Moose Hunting Trip

It was Sept. 1981 my buddy Reno and I decided to go out moose hunting in Northern Quebec,

30 miles west of the Daniel Johnson dam, (hydro quebec). The Manicougan Reservoir, Manic 5.

Friday morning the first week-end of September. It was also the last week-end for trout fishing.

At Lake Louise that morning Reno the pilot yes another Reno were waiting for us. We tied the 16 foot chestnut canoe on to the float of the PA18 Supercub. All the baggage on board, Reno and I and up we were for a place called Cross Lake.

As we approched the lake I could see fresh tracks on the sandy beach. Landed and pulled up to that beach. I was the first one off and first thing was to look at those tracks. Yes fresh , this morning I said. It's a cow, nice big cow. It was 11am and a lot of time ahead of us to do some hunting today.

Reno the pilot was up and away, just had time to wave good bye. All the baggage was on the nice sandy beach and Reno was checking the place to put up camp. He said right here and I replied, good.

Once the tent up and everything inside, I said Reno, we will be quiet for a good half hour, no noice at all. He said okay. About half an hour later, not a sound was to be heard. I pulled out very slowly, from my packsack my two dried hardwood sticks. These are 2 feet long and 2 inches in diameter. I gave them to Reno and whispered, kock them together two to three times every 15 minutes, hit them hard together. I left for the bushes behind the tent. I also told him don't stop until I either shoot or I'm back here. It was 3:30pm, just the right time to get her interested.

I walked 100 yards and stopped and listen for a few minutes. I heard nothing. I walked about another 100 yards and heard my buddy hitting the sticks together. I stopped and listened. I continued for another 100 yards. Listened and nothing. I was about 500 yards from camp. I could see on my right side and in front of me for about 1o0 yards. But on the left, the bush was thick. I could see about 15 feet, without moving. I'll stay here and listen.

It was close to 4pm and very quiet, I could hear my friend hitting the sticks together about every 15 minutes. I listened and listened. Then I heard somthing like a rubbing sound on the spruce branches, it was close and on my left. I said to myself it has to be the cow. No cracking sounds. Then again, the rubbing on the branches and it was very close. I could hear it breathing and another brushing sound. It was very very close, and it was starting to get dark, I had to go to the toilet and fast. I could hear it breathing, it was close, I could not hold on any longer, my gut was going to bust, down went my pants, in that sitting position, I saw it, the big dark just about black colored cow, beautiful cow take off. She was only 20 feet away from me. That is really close.

I said to myself oh no, what did I do and what am I going to tell my buddy. I guess things like this do happen at least once in a life time.

I got back to camp, Reno was laying on the beach and making signs to me to be quiet. He pointed accross the Lake and said right there. We had no telescope. I said it looks like a moose standing on a hump. Reno said that's what I see also. It was to dark to shoot and you don`t shoot if your not sure at what your shooting at..

There was a moose around and if we want it we had to put all our luck together. No cooking to-night. We had a lite lunch sandwhiches and a couple of drinks. Time for bed, it was 7pm and see if that cow is still interested, with all that humain odeur and plus, she may be far gone tomorrow...

We are here for one whole week..so I`ll continue this story next week.