My hand was actually shaking…I eyed my “escape route” one last time, wondering how fast I could really climb that birch…Because I could hear large branches breaking and the deep guttural grunt of a bull Moose getting closer. I calmed myself and found the very tall dark blob through the vegetation in the viewfinder, focusing until the blob became the sharp image of a bull Moose. He was staring straight into my eyes…or the singular “eye” of my lens… I couldn’t tell which. His nostrils flared, trying to catch the scent of a cow Moose, and drool dripped from his mouth. Now was the critical time when he had to decide if he should come closer or retreat. He circled around me to get a better look…Maybe to actually get a better smell, since their eyesight is not great. As he shook his back and head violently, morning dew flying off his hump, his ears making audible flapping sounds, one could get a glimpse of the strength and power these animals possess. After another stare down, he moved off towards the west, grunting a few times as he departed. Sorry buddy…Hope you get lucky next time.
I’ve called in Moose before (see this post about a 2-Moose Adventure), but each time it is a rush…a thrill. Of course there are many unsuccessful attempts that make the successes so much sweeter. It was just a good day to be in the woods and there were many more highlights to come…a male Spruce Grouse feeding on the road, a Timber Wolf that appeared about 40 yards from me but then disappeared silently before I could get a shot, a Goshawk streaking through the trees. Then the most bizarre encounter…I drove a remote 2-track road a couple miles to a little used trail head…I’d only seen a couple grouse hunters all day…but there was a car here…odd, I thought…then my friend and fellow wildlife photographer Jason comes out of the woods on the trail. Crazy! We talked wildlife encounters for about an hour before my day-ending hike into the Boundary Waters Bog Lake. Yeah, a good day.
thesparkygroup@gmail.com
Sounds like a very exciting and adventure filled day!
Hi John, It is amazing what you can see and experience in a day in the Superior National Forest…If you get up early enough!
Hey Sparky, great posting. And, now I know what to make you for a present: a nice black spruce root stitched birchbark call–that duct tape (while funny) lacks esthetics. Its gotta go. Thanks, you always delight.
Hi Garrett, Yes, the “traditional” duct tape moose call has to go! I see Elk callers out west are using cut-off plastic wiffle bats…Mine is almost as bad!
wow! thanks.
Thanks Sandy! Let me know if you see any bulls up by Sax-Zim…I heard there was a big bull in Stone Lake the other day.
Hey – I attended the fundraiser for Wolf Ridge last night at Glensheen and saw LOTS of your books in the auction. Was hoping to see you but looks like you’ve been playing with the MOOSE! I LOVE this, Mark! Just sent it to all my friends
Enjoy your weekend! Teri
Thanks Teri! Sorry I missed it. Yes, we donated a bunch of books…Good cause!