Moose memories

[Big Fin]

Just talked to my Grandpa who lives in AK. Told me he is done hunting, due to emphyzema. 83 years old, so I kind of expected it. Got me thinking about a great guy and one who is greatly responsible for me becoming a hunter.

Here he is on our last moose hunt. September 11, 2001 is the date of these pictures. We were having a whole lot more fun than the rest of the world was that day. We didn't find out what had happened for another week, when we came out of the bush. We were in disbelief.

Glad he invited me up for brownie hunting last fall. I knew he was not doing well, as we had to pass on a lot of bears that he otherwise would have went after. Like always, he did find a way for us to accomplish the goal.

Grandpa waiting for a boat.

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Uncle holding his 64". Big one of the trip.

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Reason to celebrate. Two in one day.

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The 24' cargo boat grandpa built for moose and other hunting. He was a machinist and could fix/build anything.

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Uncle and I heading up to a spike camp.

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Uncles are going again in September, but too many other hunting commitments down here. Won't miss it next year though.

Hope all of you going to AK this year have great pictures to post.

 

[nmtaxi]

Great pictures. I hope I can hunt until I'm 83. What great memories you must have.

I am heading to AK in 6 weeks for a moose hunt with my buddy Vinny. We will have great pictures to post wether we kill something or not. I only wish I could share a hunt like that with my dad or grandpa. When my boy gets older, I will take him there, and maybe one day, even my grandkid. Thanks for the pics.

 

[GFHunter]

Big Fin
I noticed all the barrells in the back of grandpa's boat. Was that extra gas or was that the main gas to the boat? Neat boat nonetheless for being homemade. I bet it hauled moose quarters great.

 

[1_pointer]

Sweet pics! THOSE are some great memories. Though not as romantic as moose hunting in AK, but I've got more than a few fond memories of chasing fox squirrels and cottontails (he didn't hunt big game) with my grandfather. I may even remember getting a Old Milwaukee from him when I was 16 as he, his brother, and I got back to the truck after following the beagles for a few hours.

 

[Big Fin]

GF:

The gas was both 1) extra for the three jet boats and 2) the gas for the two outboards on the big boat. You will see 5 - 55 gallon drums in the boat. We used almost all of it in the thirteen days we hunted. We were way the hell down river. It took the better part of the day to get back up river and had to refuel the jet boats twice on the way back.

The boat held moose quarters very well. They now leave the boat up in the interior, at their cabin, so they don't have to trailer it from the coast.

Some of the damn greatest fun I've ever had.

 

[schmalts]

cool stuff. old guys are cool to talk to about hunting stories

 

[noharleyyet]

Priceless stuff BF...helluva share, thanks.

 

[elk_hunter]

Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing!

 

[ashersdad]

Now those are memories that will last a lifetime. It sounds like your Grandpa has had a great influence on you. Good example to follow. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ELKCHSR]

That is a great story and pics...

I was going to ask about the drums but got the question answered...

 

[lilbiggun]

HUnting with the old guys is a real treat. One of my hunting buddies (hes 68) is moving to idaho so I gotta find a new partner. Anyways where we were griz hunting this spring was at my other buddies moose camp, over looking a valley along the taylor highway. Come to find out my buddy trapped that same valley 40 years earlier while living in chicken. one of his cabins he had on his trapline still shows some resemblance of being a cabin (I know his trapping partner, a different buddy, and I know hes not BS'ing me).

I can listen all day from those guys, although at the age of 34, I know to many old farts up here <grins>.

I'm glad you enjoyed the time with your grandfather big, and hope you have many more days together.