Author Archives: Ed Hale

About Ed Hale

I am an avid hunter with rifle and Bow and have been hunting for more than 50 years. I have taken big game such as whitetail deer, red deer, elk, Moose and African Plains game such as Kudu, Gemsbok, Springbok, Blesbok, and Impala and wrote an ebook entitled African Safari -Rifle and Bow and Arrow on how to prepare for a first safari. Ed is a serious cartridge reloader and ballistics student. He has earned two degrees in science and has written hundreds of outdoor article on hunting with both bow and rifle.

Newfoundland Moose – Processed In My Kitchen

Posted on by

Ed’s Moose taken Sept. 19, 2023

Processing a moose can be time consuming if you have to quarter and bone the meat too.

Moose quarters headed to the butcher for boning and freezing

 

Working with a veteran Outfitter like Gander River makes it easy. They know how to;

  • Gut and quarter your moose
  • Prep for trophy taxidermy if needed
  • Get it out of the woods in excellent shape
  • Skin and hang the quarters to cool
  • Get it to the butcher in prime shape for boning and freezing for my trip home to New Hampshire

Yes, you pay a premium for these tasks, but worth every penny. 

I drove my frozen boned moose meat home (you need an export permit from your outfitter) and it was still frozen solid after 2 days on the road using 2 large coolers. In fact 2 days after arrival my moose meat was still frozen. I have done this before and it works great. 

After cleaning/prepping  the kitchen and pans/ trays and grinding equipment, I brought around 80 to 100 lbs inside, incrementally and examined the bundles and labels.

I chose to cut some steaks at first but was looking for meat that will become burger and stew meat. 

In addition, I purchased 18 pounds of fresh pork butt and cut it up for grinding to add to the moose burger. I boned the pork and saved the meaty bones for a winter stew. I will purchase more pork butt later for mixing. 

All big game meat grinders have a rough grind head (right)  and a finish grind head (left).

 

Below my favorite LEM Grinder, meat pan and cutting board. 

Use the rough grind for both moose and pork at a ratio of roughly 4 to 1 moose to pork. This adds enough fat for burger to bind together.

Mix the rough grind by hand in a larger stainless tray and regrind with the fine grind head. Then vacuum seal in 1 to 2 pound increments. Label and freeze. It is best to keep your meat cold and near frozen so work as safe and quick as you can. My wife and I work well at this as a team. 

Below, my freezers are full of large chunks moose meat to be processed.

If you have enough freezer space, like we have, you can take a break from processing for a few days.

We use a Food Saver™ Vacuum Sealer and heavy seal bags to store our meat in the freezer. Todays freezers can store meat for well over 2 years provided the vacuum is good and you don’t have freezer burn.

Use sharp knives!

Next is to cut more stew meat for pressure canning!

I will cut tenderloin and backstraps later too. 

Good Eating!

PS We had this moose burger for lunch and discovered the meat was tender and very flavorful. 

© Copyright 2023.  All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

Newfoundland Moose Hunt Sept 2023 With Gander River Outfitters

Posted on by

It all happened so fast…Was it a bull? Nope! But she was broadside. My guide lasered her distance at only 240 yards and really Big! But I had a new Browning X-Bolt in .270 Winchester with a Leupold Scope.

Ed’s Moose taken 5pm Sept. 19, 2023

 

I was hunting with Newfoundland’s Gander River Outfitters.

I contacted the Gander River Owner/Outfitter, and my soon-to-be guide, Matt Romkey. We arranged a hunt date, September 17, 2023 to begin a 6 day Moose hunt with a tag for a bull or cow moose.  Their website is https://ganderriver.com/

I was vacationing and cod fishing in Newfoundland, Canada for such a long a time frame, (a month and a half) in a different location, Jamestown, NL on Bonavista Bay, that Canadian Customs would not allow me to take my rifle across the border.

“Gotta go directly to the hunt”, said Canadian Customs.  That was very disappointing…to say the least.

As luck would have it, in Calais, Maine there was a sporting store/hardware store (Johnsons) that allowed my to store my own Browning rifle for a fee and pick-it-up on the return home to New Hampshire.

