Category Archives: Big Game Hunting

Articles about Big Game Hunting.

Hunting Tips; New Additions to your Rifle and Backpack

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Tip #1 Ok, so you missed a nice buck last season. Why? The new scope being a 50 mm lens is on the high side but your cheek is low and you cant align your eye with the scope. In fact your head wobbled too and fro on the shot.  What is wrong here? It happens to the Pro’s too.

Answer: Poor eye alignment to scope and poor cheek weld to the stock.

Fix: Purchase a slip-on or strap-on cheek riser. There are cheek risers that are simply that, just a cheek riser. Beartooth Products among many others are well liked and very cost effective. There are cheek risers with storage and ammo holders too. Get a good one!

Tip#2- You are hunting and the sweat is dripping off you. You stink and your eyes are salty!  How do you refresh? There are inexpensive wipes out there that can aid greatly. I just purchased some hunt wipes that are odor free and biodegradable. Put some in your day pack, you’ll be glad you did! Wear a bandanna too!

Tip #3 Third, your knife dulled significantly while gutting. Take a hand held carbide knife sharpener in your day pack.

Remember to oil your rifle sling swivels. The squeak can give you away!

Go on-line and check these products out.

Good Hunting!

 

Weatherby Vanguard – Value, Accuracy, Weather Dependable

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Last year at New Hampshire Rifleman Magazine we tested the Weatherby® Vanguard™ Weatherguard™ in 6.5 Creedmoor both on the range and in the field. Today you can get one of the finest all-weather hunting rifles for a mere $650 dollars. That’s right just six hundred and fifty buckeroos! If you want to spend more on style and quality Weatherby is there for the hunter too.

Today this is still the best rifle model you can buy for the money!

See my article below.

Weatherby Vanguard 6.5 Creedmoor/Leupold VX-6 – 600 yards with 129 grain Nosler ABLR Hunting Bullet

First, I chose to test the 6.5 Creedmoor bullets have a legendary sectional density that is first in game penetration for CXP2/3 for its diameter and of its nearest peers. Second, it outperforms in accuracy due to its low recoil providing confidence galore to young and old alike.

The Weatherby is famous for its Monte Carlo stock with a raised cheek. Many hunters today struggle, yes really struggle with eye alignment to the scope due to the absence of a cheek rest due to today’s high 50 mm scopes. Scope rings available are often too high.

The Monte Carlo style high comb of the Weatherby solves this problem completely!  

Bottom line is that without a good cheek rest like Weatherby and scope eye alignment your shots are not going to be consistent. Weatherby was first to understand this and incorporate it in its rifle design.

If I were looking for a new rifle the Weatherby is a sure bet for a lifelong hunting purchase! Of course I own one!

Good Hunting!

 

 

 

 

 

My Video Prep for Newfoundland Moose Hunt

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I hope to video my Moose Hunt as much as possible. Accordingly, I performed some internet research for a video camera that was affordable and had a zoom lens. My research led me to a new Cannon Vixia HF R800 HD video camera. It is very small and easy to hold takes professional quality video if on a tripod. But I needed a case, SanDisk cards, a tripod etc., all sorts of stuff as a kit and for $250 or so I got one.

I have a Nikon SLR and Video D5500 already and like it for close work. I am a month away from my trip so I must practice setting up my video gear and testing it. And make sure I have plenty of GigaBits and charged batteries. My Kit came with free Corel Software to download which includes PaintShop® Pro and VideoStudio® SE.

That chewed up most of a day to get and load. Now to learn them is a much longer story. You must be computer savvy to some degree.

Of course if you have $2000 for a starter pro video camera or more then go for it. Below is a great site that got me going!! Maybe it can help you as well.

https://www.gohunt.com/read/which-camera-is-best-for-filming-your-hunt#gs.xkhq2g

Good Hunting!!

Hunting Broadhead Choice

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I recently read an article published in QDMA on broadhead choice. Read it here.

https://www.qdma.com/does-broadhead-choice-really-matter/

Today the use of mechanical broadheads is more widely accepted among many Compound Bow Hunters and work well as evidenced by the article. Many years back the mechanical broadheads sometimes failed to open or open all the way and consumed energy needed for penetration.

Mechanical designs are better today, however still consume energy to open and must be inspected as they age in your tackle box.

