Outdoors With Hank – Wild Game

Sightseeing in Alberta/British Columbia

The moose was at the processor and we could not pick him up for two days. With nothing else to do and everyone in the camp having got their moose, we decided to go touring for a day. Alberta is rich in history and great places to visit, but we were up north and west so they suggested we visit Dawson Creek, British Columbia, just a couple of hour drive north of the lodge. On our drive up to and from Dawson Creek the highway was peppered with these signs warning of moose crossings. We did not see any signs warning of deer crossings. This was a really nice drive with lots of scenery. To the west we could see the mountains in British Columbia with the snow covered peaks. It was a beautiful drive. Dawson Creek derives its name from the creek of the same name that runs through the community. The creek was named after George Mercer

Day Three of Six of the Great Alberta Moose Hunt

Do you ever get up in the morning and say to yourself? “This is going to be my day in the sun.” Well, driving up to the lodge that is how I felt, and Pam told me to slow down more than once as I was exceeding the speed limit. When she is confident and upbeat, that is a good sign. After 51 years of marriage, I think we read each other pretty well. Decades ago, before I got married, a friend told me, “In your marriage be either right or happy.” I chose “happy” and things have worked out well for both of us. Sunrise in Alberta and it looks like it will be a high overcast day. The great beast will not be so tied to the stands of timber and may wander outside of his protective cover, or maybe, he will move closer to the edge. When we arrived ready for

Day Two of the Great Alberta Moose Hunt

To bed last night at 10 p.m. and up at 5 a.m., Pam and I were on the road to the lodge to have breakfast by 5:45 a.m. After yesterday and the day before, I was brimming with confidence and could not wait to get out into the fields of canola, wheat, oats and hay. We torqued down our breakfasts and were the first ones out the door to the truck. Even the guide was amazed at our eagerness. He expected us older people not to move that fast. This picture was taken the previous night as we were heading back to the lodge. Moon rise over Alberta and we just stopped and looked at it for a while as the earth turned and it came up higher in the sky. The thought was maybe a moose will come out to admire the moon rise too, but to no avail. Down the roads we

The Great Moose Hunt is On

It was finally going to happen! After a three day drive from Council Bluffs, we arrived in Grand Prairie, Alberta Canada. Next morning we met the chief guide at our motel and followed him up to Spirit River and to the lodge. We then met the staff and everyone was shown to their rooms except for my wife and I. We were staying at the 49 Motel in Spirit River. The lodge had adequate rooms, but there were only two bathrooms and one shower. Not so good for my wife but Mike told me hunters bring their wives all the time and stay at the motel. It was only 20 minutes from the lodge. The lodge was full of mounts of all kinds from bear to elk to a multitude of mule and whitetail deer. Look at the pile of horn lying in the bottom of the picture. Next was licensing, a really big