legendary bulls
At OMM Outfitters, the “Legendary Bulls” are more than just trophies; they’re the embodiment of the wilderness and the tales that echo through the rugged terrain. Over the years, these majestic creatures have left behind more than just tracks in the snow—they’ve left a legacy. From the moment we first find their antler sheds, a tangible reminder of their grandeur, to the images captured on our trail cams, each bull’s journey is meticulously documented.
We follow these bulls through many seasons, watching them grow and mature. Each shed antler tells a story of their increasing size and strength, marking their progress year by year. Our aerial winter surveys, where we soar over the husky bush country, offer fleeting glimpses of these giants as they move gracefully through the snow-covered landscape. It’s in these moments, high above the world, that we truly grasp their significance. Their sheer size and presence command respect, and each sighting is a chapter in a story that’s still being written.
Hunters who have been fortunate enough to cross paths with these legendary bulls speak of the experience with reverence. The thrill of the chase, the anticipation, and the ultimate encounter—whether successful or not—create stories that are told around campfires for years to come. Many of these bulls still roam the wilderness, their stories incomplete, waiting for the next chapter to unfold. At OMM Outfitters, we’re not just hunting; we’re preserving the tales of these remarkable animals, one legendary bull at a time.
BIG LOUIE
BIG dodge
the legacy bull
As Mary and her guide, Guy Randlett, along with cameraman, Roger Stevens, guide helpers Colby Fortin and Mike Royal headed into their morning hunt, they were excited for the adventure that laid ahead. Thoughts were shared about what a fantastic hunt it had been so far with Mary having great encounters early in the week. Today however, even more excitement was in store.
A day earlier Nathan, while guiding 16-year-old, Joseph and his Father, stepped out onto an old tote road and saw a monstrous animal 250 yards away. That night after checking trail cameras, Nathan knew that this was the animal for Joseph’s grandmother, Mary.
Nathan directed guide Guy Randlett and Mary to the spot the bull had been visiting for several days and the bull presented a 75-yard shot opportunity for Mary. She made a great shot. Though the hit was fatal it was a hit that left no blood trace. Nevertheless, after hearing about the shot, Nathan recalled Rich saying “you’ll find him” as he was walking out of the dining room.
And, after many hours of well-planned searching by the strategically formed team, Nathan spotted the downed bull. The bull had expired .3 miles from the shot. Nathan and the team of guides capped and quartered the animal and extracted it by way of boat back to camp. What a hunt it was! God is great!
the pan bull
Rich, his wife Cathy, and their Guide Tom Hamilton carefully placed their footsteps as they moved along the over-grown road into where lived a big bull moose dubbed the “Pan Bull” because of his fantastic genetic palmation. Throughout the summer and early fall months, Nathan and aerial photographer Roger Stevens had been photographing and charting his movements.
Tommy was aware of where the bull lived and knew how to adjust hunting tactics to seal the deal on this great animal. Once in the perfect spot, Tommy began to call and coax the bull in. The technique worked perfectly and when within 25 yards Rich took the shot. The bull whirled and took off. The bull was in an area where many animals lived, and the team was working with little blood. After many hours of searching things began to get difficult.
Eventually Nathan showed up to lend a hand along with team member, Jon Rogers. After reviewing the options and with light rain falling the team began searching a different area. While Nathan was walking toward an area where he had seen the bull frequent, he looked and saw a huge up-rooted, fallen tree. It looked different, enough so that Nathan looked closer through his binoculars. As he did, he saw the giant standing in front of the up-rooted tree! Nathan began to try everything possible to get the hunting party into the area for a follow-up shot. While the group approached, the plan fell apart as the bull ran past Nathan at 10 yards. Tommy with the new intel tracked the old bull to his final resting place and Rich put the finishing touches on the animal. God was deeply involved with this hunt and what a hunt it was!
curly
After a close encounter with “The Farm Bull,” Joseph, his Dad, Guide Nathan, Tom Hamilton and photographer, Isaac Patry, made their way toward the home of a bull dubbed “Curly.” Curly had 27 points and his antlers had lots of character. He was another bull that Nathan and aerial photographer Roger Stevens had been following during the summer and fall months.
