It took 26 years and 10 days, but Columbia Falls native Wade Herman finally got his first moose.

Herman said he applied for a moose permit every year for the past 26 years and finally drew a permit this year. About 1,200 people applied for the area he hunted in, he said, and only 14 got a permit.

Then it took 10 days of active hunting before he ran into an aggressive 1,000-pound bull in high-mountain timber country between Trego and Eureka.

"I saw some small bulls and some cows, but everyone said take your time," he said.

The big bull he shot once with his Browning .300 Winchester magnum from 40 yards out was a fighter, Herman said. The moose had three large bulbous "war wounds" on his chest, where other bulls' antlers had gouged him during fights, and another slash across his shoulder. His right eye was also missing.

"He came in to fight when I called him in," Herman said.

Herman estimated the bull was six feet high at the shoulder. The rack measured 17 points and 46 1/2 inches across.

"That's a big moose for Montana," Herman said.