Calling in the 'cavalry' — or close friends — to help harvest an early fall moose

Not a single moose, or even a fresh track, did we see during our first trip to northwest Gander — moose management area (MMA) 24.

It was mid-September, and our best effort was put forward to help long-time buddy Sean Kearsey harvest a bull.

So confident were we of getting his animal early, Sean flew his older brother Danny down from Elliott Lake in Ontario for the experience. However, it was not to be. So we had to be satisfied with a wonderful few days together in the Newfoundland wilderness, which, of course, is really what it's all about.

My next challenge — and I knew it wouldn't be easy — was to get Sean away from work for another few days in October. As part-owner and operator of both Island Propane and Cabin Depot in Mount Pearl, his was an extremely busy position.

After trying without success to nail down dates with him on a few occasions in early October, I finally came up with a three-pronged approach as a last resort.

"Sean b'y, if we don't head off by mid-October, you know you aren't going to get a chance to go in November or December," I started with. 

Then I told him my buddy Peter Tucker, who knows the area, along with moose habits, hangouts and trails better than anybody, has offered to come with us if the timing is right, and we can stay at his cabin.

For the third and final part of my argument, I repeated what I've told Sean as a friend many times over the years — don't get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.

Finally, he agreed.

Now to call Pete and see if he could take time off from his own busy ceramic tile company.

"Pete, looks like I'm gettin' Sean on the go again next week to get his moose. Were you planning on going out to your cabin on Wednesday or Thursday, the 16th or 17th, for a few days, by any chance?"

Never one to turn down a moose hunt, he quickly replied.

"I wasn't, but I can make it happen. What time do you want to head out?" Pete replied.

Yes! The game was back on!

"Don't bother with quads and trailers," he advised. "I got it all out there. Gas, too, and grub. You guys come on as soon as you can. I'll be waiting at the cabin."

This would be Sean's first time hunting with Pete and experiencing his hospitality and endless energy, while I've had the pleasure numerous times over the years.

"I've got the butcher lined up for Saturday," I told Sean just as we hit the TCH and headed west. "And of course, we'll give Pete a quarter of moose for all his help."

"You sound pretty confident that we'll get our animal," Sean replied. "I guess Pete is sort of a cavalry that you called for help with this hunt."

Yeah, pretty much.

After checking a number of trails and cutovers early the next morning, we followed Pete to the banks of Southwest Gander River, the opposite side of which was MMA 42, Gambo.

Less than a minute after Pete's long cow calls, we spotted a young bull — on the Gambo side — emerge from the trees 600 yards down river and start making his way toward us along the far shoreline.

Pete would issue the occasional short cow call to keep the animal's interest and the bull would respond with continuous grunts as he walked.

Our hearts pounded as he began to cross the river a couple of hundred yards below us. I glanced at Sean with a "see, told ya" look, just as the bull stepped onto Area 24 soil and into the woods.

We waited for several minutes but heard nothing more.

"Damn it, he may have picked up our scent," Pete whispered before motioning for Sean to quietly follow him through the trees.

As it turned out, the bull was actually taking a slow, circling approach toward what he thought was a beckoning cow.

Suddenly Pete stopped and pointed. They could see "just the head and neck" at first as the young animal moved through trees and bushes. Then, as it entered an open spot, Pete gave a low grunt and the bull stopped.

Broadside. Fifty yards.

Sean raised his Remington 700 .308 rifle and thumbed off the safety.

"Boom!"

While he was certain the animal was "hit good," the powerful creature did manage to run a short distance before dropping.

"Wicked!" Sean exclaimed, as he reached to shake Pete's hand. "I cannot thank you enough, buddy. And you too, Gordie," he added with a chuckle.

"Alright," Pete said, while rubbing his hands together. "Let's get this animal back to camp and hung up so we can do a bit of grouse hunting."

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