This specific hunt was a challenging one since there were lots of animals where Curly lived. For example, after Nathan began to call, a moose vocalized an alert call, warning the other animals of the present danger. Nathan, without giving up on the area, moved toward another location the local moose tended to pass.
After a snack and joking around, Nathan told Tommy to try a call. Sometimes changing up sounds and calls can spark interest. This worked perfectly as suddenly we had a cow and calf moving in. Low and behold Curly was following them. Joseph settled into position and made a perfect 30-yard shot, dropping the bull. This for sure was a hunt that will always be remembered, and a common theme prevailed among all three of these family hunts – God was working with us and through us.
the horseshoe bull
In the untamed expanses of northern Maine, the Horseshoe Bull became a legend. For years, we tracked this elusive giant, first glimpsed during our aerial surveys in velvet alongside the “Pan Bull,” harvested in 2020. This sighting set off a wave of anticipation and determination among our team at OMM Outfitters.
In winter, our pursuit of the Horseshoe Bull intensified. For three weeks, we followed his tracks through the deep snow, navigating the challenging terrain of the northern Maine wilderness. However, a sudden thaw melted our hopes, causing the bull to disappear as if he had vanished into thin air. Despite our exhaustive efforts in a grid search throughout spring 2021, his majestic rack remained elusive. Nonetheless, our perseverance paid off with the recovery of the Pan Bull’s rack, a small consolation that fueled our determination.
Then, in mid-September, fortune favored us. Aerial photographer Roger Stevens and Nathan Theriault, one of our seasoned guides, spotted the Horseshoe Bull once again. The sighting reignited the hunt, and we knew we had to act swiftly. Guide Tom Hamilton, who had previously harvested the Pan Bull, ventured into the area with renewed hope and determination. As the days passed, Hamilton demonstrated unwavering patience and skill, passing up 14 bulls in his quest for the legendary Horseshoe Bull.
Finally, on the last day of the hunt, Hamilton’s perseverance was rewarded. He successfully harvested the 65.5-inch giant, a moment that marked the culmination of years of relentless dedication and effort.
The Horseshoe Bull’s story is a testament to the wild beauty and enduring spirit of northern Maine and the relentless dedication of our team at OMM Outfitters. This legendary bull embodies the thrill of the hunt, the challenge of the pursuit, and the deep respect we hold for these magnificent creatures and the land they roam.
the Loser
After completing a strategic camera check, guide Aaron Gentry and I were returning to our truck and when something caught my eye. Down a dead-end road, two big dark objects which looked like a bull and a cow came into view. Aaron had pulled up behind me and approached my truck on foot with his binoculars. After closer examination, the objects were two giant bull moose fighting.In wonder, I looked at Aaron and said, “let’s go”! I put my daughter Autumn on my shoulders, and we walked up to about 50 yards of the fight. and then 20 yards as the giants remained in battle over a cow in heat.
I had watched the larger fighting bull, “The Winner,” from the airplane and trail cameras for at least 4 years. A client shot and missed it the year before.
When spring arrived, the OMM Team made a big push to locate the sheds of the Winner. The Loser became a ghost to the point where we considered the fight might have ended its life. We hiked many miles on foot trying to narrow down the Winner’s winter residence. Then, we struck gold! Bryce Morrison, a full time OMM guide, located one side of the antler. The next day I found the other side only 70 yards away. It wasn’t the impressive rack of the loser but still a key piece of the evidence for the 2021 hunt.
The fall of 2021 arrived, and I was relieved and delighted to capture multiple photos of the Loser on several trail cameras. It was bigger than ever. (Although we were happy to hunt both bulls, OMM’s team had not seen “The Winner” since winter.) The September hunt ended without a shot at either of the giants. As I was completing an aerial survey the day before the October hunt, I put eyes on a giant bull. After a closer look it was indeed The Loser of the fight from 2020. Thus, we went into the October hunt with high anticipation and found success.
