Strangest hunting moment?

Was walking back to the truck, heard a commotion in the bush so I stopped and got the 45-70 ready. A rabbit broke out of the bush full speed with a lynx on its tail. Rabbit ran right at me and did a 90* right on the tip of my boots. The lynx stopped at my feet, then sat down, looked at me and squinted his eyes like a content house cat. Could have touched his nose with that short Guide Gun.





Set up moose camp only to find a gut pile down a cut line a few hundred yards away. Checked it out and found it was covered with grass = Grizzly. That Grizz played games with us for the rest of our hunt.

--Old boy I was hunting with was glassing down the cut line looking for him, only to lower the binoculars and find the grizz was standing beside him looking at HIM.

--Old boy shot a black bear down the cut line, I walked down to make sure the bear was dead, yep, gut pile still there, walked back to get a quad came back 2 minutes later gut pile gone drug off by the grizz, he let us load up the black bear on the quad once we were gone he then put half the gut pile back on the cut line.

--Walking back to camp one morning somting started walking beside me in the thick bush, I would take 2 steps it would take 2 steps, I would stop, it would stop, I would speed up it would speed up,,,all the way back to camp. Check out the tracks the next day found it was the Grizz got as close as 10 yards way from me and walked beside me for about 1/2 mile.
 
Shot a grouse in the head. In above the one eye, came out the other side below the other eye. Thing just flops down and wings flap crazy for a few seconds, stops then I throw it on the back of the truck with the others. 2 hour drive back home, and the grouse was sitting upright with bubbles of blood coming out the beak. Sitting just like it was covering eggs. For some reason that kinda freaked me out and ill always remember that. My dad quickly too it and pulled it appart before I could fully process my thoughts on it lol..
 
Slaymoar said:
Shot a grouse in the head. In above the one eye, came out the other side below the other eye. Thing just flops down and wings flap crazy for a few seconds, stops then I throw it on the back of the truck with the others. 2 hour drive back home, and the grouse was sitting upright with bubbles of blood coming out the beak. Sitting just like it was covering eggs. For some reason that kinda freaked me out and ill always remember that. My dad quickly too it and pulled it appart before I could fully process my thoughts on it lol..
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I had that once too. One whole half of the things head was blown away from a load of 7 1/2's, and it was sitting there looking at me when i picked it up. Crazy stuff.
 
There's been a few I can't explain.

One time we were in the Blackwater before it was opened up. Solid, hard bush every direction.
We had a moose down. Gutted, skinned, hung and it's miller time.
We're standing around the fire long after dark, it musta been 10:00 or so and we hear this crunching coming to the fire from the bush.

This guy appears and all he says is "Which way is Punchaw Lake?" wearing nothing but a t-shirt and jeans. No rifle.

Back then it would take a guy that was really good in the bush to make it during the daytime.

I point and say "A good few hours that way" and without hesitation he heads back into the bush and is gone. We just stood there looking at each other like...."Well he's dead". I'm sure he's still out there.

Another time a few years later in the same area, but it had been logged a bit by then, my dad and I were on a small landing below a hill and stopped for a piss. We heard a truck pull up above us and 2 guys start yelling at each other.

Here's how it went....."F-you......no! F-YOU! ...F-YOU!!! bang! (rifle shot) .....spinning tires on gravel... Jaws drop...

Even though it was pretty close, as the crow flies, it takes a good hour or two to get there by trail on our quad. When we got there we had a good look around but couldn't find any sign of foul play so I have no idea what transpired.

My coolest hunting experience was one morning getting up before dark and heading to my blind. The same one my dad has hunted for over 50 years. I'm half way there and I can hear a moose behind me so i let out a low grunt and keep walking towards the slough really slow. Just before a small knoll a cow moose and her calf walk right up to me. I could have touched their noses!

I lower my rifle to my hip and talk really low...."That's all right momma....it's OK..." Then a small bull walks up. I"m not ####ting. I have a young bull (which isn't open for 2 days) a calf (which isn't open for a week) and a cow which isn't open at all within sniffing distance of me thinking I am the moose that was behind me earlier.

They all made their moose noises then realized I wasn't one of them. The cow and calf trotted off then the bull followed. He went about 50 yards, bellered then continued on.

I finished my 100 yard walk to my blind then got on the radio to tell the guys what happened. They all said I should have dropped them but I never really felt threatened. I had an experience that I'll never forget as long as I live and you can't pay money for.

I've been successfully moose hunting for about 30 years (I get my animal every year usually) but nothing will ever measure up to that.
 
