It's nearing the end of August, Salmon Fishing is finished this season for myself as I switch gears and begin preparations for Moose hunting which is set to open early next month on September 10th. Last year I felt way too rushed when the season opened as I had a lot on the go in both outdoor adventures and work. This year I decided to start getting ready early so we could really enjoy the fall moose hunting season.

In addition to moose hunting, most of us decided that we will camp in Moose Management Area 36 as well. This hunting area is approximately 1.5 hours away which in the past has meant a lot of very early morning rises to drive then get in the country before first light ahead of other hunters. This year French and I will both be taking enclosed trailers to carry the Argos then setting them up for overnight accommodations. This will get us in the country refreshed, and provide a welcome break in fuel expenses while gas is still quite expensive.

First on the list was to inspect project Argo. I haven't used it at all this summer, and only logged 2 hours of run time last winter due to a severe lack of ice and snow. This meant I didn't need to complete any maintenance other than an inspection and cleaning.

For repairs/mods I decided to finally ditch the last of the cold rolled steel shear pins on the centre axles after finding another pair broken on the left side. Older Argos used shear pins where the axles connect with the chain/drive cog, these always break at the most inopportune time. Beginning in the early 1990's Argo ditched them for an updated design without shear pins. Both my front axles and one rear axle are the newer updated design where the drive cogs are permanently engaged to the axle shaft via splined shaft.

To replace the pins I took a long shank grade five 5-1/16" bolt, cut it to the length of a shear pin (which removed the threaded portion). 

Next I tapered the end and ground one side of the head flat so it could slip in place in the outer shear pin location.

Then I drilled a hole in the opposite end and installed a cotter pin to prevent it from falling out while driving.

Then I installed an ordinary shear pin in the 2nd (inner) location on each of the 3 axles mainly because the holes were already there. This design makes for a strong permanently locked gear to axle, but the pin is still removable which is necessary for removing the axle while replacing wheel bearings/seals.

If needed, Project Foreman is ready to roll with all fluids checked and running great.

Next was the first of a couple trips to the range at St. John's Rod and Gun Club to sight in my rifle and to practice shooting. My Browning BAR 30.06 was dead on and I continued practice mainly with my .223 and my demo Fierce Carbon Fury 6.5, shooting from standing just as I likely will be doing in the woods.

I believe this is one of the most important and often overlooked practises by big game hunters, shooting practice will definitely make you a better shot in the woods.

Over the next few weeks French and I went on some pre season scouting trips walking the country until dark checking for fresh sign to get an idea on where Moose are hanging out/travelling this year as it often changes season to season.

On most trips we seen live animals especially after dark both near our hunting area and on the way home.

Next we spent a few nights at French's shop finishing Moose Cooler 2.0 which will be an invaluable tool during this unseasonably warm weather and the new earlier start to the hunting season. Traditionally Moose Hunting on the East Coast always opened the first Saturday of October, last year was the first year for it to open the 2nd Saturday of September which will be the case again this year.

Next up was checking over my trusty and now 11 year old Silverado 2500HD (with 225k km on the clock) which will be transporting me, gear, Argo and enclosed trailer/accommodations unit out over the highway. Brakes were serviced, front end greased and all fluids checked.

Burnt out marker light replaced.

A couple years ago I had a small coolant leak on the truck caused by an OEM spring type coolant hose clamp rusting and loosing its ability to hold pressure, so now it's something I periodically check for. Sure enough I found 2 more on the heater lines that split when I operated them so they were replaced with standard stainless steel hose clamps.

Finally, I had a squeaky U-joint in the rear drive shaft so it was removed and replaced. Thankfully the forward joint was in great shape as the parts store only had one joint in stock.

Setting up the trailer for camping was pretty straight forward. Mark has permanently installed fold up bunks and table installed in his new trailer, while I will be using fold up removable cots & tables in Dad's trailer which I will be borrowing for the season. Both trailers have fly screens installed on the man door to keep the pesky bugs out.

They are a walk through screen which falls back in place and automatically re-join using strong magnets.

One other project completed for dad was the installation of a 110vac power hook-up and a battery box/charger to run the interior lights when the truck is disconnected. 

Just before the season opened I set up my trusty Moose Hanging rack which will be used to hang, skin and quarter our harvest before placing in the meat cooler.

Miscellaneous stuff included getting gear picked out and laid aside as not to forget anything for hunting and/or camping, checking out my outdoor cooking shelter and sharpening knives etc.

French's Argo also seen very little use last winter so we simply had to uninstall the tracks, flip tires around and perform a general inspection.

We feel quite well prepared for the upcoming hunting season, the only things left to do include figuring out when to go, who's going & when, meals etc. It's shaping up to be an enjoyable hunting season, fingers crossed it's successful as well.

Cheers, MIKE

Copyright © 2011 Michael Smith