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Jim Sette - 2008 Moose Hunt
On Oct 6 2008, I ventured out with Wild Kakwa Outfitters on my
second hunt with them. After being very succesful on my first,
I thought I would try my luck with my archery skills. Encouraged
by my long time hunting pal (Jeff Hintz from Wisconsin) Squid
for short. We've known each other from the young age of five.
Little Ricky would be our guide and we knew that he would push
us deep into the wilderness of Alberta. It started out so fast,
our first hour we were stalking a bull, but no shot was presented.
We saw moose everyday along with other wildlife such as elk, mule
deer ,bear, whitetails.
On our second day, Squid had a close encounter with a large beast
and I decided to carry my 300 cal for half a day to mellow out
my nerves for a good archery shot. On day three Squid was willing
to wack a bull with his primative weapon. After a close call on
a young bull and having a blast with Ricky, we would be watching
Squid arrow his first bull. What a blast. When we got back to
camp there was just enough time for food, one beer, then sleep.
After turning down some other bulls, day four would be all mine.
Back with my bow, Squid would carry my 300. Early morning Ricky
had a bull responding to his call. After a nerve racking 25 min.
with no show we would move in closer. Eighty yards would all we
would have to move when the bull responded again. Ricky said it
was a big boy. Ricky stayed in back of us and kept calling. I
could only see 20 yards in front of me. After another 25 min.
of holding my bow out, my pipes were like a noodle. It sounded
like a semi coming through the marsh and then he made his appearance
at 45 yards. Grass hanging from his rack and snot dripping from
his nose, there was no clear shot. I thought we were going to
get our butts kicked.
With this monster walking in on an angle I drew back. He stopped
30 yards from us. Dirty brush, tree clumps, and a bad angle would
keep me from releasing my arrow. I just did not feel it could
be a killing shot, so I waited. Meanwhile Ricky is watching all
of this and starts to circle around our back. He was dressed in
black and ready for an attack. He raked the brush and called him
just to get me a better shot. The bull just moved his head and
not his body and I couldn't hold my bow back any longer.
Now Sid and Squid had a stare down of 10 min. with this beast.
I don't know if he was in love with Ricky or wanted to destroy
him. During this 10 min. stare down I made a decision if he takes
one step forward I would come back to full draw and if he took
one step back I would have to make a exchange with Squid to grab
my 300. Squid must have read my mind because he threw that 300
Weatherby into my shoulder when that bull stepped backwards. After
some rather fast shooting the three of us would be high fiving
each other. One hour and ten min. had past from the first cow
call till the last shot. The bull would measure 49 inches.
After some lunch Ricky felt ill but he would not stay back and
rest. He gave everything he had just to help us get this moose
out. What a sport he is. Time for food, one beer and sleep.
Our camp had all the comforts of home. A lot of laughs from hunters
all around. Everyone in this group filled their tag. Great cooking
and the finest hospitality from Rick, Rita, Ricky and all staff.
Thanks for the great hunt. To be continued..... I'll be back,
see ya then.
Jim Sette, WA
509-325-6256
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