Two Big Woods Maine Moose - A Guide Story by Brandon Lane

Brandon Lane and his son Lukas with Lukas' first moose.

Lukas was drawn for a September 2024 Zone 1 bull tag. Monday morning of opening day came around and the moose woods were on fire! The morning started off with sounds of multiple bulls and cows sounding off in the distance. With some close encounters over the first few hours they decided to back out and give the moose a break for a while.

Later on that afternoon the wind had changed and was a no-go for the location they hunted that morning. So while driving down the road Lukas said, "Dad let's try here, I have a good feeling about this old road."

Lukas sure was right--after a short walk they had a cow respond then a bull answered and the game of chess was on. About 20 minutes before dark the bull came in looking for a fight. Lukas made one well placed shot when the bull stepped out at 30 yards and then the celebration started!

After they packed the moose out and brought it to the tagging station Brandon and Lukas started tell stories about their day hunting with Brandon's guides and other clients in camp. Brandon and his Guide Jamie talked over a few strategies and decided that after Lukas' moose got taken to the butcher on Tuesday they would hunt together.

Well, Tuesday didn't produce any opportunities. So after some chatting Jamie and Brandon came up with a game plan. They decided they would try the spot Brandon and Lukas tried Monday morning with Brandon calling and Jamie staying with the hunter. It wasn’t long and they could hear a bull raking off in the distance to their south.  

Brandon tickled the alders just for a second with a shoulder blade and BAM--a bull started grunting within 100 yards from their north. They both looked at each other with the "did you hear that" look. Brandon stepped off in the ditch and Jamie got set up with the hunter the best he could given the scenario they was in.

After a few soft calls and some raking the bull from the north was coming on a string Brandon could see him come the hole way down to twitch trail and couldn’t figure out why they wernt shooting knowing the bull was within 50 yards of them. As you can see in the video he was behind the little firs blocking there view. The hunter made a great shot with the bull only going 50 yards. Couldn’t have asked for a better hunt. Team work makes dream work!

Brandon Lane is Team Member with Big Woods Bucks, a registered Maine Guide, and owner and operator of Allagash Guide Service.

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