They Don’t Get Any Better Than This

Mr. Ken Robins of Whatshan Guides and Outfitters from Nakusp, BC is noted for his high success rate on Shiras moose in southern BC. Therefore, when I received an email blast in June of 2023 from Brent Chapman of BC Outfitters Consultant, advertising an opening with Ken for October 1^st, 2023 for Shiras moose, I jumped on it immediately.

Now just to give you a bit of history about myself and why I would hunt Shiras moose here in southern BC. First of all, I am a Canadian citizen which makes it nearly impossible to hunt them in the US. Secondly, I retired in 2013 after owning and operating one of Canadas largest lumber re-manufacturing and pressure treating plants for nearly forty years. I knew after retirement that I had to stay active for as long as physically possible so not to turn into a lay-around-the-house kind of guy. I needed a new challenge to keep pushing me. Since I grew up in a family of hunters and had started to shoot archery in the mid 1980’s I decided to take a step on the wild side and prepare myself for the physical challenge of sheep hunting, but with archery to top it off. I found out at an SCI convention the meaning of a Grand Slam and FNAWS as all were represented at this convention. So that was the start that has led me to now, with 27 of the North America 29 big game animals all taken with archery equipment.

During these numerous hunts I have had many failed attempts for many reasons (check out Mountain Hunter Vol 28/ Issue 3 Fall 2017) and see why you want to learn something new from each failed attempt. One of the key elements that allows hunters the best results is choosing the right outfitters who are experienced with archery hunters, who are known to have good animal numbers to hunt, and who have at least several current references that he or she is willing to share. Ken Robins is that kind of outfitter and since I was closing in on hunting my Shiras moose his name resonated in me with what I was hearing from others in the hunting world. That is why I moved quickly to book this hunt.

My arrival to Kelowna, BC came on September 30^th, 2023 when Brent’s wife Cindy met me at the airport and drove me to their home in Coldstream where Brent was waiting to drive me towards Whatshan Lake where we would meet up with Ken along the way. After connecting with Ken along the highway I said my goodbyes to Cindy and Brent and climbed in with Ken for the hour ride to his lodge. The hour went by very quickly as Ken and I got to know one another as we shared stories of our life experiences.

Upon arrival at Whatshan Lake I was surprised to see a quaint lodge and cabin set up for several hunters at a time. The lake had fantastic views, and my cabin was clean and cozy. I quickly unpacked and got myself prepared for opening morning, including taking several warmup shots with my bow. By that time Ken had dinner prepared and what a tasty, filling meal it was. We had some time to chat more after dinner as we continued to build knowledge and understanding of one another. We are basically the same age, and both knew a lot about the lumber industry, as BC was the main supplier of my lumber while in business.

Opening morning was Sunday, October 1^st with wake up at 4:30 a.m. Ken had an ‘all you could eat’ breakfast with a menu that changed daily. What a chef he proved to be! 

The drive to the mountains where we would hunt was a good hour trip each morning. There were cut blocks scattered throughout the mountains and in early October the moose were still high and feeding in these new growth areas. Ken started his cow calling with a few bull grunts mixed in, at about 7:30 a.m. It wasn’t long before we heard a cow bawling, and we knew she was being agitated by a bull. We moved in closer, and Ken repeated his cow call bull grunt sequence. Within a minute, out walked a 2 1/2-year-old bull.

I had mentioned to Ken earlier that although I had taken many P&Y animals in my North American quest, I also knew that size was not everything. My mind was made up as the young bull stepped past us at 30 yards. As I drew back my arrow, the bull stopped – but directly behind a short, thick spruce tree. I held back for as long as I could hoping he would take one more step. It wasn’t happening but I could also see a small opening between the branches that I felt I could get a solid shot through. Luck was not with me, as my deflected shot sent the young bull running. It was disheartening yet so exciting for the first morning.

I regrouped myself and Ken and I chatted about what we could have done differently to get a better result. Trying to stay positive I said, “All things happen for a reason,” and in our minds we hoped for a good reason.

Monday, October 2^nd we were off to a new area. We found a huge rut pit, but all tracks were at least a week old. Ken liked this spot as he had taken moose here in the past. We found a place to make a blind out of brush behind two big blown-down spruce trees that were 20 yards from the rut pit. Ken called all morning but received no response. He said we would come back here in a few days to check it out again. In the afternoon we headed to another new area with several scattered small lakes. A few fresh tracks were on trails that had been used and worn down over many years of travel. Ken tried his call for a few hours but again, no response. It was cold and rainy, so it was time for camp and a warm fire.

Tuesday, October 3^rd. Clear and cool and back to the area where I had missed my shot on Sunday. We were walking down a logging road that had thick young willows on either side when up ahead of us we spotted a bull walking towards us. As he spun around to run away, Ken gave him a few magic calls then challenged him with bull grunts and a rake of the willows. Within a few minutes the bull started to work his way back towards this new ‘moose’ who had intruded into his space. As he moved, he thrashed the brush, coming so slowly towards us. How exciting! The bull came to within 30 yards facing us directly as we stood to the side in the willows, hoping he’d turn a bit for a broadside shot. After staring ahead for a minute, he must have caught scent of us as he suddenly turned to vacate the area. It happened all too quick for a shot. Darn it! So close and a bigger bull at 3-4 years old. We continued to call and work this area over as it had good moose sign but no response.