My Outfitter Matt allowed me to use his rifle, a brand new Browning X-Bolt, like mine, but in .270 Winchester with a Leupold “Freedom” scope for the hunt and Winchester 150 grain Powerpoint bullets.

To get to the hunting/fishing lodge along the Gander River we boarded the Outfitter’s famed Gander River Boats; a 21 ft canoe with 15 hp motor.

 

Boat ride to lodge video below. Lets Go!!

In 30 minutes we were at the lodge.

https://ganderriver.com/accommodations/

We met other hunters and received room assignments and shot rifles to ensure they were on target.

We met a father/son team Chase Anthony and his father Dan who came to hunt thanks to a Pennsylvania non-profit organization called Saving Dreams Outdoors. See the facebook link below.

Chase, a handsome lad, is a cancer survivor who was given the hunt. Dan came for support!

Chase was successful thanks to the skill of his guide Sheldon and the support of everyone at the lodge.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=339982955040133&set=pb.100070852944182.-2207520000

Travel to our hunting bog areas is done by ATV’s, mine was a King Quad 500 Ati operated by Matt, a real expert, as all the guides were. 

Sunday Day – First Night, I sat high in the back with raised seating, metal stirrups and hand grips while Matt and guides took us on “wild” ATV rides to the famed moose hunting BOG’s of Newfoundland in terrain so remote and hidden. In some cases we made our way through what seemed like miles of old trails overgrown with Alder bush. Bushwhacking really! Can you just imagine!

Our first jaunt was in the aftermath of Hurricane Lee where the clouds hunt low and delivered 30 plus mph winds and sheets of rain.

The black spruce in the BOG bent too-and-fro in the wind as rain fell sideways from branches. I looked forward to a warm meal.

Meals at camp, we hunters were up at 4am, had breakfast of eggs, sausage, toast/pancakes, coffee and juice;  back for noon lunch of soup and sandwich. and dinner prepared expertly prepared by the camp cook “Gary”. And served to us by none other than Owner Matt Romkey. Such service, I was overwhelmed with hospitality! And then dessert too!

Our sleep quarters were separate from the main lodge and each bedroom had a private bath and shower. Nice!

Back to the hunt. Luckily the wind subsided during the week but rain was on and off. Temps were in the 50F range.

I learned the hard way by not wearing my waterproof bib and jacket on an outing and got soaked in the process. See the leaves on the Quad…

I was much better prepared on the afternoon hunt via ATV.  About 5pm we began walking on a high crest looking down into the bog I named “The Big Valley”. 

I was awestruck with this scenic valley/bog as we were high up looking down at the immense beauty.

Suddenly, I gazed over Matt’s shoulder as he looked for a place to set up. I whispered to Matt and pointed…”moose, I said!” He ducked low and excitedly whispered “Set up your tripod and rifle…hurry.” 

I was equally excitedly and set up my tripod Called “Death Grip” by BOG.  It’s like a bench rest in the field!

It was a huge lone cow standing broadside. Matt laser ranged her at 240 yards. I could not ask for a better setup, be it cow or bull. I made the decision right then to take her.

The rifle was zeroed at 100 yards thus I estimated the drop and held around 6 inches higher above the heart lung area… and squeezed the shot off. Thwack! we heard the bullet hit.

At the shot she stood frozen, as if transfixed and motionless. 

Matt said “Shoot again.” And I did. She dropped like hit by Thor’s hammer.

OMG… Matt and I high fived each other again and again. It was picture and tag time, then gut and half the moose.

I noticed the entry bullet holes as I held the chest cavity open to remove blood filled heart and lungs. One hole was low in the chest, my first shot, and one high. Investigating, I said “Hey Matt, pull that heart so I can see it. As he did, Matt replied with a grin, “She never knew what hit her, eh Ed!”

The first bullet struck the heart! See video below! The second shocked the spine.

That night at dinner I had the cook saute some heart slices in butter, salt and pepper for hunters to taste. All said very tender and delish!

Sadly, I ended the hunt on the very next day. The moose went to the local game butcher, de-boned and frozen for our drive back to New Hampshire.

