2011 ND Moose Hunt: Once in a lifetime tag

[engfish]

I've been "on the sidelines" most of the fall, but you have developed quite a following among our fellow bowhunters. Unlike some of the "pros," it's a breath of fresh air to read about hunts that all of us can do or aspire to do. Taking a moose in North Dakota with a bow is remarkable task, and the fact that you take the time to share that experience with everyone says a lot about you as a person. It's not a surprise to me or others who have read your detailed accounts and marveled at your beautiful landscapes in ND that people went out of their way to help you.

You are a great example of what we should all aspire to be as hunters--respectful, courteous, kind, humble, and human.

It's too bad that you don't do this for a living. Then again, maybe that's why we enjoy what you do some much--because you're still one of us.

Congratulations, again, and I'm with CBrooks...a bighorn tag in ND or maybe a grizzly hunt in Alaska.

[cbrooks]

Oh man, a grizzy hunt in Alaska would be a interesting read.

[Scoot]

Congratulations, again, and I'm with CBrooks...a bighorn tag in ND or maybe a grizzly hunt in Alaska.

Thanks engfish- you're much too kind. I appreciate it very much.

A bighorn tag is a slim, but real possibility. Odds aren't good I'll ever draw it, but man if I do, I promise I'll take a boatload of pics and do all I can to fill that tag. I'll use every last day of vacation and more to try punch that one!

When I was a kid through all of adolescence an African Safari was my "dream hunt". I read all of Peter Hathaway Capstick's books and dreamt of one day chasing the Big 5. However, even though that'd still be a really great experience, my #1 dream hunt is an Alaskan Brown bear hunt. With hunts starting around 10K for smaller, inland bears and closer to 20K for coastal bears (that's a starting figure), it'll never, ever be in the cards for me. I can fantasize about what it'd be like to sneak within 30 yards of a big bear and run an arrow through it, hoping and praying it didn't run my direction after I shot it. Trust me, this is something I've fantasized about frequently!

If I ever hit the lottery (which will be tough because I don't buy tickets), I promise I'll do the hunt and write it up here! In the mean time, it'll be whitetail, muleys, and occasionally other critters like moose, elk, and pronghorn. I've got some big plans for elk, muleys, and pronghorns over the next several years, if I can make it all come together family- and work-wise. I love taking the pics and writing the stories, so I'll be sure to share the stories along the way.

[delmuts]

Scoot! This was especially a good read for me as this is the first year i couldn't bow hunt( health reasons!) after doing it for 40+ years! Thanks again for the great story and pictures!

[rbs]

Great job...this has been a dream of mine for years and you did it! Congrats!

[BoxMN]

Great story and congrats on your moose! We saw two in NoDak while duck hunting, in areas just like your pics show. Very cool. And you are right, those NoDak folks are top notch!