king' s outdoor world - Index

king' s outdoor world - Hunting Illustrated April/May 2008 - Index

62
This spectacular shiras moose was no match for the author as she
put down this record class bull on a Wyoming guided hunt in 2007
mule deer by mid-morning. We
continued to hunt moose and, in
the late afternoon, Don found some
moose in a big willow creek bottom
with beautiful colors in the leaves.
We closed the distance from 500
hundred yards to about 350 yards
and Don began calling like a lovesick
cow moose, or so he said. I was
skeptical, but in short order this large
Shiras bull moose came out of the
willows at a trot toward us, shaking
his head along the way. Don made
several cow calls and the bull kept
getting closer. A quick assessment
by Don left no doubt that he was a
keeper and I shot him three times.
The fi rst shot was at 150 yards in
the front shoulder as the bull was
quartering to us. Don made a quick
couple of cow calls and he continued
to walk towards us, shaking his head
from side to side in an aggressive
movement. This time I was able
to put a second shot into both front
shoulders. The moose wasn’t showing
signs of having been hit at all. Don kept
telling me that I had hit him and to keep
on shooting. I loaded the third bullet into
my gun and waited for an opportunity
for a third shot. Don quickly resumed
calling. The moose reappeared out
of the willows about a hundred yards
away and stepped into an opening. I
was able to make a third shot that put
him down for good.
What an unbelievably
large moose! I couldn’t believe
it! The back slapping, hugging,
picture-taking and re-living of the
hunt lasted for quite some time,
and then the work began. Don and
Randy caped, skinned, quartered
and packed the moose to the vehicle
and we headed for the taxidermist.
This Shiras moose had a nearly 50inch
spread; a total of nineteen long
points; and scored a whopping 390
3/8 Safari Club International points.
I expect that it will make the Boone
& Crockett record book and score
between 170 to180 after it dries
for sixty days and can be offi cially
scored.
What a great hunt in a
beautiful area. I give my strongest
recommendation to the staff of
Wyoming Trophy Hunts!
Hunter: Sandi Fruchey • Location: Southwest Wyoming • Area: Public land • Outfi tter: Wyoming Trophy Hunts • Guide:
Don Martinez • Date: October 2007 • Time: Late afternoon • Temperature: 20-70 o f • Terrain: Aspen-covered hills and
sagebrush fl ats, hay meadows and willow creek bottoms • Camoufl age: King’s Mountain Shadow • Gun: Winchester
model 70 • Caliber: .270 • Bullets: 150 grain Federal • Optics: Leupold & Brunton • Range fi nder: Leupold • Pack:
Mossback High Country
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