The first 2 weeks at Gander for hunters showed 100% success. All the guides are friendly and eager to find you a moose!

It was a pleasure hunting with Matt Romkey and the Gander River Guides.

I even gained a few pounds. 

Great Hunt! Give them, a call!

© Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.

 

My Rifle Hunt Tactics for Moose Number Three

Posted on by

First and foremost, like deer hunting, the wind can bust your efforts. I carry a wind powder in a small squeeze bottle and will check the wind at each of my moose bog setups and discuss strategy with my guides.  I use some Dead Down Wind powder.

 

And I have 4 bottles of synthetic moose/cow-in-estrous urine and will use it as a cover scent and attractant.   Reviews say the scent works and I will test it too.

I would have liked some bull moose urine too but could not locate any. If when hunting, I find a moose wallow, I will put some wallow urine on a rag and carry it for cover scent. Moose will not fully come-in if they suspect any human smells thus the scented rag trick can work with either estrous or bull scent. 

If all is right, I think  calling by mouth is a good initial strategy for me and listen for a bull to respond. I am pretty good at calling with my hands or a funnel type caller. Being able to make a long vibrato call for a cow mimic or a staccato-like grunt for a bull..

I just learned that moose talk,   between moose is usually a “rrruh” sound that says “I am a moose”. Good to use if you are making noise getting to your stand to cover your mistakes

I like to mock-stage-a-fight, raking trees and making a racket with a moose scapula. It’s great fun too. I killed a New Hampshire bull with that tactic.

I sometimes use the tending grunt if a bull is located, where you grunt by pinching your nostrils and cone your hands and “softly” say mwahh and mwahh as if saying, me want, and the “t”  is silent.  This tending grunt indicates a bull is tending a nearby cow-in-heat. If the listening bull is in rut, he will likely challenge the tending bull and show himself.

Below is a great video on moose vocalizations and raking antlers and how moose talk to each other. A must see… But the video did not talk about moose wallows, where male urinate and roll in it like a cologne for the ladies.

If at a distance we will use a power electronic caller. If he is close we can try to mimic a bull and thrash and rake trees with my moose scapula. If all goes well this September we will have a 1000 lb moose to quarter and haul out. Once boned we will have roughly 300 pounds of delicious meat to freeze and eat. And maybe a large rack of antlers. 

Below is my small racked bull taken in 2018. It does not look big in the photo but was 300 pounds of meat to take home. 

I am hoping for a much bigger rack this trip.

 

Good Hunting!

 

 

Recent Moose Hunt Gear Purchases: Duffles, Packs, Headlamps, Rifles and Bullets Etc.

Posted on by

As my readers know, Soon, I will be moose hunting in Newfoundland in September. You might be interested in my hunt gear below.

My new Allen Hunting Duffle. It is huge and rugged, and holds most all my gear, including tripods for its $40 cost. 

 

 

I had to purchase a larger daypack. It is amazingly well made.  Waterproof Camo Hunting Pack with Rain Cover, Durable Large Capacity Hunting Day Pack for Rifle Bow Gun. Cost $59. It is disappointing that its made in China but I bit the bullet.

It can strap on a rifle in the back of the pack and has a rifle butt sleeve for support and can carry a hydration system if you have one. Pockets on left and right of pack can store vacuum sealed water bottles like these below.

I used camo tape to cover the bottles. These bottles can hold liquid hot for 12 hours and cold for 24 hrs. 

 

Frog Togg Hip Waders Cost $55

Synthetic Moose Estrus

My USA made Night Head Lighting

My scent eliminator below.

Below is My TriPod, Death Grip which is like a standing field bench rest. I love it for long range shots and grips your rifle.

 

My self-built 440C stainless knife and custom sheath. I purchased the blade and built the handle and had an eagle feather custom sheath created for it. Stunning!

 

And of course my Browning X-Bolt Speed in 7mm Rem, Mag. with Leupold VX-6 Scope and hand-loaded Nosler 175g AccuBond Long Range bullets.

 

 

X-Bolt Speed Suppressor Ready

Good Hunting!