Traditional longbow and recurve hunters still like fixed blade cut-on-contact because it replicates what our early ancestors hunted with. And that includes making your own razor sharp arrowhead ( even stone arrowheads) and hunting with it where legal.

That said; Here in New Hampshire a bow must have a minimum of 40 lbs draw weight whether it is a compound or a stick bow.  It takes a bit more energy to puncture the hide and open the mechanical broadhead then does a cut on contact broadhead.  If that is true, and I believe it is, then when shooting a lower draw weight, I would be apt to shoot cut-on-contact traditional broadheads so that all the energy is used for penetration.

If all of us were shooting compound bows of a  draw weight to guarantee the opening of a mechanical head then it makes no difference as long as the cutting width of the blades are within the limits set by your state.  In New Hampshire the rules are no narrower than 7/8 inch or wider than 1 1/2 inches; See below.

http://www.eregulations.com/newhampshire/hunting/deer-hunting-regulations/

I still like traditional cut-on-contact heads as they are works of art too.

Good Hunting!

Recurve Bow and Broadhead Shot – Easy if you practice…

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I was shooting in an archery league indoors with a recurve recently.  I am a deer hunter. To many arrows and my shoulder gets sore but with spaced practice my shoulder is fine as evidenced here in my back yard with a broadhead. I stopped shooting in the club league and space my practice before my shoulder gets sore.  You should space your practice too and not overdo it if you are an older hunter. Leave the volume shooting for the younger crowd.

Here is a fresh recurve shot with broadhead taken today with a 2018 XX75 Easton shaft August 7, 2019.

 

Good Hunting!

Calling Bull Moose to Hunt

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I have called in several bull moose over the years. But the best way to call in a bull moose is to understand the reason for the vocalization and associated behavior. The cow calls the bull in to be bred when she is in estrous. Her vocalization is higher pitched and with some vibrato. Using a cone shaped device allows you to project your call further. Calls can be heard by other moose from long distances due to their excellent hearing. How far?  Perhaps over a mile or two on a quiet day, maybe more.

By making a cow call you are signaling to the bull that the time is now. Come and find me!

Now the bull has a deeper vocal and ends with a grunt sound. He is projecting his male voice to the cow and to other bulls that he is coming . This is a great video below for even veteran moose hunters.

By vocalizing the cow first then later a bull call the would-be bull detects another bull near a cow ready for mating. He comes to fight for his right to mate often swinging his antlers side to side to show off their size.

Scraping antlers or a dry shoulder blade, paddle or plastic bottle on a tree coupled with thrashing and breaking large branches says; If you come here I will fight! This in combination with vocalization and some cow estrus and bull urine are a sure bet to draw in a bull Moose if there is one nearby. Beware of your scent. If your bull catches your scent then it  may be game over and he is out-a-there. Some guides bring a towel soaked in bull urine to mask your human scent.

On my NH Moose hunt, several years back, I called in a large handsome bull with smaller antlers.

I began with some cow estrus scent spray downwind. Then vocalizes a bull and then a tending grunt like a whitetail and thrashed trees with a stick and broke the largest branches I could find.  The large bull came straight to me and my hunting friend. At 80 yards we whacked him with my 375 Ruger and a shot from my partners 308 Winchester. He went down fighting all the way to stay up. A round in the spine put him down for good.

My October hunt in Newfoundland with the same friend should be interesting as we get to hunt the prime rut. I am after a larger antlered Moose and delicious meat to take home. I will be guided one on one in the deep wilds of Newfoundland where there are hundreds of lakes and ponds to grow big bulls. I Hope!

Another video that is worth seeing is this one below.

Good Hunting!

August is for Archery and Bowhunting Prep

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As a former Bowhunting Educator for NHFG, August is a great time to sharpen your bow shooting skills. Three D archery is a great way to prep for bowhunting. See Granite State Archery for the 3D schedule. If you haven’t begun sharpening your archery shooting skills for hunting, now is the time. Bowhunter Education classes should be available from NH Fish and Game. You have just over a month to tune up as it were for early season whitetails.

I usually do not hit the woods with bow till October. Primary to preparation for hunting is to get your arms in shape and regularly shoot your bow. And working on your tree stand climbing skills for safety. Be sure that you use and know how to use your tree harness correctly so that you do not become a statistic. This is perhaps where most accidents occur, falling out of your tree stand.

