BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

saskie · Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2003 3:56 pm Post subject:

My PAL finally arrived today. I know that you'll all be relieved to know that you won't have to listen to me whine about it anymore.

My first purchase will be a .22 single and the order is going in tonight for a .308 BLR. With a little luck you may even see me at the range this weekend (they say it's 2-5 day delivery time from the warehouse in NB).

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1664 Location: Nova Scotia

Way to go Saskie. Good to have you on the active side of things. The 308 BLR is a fine choice and nobody can do without a .22 :smile:

saskie · Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2003 5:15 pm Post subject:

Yeah I can't wait. Unfortunately I may have to wait a little for the 308 as the warehouse doesn't have any, but they say I should have it by next weekend. If not I know where there's a used one, but they want 900 for it (same price as new). In any case the weather is too crappy these days for the range.

bitmasher · Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Posts: 2661 Location: Colorado

Congrats!

Does this mean your going to go hunting this fall? If I remember right you had said once you were getting back into the hunting.

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1664 Location: Nova Scotia

Yeah, my range is just about a write-off. They haven't even plowed the parking area out. I think I am the only one who goes at this time because I only see one set of tracks unless others are doing what I am and walking in my tracks. It is a pain in the a$$ to park beside the highway to walk to the range carrying all your gadgets with you. The Bedford range should be fine still this time of year. I think DND owns it as well so maybe you get in free or a reduced rate.

saskie · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2003 1:54 pm Post subject:

I most definitely will be back hunting this fall. Deer/grouse for sure, and moose if I get drawn. I may even hunt back home (SK) if I can swing that one.

I've already scouted a good stand location for the evenings, but am still looking for a morning one that I can get into quietly.

No such luck with Bedford. If I use it all the same rules/fees apply to me as well as you. Once a year (fall) they have hunter rifle sight-in that's the only perk I get. I hear there's am active rifle club in the Valley that I'll be checking out.

bitmasher · Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Posts: 2661 Location: Colorado

Are you putting in for moose in NS? Is that a preference point system or a straight random draw?

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1664 Location: Nova Scotia

Moose is random draw and has a 1 in 600 chance of getting picked(based on last years numbers). If you are picked you cannot apply again for another 5 years. It is broke up into two week seasons and four specific zones which are choosen at the time you enter the draw. Now you can see why I go to Newfoundland to hunt moose. I am looking into New Brunswick this season as well because I know a guide up there that is a friend and is checking it out for me.

saskie · Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2003 8:49 am Post subject:

The odds aren't great of getting a moose tag in NS. My girlfriend's father and uncle have been drawn once. The good news is that if you get drawn you can designate 2 people to "fully participate in the hunt with you".
I'm not sure what that means exactly, do you Chester? Can your partners carry a rifle or are they just along as spotters/scouts and to hump out the moose?

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1664 Location: Nova Scotia

Yeah, you can ask two other hunters to assist you in the moose hunt. What this means is the other hunters are fully able to participate in the hunt as long as they are in shouting distance of the licensed hunter. And it is good to have them for the haul as well. :smile:

caveman · Joined: 08 Apr 2002 Posts: 97 Location: Arizona

I'd love to have a 308 BLR, way to go. I hope you can tell us some stories.

saskie · Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2003 6:28 pm Post subject:

Oh I can always tell stories...they just may not always be true. As Mark Twain said - "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story"

[ This Message was edited by: saskie on 2003-02-11 17:29 ]

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1664 Location: Nova Scotia

:smile:

bitmasher · Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Posts: 2661 Location: Colorado

That is interesting that you are allowed to have others help. I think that is a good rule, since in the end your party still takes out the same about of game and it allows the others to participate. Although I imagine if careful communication doesn't occur between the hunting group members you could have more than one animal taken by accident.

I can't imagine what it would be like to haul a moose. The word "exhausting" comes to mind... :smile:

ChesterGolf · Joined: 17 Aug 2002 Posts: 1664 Location: Nova Scotia

A moose is an ample animal to get out of the woods but it is atleast quartered and sometimes more. The rack is a handfull as well especially if you intend to mount the whole head(I just take the rack). It is nice to have friends to help and to have access to a vehicle that can get reasonably close to the animal. I have taken all mine on guided moose hunts in Newfoundland so I have been lucky on the hauling end of things as tohe outfitter has taken care of this process, but I was assisting a hunt in Cape Breton That produced a nice 800 lb moose and it is a lot of work. Luckily, we were fairly close to a woods road.