Neil Swift

Marlow nh H2N
Ruger bolt action 338 federal
Permit holder: Neil Swift
Sub Permit holder: Matt Fowle
535 pounds
7 pointer

Taken in marlow nh with a ruger bolt action 338 federal in zone H2N. After hunting the first day and seeing nothing but rub after rub after once again a RUB, we decided to stick with the area going into the second day even though we found no fresh dropping or tracks telling us mooose were still in the area. About 95% of the rubs we found were older and were'nt very fresh at all. But going into the second morning we immediatly found 5 fresh rubs that were done within the last week. We then did some calling which we did the first day with no answers from moose. We then decided to head towards some large swamps a mile or so away and check for fresh sign there. We headed up the ridge towards the swamps on a snowmobile when we came across a fresh track in the mud.The track was headed towards the lower side where we just were earlier in the day.My uncle and I then decided to follow it into the cutoff. We stepped over the stone wall and walked about 100 yards into the cut and dropped to our knees below the thick brush ,MOOSE ,right there at 70 yards looking the other way broadside. Not being able to see its head at first we thought it was a cow. But having an either sex tag in deep down southern nh we were going to let the lead fly regardless if it was a cow or a bull. My uncle fires the first shot,nothing,no twitch no jump no nothing,and being my first moose hunt I was blown away that these things sometimes really dont have a clue they've been hit.The moose completely unaware anything is happening standing there my uncle sends another one in there.The moose knows somethings wrong now and starts to get out of there so my uncle fires again,me not being sure if this beast of the east is even hit I sprint to where I last saw it fully ready to start flinging lead myself .Right as I get to the edge of the ridge to look down over to where the moose went and i hear my uncle say standing where the moose was "he aint going far".The moose was laying 20 yards in front of me behind some blackberry bushes. My uncle had made a perfect shot right through both lungs.I'd like to thank my Uncle Neil for picking me to be the sub-permit holder.Had great time and hope to get drawn myself some day so that I might harvest one of these magnificent animals. Also like to thank breighton and brendan jones for helping get the moose out so easily with there 4 wheeler.thanks guys