Observed for 4 years, “The Loser” was an amazing example of the species and supported a 55-inch rack. It was clearly not a “loser”, and it will be respected and admired for many years to come. After the 60-day drying period, the rack scored 171 1/4 net and 177 1/4 gross. What a hunt and an amazing ending to a great story!
troubador
After following this bull for three years we consider him to be a legacy bull. He caught Nathan Theriault’s attention several years ago, and Nathan then worked hard to learn his every movement year after year.
He was first spotted big and wide in velvet in the heat of August in 2019 and then again, a glimpse of him in the winter of 2019. We spotted him yearly after that, his size and rack growing with every fall passing.
He was dubbed the name Troubadour because he wouldn’t stay in one place for very long. He would travel a 3-mile stretch. Within that time, Nathan learned where he liked to be and when he liked to be there.
In 2022, after many photos and trail camera pictures the year had come to pursue the monarch. That year, he was harvested when our clients, a veteran and his friend, got an opportunity to take this iconic bull.
The ability to follow and learn these incredible bulls makes these hunts bittersweet. A relationship is made with the giant through the years. What is learned from this hard, dedicated pursuit will never be forgotten and the memories from the hunt will forever be remembered.
yukon
Being a bush pilot certainly has its perks. Aside from acquisition cost, operating cost and of course everything that goes into achieving a PPL and maintaining it. However, Nathan Theriault understands this investment of time and money and through it has been able to put eyes on bulls many wouldn’t have ever seen. Yukon was one of them.
From the air, Nathan put eyes on one of the largest bulls he had seen in almost 8 years. It was two days before the September hunt of 2022 when he and guide/manager, Dana Valleau, were surprised by the sighting of the massive bull.
The September week did not come with the success of harvesting Yukon. Even with the general knowledge of his whereabouts it’s still hard hunting in big woods. Animals move and we are limited to the abilities of our customers.
As we neared the October week of the bull hunt, Nathan was doing a pass around where Yukon lived. As he looked back he couldn’t miss the large pans of the bull dubbed Yukon sticking out on the ocean of green forest. Great pans and amazing fronts supporting a 55.25in width rack, making him close to, if not over the 200 inch mark. A mark that runs deep in moose hunting for eastern Canadian bull moose. He was a true giant.
On the first morning of the hunt, Nathan, his helper and client headed to the area Yukon was last seen. After 20 years of guiding, Nathan now focuses on running the business and guides much less. That said, he doesn’t remember feeling lucky very often over the decades, except on this day.
After a .75 mile walk, looking down the straight part of the road at 6:04 AM, Nathan saw a moose broadside in the road. After looking, he realizes this was a very big bull. Nathan then stalked to around 150 yards and set the client up on the sticks. He then called and had the hunter tell him what the bulls’ reactions were through his scope. The bull didn’t care. Then, he spotted the cow. It was clear he would be able to walk up to less than 100 yards for the shot.
At 6:17 AM, only 3 minutes into legal shooting, the bull was on the ground. It was a surreal moment and one that will be remembered forever. And a moment for Nathan that will be remembered as the easiest hunt for the biggest bull of his career.
the cross bull
OMM Outfitters, celebrating 20 years, organized a Maine moose hunt for gold star combat veteran Chris Vogeler, in honor of his late brother, SFC Lance Herman Vogeler. Supported by partners like KUIU, Swarovski Optik, GA Precision rifles, and the Three Rangers Foundation, this dream hunt was a reality. Chris, following in his brother’s hunting footsteps, seized this opportunity for outdoor education and remembrance.
Arriving with a team, including spiritual fitness director Dan Knight and KUIU cameraman Jeff Shanor, Chris prepared at Eagle Lake Sporting Camps. The hunt culminated on Thursday when, with guidance from OMM’s skilled guides and veterans, the team pursued the legendary Cross Bull. Known through years of tracking and photography, this bull represented a significant challenge.
