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My husband Babe Winkelman writes hunting columns when he’s not out filming episodes of “Outdoor Secrets” television. When he said he was going to write a story about my first moose, I told him I wanted to do it. So here goes…
Ever since I started bowhunting, getting a bull moose has been at the top of my bucket list. So when I had the opportunity to go to Ontario with Babe for an archery moose hunt with Canoe Canada Outfitters, I jumped at the chance. I was especially excited to hunt with my guide Larry Ogden, who people refer to as “The Moose Whisperer”, for his ability to mimic a lovesick cow and bring bulls in on a string.
Despite dealing with rough weather at the beginning of the trip, we finally got some favorable conditions one fateful afternoon -- and Larry did his magic. While I was expecting a rutting bull to come charging in all fired up and thrashing trees, the opposite happened.
Kris with her trophy moose. (Photo credit: Babe Winkelman)My bull slipped into the swampy slashing like a ghost. He didn’t make a sound! I spotted him at about 50 yards and didn’t have much time to mess around. I had been practicing that yardage with my bow and had total (OK, almost total) confidence in hitting the bulls-eye. I mean, I was shaking like a leaf!
“Thwack” went the arrow and the lung-shot bull didn’t go far before piling up. I can’t even express the emotions I felt when I saw him down and put my hands on his antlers -- which by the way were incredibly unique. He had drop tines! That’s really rare for a moose. He was an old bull on the downward curve in old age, and that can make their antlers get very non-typical.
I’m so grateful to my guide and for having a neighbor like Ontario just across the U.S. border. The hunting and fishing we Americans get to enjoy up there is so incredible.
Now, on to my next bucket list bowhunt...
