Bone is back from Idaho

[boneaddict]

Sorry guys, no bone for me this year.  The hunt was fantastic with even the worst conditions possible for bowhunting.  It was 80t-90 every day, with lows dipping into the 50's.  Yes great camping, but not so good with hunting.  Throw a Full moon in there from dusk til dawn and you get not alot of daytime action.  Every morning and evening I was on bulls though. LOTS of action.  I had kill shots almost every outing. 

Idabooner and I pitched the walltent and found a nice place to camp Monday.  We then went and cut some camp wood.  I personally like to dump old growth trees and then have enough wood for the winter, but Idabooner figured since I usually tag out opening, then have to haul all that wood home, maybe I should be more practical.  With a pile of wood in, I headed to the woods.  We were basically going in totally blind.  Not much for internet help, or any help actually, except for some names of some areas from Hornseeker.  I managed to print off some free maps off of the internet.  This is the FIRST time I didn't have every map you could buy of a hunting area. 

I scouted a bit and as the evening approached, I was checking out the headwaters of my area.  The first spot I stopped I let out a cow call, and a misplaced calf came barrelling in.  that was the most lonesome elk I think I have ever seen.  I am guessing Momma got shot or something.  I did manage to get her pic for you guys.  throughout the whole trip I kept thinking of MichaelJ asking where are the pics.  Most of the time I was seriously hunting and the camera stayed in the pack.  SORRY!  Anyway, I left her and then saw a couple more cows.  I closed on them and Had my first kill opputunity.  It was a 4 point raghorn at less than 20 yards standing there staring at me.  I definately didn't want to shoot him, but thought about it just to harangue Idabooner because he is always complaining that I cut his camping trips short.  Then another bull stepped out of the brush broadside at about 20 yards.  He was a bit bigger, but still not what I was after.  I felt good about the area, and headed back to camp.

The next morning, I was back.  This time I had one screaming in the hole below me.  It was virtually impossible to get onto him with the way the wind was blowing, but I tried.  He was a nice 320 bull and I closed the gap to about 60 yards until the wind decided to whip a bit, and sent them over the ridge into the next hole.  I was done there and went to another local and sure enough had two bugling.  One was across the gut from me on top of the ridge and one was over the mountain.  Down the hill I went.  For the most part about half way down I was wondering what in the hell I had gotten myself into.  This was the worst brush I have ever been in, and believe me that is saying something.  I got into some tremendous elk sign, no wonder, no man would ever be stupid enough to do this.  The damn bull kept going lower and lower.  Now there were about 4 of them and the herd bull was screaming.  Just about the time I caught up with them, I hear a truck.  What hell, the main road was right there.  There were bulls on both sides of the road, and these hunters kept driving by.  The bulls flat outdistanced me and that hunt was over.  Now I had to hike OUT of the hole.  I thought seriously about thumbing a ride, but.....  I was too wasted for much of an evening hunt so Dad and I did some more scouting for a new spot to try.  This time we got some nice sunset pics and then got to see some damn nice MOOSE county.  We saw out first bull moose right at dark.  They also were not enjoying the summer weather. 
       The next morning I was back in the same ole spot and I had two bulls screaming to the hole to the left.  I found a new access point and went in.  I managed to close the gap, going in silent, to about 40 yards.  Its pretty frustrating being that close but not being able to get a shot.  He was anoterh 320 bull with his harem.  They finally pulled out, mostly because of another 320 bull that was there harassing him trying to pick up a few more cows.  I managed to get to within 20 feet of him, yes, feet not yards, and still couldn't get a shot.  HOW FRUSTRATING.  I was feverishly waiting for a shot oppurtunity when all of a sudden here came a group of hounds, hot on a bear.  They flew by, and here comes another one off the other side of me.  WHAT ARE THE ODDS?  The elk disappeared into the abyss.  I pulled out  we decided to run to town to get some ice for the cooler and to call home.  On the way out I saw a camp that resembled Hornseekers description of his Dads.  One the way back in, I stopped and sure enough it was him.  He came up later and BS'd with us.  That was a nice visit.  I went out for the eveing and saw several cows, a Spike, and another moose.  That was all nice.  The next morning I was back where I lost the two bulls.  Nothing was talking at all.  I continued down the ridge and heard one down in another drainage.  I pinpointed him and closed the gap.  Of course he had to be on the opposite side of the canyon from me.  Not being of sound mind, off I went.  OK, now this was officially the thickest *censored* I have ever been in.  I couldn't even see the ground.  Then I was aided off the mountain after I walked through a bald faced hornets nest.  I managed to escape most of the wraith, but got two in the ass and one in the forehead for my efforts.  I slipped in on the bull, but he was rude and decided not to wait for me.  That was disgusting.  I got back to camp and Hornseeker Sr. was there with his hounds.  He took care of them then came back to camp and gave us a guided tour of the area.  We really enjoyed his stories and his outdoorsmanship.  Now I see why Hornseeker and I are always on the same page.  I took his local knowledge and my elk abilities and managed to put together an awesome afternoon hunt.  At 4 pm when it was pushing 90 out, I came across a sceaming pissed off herd bull.  I dove off the mountain into the hole.  AGAIN!  I got to the bottom of the draw and was fighting wind when all of a sudden a 200 class bull steps out at 30 yards or under.  He stood there broadside smacking some devils club to the gorund.  BLESS HIS HEART.  I was thinking about dumping him, but decided to let him walk when all of a sudden the herd bull screamed right next to me.  It was on.  I climbed the ridge to get above him to avoid the wind and approached silently.  I closed the gap and I was within 30 yards of a screaming 280 bull and his cows and about 50 yards from a 340 bull.  Now the decision.  Do I drop this gorgeous bull and let the big one walk, or do I stick to my goal of beating my NM bull.  Arrow knocked, I let the 280 bull walk.  This whole time these guys were just screaming at one another.  I kept waiting for my chance.  The 340 bull charged the 280 bull and ran him up the hill, then whirled, dove at a couple of his cows and headed them down the canyon, my wind right on his ass.  The hunt was done.  The 280 bull grabbed his cows and headed up the ridge.  I followed, but no chance.  I somehow made it out of the hole and got back to my truck by dark.
I could hardly move the next morning.  I told Idabooner that no way in hell I wanted to go back in there.  I showed up in the morning and there were two rigs of folks hunting there now.  the bulls were singing.  I bet there were close to 50 bulls singing, all very low.  One rig pulled out to move lower on the mountain.  I decided to go back to my old spot, and there were two rigs there now.  I guess the weekend warriors had arrived a day early.  I could hear my 340 bull and his following and he was moving back up the canyon.  i made it back over there to find that those other guys had just looked into the hole, then pulled out.  Over the hill I went.  Three bulls carrying on.  Of course they decided to go silent on me, with a 4th bull screaming on the ridge next to me.  I had heard this bull for three days now as well.  I snuck into the hole right on top of the big bulls wallow.  I ran into the middle of his herd.  I ahd a calf withing 10 yards of me and a bunch of his cows.  I cow talked my way into them.  He was just out of sight across the creek from me.  They were moving up the draw and I was trying to stay with him.  I closed the gap to within 30 yards but all I could see was his legs.  that was the best I was going to do.  He pulled his cows and climbed the ridge.  I couldn't keep up.  No way can you.  I screamed at him, cow talked him, everything.  He didn't care.  I felt like pissing in his wallow just to discourage him later.  I pulled out of the hole and it was 10.  HOT as hell.  the other bull was still calling to me as he probably heard me climbing the hill.  I walked away.  I went back to camp and Idabooner and I pulled stakes.  Now its soccer games and little girls.  I'll try to get some pics up, nothing too special as again I was busy trying to anchor one.  Now I need to decide to go back, go to Montana, or go back to work and call it a not so successful, successful hunt. 

