September - move over fishing, here comes moose hunting

September equals transition time.  The last of the fishermen, and a great bunch of guys, finished up that part of the season.  Moose hunting arrived with a bang (bad pun I know).  There were two moose hunters this year and both were able to get moose.  This was my first experience with the hunting season and it was totally different than fishing.  Our nice structured fishing season stopped and the unpredictability of the hunting schedule took over. 

Typical fishing schedule - breakfast, lunch, dinner - a Sunday thru Saturday routine.  Hunting has no rhyme or reason.  The hunter comes to camp, repacks their bag, sights in the rifle and is flown out to their spike camp.  The guide is already there waiting.  The hunter is not able to hunt on the same day that they fly into their spike camp.  Food has been packed for the camps and perishables go out (eggs, milk, etc...).

The key to hunting season is flexibility.  The amount of people at the lodge changes as the hunters come in and out, and guides rotate through.  There can be 5 people at breakfast, 2 at lunch, and 10 at dinner or the reverse. 

So back to the moose hunters, Dan and Mike.  Dan from Wyoming was one of the first hunters to arrive.  He was at the lodge for a day before going out to camp as Tracy, the pilot, was his guide.  Dan was out one night and got a big 70+ moose!

Our second moose hunter, Mike along with his wife, Candy, took a little longer but were also successful.  Candy came back to the lodge after a couple nights at spike camp.  It was nice for me having her company.  Mike was successful also.

Each hunter took home the antlers, some meat and the cape.  The villagers of Egegik and Ugashik received meat also.

We also ground approximately 75lbs of moose for burger.  This is used for lodge meals for the next year.  Moose Meatloaf is delicious.  For those of you that have ground venison, this recipe works just as well.

2lbs ground moose
1lb ground unseasoned pork
1 envelope of dried onion soup (Like Lipton)
1 sm can V8
1 Cup Oatmeal
2 eggs
Finely chopped onion
Finely chopped green pepper
Minced Garlic
Season with salt and pepper
Barbeque sauce (I like Sweet Baby Ray's)

Mix all ingredients except the BBQ sauce. Place meat mixture in loaf pan(s). Make a cut down center and then place a thin layer of the BBQ sauce on top.  Bake at 350 degrees until done - depending on pan depth, and oven, approximately 45 - 50 min.