Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Manitoba Caribou and Moose hunt too good to be true - Part 2

Part two and conclusion of Paul Kimptons Caribou and Moose Combo Hunt with Webber's Lodges in September 2009.

On September 15th the float plane came to pick us up and take everyone back to Churchill. I did laundry and took a really long shower knowing that I was leaving the next day for Moose camp. Now I was really excited. I meet Bob the other hunter who was going to hunt with me the next morning and had one of the most exciting float plane rides of my life. Flying into Nowell is a river landing and you fly right down the river at tree level and land right on the river. 
Once we unloaded and sighted in the guns we were off for one of our numerous rides up and down the river, stopping and calling. Because the weather had been so warm hundreds of caribou had moved down into the Nowell area and were making the Moose spooky. The moose were not answering any calls as it was hot and they were not interested. The rut had to happen sometime so we kept our spirits high with optimism. Each morning we would see cows but no bull moose. Finally on my last full day we spotted two nice trophy bulls and two cows just up the river from where we had started that morning. 
The guide quickly pulled the boat over to the opposite bank and I got out for a very exciting stalk. I ranged the bull at 380 yards and wanted to get closer. I got my shooting stick set for a kneeling shot and started off keeping low and quiet. I constantly ranged the bulls and the cows watching the distance getting shorter each time. The two cows and one bull began moving off into the willow trees for the day but one bull stayed behind. I knew he would follow shortly so made one last range check and it was now 270 yards. This was it. All the practice, videos, hunting shows and dreams were coming down to this moment. I said to myself, "Oh lord don't let me mess up." I knelt down put the cross hairs on him for 270 yards, and took a shot. 
The moisture flew off the hide when the bullet hit him and that big Bull Moose began to sway back and forth. I thought; don't stop shooting until it goes down, although the one shot probably would have done.  Several more shots and it was over. I was speechless. I heard the boat start up and knew they had watched and were coming to get me. After a quick trip across the river I had my first moose ever. Remember the coolers; well they were definitely not going home empty.  
The next day while we were waiting for the plane, Bob the other hunter went out on the porch of the cabin and would you believe that a bull moose was walking right down the river bank to the cabin. The rut had started. We took pictures and video of the Moose to prove it, wow. 
We flew back to Churchill, Bob flew on to Winnipeg and I took the train with all the caribou and moose meat along with the antlers on the train. What a great time.  The train was full of hunters and guides and we stayed up most of the night talking and socializing. 
Be sure you take the train it will save you tons of shipping and you will have a great time seeing the country from the train. I look back at my pictures and believe that dreams do come true with the proper planning and outfitters. Thanks Webbers for making my dreams come true.

Paul Kimpton – Illinois