So where to start. I've got to start somewhere I guess. I grew up in the Adirondacks and hunted colder climates and rapidly changing weather patterns but nothing like AK. I moved to NC 6 years ago. I have had the benefit of hunting WT and Gator with long seasons here. I always wanted to do a moose hunt but it has just gotten more and more expensive to go on a guided hunt. This spring with child number 3 almost here I was hit by a car crossing the street. They ran a red doing 45 and I went up and over the car. I totaled the car but luckily only sustained a shattered leg, head injuries, and my already damaged back took a little more pounding with two herniated discs. I also lost a lot of blood and spent a few months living in a hospital bed.
While in PT I was struggling to find motivation and I guess do to the head injury just generally struggling. The lady that hit me had no insurance or anything so the medical bills piled up. I sold off a lot of my gun collection to cover them. This did not help my mood any. I decided that I have always wanted to hunt moose and it would help me get into shape mentally and physically if I had a goal. I was previously very fit and just big in general at 6'3" and 230 lbs. I decided that I would do a drop hunt and see if I could pull of a moose hunt either solo or with a partner but without a guide. I am working out 4 days a week and doing therapy as well as breaking in some logger boots required by my therapist for me to walk on soft ground. Right now I have a titanium rod holding my right leg together below the knee. I have been told though that it should be stable in roughly a year. My goal is to be strong enough and have the fortitude to handle this type of hunt.
Anyway, long story short I am fairly certain I want to do a lake side/mountain hunt instead of a float hunt. I am thinking a 9.3x62 would be a good rifle. I want it to be remote. I love NC hunting but miss the solitude of the Adirondacks and would love to spend a few weeks in a remote part of AK. My wife and I where in Ketchikan last fall and I have been trying to convince her to move there ever since. If you guys could give me some advice on air services, gear needed ( rent or buy?) and just some general advice to get me started planning I would really appreciate it. Also, if anyone has some good ways of judging moose please share. I think I read here that the brows are the best way to tell if it is legal but trying to tell if it is a shooter is a different story. I am not looking for a monster so much as an adventure. I remember seeing a 9 ft gator last fall in SC when hunting and thinking it was 5 feet. The one I took charged the jon boat above eye level and I didn't realize how good he was until we had him in the boat and I was trying to stick him with a knife. It made me realize that in the moment you can severely misjudge an animal. Would hate to pass on a 58-60" and shoot a 42" with three brows.
Thanks again and I look forward to getting to know some of you.
Jeremia
While in PT I was struggling to find motivation and I guess do to the head injury just generally struggling. The lady that hit me had no insurance or anything so the medical bills piled up. I sold off a lot of my gun collection to cover them. This did not help my mood any. I decided that I have always wanted to hunt moose and it would help me get into shape mentally and physically if I had a goal. I was previously very fit and just big in general at 6'3" and 230 lbs. I decided that I would do a drop hunt and see if I could pull of a moose hunt either solo or with a partner but without a guide. I am working out 4 days a week and doing therapy as well as breaking in some logger boots required by my therapist for me to walk on soft ground. Right now I have a titanium rod holding my right leg together below the knee. I have been told though that it should be stable in roughly a year. My goal is to be strong enough and have the fortitude to handle this type of hunt.
Anyway, long story short I am fairly certain I want to do a lake side/mountain hunt instead of a float hunt. I am thinking a 9.3x62 would be a good rifle. I want it to be remote. I love NC hunting but miss the solitude of the Adirondacks and would love to spend a few weeks in a remote part of AK. My wife and I where in Ketchikan last fall and I have been trying to convince her to move there ever since. If you guys could give me some advice on air services, gear needed ( rent or buy?) and just some general advice to get me started planning I would really appreciate it. Also, if anyone has some good ways of judging moose please share. I think I read here that the brows are the best way to tell if it is legal but trying to tell if it is a shooter is a different story. I am not looking for a monster so much as an adventure. I remember seeing a 9 ft gator last fall in SC when hunting and thinking it was 5 feet. The one I took charged the jon boat above eye level and I didn't realize how good he was until we had him in the boat and I was trying to stick him with a knife. It made me realize that in the moment you can severely misjudge an animal. Would hate to pass on a 58-60" and shoot a 42" with three brows.
Thanks again and I look forward to getting to know some of you.
Jeremia