Wow, it sure was nice to get about 2 1/2â of rain over the past week!! It was sure needed!! Now a little heat and things will grow!! Finally!!
Finally Some Rain đ§ïž
Wow!! This is Crazy!!
Here we are the end of April and winter is still hanging around!!
I really hope my roses can survive this!!
Wow! Winter is back đ„¶
Mid February
This winter has been absolutely unbelievable! January held many days above zero and a couple that were actually sweater weather. Today is February 14 and even today itâs supposed to be +2 this upcoming week looks a little chilly back into the -25 overnight.
Just a bit chilly!
Day 5 – More Moose đ«
A Brisk Morning in the Number 2 Swamp
We were up before sunrise, coffee in hand and frost on the Jeep, ready for another day in the bush. Our plan was simple â drive to the end of the number 2 swamp, then walk in from the south end to see what the morning would bring. The air was crisp, our breath was slow and best of all, the wind was in our favor.
As we eased around the edge of the muskeg, the forest floor crackled beneath our boots. We tried to keep silent, but the thick trees had other plans. After a few too many snapped twigs, I decided to step out onto the open muskeg and follow the trail while Matthew crept along right behind me. We moved slowly toward the south island â every step deliberate, every sound measured.
The conditions couldnât have been better. The cool air, steady north wind, and low light made for the kind of morning hunters dream about. Then it happened â I caught a glimpse of a moose through the trees. I raised my binoculars slowly⊠crap, a young bull moose. My pulse quickened. I motioned for Matthew to step forward to take a look, his eyes wide with focus.
After confirming it was a bull, I fumbled for my phone to snap a photo, but the camera focus refused to cooperate. Matthew tried his luck taking a picture through his binoculars â no dice. And just as he was doing that, movement flickered on the trail ahead.
A cow moose stepped out, somewhat alert of our presence, just 120 yards north of us. I tried to wave at Matthew without spooking her, but he was still glued to his binoculars. Finally, he looked up, saw me signaling, and followed my gaze. There she stood â ass towards us, sniffing the air, so majestic in the soft morning light.
Matthew never even raised his rifle. We both watched closely, trying to see if a calf was nearby. Before we could tell, she trotted off the trail and vanished into the muskeg. We tried to get another look at her through the trees, but she slipped away as quietly as she appeared.
Even without a shot, it was a perfect hunt â two moose up close, the wind in our favor, and a memory we wonât forget. On the walk back, we stopped where Iâd first spotted the bull. Matthew ranged it at 150 yards â thatâs pretty good, sneaking up on a bull moose in the open swamp.
Looking back, maybe we couldâve played it differently, but thatâs hunting. Sometimes itâs not about the harvest; itâs about the chase, the stillness, and the moments you share in the wild.
We packed up camp later that morning and headed home. My trailer was frozen solid when I got back, but after thawing things out, no harm was done. Now we wait â a week or two â until the next trip west. The bush always calls you back.
Day 4 – Finally⊠we are seeing Moose
Interesting morning today, we managed to sneak up on a cow moose in the number one muskeg. Matthew was trying to use his rangefinder binoculars to get a distance while I quietly coached him to take the shot. He was determined to get a reading first, and just as he was struggling to get the distance âout of nowhereâa young calf stepped into view, completely changing the moment.
A few days earlier, we had talked about this exact situation. I told Matthew that I didnât want him shooting a cow that had a calf. I said if he did, I wouldnât be around to help gut the moose while that little one cried for its mom. I guess the message stuck, because the second he saw that calf, the hunt was over.
Proud doesnât even begin to cover it. He made the right call. Letting that cow and calf walk means one more step toward keeping the moose population strong and healthy for years to come.
Day Two – Fresh Snow
Oh boy â 5:45 a.m. came early! My batteries werenât holding a charge for some reason, so I had to run the generator all night just to keep the heat going. Thankfully, Matthew volunteered to handle the refueling through the night, which let me try to stay warm and catch a bit of rest.
When the alarm sounded, it was time to get day two rolling. Weâd decided the night before to repeat the same ride as yesterday. After a couple of strong cups of coffee, we packed up the quads and hit the trail.
The route started out the same, except Matthew planned to ride his quad a little farther down the trail to make the hike back easier. The biggest change today was the weather â a fresh blanket of snow had fallen overnight, perfect for spotting moose tracks.
We made a quick stop at the viewing hill before Matthew set off on his morning hike. It was colder than the day before, so I dug out my battery-operated gloves to keep my hands warm while glassing the swamp below. Hours passed as I scanned the frosty landscape until I finally caught sight of movement â a small whitetail buck bedded down right in the middle of the swamp. He was alert, keeping a close eye on where Matthew was moving.
Several hours later, Matthew returned, a bit discouraged. No moose sign anywhere in the valley. After a quick chat, we decided to ride farther east to scout for fresh tracks in the new snow. Miles and miles of riding later, we still hadnât seen a single set of tracks â so back to camp we went.
Lunch was simple â just snacks and a few drinks since we rolled in later than usual. Supper, though, was another masterpiece: chicken thighs cooked in peanut oil over the glowing coals of the afternoon fire. Absolutely fantastic. A few drinks around camp, some good conversation, and we called it another early night. This time, it was my turn to keep the generator running.
Early Morning Start
Up before dawn, I got the coffee brewing â every good morning starts with a strong cup of java. The quads were unloaded and ready for the dayâs run. A quick breakfast of classic Frosted Flakes and an apple turnover hit the spot before we geared up.
The morning was absolutely beautiful â crisp and just below freezing, the kind of air that wakes you right up. After topping up our coffee and strapping down the last of the gear, we set off down the road toward the first numbered trail, heading east into the hills.
It was still a little dark, so we stopped briefly for a chat before pushing on down the trail. Reaching the top of the hill, we paused for an in-depth scan of the swamp below. The view was incredible, but there wasnât any movement â no sign of moose yet.
Matthew decided he wanted to hike down into the swamp for a closer look. We planned his route and set a time for him to check back in. While he trekked off, I stayed up top, keeping watch over the valley below.
Five hours later, Matthew returned grinning from ear to ear â heâd found a massive moose shed! He couldnât have been prouder. We knew we were in moose country; they just werenât showing themselves today.
We took a short ride back to camp for lunch and a few well-earned afternoon drinks. Supper was double bacon cheeseburgers cooked over the open fire â simple, smoky, and absolutely delicious. A couple more drinks by the fire, then off to bed early; with the time change, Sunday would be coming sooner than weâd like.
Halloween
Today was all about settling into camp, unwinding with a few drinks, and enjoying some good food. Tonightâs dinner featured delicious mussels and perfectly seasoned asparagus. It was incredibleâso flavorful! Even though Matthew forgot the wine for the sauce and had to substitute vodka, it turned out to be a surprising hit.
