Three generations celebrate
bountiful hunting season
Photo courtesy of Joey Seeley
SUCCESSFUL HUNT — Tyler Seeley, of Presque Isle, got this bull moose while hunting with his grandfather, Rudy Tardif, earlier this fall. Pictured from left are: Tyler Seeley; his father, Joey Seeley; family friend Ed Dube; and his grandfather, Rudy Tardif.
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — For some hunters, it takes years — if ever — to get their first moose or deer. But for one local teenager, tagging game has become commonplace, with this fall being no exception.
Tyler Seeley, a 16-year-old junior at Presque Isle High School, has been busy with family members this fall making sure their freezers are well stocked for the months ahead. Hunting Sept. 24 with his grandfather, Rudy Tardif of Presque Isle, the pair got one of the largest moose tagged during the season.
“The moose was shot in Zone 2 and was tagged at Gateway in Ashland. It weighed 936 pounds and had a 54.5-inch spread,” said Tyler’s father, Joey Seeley.
Joey said his son’s been hunting for about six years. He said there’s value in spending time with your children, with important lessons learned.
“He’s been tagging along with me and others on hunts ever since he was 3-4 years old. I think it is important to do things with your kids in what interests them, whether it be hunting, horseback riding, fishing or biking. It doesn’t really matter what the hobby or activity is, as long as you spend that quality time with your family,” said Joey.
He said he and his son spend a lot of time in the outdoors hunting and fishing, just as he did with his father and grandfathers when he was younger.
“I can honestly say I have spent countless hours hunting both big and small game where we came home empty-handed, but regardless we had a good time each and every time we went out. It is not all about filling your tag but the memories and good times you have while in the field,” said Joey, as he offered advice to other parents, “Take the time to spend time with your kids, regardless of the activity.”
Tyler said he enjoys spending time with his father and grandfather.
“I’ve been hunting my whole life. I’ve been out a couple times with my Gramp, went with my Dad’s Dad when I was 10 or 11. I got a moose a few years ago. It was fun,” said Tyler. “My grandfather’s hunted with my cousins. Me and my cousins have gone with him on different occasions.”
Joey said Tyler has never been drawn for a moose permit himself but this was his third moose he has shot as a sub-permittee, with the help and guidance of longtime friend and hunting buddy Ed Dube of Caribou.
“Tyler has shot a moose with both of his grandfathers and me. I’m sure each individual hunt he will remember and cherish,” said Joey.
During the most recent moose hunt, he said Dube called the bull right into the hunters.
“That’ll be hard to beat. They passed on two other smaller bulls prior to this one — something they said they would never have done if I was shooting,” said Joey.
Tyler shot first using a .308, with Tardif shooting second using a 30-06.
“It was around 7:40 a.m. We’d passed a small four-point around 6:30 a.m., then another had a small rack. Ed, Dad’s friend, started calling the moose, trying to get the smaller one back from the woods. We heard another in the distance grunting, went back up the road and heard a little one coming in but it wouldn’t show itself. Then we started banging the trees around to draw the bigger moose. We scared the little one off,” said Tyler.
In a matter of moments, Tyler said a larger bull appeared.
“He came down the center of the road. We had a pretty clear shot at him,” said Tyler.
In addition to the moose, Tyler has shot two bear and two deer, including a buck taken just a few weeks ago.
Joey said while the thrill of the hunt itself fades between seasons, memories keep the occasion alive for months.
“Of course adding to the fun is the bragging and teasing that goes on throughout the year in regard to the success (or not) of each and every hunt. Though to date Tyler has bragging rights on moose and bear — as he reminds me most days — I still have the bragging rights on deer, and my daughter, Amy, has bragging rights on trout. Amy and I are going to let Tyler enjoy his success this year, but we have a plan of our own. Amy is going to get drawn for a moose permit next year and we are going to get a much bigger moose than he and his grandfather got this year,” said Joey. “In fact, if things work out as planned, Amy might even pass Tyler up in the deer category, but time will tell.”
“Now if we could only get Karen (Joey’s wife) out there — doubt that is going to happen any time soon,” said Joey.
Tyler said the moose was split three ways, with he, his grandfather and Dube each taking a third.
The Seeleys had no more than finished stocking their freezer with moose meat when Tyler got lucky hunting deer.
“He got a four-point 124-pound buck in Presque Isle on Nov. 1 at 7 a.m. It was tagged at Ben’s Trading Post in Presque Isle,” said Joey. “We’ve got plenty of meat for this winter now.”
“Tyler’s having quite the year. Amy’s trying hard to get a bigger one but nothing yet,” said Joey.
“Hunting’s something I really enjoy. It’s fun and a good experience and makes for great stories to tell later,” said Tyler.