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After some reports of animal attacks in the news, here's a few of my "not attacked" stories:

About 9 years ago I was out deer hunting in late November (note: here hunting deer is the month of November), had stood most of the early morning at a good spot, but decided to move along during the mid day to another spot to stand in the evening. I got a nice Mule doe for the freezer first day and was now looking for a Whitetail buck. About half way there I decided to stop at a large, old brush pile in the edge of a crossing of two cutlines to have lunch. As I stood there, rifle cradled under an arm eating 'finger food' I noticed a blur of white in the old rotted brush beside me. A moment later a small weasel poked its head out of the pile, starred at me about three seconds and backed into the pile. This "peeping tom" action repeated for at least five minutes as I tried to watch it, eat, drink water and watch for deer all at the same time. The weasel, fully white except for the tip of its tail being black, must have wanted attention - or was insulted that I wasn't paying it full attention. Out of no where it scampers out, sniffs my boot and then starts rubbing all over it!!! It was at this point I remembered I had helped gut a fellow hunter's deer the night before and my boot must have smelled nice to it. I didn't feed it, no matter how much I wanted to... but I did let it rub till to its heart's content for 2 minute (mostly for my own amusement) before it ran off through the snow and grass.

About 6 years ago I was walking to a favorite duck pond down a path that animals (and people, likely) cut through 4 ft tall roses and other thorns when I came upon a large beaver in the path. I had no where to go, other than turn around and head back up the hill to the trees. We had a moment of staring at each other when the beaver started towards me slow and careful like I wasn't there. I loaded the shotgun, held it pointed at the beaver the whole time (safety off), and basically had the beaver waddle towards me, to me, over my feet and head away from me up the hill and never look back. The whole time I wasn't afraid, only thinking that a 3" 12ga #4 was going to make a mess of the beaver (and maybe my feet) if I had to pull the trigger.

The next fall I had almost the same thing happen with a porcupine, only I was deer hunting and decided to step over it instead of letting it possibly decide to climb my leg. Again, no fear: just the tought of shot placement with a .303 Enfield and how close the muzzle would be to my feet.

All before the days of me always carying a camera phone. :yingyang:
 
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lol Annie. Them were good yarns.

I can't help but think you're calling my stories bull####. I don't care, it's all true.

This is why I don't usually tell them, I wouldn't believe my stories if someone else told them to me so I can't blame anyone else for not.
 
I put my gun down to take a leak, mid stream two does got up and ran. Just like the commics I thought.
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Same. Compound bow. Put down to piss, 2 point buck walked out from the trees 15-17 yards away.
I slowly picked up, and he was gone... ZIP....
 
Was out with my old Ben Person compound bow and some fiberglass arrows (remember those?) saw a big old jack rabbit in the stubble field so I took a shot at it. I shot low (long before range finders) and the arrow bounced and skipped a little ways. Walked over to pick it up and found my arrow was laying right on top of a stone Indian arrow head.
 
07blackwater said:
lol Annie. Them were good yarns.

I can't help but think you're calling my stories bull####. I don't care, it's all true.

This is why I don't usually tell them, I wouldn't believe my stories if someone else told them to me so I can't blame anyone else for not.
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I don't think he's trying to call anyone's story BS............up here in Bonnyville/Cold Lake, we often see those long tailed weasels. Mostly while they are hunting for squirrels or rabbits. Thier quick movements while they are in thier white coat in a dark forest & just caught only in your periferry vision can make you think you are seeing things, until you pin them down while they are finally sitting still. They can be very curious and bold.
 
Brutus said:
I don't think he's trying to call anyone's story BS............up here in Bonnyville/Cold Lake, we often see those long tailed weasels. Mostly while they are hunting for squirrels or rabbits. They can be very curious and bold. Pine martins sometimes as well.
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My bad. It's my first day off and I've had a few wobblies. I work nights BTW.

I didn't mean offence. It's all good.
 
Was hunting whitetail deer in southern Alberta, late in the day I spotted 2 bull and one cow moose. A moose sighting was rare in that area and I had never really seen many moose in my life at that point so I grabbed my binos and jumped up in the box of my 1979 International Scout (cool truck). The 2 bulls began to fight, I was amazed at how loud the sounds of their antlers were in the cool and still air. Off in the distance I spotted some movement. A whitetail buck was running towards the show, he would stop and thrash some brush then stand still and listen. Every time the moose antlers would crash the buck would come running. The buck got about 100 yards from the moose before he realized somting wasn't right (he may have never seen a moose before) I took the shot and dropped the buck. I had to drive right past the moose to gut and load the deer, the whole time they continued to rake antlers and clash horns. That still is the biggest whitetail I have ever shot to this day.
 
Was Bear hunting over a bait, just hunting on the ground on a rock ledge of a small lake shoreline. Heard branches breaking coming in towards me. Was a cow moose, it stood within about 10-15yds for about 15mins. The whole time I talked with a low voice to it, her head turning and ears moving up and down the whole time, trying to figure out what the hell I was, finally it decided to turn and move on, so i said "hey where are you going so soon". Just like that it turned walked right up to me as I stood on these rocks about 4ft high. We stood looking at each other at eye level about 1-2yds apart, it proceeded to take the last step closer. I didn't want to have to jump down into the water so I kept talking to it, raised my rifle slowly with one hand. It sniffed the muzzle of my rifle for about 1 minute slowly turn and saundered away stopping ever few steps looking back at me. The days you leave your camera behind, now it always come with me were ever I hunt. Would never have let a bull get that close. I remember the back side of each rear legs around it's arse had about 4x10inch area that was damn near raw flesh, courtesy of all the deer+horseflys eating away on her.
 