 

 

 

 

Browning 7mm Rem Mag -175g Nosler ABLR at 300 and 600yds – Update

Posted on by

My Browning X-Bolt Speed was checked by my son Jason with Nosler 175g ABLR bullets at his F-Class  range at 300 and 600 yards. My scope is the famed Leupold VX-6 3×18 44mm on a 20 MOA Picatinny rail.

X-Bolt Speed

As my readers are aware, I am moose hunting in Newfoundland this September.  Newfoundland’s boreal forest is replete with expansive water soaked bogs and stunted clumps of black spruce known as tuckamores. A great place for moose to thrive, and a tough place to hunt. Distances in these bogs can be as-small-as 100 yards or as far as a 1000 yards or more.

Accordingly, the 300 yd target below shows 2 bullet holes at 11 o’clock at my calculated drop of 3 MOA. Wind was near still so we adjusted 1 MOA for the 6 inch 10 ring and came right 1 MOA. Happy now with the scope at 2 MOA drop at 300 yards with three 10 ring hits and terminal energy is 2578 ft-lbs. Wow!

 

At 600 yards my ballistic data said to shoot at 10.5 MOA drop. Below, the first 2 bullets at 12 and 1 o’clock in the 7 and 8 ring shot 10 inches high, thus we adjusted 2 MOA and shot low at 7 o’clock. We readjusted up 1 MOA and hit the 10 ring at 10 o’clock..

Total actual drop was 9 MOA and not the 10.5 my calculation indicated.

Details matter! Using a laser rangefinder when moose hunting these expansive bogs is a must.

Testing bullets at long range showed that calculated MOA put us on paper but not best for hunting. Making the adjustment on the range just 1.5 MOA up put me in the boiler room at 600 yards. Nice! Energy at 600 yards is in the 1800 ft-lb class. 

UPDATE

My Leupold VX-6 Scope was dialed back to its 100 yard zero, thus I took it back to my range and fired a single 100 yd shot below. Nice!

Good Shooting!

© Copyright 2023

 

American Made – Princeton Tec Apex Head Lamp – 650 Lumens

Posted on by

Tired of China made headlamps to see in the dark of the forest? Me too!

I went in search of USA made headlamps and found Princeton Tec Apex Headlamps. Rated by Amazon 4.5 out of 5. 

https://princetontec.com/product-category/outdoor/?activity=Hunt%2FFish

This one is 650 Lumens on high. Many lamps sold by others are only 350 Lumens max, half the brightness of this model. I bought this one. My investment will aid America not China! Amazon sells several models. 

Princeton Tec Apex LED Headlamp

I would rather be in far off wilds in darkness with a downed moose or on a blood trail far off the beaten path with an American made headlamp!

Below is a chargeable model you-tube video of another big game hunter.

 

Product information

Technical Details

Amazon says About this item

  • BATTERY POWER LED. Provides continuous feedback on the condition of the batteries, indicating high, medium or low battery life. This information allows you to make educated decisions about changing batteries or packing a spare set.
  • DIMMABLE LED: Provide the precise output needed for a given task, and help conserve battery power for maximum efficiency. Sometimes we use the word dimmability, which isn’t exactly a word yet, but we’re very fond of it and have faith it will become one.
  • IPX7. Lights provide waterproof integrity down to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.
  • MAXBRIGHT LED. The highest quality LED available. Extremely bright and efficient. Emits a smooth, powerful, white light useful for a wide range of tasks. Princeton Tec uses collimators or reflectors with the Maxbright LED depending upon the application.

Operating Manual

The operating manual is provided via a QR Code Scan by a cell phone. No paper!

 

I saved the manual in my phone. Once you use or practice with your lamp, you will not need your directions very much, but save them.

Hours of Operation – Runtime is listed in the chart below. 

I would add a note of caution, bright light in the eyes of others can cause others to be blinded and shout, “Get that $#@& light out of my eyes” . Accordingly, use the flood lights for work around others as it has a wide beam and easier on the eyes.

The spot on medium runs at 350 lumens for 11 hours. If you need the 650 lumens often, then carry extra batteries and replace all 4 AA batteries at the same time.