Early one morning, amidst a serene setting, the hunt intensified. Using strategic calls and positioning, the team, with Chris at the ready, engaged the bull. Chris’s precise shot confirmed the success of the hunt, marking an unforgettable experience filled with high emotion and honor for the sacrifices of his family.
the chocolate bull
During the winter of 2019, with about two feet of snow blanketing the ground, Nathan Theriault and Bryce Morrison embarked on an aerial survey in the rugged wilderness of northern Maine. From the air, they spotted several giant bulls, their massive frames contrasting sharply against the white landscape. The area, bustling with logging activity, had become a high-traffic zone, creating a unique opportunity for tracking these magnificent creatures.
Determined to secure a presence in the area, Nathan and Bryce decided to explore the terrain on foot. As they trudged through the snow, leaving fresh tracks behind them, they carefully scanned their surroundings, ever alert for signs of the bulls they had seen from above.
During one of their hikes, Nathan’s keen eye caught sight of an antler partially buried in the snow. Excitement surged through him as he called Bryce over to inspect the find before picking it up. When Bryce arrived and examined the scene, he made a thrilling discovery: another antler lay hidden beneath the first. It was a matched set, a rare and valuable find that told a story of the bull’s presence in the area.
Despite this significant discovery, the team decided not to pursue the bull further, respecting the natural balance and the untamed spirit of the wilderness. To this day, the bull remains unseen, a ghost of the forest, his antlers a tangible reminder of the mysteries that the northern Maine woods hold. The encounter underscored the unpredictable and awe-inspiring nature of the hunt, where even seasoned guides like Nathan and Bryce can be surprised by the hidden treasures of the wild.
the sweet bull
This giant was named after the road we call “The Sweet Road.” The Sweet Bull was a tremendous animal, distinguished by his massive rack that commanded attention. We first located him around our bear sites, captured on trail cameras, and some of our bear hunters were even fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of this majestic creature.
During the winter of 2018/2019, the region was buried under over four feet of snow. The Sweet Bull held steady in an area where we could track his movements, thanks to the deep snow preserving his trails. On one of our aerial surveys, Nathan Theriault spotted him from the plane, a sighting that thrilled the entire team. Shortly after, Nathan saw something remarkable: The Sweet Bull’s right-side rack, freshly shed, lying beneath the trees.
The discovery fueled our determination, and come spring 2019, Bryce Morrison and Nathan scoured the area, driven by the hope of finding the matching antler. Their perseverance paid off when they located the Sweet Bull’s left side rack, completing the impressive set. This discovery further cemented the legend of the Sweet Bull in our records.
Despite our efforts, we lost track of the bull in 2020. An unsuccessful attempt to locate him in the fall of 2019 left us without further sightings or signs. The Sweet Bull remains one of the many mysteries of the wilderness, his immense presence a memory that continues to inspire our team at OMM Outfitters. His story is a testament to the unpredictable and often elusive nature of these magnificent animals and the enduring allure of the hunt.
upper
horseshoe bull
The Upper Horseshoe Bull became an emblem of the elusive wilderness of northern Maine. This late-season bull was first located during our aerial surveys, spotted at the beginning of January amidst the snow-covered landscape. His presence, even from the air, was commanding, and the excitement among our team was palpable.
As spring arrived, our team set out to the last known location of the Upper Horseshoe Bull, determined to uncover more about this impressive creature. Leading the search was Nathan Theriault, accompanied by Tyler Jones, a friend of OMM Outfitters, and Bryce Morrison, our dedicated full-time hand. The crisp spring air and melting snow added an element of anticipation to their mission.
Within the first 30 minutes of their journey, Nathan made a thrilling discovery: one side of the Upper Horseshoe Bull’s antlers, lying partially hidden among the underbrush. The find invigorated the team, spurring them on to conduct a thorough grid search of the area. Their diligence paid off when Tyler found the other side of the antler, completing the majestic set.
Despite this success, the Upper Horseshoe Bull himself remained a ghostly figure. We chose not to pursue him further, respecting the wild and untamed spirit of the northern giant. To this day, we have not seen the Upper Horseshoe Bull again. His story remains one of the many mysteries of the Maine wilderness, a testament to the beauty and challenge of the hunt, and a reminder of the indomitable spirit of these magnificent animals. The Upper Horseshoe Bull continues to be a legend, his antlers a cherished symbol of the adventure and dedication of our team at OMM Outfitters.
cricket bull
uring a routine aerial survey one crisp December day this winter, we made an exciting discovery. In a well-known patch of forest, previously unseen and mingling with a herd of cows, stood a mature bull that captivated us immediately. This bull, now known as Cricket, was a sight to behold, his impressive frame and regal bearing setting him apart.