I am not going to touch on arrow spine (stiffness) but with a heavier broadhead than your 100 or 125 grain field points you may need a stiffer hunting arrow, so be aware. There are 200 grain and heavier broadheads out there. I am shooting 2018 xx75 Easton aluminum shafts with a 45lb recurve. This shaft can handle my 100g Muzzy broadheads and even two blade head like the Zwickey’s with a helical feather fletch.  Most compound bow hunters are mixed when it comes to broadheads. Some love the mechanical heads, some love the cut on contact traditional heads. You must choose wisely.  Heavier draw weight bows can drive the mechanical heads to open more easily than lighter bows. I am a cut on contact hunter and like fixed blade styles. I took 100 grain 4 blade Muzzy heads to Africa and on an elk hunt as well as deer. I love the trocar tip because it in perfect alignment with the shaft and cuts on contact. Bad to the Bone, they say!  With a 72 pound compound I had pass thru’s on every hit.

 

 

This little 6 point came in to a fawn bleat here in New Hampshire a few years back. I love to hunt with both rifle and bow. Just remember August is for Archery!

Good Hunting!

© 2019

 

Nosler 375 for Moose 260 vs 300 grain AccuBond in a Ruger 375 Cartridge

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Frankly, a broadside heart lung shot on moose with either Nosler™ AccuBond™ bullet in 260 grain or 300 grain out of my 375 Ruger and its lights out.

ACCUBOND

From their website;

” Through an exclusive bonding process that eliminates voids in the bullet core, AccuBond® couples Nosler’s proven copper-alloy jacket with its special lead-alloy core. The result is a bullet that flies true, penetrates deep and retains its weight, without causing extensive barrel fouling” 

https://shop.nosler.com/nosler-bullets/accubond-nosler-bullet/accubond-375-caliber-300-grain-bullet-50ct.html

left is the 260 grain and 300 grain on right

 

I have killed a bull moose several years back with the 260 grain AccuBond. The bullet mushroomed perfectly and lost little in weight. I have not tested the 300 grain AccuBond on Game however I expect similar results on shots under 100 yards. So why bother?  The 260 grain has a Sectional Density of .264 and the 300 grain has an SD of .305. The difference is penetration of the 300 grain and will win hands down. So what makes Sectional Density so special? Read this article by Chuck Hawks at https://www.chuckhawks.com/sd.htm

 

At long range past 200 yards or short range high sectional density provides proven penetration on really big game and can reach the vitals and even provide an exit wound thus leaving a blood trail.

Good Hunting!

 

Bog Pod Death Grip for prime rut Moose Hunting in Newfoundland

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The Bog Pod™ Death Grip™ is like having a “bench rest” in the field. This is the carbon fiber model. Yes it is a bit heavy at 7.5 lbs and perhaps little clunky to carry but once it is set up you are in good shape.  It retails for around $280. Not cheap but on a trophy hunt it fits the bill.

But more than that, the Death Grip vise holds my rifle allows me and my hands to be free.  In my case, i expect to use it to hold my 375 Ruger while calling a rut crazed Newfoundland Bull Moose into shooting range from say a half mile away.

The spongy tundra is tough enough to walk in and small European spruce call Tuckamore’s which are small, thick, and knarly. .Accordingly, seeing above and around the tuckamore’s with a tripod or bipod is likely a great help. The feet are rubber and a shaft is threaded through the rubber with a metal point if you need more than the rubber feet to hold the tripod steady.

The tilt and pan can be tightened so that you can hold on target.  I shot three rounds at 150 yards at a 40 inch long brown piece of cardboard with no target bullseye. Similar to the side of a moose, and placed all 3 shots within 6 inches in the lower 1/3rd of the target.

I believe a setup with the Death Grip for Moose is ideal because it can take time for a moose to respond and head your way. Leaving you to call with hands coned over your mouth while the Death Grip holds your rifle at the ready.

Good Hunting!

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Moose Cartridge Caliber and Bullets – Updated

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Many articles later, the most popular Moose caliber I observe is the venerable, time tested 30-06 Springfield with 180 grain bullets on your average Moose for your average Moose hunter. Moose have been cleanly killed with cartridges of lesser energy but those kills were best taken broadside such as the 308 Win, .270 Win and 7mm-08 and 6.5 Creedmoor are most common. Of course the Swede’s love the 6.5 – 55 Swedish Mauser but we aren’t in Sweden. We are in North America East in Newfoundland, Canada.