Wednesday, October 4^th. Light rain but it had warmed up some to 10°C. We went back to the area by the lakes where we’d been on Monday afternoon. Although we saw a couple new tracks, Ken called all morning with no results. At lunch we drove to Edgewood for fuel and on the way, I got to see many of my first Merriam turkeys. We scouted another new area in the afternoon that was a bit closer to camp, but nothing. What we did find was some nice big pine mushrooms that we picked for a feast at dinner.

Thursday, October 5^th. The weather was warm and overcast and we returned to the spot where we had the action on Sunday and Tuesday. Alas, no new sign. Ken said the moose had moved from this mountain location but to where? Ken was determined to locate them. We drove different logging roads until we came across fresh tracks heading downhill. Ken said this was early for the moose to head down into the valleys. He knew of a fresh cutblock down below so we headed there to see what we could find. On arriving we got out and looked for an area to set up to call. Then suddenly, we could hear the sound of a bull grunting and as he was heading down in our direction. I got set up behind a few willow trees for cover and Ken called and thrashed the brush. The bull was coming right to us now and my heart jumped gears into overdrive as the bull came into sight. He was bigger than the others. He came to that magical 30-yard mark and stopped but kept thrashing the young willows. Too much brush again for a shot as he stood listening. He did not hang around very long before moving off to the side about 90 yards away where he then presented himself in the open. He watched and listened as Ken gave him a few quiet cow calls. He was smart enough to know to circle this ‘cow’ to get scent of her. Eventually he succeeded, but the scent he got was ours and he was off. So close again but that is archery hunting. You either love it or you give up on it in a hurry.

Friday, October 6^th. Warm again and we were back where we left off the night before. Ken called again for an hour with no response, so we decided to drive up the road further. As we climbed higher up the mountain and rounded a curve Ken caught sight of a bull up ahead. He grabbed his binos to get a better look as the bull moved ahead. Ken sized this bull bigger than all the others, so we piled out and began to move on foot as quickly as possible. The bull was in the timber now and grunting so Ken tried talking him out into the open, but no such luck. The bull kept climbing higher and further into the timber. We drove to the top and called but no response. We called again in the late afternoon but again, nothing. 

Saturday, October 7^th. Temperatures were very warm and by midday it had reached 20°C. We were back to the lakes area where we thought there should be some fresh sign but nothing. By then we were getting quite disappointed as my hunt would end that day, as I planned to see my daughter up in Valemount for a Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday.

While having lunch Ken and I spoke about our plans for the 2024 season with little hope for the hours remaining in the final evening of my hunt. Ken suggested we go back to the rut pit we had found and give it our last try. I agreed and we were off. By 5:45 p.m. we were set up at the rut pit in our blind. With the first call going out Ken received a response from a bull grunting nearly a mile from us. As Ken would call the bull kept responding and kept coming.

It took him half an hour to get within 100 yards of us and I decided I would stand behind a thick spruce tree to be ready. The bull moved to about 60 yards but still we could not see him. My mind was pleading, “What else can go wrong? Please come out!” At that exact moment the bull moved forward towards his rut pit, and I could finally see his antlers through the spruce branches. Just as he came around the corner of the spruce tree I was fully drawn at 20 yards. As an experienced guide, Ken knew when to give the bull a grunt to stop him and as he did, I released my arrow. The big bull immediately lunged forward and bolted. The fletching was sticking out a bit in the middle of his boiler room and I quickly turned to Ken and gave him a huge bear hug. We listened for a few minutes and Ken said he could hear some brush cracking. We knew that would be the bull going down.

With less than 40 minutes before dark, we took to following his blood trail, and went only 60 yards before finding the most perfect looking Shiras moose with one distinct drop tine on each antler. With good width, lots of points, and those two drops I could not contain my excitement. This was my 27^th North American archery big game animal. I immediately offered my usual prayer of thanksgiving for the life of this animal, for the nourishment it would provide, and for my ability and freedom to hunt. We rushed to get photos before dark and then to break him open to properly cool the meat overnight in preparation for retrieval the next morning with some younger help.

On our return trip to camp, I was able to relive the sequence of events that had unfolded throughout the week and to share my gratitude with Ken. After seeing five bulls in seven days, all within bow range, it was a special hunt. I looked over to Ken and said with a big smile, “Now I know why I missed the first and the smallest bull as each one just kept getting bigger and bigger.”

I booked my Rocky Mountain elk with Ken that same night, set to take place September 1^st, 2024. If I am lucky enough to take a grizzly in Alaska in June of 2024, then this elk hunt could be the Big One (#29). I left my bull with Regan Taxidermy in Armstrong, BC and can’t wait to put my hands on him again in the fall of 2024.

After the meat retrieval on Sunday morning I had my car rental by 3:00 p.m. and left Kelowna with an ear-to-ear smile that lasted all the way to Valemount. What a Thanksgiving weekend!