[Hunting Cowboy]

Thanks for the update! Been wondering how things went.

[LITTLEBUCK]

Always enjoy your posts Bone. Sounds like a fun hunt even with the weather the way it was. Get them next time.

[hard hunter]

Loved your story, reminded me of my hunt in Idaho.  Better luck next time.

[boneaddict]

Thanks guys, were you over there recently hardhunter.

[groundhog]

Hey Bone,
Good to hear you had a good hunt in Idaho. Sounds like you had a great time and as you know once you start passing on nice bulls you are rolling the dice. Way to stick to your guns though! Maybe a quick trip to Montana is in order! I would offer to go along except I am leavin in the morning for Kodiak till mid Oct. You need to get back out there the weather is finally cooling off! Good luck !!!

[scoyoc5]

great write up bone. thanks for taking time to share you hunt

[robodad]

Nice to see your back Bone and had an awesome time while there. It is great to read your adventures even if there is no critter on the ground, you always seem to make the best of the time you have out there, Nice work !!!

[Wea300mag]

Great story Bone, now where are the pics? Just kidding!!!

[high country]

when ya going back?

[Ray]

Boneaddict,

Great story. I have never been in the middle of anything like that but I sure would like to some day. I need to figure out some time to get some elk hunting done. Glad you had some free time to get away and enjoy yourself.

-Ray

[boneaddict]

I thought you and Jack were heading out Ray?  Its very exciting, and I think elk are one of the smartest animals to hunt, at least with a bow.  I know that can be argued against blacktails and whitetails and stuff, but just what my opinion is.  The country they are in is absolutely challenging to say the least.   I'm not sure High Country.  I could be headed back Monday, or even tomorrow night, but I am having some family time first.  I am not sure if I will save my time for my later hunts or head back.  Its so tempting.  I think I finally figured out a bunch of bulls, and once the crowds leave I think I could have a legitimate crack at that 340 bull.  VERY tempting.   Montana was on my agenda, but seriously a 12 hour drive and gas, I am just not sure. I think I figured out it cost me a dollar about ever 4 miles. 3 miles if pulling out trailer and big camp.

[Ray]

I thought you and Jack were heading out Ray?

Well these bears kept popping their heads out of the bush and gave me a fever I had to put out. I think he is out right now. I hope he tags one.


I wish you luck if you go back. 

[Rhinoron247]

I think the pics tell the whole story!   Kidding  Great story and seem to be a popular tale so far this season.

[PolarBear]

Glad your back in one piece.  Cool story, sounds like you had a good time.  Yeah, where da pics man?