A weekend trip to moose camp

[teklanika_ray]

My sons and I hauled up an old 6x6 side by side to our moose camp this weekend.

We had a tough time getting the boat on step, but after two miles of hugging the shallows she finally got on step. We were able to run 30 mph for 40 miles. Then I got to close to a gravel bar and sucked the cooling system full of gravel.

There was no choice we had to Unload the side by side in the middle of the river. So with the help of some neighbor, that is exactly what we did. Abive are some pictures of us driving it off without ramps.

Then it was time to sort out the boat. I sent a picture of my codes and what I thought the trouble was to the absolute boat guru. An hour later he text and called in the solution.

I needed to flush the system. That is hard to do (not a water spicket within 40 miles), so I pulled the bullet pump out of the well at my cabin, cut the end off, and hooked it right up to the bottom flushing nipple. I tossed the bullet pump overboard, and hook the power to the boats battery, and walla instant flush. I believe this pump is going to become part of my regular repair kit. It took 4 hours of rain filled fun to get it all sorted out. No more over heating, time to load up and head down river.

After an hour of running, the belt tensioner burns up, and now the boat only idles. So again we pull over, and open the dog house. I fortunately had a spare pully in a water proof box, thanks again to the great and wonder boating guru. The rest of the trip was uneventful. I will post pictures as moose season progresses. Should be fun, at least it usually is.

 

[gillettehunter]

Sounds like a little adversity to start off with. plus a good start to an adventure. Looking froward to the rest of your story/hunt. Wish I was there with you as I bet you'll have a great time.
Bruce

 

[teklanika_ray]

Update on moose season 2024.
First trip into camp and I'm way over loaded. Had to split the load into two.

My son lost the foot off of his outboard jet.
See pictures below. We are headed 40 miles down river to pick up the second half of the camp supplies, and the new parts I called back to town for at 10 p.m. then called a friend to drive them down to a gas station close to the boat ramp.

 

[teklanika_ray]

Final report,
Moose season was weird this year. I have lived in Alaska for almost 30 years, and since I learned how to call moose. I don't think I have had a season go by with out having a bull moose scrapping and grunting out in front of me. This year that is exactly what happened. I think the rut happened without me.
I did help my son find a moose along side the river. Not the largest moose ever, but about 400 lbs of clean lean meat. Here is a picture of his bull.

 

[teklanika_ray]

Here are some other pictures. The tractor sunk the front tires up to the axle as I was pushing out a log, no big deal. We just winched a backward with the side by side. Then a couple of foggy days pictures.

 

[Lumaberpat]

Sounds like a great hunt! Just enough going wrong to keep it all interesting.
What caliber(s) do you shoot moose with?

 

[franzfmdavis]

Kudos for working through all that and still getting a bull moose!

 

[teklanika_ray]

I use a 300 WSM, the kid was using a 375 Ruger (known as Thor's hammer).

I agree, the most memorable hunts always have some turmoil.

 

[HankBuck]

Here are some other pictures. The tractor sunk the front tires up to the axle as I was pushing out a log, no big deal. We just winched a backward with the side by side. Then a couple of foggy days pictures.View attachment 636602View attachment 636603View attachment 636604

@teklanika_ray: You’ve got good “recovery equipment” and know how to use it - impressive! If that were Me, everything would still be stuck-in-the-mud….including ME ! (Although I’m good with a chainsaw)