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On weasels, one time I was sitting in a brush pile bow hunting for elk. I got settled in and let out one chirp. 2 seconds latter I heard something behind me, it was a hissing- growling sound and made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I slowly turned my head and saw nothing at first, then my eyes focused close and right there 12" from my face was a mad weasel fangs and all standing on a log. I got up fast and it took a few steps towards me.
I had to run away, not joking.
 
canadaman30 said:
Was Bear hunting over a bait, just hunting on the ground on a rock ledge of a small lake shoreline. Heard branches breaking coming in towards me. Was a cow moose, it stood within about 10-15yds for about 15mins. The whole time I talked with a low voice to it, her head turning and ears moving up and down the whole time, trying to figure out what the hell I was, finally it decided to turn and move on, so i said "hey where are you going so soon". Just like that it turned walked right up to me as I stood on these rocks about 4ft high. We stood looking at each other at eye level about 1-2yds apart, it proceeded to take the last step closer. I didn't want to have to jump down into the water so I kept talking to it, raised my rifle slowly with one hand. It sniffed the muzzle of my rifle for about 1 minute slowly turn and saundered away stopping ever few steps looking back at me. The days you leave your camera behind, now it always come with me were ever I hunt. Would never have let a bull get that close. I remember the back side of each rear legs around it's arse had about 4x10inch area that was damn near raw flesh, courtesy of all the deer+horseflys eating away on her.
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Thats crazy!
 
One November I was leaning against a tree overlooking a cut line. IT was dead calm and totally quiet, there was a bit of snow falling and it had accumulated on my shoulders and brown toque. I was totally motionless except for my head which would turn side to side every once in a while. You could have heard a mouse fart it was so quiet. Then above me I heard a branch "tic" I snapped my eyes up only to see an owl swooping down for my head. He was only a few feet away from my face, feet and claws stretched out ready to grab my toque, I ducked and he aborted his dive bomb at the last second. He then came about in a circle and landed in the tree about 3 feet above me just to check out what had tricked him. Stayed there for quite a while too. An Owl's wings are nearly silent when they are diving, if he had not clipped that branch he would have stole my toque for sure.
 
07blackwater said:
lol Annie. Them were good yarns.

I can't help but think you're calling my stories bull####. I don't care, it's all true.

This is why I don't usually tell them, I wouldn't believe my stories if someone else told them to me so I can't blame anyone else for not.
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Yes, been in the same position a few times. Why bother telling the story?
Of course, you and I know, a lot of stories in the Blackwater and some we have told.
Bruce
 
Years ago I was hunting deer on crown land and it was pretty windy. At this spot I always sat along side a tree on the ground. Well that morning it was blowing good and about a half hour till light I heard stomping... I look to my right and see a deer at full speed running towards me! My jaw dropped an next thing it hops over my legs! I could hear the thump it made right beside me when it landed.

Pretty cool!

I have had two close calls with fallen trees!

That same bush I decided not to hunt a another spot but rather over the hill. Hours later I hear a loud bang!! On my way out the tree I would have say beside fell!!

And years later it was windy before sunrise and I was in stand. I could hear a creaking tree near by.. I decided I didn't feel safe and moved to another spot which I missed a deer as it jumped my arrow! On my way out there was a fallen tree ON the exact same tree that my stand is on! It was about 6ft above my stand!!
 
Did you know a deer's eyes can get as big as saucers?

I was driving home for lunch during muzzleloader season a couple of years ago when, passing a small ravine near the road, I noticed a "dead" whitetail layed out on a sidehill like a horse would when sunning himself. I assumed it had been hit on the road. It was very warm and with about a 20 mph wind blowing in my face I decided to go inspect, as I could see the deer had horns. Making no attempt at walking quietly, I just trudged right up and stood 6 inches from his arse end. As I looked down at him I thought I could see his chest moving. I stuck the barrel of my muzzleloader into his rump and then all hell broke loose.
His head came up, swivelled around, and we locked eyes. I'll never forget the look on his face as his eyes seemed to double in size! He jumped up and ran for the horizon. I'm betting that buck never slept again for the rest of his life. BTW, he was just a little 4x4 120ish young buck, which is why I never shot him after being handed such a golden opportunity.
 
I went out in the dark and sat down against a tree, when the light started to come up, I saw a huge moose, looked as big as a billboard a short distance away. Then it started making noises like an elephant. Kept seeing the same moose all day long. Never seen one before in my life, let alone when I was out deer hunting. Watched a coyote catching mice in a rock pile not far from me either. Was interesting to watch. Put down my rifle to climb over a large snow drift to see what was on the other side, deer. Finally had enough for the morning, set my rifle on the open tailgate of the truck and laid back against a tree and had a snooze. Woke up to see a deer standing between me and the truck. Had lots of close encounters with cattle out hunting. You sit somewhere quiet on the edge of a field, and next thing you know a cow is trying to lick the back of your head. Or a huge bull that wondered onto the land from somewhere, a break in the fence? Decided to camp out just beneath my tree stand. I think the animals like to play games with us, and know when they are safe.
 
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