If you you-tube for bull moose kills with rifle, you will often see multiple shots taken and hits to the lung area too. Moose are hard to fall where the shot was taken.

Shot Placement – Top of Heart center Lungs as shown.

It is essential to shoot as accurately as possible. It is shot placement that kills Moose when coupled with adequate penetration and energy. Bullet construction should be such that when the bullet mushrooms and expands that it stays together as it penetrates. Bonded, Partition and All Copper style bullets are recommended. I am a fan of Nosler Bullets such as the E-Tip Solid Gilding Copper, AccuBond and Partition.

Bullet Energy – If you follow some Fish and Game recommendations used to be around 2500 ft lbs (recommended). I assumed delivered energy. Now some F & G officials suggest 2200 to 2500 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle however I believe this is very misleading as the shooter should know his energy limits when the bullet strikes the moose at longer ranges. In the case of elk, terminal energy is recommended at 1500 ft -lbs. Moose should be more like 1800-2000 ft lbs delivered or better with velocities around 2000fps.

The 30-06 is not ideal for the largest of Moose in all situations, particularly quartering away. Shoot a cartridge that gives you the most options. If you can handle larger calibers and recoil such as the 300 Win Mag or larger then you shot options increase dramatically. Do you have to? Of course not, you may have to wait to get closer or change the shot angle. A 30-06 180 grain bullet with a Muzzle velocity of 2600 fps delivers around 2000 ft-lbs at 200 yards. So that would be a suggested max range. 

My hunt outfitter says shots are 40 to 300 yards. At 300 yards a 180 grain 30-06 delivers around 1700 ft-lbs. A 300 win mag will deliver over 2000 ft lbs at that range.

Of course if you cant handle the recoil of big magnum rifles  and cant shoot them accurately, then don’t shoot them! Note: There are many recoil pads on the market today to cut recoil in half. So before shooting these heavy recoil rifles always do some homework on recoil management. You will be glad you did!!! Pachmayr makes the Decelerator™ one of my favorites for heavy recoil.

The 7mm Rem Mag and 7mm STW, 7mm Wby Mag 7mm RUM are great on the largest of 300 yard Bull Moose as is the The 28 Nosler (.284) which spits a 175 grain out at 3100 fps and can hit the 2500 ft-lb delivered energy at 450 yards. Wow!

The 8mm Rem Magnum with 180 grain bullets can reach to 300 yards near to 2500 ft-lbs delivered enegy. Nice!

Many 338 Mags below can throw a 225g bullet to 400 yards near 2500 ft-lbs. I shot the .338 Win Mag in Africa; 338 Win Mag, 340 Weatherby Mag, 338 Rem Ultra Mag, 338 Lapua Mag, 33 Nosler or the 338-378 Weatherby Mag all do a great job.

The .358’s such as the 350 Win Mag, 358  Norma Mag, and 358 STA -Shooting Times Alaska  all do that!  The 358 STA shoots a 225 grain bullet at 3000 fps out to 375 yards at just around 2500 ft-lbs.

My .375 Ruger or a .375 H&H hurles a 260 to 300 grain bullet to 300 yards with 2500 ft-lbs and the 300 grain bullet does so with a sectional density of .299 that rates highest in penetration. The .375 Ruger and .375 H&H are geared for Cape Buffalo or 1200 plus lb Bull Moose or a 2000 lb Bison. Alaskan Guides like the .375’s around Brown bear too.

My Newfoundland bull fell after the first shot with my 375 Ruger with 300 grain Nosler AccuBonds in less than 10 seconds. It was a quartering toward shot smashing the front shoulder, fully mushrooming, wrecking the lungs and piled up on the skin on the far side while still maintaining 80% of its weight. Note: I shot him in a snow squall in near whiteout conditions in a 20 mph wind in my face at 100 yards (wind chill below zero) .  His rack was small but a big body! I decide to take him as I did not want to hunt a full week in these conditions. My friend Oliver, on the left,( just turned 80 years old before the hunt) took a cow at 200 yards with his 7mm Rem  Mag. the next day. He too was not willing to hunt longer than he had to in these conditions.

The 45-70 does not meet the 300 yard criteria but a great close Moose killer for years.

The off-the-rounds in the .400 class are often designed strictly for dangerous African game and can be used on big Moose but are not necessary. Of course if you hand load then you can load the 458 Win Mag down to equal the 45-70. It is the same caliber. It’s your hunt! Have Fun!

Good Hunting!

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