Stillman Maynard shocked his family when he announced he won a New Brunswick moose licence at 91 years old. His children did not even know he still entered the annual draw.

According to a report by CBC News, the Fredericton Junction resident spent his entire life hunting birds, bears, and deer. He successfully hunted almost every game animal in the province. A moose remained the only animal missing from his list.

Overcoming Physical Challenges

Stillman faces significant mobility issues. He relies on a walker and a chairlift to navigate his home. This made a deep woods hunting trip a massive logistical challenge for his family.

His son Michael flew in from Ontario to help. Michael, along with his sisters Paula Daniels and Judy Armstrong, decided to make their father’s final hunt a reality. They transported Stillman 40 kilometres into the woods to a hunting camp known as the Bear Trap near Peltoma Settlement.

It took four men to lift the 200 pound patriarch up a narrow flight of stairs to the second floor of the camp. They set him up in a bed next to a large window overlooking the Piskahegan Stream.

The Successful Hunt

New Brunswick allows lottery winners to designate a second hunter to help them. Stillman chose his longtime friend and former coworker Randy Mersereau. Randy brings decades of global hunting experience to the table.

On the second day of the season, the plan worked perfectly. Randy shot a 527 pound, nine point bull moose from over half a kilometre away. The group retrieved the animal using an amphibious off road vehicle and celebrated their success.

Stillman looks forward to enjoying moose steaks, roasts, and mincemeat pies. He spent two nights sleeping in the woods and called the trek rough but exceptional.

A Family Reunion

The moose itself was just a bonus for the Maynard family. Michael noted that the four family members had not spent time together in a camp for decades. The trip provided a rare opportunity for them to reconnect.

When Stillman realized how much the trip meant to his children, it brought him to tears. He told CBC News he did not know the experience was that important to them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is it to get a moose licence in New Brunswick?

The odds are very slim. Last year, over 58,000 hunters applied for just under 4,800 licences. This gives applicants roughly an eight percent chance of winning the lottery.

Can someone else shoot the moose for you in New Brunswick?

Yes. A lottery winner can designate one other licensed hunter to carry a firearm and assist with the hunt.

Where did Stillman Maynard go for his final hunt?

The family travelled to a remote hunting camp called the Bear Trap. It is located near Peltoma Settlement in southwest New Brunswick.