Just below the spot light is the small battery led to indicate battery status. 

Overall I like this headlamp very much and will use it on my moose hunt. 

Good Hunting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just Plain Fun: Semi-Auto Savage A22 in .22LR – Issues Update

Posted on by

Here in the Northeast we have had our share of ground soaking rain but in between rain storms, I went out and purchased a Savage semi-auto A22 rifle.  I can have more shooting fun at a lower cost for range time, practice, and just plain fun. Over the years, I kept a good supply of .22 ammo on hand. 

I like this rifle because it has all the physical attributes of a big game rifle such as a heavy button rifled barrel, a great looking high-cheek stock and an easily adjustable AccuTrigger.

My club sponsors an Aspirin Shoot (3/8″ size) that I have yet to participate.

Most shoot bolt actions for supreme accuracy but my new Savage Semi-Auto is shooting 1/2 inch 5 shot groups at 50 yards out-of-the-box with CCI MiniMags.  

Below first shot was high with some lube residue in the barrel. but a nice tight group for the other 4 shots at 50 yards. I expect to do better with time on the range, and testing out .22 match grade ammo. 

Today with the right rifle and ammo you can reach out to far off targets, predators and small game. Many ,22lr folks are getting serious about target shooting and like the supreme accuracy of a bolt action, I do too, but have yet to find a rifle I like for the price. 

Most all .22lr ammo I own shoot as good, better, best in this rifle but CCI .22LR Mini-Mags shoot best for my first day with the A22 at the range. 

Gun Issues I Found

Slide Bar bolt came off. Savage sending a new one. 

Clip loads very slow due to strong spring. 

Clip sometimes binds and will not easily fall out.

AccuTrigger has some creep.

If you are buying for a competitive shoot and expect to win, this gun is not for you.

But for otherwise hunt and plink, it has very good accuracy, it is fun at a low cost of around $500 for rifle.

Those who want to win at competitive 22lr shoots are spending at least $1000 to $5000 on gun and scope or even much more.

 

 

Is The .375 Ruger Cartridge A Game Changer for Magnum Calibers?

Posted on by

When Hornady and Ruger collaborated in 2007 to create the .375 Ruger cartridge, they also in future-sight, perhaps knowingly, or not, modernized many yet-to-be named magnum calibers such as the new PRC’s. 

The .375 Ruger cartridge has no belt, no taper, larger case capacity, and a larger shoulder with which to set headspace than the .375 Holland and Holland Magnum. 

I remember reading an article by Jon Sundra in 2011 below about future 7mm, .300 and other calibers that could come from this .375 Ruger collaboration.

https://www.rifleshootermag.com/editorial/ammunition_rs_wildcatting_200806/83581

Did you know that the 7mm PRC and .300 PRC cartridges are children of the .375 Ruger cartridge?

And likely more will come. 

Will they replace magnums? Time will tell.

For nearly a century, many commercial magnum calibers had a belt to set headspace because they were based upon their parent cartridge case, the famed .375 Holland and Holland Magnum created in 1912.

For decades, the H&H Magnum case availability made it easy for industry to reform the case for smaller diameter “magnum” calibers like the famed 7mm Remington Magnum.

 

I own the .375 Ruger and love it. But it is a magnum cartridge, without saying so, perhaps like the 416 Rigby. I still like the “Magnum” moniker however. 

But the .375 H&H Magnum cartridge will likely not go away and will not for many decades to come. There are far more .375 H&H Magnum rifles in Africa and world-wide today, thus the brass case will remain in mainstream manufacture for many decades.

And the .375 H&H Magnum still has a mystique-like following in Europe and Africa as a dangerous game round up to and including elephant.

So why create a beltless “magnum” case and drop the magnum moniker?

 

The .375 Ruger’s brass case seen above, removed the belt, case taper and gave a better shoulder in which to set headspace.

Is that enough, to eventually replace the .375 H&H Magnum case?

Replacing the 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Winchester Magnum whose parent case in the .375 Holland and Holland Magnum will be daunting as the belt does not bother me for head space.

