Behind the Lens of a Maine Moose Hunt

Last fall, I had the chance to film something truly special—Jake’s once-in-a-lifetime Maine moose hunt. When you get invited to document a moment like this, you don’t pass it up! Jake drew a bull tag, and from the start, we knew we wanted to document and share the experience. This wasn’t a canned hunt or some staged shoot. It was the raw, unfiltered reality of backcountry hunting: early mornings, long hikes, unpredictable conditions—and a camera rolling through it all.

The Setup

Jake, Cooper and I headed deep into the Maine woods, miles from pavement and signal. The terrain was rugged, the air cold, and the stakes high. Jake was focused, dialed in, and determined to make the most of the opportunity. My job? Capture every moment without getting in the way.

Filming a moose hunt is a whole different animal—literally. Moose are massive, elusive, and they don’t give you many chances. You have to be ready at all times, keep your distance, and stay silent. There’s no “redo” when 1,000 pounds of bull steps into frame.

The Shot

After two days of many miles and unrelenting conditions we still carried strong. On the afternoon of the second day we decided to watch over a cut for a couple of hours and as a cameraman I made sure to be fully prepared for the conditions so that we could sit until dark. However Jake didn’t dress for the extreme wind and cold so we packed up early and headed to camp. Low and behold we never would’ve guessed that this one decision would change the entire course of the hunt.

With ample shooting light left and tired spirits on the second day we spotted a massive 52 inch bull moose across the cut. Totally caught by surprise we both rose to the occasion.

I hit record, held steady, focused and watched through the lens as Jake made a perfect shot. The bull went down quickly. It was clean, it was ethical, and it was emotional. There was a quiet respect that settled in as we approached—a deep appreciation for the animal and the experience.

Why It Mattered

What made this hunt so powerful wasn’t just the size of the moose. It was the story behind it. The tag, the preparation, the long days of scouting, and the final payoff—all of it came together in a way that reminded me why I do what I do.

I live for capturing moments like these so we can share and appreciate not just the trophy, but the grit, the camaraderie, and the connection to the wild. Jake’s hunt had all of that, and I’m proud to have been behind the camera for it.

Thanks for following the journey, more to come.

– Colby Kessler
White Mtn Creative
📍 Moultonborough, NH
📧 whitemtncreativellc@gmail.com
📸 @whitemtncreative603