Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/554642
S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S 8 4 sound, the bull's ears swung around and he sprang to his feet with the speed and agility of a much lighter animal. For a moment he stood broadside, his ears twitching, his nostrils sniffing the air. When he turned his head toward the men, TR sent a bullet crashing into the animal's massive shoulder. The bull barely flinched at the impact, just trotted off through the trees as if nothing had happened. TR was confident it was a fatal shot as he watched the animal run about 30 yards before dropping dead. Finally, TR's bad luck with moose had come to an end, thanks to the crusty old trapper. Later that year TR would bag another bull only a short distance from where he killed his first moose. COMING IN LATE FALL: ROOSEVELT'S LEGENDARY HUNTS This story will be among some 50 chapters in John Seerey-Lester's new book, The Legendary Hunts of Theodore Roosevelt. The large-format, 200-page book, which will feature more than 120 paintings, is scheduled for release in late November. The new book will be available in two versions: a hardbound Gallery Edition for $60, and a deluxe, leather-bound Hunter's Edition of 350 copies, each signed and numbered by the artist, for $150. Available now is Seerey-Lester's Legends of the Hunt – Campfire Tales, a 200-page book that features a number of fascinating stories about legendary hunters, trappers, and explorers and their harrowing—and often deadly—encounters with wild animals from Alaska to Africa. Campfire Tales is available in four beautiful editions: • Gallery Edition – Hardcover, $60. • Buffalo Edition – 350, leather- bound, signed and numbered, with Giclee print, $150. • Leopard Edition – 250, leather- bound, S&N, with hand-colored Giclee print, $250. • Black Leopard Edition – 100, leather-bound, S&N, with original 8x10-inch painting. $995. To order, call (800) 849-1004 or visit www.sportingclassics.com. moose itself. Roosevelt was obviously excited that his first moose was within his grasp. He was fascinated to watch the moose and how it remained constantly alert to any danger. Every now and then the bull would stop and stand motionless, his ears pricked as he swiveled his head to survey his surroundings. Occasionally he would raise a long hind leg to scratch his neck. He proceeded to walk farther into the reeds, sometimes disappearing from view, then reappearing as he emerged on dry land.. The early morning sunlight glistened on the bull's coat as he continued to march through the bog-stained water. The only sound was the sloshing and splashing of his long legs as he ploughed through the marsh. Finally, with his breakfast over and the day getting brighter, the bull headed to one of his favorite bedding areas. The men watched the moose turn around a couple of times before settling down to rest at the foot of a rocky foothill about 200 yards away. Between the moose and the men was a hummock grown up with small firs about 60 yards from the animal. Old Griff determined it would be an ideal spot for TR to take his shot. TR and the old trapper scrambled down the hill to a grassy area strewn with rocks, then walked through a forest until they reached a small clearing. Just ahead of them was the hummock and beyond that, the resting bull. The men dropped to their hands and knees, TR going first as they slipped across the soft wet grass so as not to make any noise. Where the ground rose higher, they crawled on their stomachs. There was no wind to worry about as they stalked closer to the bull. When they reached the hummock, and the hunters peered at their quarry through the copse of fir trees, all they could see were his long twitching ears. TR checked his Winchester .45-90 to make sure it was in order, then positioned himself for a shot. His next step was to get the bull on his feet. Old Griff instructed TR to pick up a dead branch and snap it loudly. At the TR was impressed by Old Griff's knowledge of the area and its wildlife, but he also found the trapper to be ornery and quite short-tempered. His guide also suffered from arthritis and had some difficulty keeping pace with the 31-year-old Roosevelt. At dawn the men started to glass the valley, which was cloaked in a heavy mist. They had discovered moose sign when entering the valley, so TR was very hopeful. As the sun gradually rose behind them, they spotted a large dark shape moving among the distant tussocks and dwarf willows. It was a young bull calmly feeding alongside a small lake about a half-mile away. After several minutes of browsing on willow tops, the bull began wading through the marsh to feed on aquatic plants. His great strides and splashing hooves could be clearly heard in the still valley air. As he marched confidently across the waterlogged meadow, the reeds could be seen bending in his wake. Old Griff was more interested in watching TR's expression than the