Accuracy and energy in my Browning X-Bolt Speed 7mm Remington Magnum, when hand loaded with 175 g bullets, achieves the same energy as the 7mm PRC factory loaded cartridge but the PRC may edge out the 7mm Mag for long range target accuracy and use heavier bullets.

I shoot sub-moa with my 7 magnum.

As a hunter, that is more accuracy than I need. And if I want a heavier hunting bullet I would go to a 30 caliber.

I, for one, like the manly term “Magnum”. And I hand load the 7mm Remington Magnum with great success and accuracy for hunting big game. 

Target shooters will likely migrate to the 7mmPRC and 300PRC  for very long range target shooting but in very heavy rifles to reduce recoil. 

The hunting community will perhaps move much slower as we do love our 7mm Rem Mag’s for long range hunting accuracy and delivered energy.

And case components and rifles for the 7mm and 300 win magnums are on the shelves world-wide right now. Not next year or so. I am older and can’t wait my friends. 

In five years more PRC rifles and components may change that dynamic. We shall see.

In the meantime, I am happy with my 7mm magnum rifle for hunting all North American big game species. 

Good Shooting

© Copyright 2023

 

 

 

 

Moose Hunting? Best Rifle Training Techniques

Posted on by

It is not every fall that we set out on a moose hunt, especially in New Hampshire where it is done by lottery. It took me 20 years to win my chance.

Once your rifle is sighted in for 100 yards on a bench rest, I suggest:

Study moose anatomy for shot placement, See this website below.

https://www.ucalgary.ca/caribou/HuntingMoose.html

Practice shooting free hand and then off shooting sticks like a tripod, bipod or monopod below.

It is important to note that “felt recoil” off a pod is noticeably less than shooting off a bench. Try it, you’ll like it.

 

Shoot at targets without a bullseye like the back of a white paper target below, aiming for the center of the paper.

Be ready for working the bolt on your rifle after that critical first shot for an immediate follow-up shot.

You can purchase life size moose targets and shoot them at different distances. See Below.

 

The idea is to build confidence in your ability to make the shot into the vitals. 

Success!

 

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2023

 

 

 

 

 

Common Deer Rifle Cartridges for Moose Hunting

Posted on by

These deer hunting rifle cartridges come to mind for Eastern Moose hunting (Alces alces americana).

 

They are, the venerable 30-06 Springfield, 308 Winchester, 270 Winchester are common deer cartridges that work for moose. Both the 7mm08 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor can work too on broadside shots. 

Shot distances for rifles with these calibers should generally be under 250 yards to deliver the energy for bullet mushrooming and for adequate penetration.

Shot placement in the chest is key, ideally striking both lungs. 

Using the 30-06, I would use a 180 grain expanding spitzer bullet and limit shot distances to 250 yards keeping bullet speed above 2000 fps for adequate mushroom and penetration. Energy at 250 yards would be around 1900 ft-lbs.

Using the 308 Winchester, I would use a 165 grain expanding spitzer bullet and limit shots to 250 yards delivering 1800 ft-lbs.

Using the 270 Winchester, I would use 150 grain expanding spitzer bullets and limit shots to 250 yards. Energy at 250 yards would be around 1800 ft-lbs

Using the 7mm08 or 6.5 Creedmoor I would use 140 grain expanding spitzer bullets and limit shots to 175 yards. Energy at 175 yards would be around 1800 ft-lbs and take only broadside shots.

Best bullets are partition/a-frame types, and bonded bullets. Both Nosler and Hornady bullets come to mind.

Key factors in cartridge choices are bullet speeds around 2000 fps or greater for the bullet to mushroom and energy around 1800 ft-lbs or greater for penetration.

Alaskan moose are the largest of bull moose and can be upwards of 1400 lbs or more live weight.

Terminal energy on these giants need to be much higher at impact. Some say 2500 ft-lbs. Again, shot placement is key. 

Aim small miss small!

Bull moose do not often fall on the first shot. Be prepared for a fast follow-up shot.

Of course Magnum cartridges work better at longer distances but have more felt recoil.

Good Hunting!

© Copyright 2023