chance.

Freaking Canadians ! Always trying to show up us Alaskans. I've only had a couple times when I could have done that. Once I tried and missed, the other time the the moose was kicking the crap out of my dog and I couldn't attempt it. That second moose was big ! My boss shot a 72" and I thought that was the biggest moose I'd ever see. That 80"er was a giant.

[RP#62]

Some buddies of mine went moose hunting once.  They didn't have any first hand experience but were confident because they had read a lot (engineers).  They decided to rent a canoe and look for likely spots along the lake shore to hunt.  So they're paddling along several yards off shore and see this large bull moose standing in the shallows.  One of the guys decides to take a shot and he either grazes him or missed him entirely, either way, the moose is very pissed off about this and is now on a mission.   It charges into the water after them, eyes wide open and steam coming from its nostrils.  They said it looked like a freight train out of control.  The mighty hunters lost their composure at the sight and now began paddling for all they are worth, their "prey" in hot pursuit.  The hunters were now the hunted.  They said it was pretty tense for a while when it started gaining on them.  Eventually it tired out and gave up.  That ended moose hunting for them.  I learned not to ask them about their hunting trips while consuming any food or beverages.

-RP

[The emperor has no clothes]

Some buddies of mine went moose hunting once.  They didn't have any first hand experience but were confident because they had read a lot (engineers).  They decided to rent a canoe and look for likely spots along the lake shore to hunt.  So they're paddling along several yards off shore and see this large bull moose standing in the shallows.  One of the guys decides to take a shot and he either grazes him or missed him entirely, either way, the moose is very pissed off about this and is now on a mission.   It charges into the water after them, eyes wide open and steam coming from its nostrils.  They said it looked like a freight train out of control.  The mighty hunters lost their composure at the sight and now began paddling for all they are worth, their "prey" in hot pursuit.  The hunters were now the hunted.  They said it was pretty tense for a while when it started gaining on them.  Eventually it tired out and gave up.  That ended moose hunting for them.  I learned not to ask them about their hunting trips while consuming any food or beverages.

-RP

[John Schmidt]

Speaking of moose, over 50 years ago I went to my 10th year HS class reunion and was amazed at the appearance of a couple of the cute little cheerleaders that everybody thought were so hot in HS.

If those gals had antlers they would be trophies by now. 

[Jess from VA]

Some buddies of mine went moose hunting once.  They didn't have any first hand experience but were confident because they had read a lot (engineers).  They decided to rent a canoe and look for likely spots along the lake shore to hunt.  So they're paddling along several yards off shore and see this large bull moose standing in the shallows.  One of the guys decides to take a shot and he either grazes him or missed him entirely, either way, the moose is very pissed off about this and is now on a mission.   It charges into the water after them, eyes wide open and steam coming from its nostrils.  They said it looked like a freight train out of control.  The mighty hunters lost their composure at the sight and now began paddling for all they are worth, their "prey" in hot pursuit.  The hunters were now the hunted.  They said it was pretty tense for a while when it started gaining on them.  Eventually it tired out and gave up.  That ended moose hunting for them.  I learned not to ask them about their hunting trips while consuming any food or beverages.

-RP

   

[Patrick]

Speaking of moose, over 50 years ago I went to my 10th year HS class reunion and was amazed at the appearance of a couple of the cute little cheerleaders that everybody thought were so hot in HS.

If those gals had antlers they would be trophies by now. 

I have always thought a moose was so ugly it was beautiful. Maybe I'll need to reconsider. Like you, I've been to many a class reunion. 

[Hooter]

Moose meat is good stuff! I hunt pretty much everything.  I was raised hunting, it's how we ate. It is now a dying sport. The youth of today doesn't seem to have much intrtest. Too bad!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Moose meat is good stuff! I hunt pretty much everything.  I was raised hunting, it's how we ate. It is now a dying sport. The youth of today doesn't seem to have much intrtest. Too bad!

In general I think you are right. But, it's up to us old hands to bring along the next generation. I know my grandson enjoys it.

[Hooter]

I guess I generalized too much there. Not all but a good few have no interest. I bought all 4 of my grandson's shotguns. We shot in my home range for a summer before we even hit the woods. They learned their guns first. I took them all hunting, not at the same time mind you but 2 at a time. 1 out of the 4 still hunts as much as I do. 3 have given up all together. Funny thing is, my grand daughter picked up on of her brothers "not used" guns and is an avid hunter. She spends hours with me trapsin around. And, she is a good shot. Great time!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I guess I generalized too much there. Not all but a good few have no interest. I bought all 4 of my grandson's shotguns. We shot in my home range for a summer before we even hit the woods. They learned their guns first. I took them all hunting, not at the same time mind you but 2 at a time. 1 out of the 4 still hunts as much as I do. 3 have given up all together. Funny thing is, my grand daughter picked up on of her brothers "not used" guns and is an avid hunter. She spends hours with me trapsin around. And, she is a good shot. Great time!