Moose Hunt 2009!

This year Paul, I , Coal, and two friends from Missouri (Brock & Jeff) hunted our usual spot, south of the Yukon River. It was a little different than past years, bringing Coal along, but he did great!...riding in my backpack while we hunted. In addition to our cub on floats, we borrowed a second float-plane from friends, allowing both Paul & I to fly gear, people, and meat. On the second two hunts, we also had help from our friend Nate and his Cessna-180 (which took all of one moose out in one load!). In all, we were lucky enough to get two big ones and a third, smaller bull. The meat was primarily split between three families, with a few quarters sent in to friends in Fairbanks and Anchorage.

On our trip up, we landed at Denali Nat. Park, where my mom's best friend (Leslie) drove us to get some extra gas! Thanks Leslie!Moose #1 (62")

Moose #2 (65")

Moose #3 (34")

Papa Paul flew the white plane...



Mama flew the yellow plane.

On the trip, Coal started eating 'solid' food (ground-up versions of whatever we were eating - moose-stix were his camp favorite!), skipping his midnight breast-feeding, and he met his first moose, and his first frog!

Wood frog on a moose-shed-jungle-gym we built in camp for Coal

Taking a nap while we hauled gear to the planes...our -40F bags zip together, so Coal could just snuggle in between us at night.
The freezer is full for the winter!

While back in town, we got to see old friends (now a year older!)
The Scotton kids: Hawken (2) & Sable (4)

...and meet new ones.
Coal's new girlfriend: baby Aeroh (1) + mom (Danya)

...the boys...1st snow of the year!

Back home...we pulled the float plane out of the water for the winter.
And went home to start getting ready for our Cold Bay Goose Hunting trip!