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!

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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!

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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!

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