As winter deepened, we anticipated Cricket shedding his antlers and organized a ground search to recover them. Nathan’s cousin, Jacob, was dispatched to the area where we had last seen Cricket. Meanwhile, the rest of our team continued searching nearby locations. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, each of us hoping to be the one to find the antlers of this magnificent bull.
Our patience and persistence paid off when we received a call from Jacob. He had found a large antler, half-buried in the snow, a clear indication that Cricket had indeed shed his prized rack. Excitement rippled through the team as we quickly joined Jacob to assist in a thorough search of the surrounding area.
In a stroke of luck, Nathan made a thrilling discovery on our second pass through the area. There, lying amidst the winter foliage, was the matching antler. The joy of completing the set was palpable. These antlers, now reunited, were not just remarkable souvenirs but also tangible reminders of our unexpected and exhilarating encounter with Cricket.
This experience underscored the unpredictability and excitement of wildlife tracking. The story of Cricket, from our first sighting to the recovery of his antlers, is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of our crew at OMM Outfitters. It’s a reminder of the incredible moments that the wilderness of northern Maine can offer, and the lasting memories forged in the pursuit of these majestic creatures.
frosty
*2024 TARGET*
In the deep woods of the Maine wilderness, a legend named Frosty, the largest bull moose OMM currently has on our target list, has captivated the hearts of those who tread his paths. Despite numerous aerial surveys, he remained a phantom since he was first spotted in 2022, visible only in the winter’s aerial photos and, for the first time, on trail cameras in October 2023.
This elusive giant, known only by his tracks and the fleeting glimpses captured on camera, stepped out of the shadows during a hunting expedition in October 2023. The air was filled with unspoken respect as hunters and clients alike laid eyes on him for a brief moment; no shots were fired.
The quest for Frosty didn’t end with the fall of leaves; it extended into this winter, as efforts to find his shed antlers took center stage. These searches, through the snow-draped silence of the forest, are not just for a trophy but a deeper connection to the wild, a testament to the endurance and mystery of the natural world.
As spring promises new beginnings, the search for Frosty’s sheds continues, a symbol of our unending fascination with this sovereign of the woods. Frosty is more than a bull moose; he is a living legend, embodying the untamed spirit of the wilderness that captivates all who pursue him.
top gun
*2024 target*
In 2021, we embarked on our pursuit of the Horseshoe Bull. Tom Hamilton was waiting for the right conditions before moving in. While waiting, he decided to hunt through a promising parcel of woods. Soon, he was in contact with what sounded like a great bull. Just as the bull was about to present a shot, the wind shifted, ending the hunt. Although they didn’t get a shot, Tommy did get a look at the impressive animal.
That year, during our late-season aerial surveys, we photographed a huge bull in the same area. With the new Top Gun movie coming out, we had our name for the bull.
With a new target and substantial information, we began piecing together the bull’s pattern. In 2022, our good friend Dean Capuano, host of Swarovski Optic Quest on the Outdoor Channel, took up the pursuit. Despite close encounters, the team didn’t succeed, leading to the next phase of the scouting mission.
Finding antlers is crucial for understanding a bull’s travel areas. Nathan located one side of the bull’s antlers. Without the other side, we expanded our search area. In winter 2024, a shed buyer told Nathan about an outdoorsman who claimed to have an antler from the Horseshoe Bull harvested in 2021. Nathan discovered the other side of Top Gun’s antlers, found in winter 2023. With the full rack, the story was coming together.
During the 2023 season, another bull, the Cross Bull, came into the area and ran Top Gun out, taking his cows. This unexpected event made us lose contact with Top Gun, marking our second year of pursuit.
In the winter of 2023-2024, our aerial surveys began again. Bryce noticed something special in the pictures. Upon further review, we realized we had photographed Top Gun. He was alive!
