Some old-timers say finding a good hunting partner is harder then finding a good wife. There's some truth to that. On a 10 day wilderness hunt you get to know someone real well. I hunted sheep solo for many years because I couldn't find someone with the same passion, enthusiasm and drive who wouldn't hold me back in the mountains. Then I discovered Scott (far left in the pic). Scott's even more obsessed about hunting than I am. As far as hunting abilities and attitudes it was like we were cut from the same cloth. Perhaps separated at birth? We make each other better hunters and because we share the same love for Jesus, we make each other better men. As iron sharpens iron. I wish every man could have a relationship like this. When we're in the woods there's a mighty good chance some kind of animal is coming out with us.
Such was the case on this 2007 moose hunt. Scott had never killed a moose so when he drew a lottery tag for any moose hunt, we knew he had a good chance for this "first". But just any moose wouldn't do. Most of our hunting together has been for sheep so we just hunted this moose the same we do for sheep - walk farther than anyone else is willing to. Alaskan sourdoughs will tell you anyone who walks over 1 mile for a moose (and the 400+ pounds of meat you have to salvage) is crazy. Well lock us up because Scott put the hammer down on this 61" trophy bull nearly 10 miles from the trailhead. Thankfully we had Alex with us (an awesome, hard-working young man we've had the opportunity to share a couple hunts with), and a small army of good friends in town with strong backs and weak minds to help us make this hunt a success. We know where this moose's buddies hang out, so we're looking for a repeat in 2008. One moose blesses many families.
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