Bone is back from Idaho

[Todd_ID]

Successful hunts don't end with animals on the ground but with memories that will last forever.  It sounds like you had more success than most I've been hearing about.  Good luck if you decide to go back.  BTW, which tag do you have?  I may be able to be of some assistance if it's an area that I know.

[boneaddict]

You are %100 correct Todd.  I have a freezer full of meat already, so it was all about antlers and the experience this fall.  As cool of an idea as it was to have three six points to hang on the wallthis year, and the contests we have on here, though that was more for just fun and support.   I have a Montana elk and Panhandle tag.  I can't remember if its A or B but the one that caters to archery.  I have been bouncing the idea around to go back to Montana, but Idaho was so much fun and about $400 cheaper in gas. 

[MichaelJ]

SWEET write up bone!  Sounds like you guys sure had  a good time!  Pretty cool your pops is able to go with you on all these adventures... You guys sure seem to have a lot of them!

Funny you mention me and pictures...  Saturday morning after we'd glassed the morning, I told my bro I was heading up to the top of the upper most ridge to get some pictures, as I knew the backside was a sheer cliff and offered no better glassing.  I was thinking of all the ppl here on the site and how they'd like to see some more pics... After already hiking an hour straight up in the dark, my bro gave me a crazy look after I mentioned the idea, but we powered up the ridge and got some decent photos, but it was grey and overcast so nothing to profound... lol

Michael

[robodad]

and the contests we have on here, though that was more for just fun and support.

So does that mean you are done hunting out of state and are out of the contest ?? Remember it is not just for the hat but also $500 that would cut down on the gas bill for sure !!!

BTW Are there any critters killed yet that need to be scored for the contest ??

[boneaddict]

Archery288 is in it with his Caribou and that is it as far as I know....well both caribou I guess.  If I won Robodad, I'd probably just give the money to the family.  Though it would be nice to pay for some gas or maybe a mount.   I might go back tomorrow.  I haven't decided yet.  If I stay and save some vacation then I can help with moose or get some moose photos.  If I go, I can have another shot at a big bull.

[robodad]

Wow that's a tough call, hopefully it will work out for you that you can do both !!!

Has Jon had those beasts scored yet ??

[Hornseeker]

You goin bone or what? did you write up MT?

E

[boneaddict]

Kids are on the bus and I am out of here.  No I haven't written anything up yet.  I suppose I should before I forget, but I think these guys are getting tired of me telling them how I keeping letting them walk.  I've spilled some I think talking about wolves.  I told Passion catch and release is more practical becasue then if you shoot one you have to get it out of the hole.  I don't have as many friends as Bucklucky does.

[MichaelJ]

  I don't have as many friends as Bucklucky does.

Nonsense!  Just all your stinkin spots are so far away! lol that and you're a pretty secretive dude bone! lol
Good Luck!

Michael

[boneaddict]

   I suppose Michael.   That and most would look at where I go and say thats your problem.  Booner always says take a fork and slat shaker with you becasue thats the only way you'll get him out.

I almost got him, but it didn't work out.  Maybe next year.
 
I got there and was going to camp where I could black access to one of my hunts.  It had rained HARD and there was a dry spot there where someone just pulled camp.  I decided to go back to the spot which we had stayed at before.  It was muddier than hell where the walltent sat.    I pitched my tent a little closer to the rocks out of the mud.    Then I went to check out the other spot I hunted.  By the time I got back, a camp moved into where I was going to pitch a tent.   I went to go do the afternoon hunt on the big bull and there was a rig there.  I'm like WTF.  So I parked where Ernies Dad and I went for that little walk, and I walked out that ridge and started a call.  I heard a bull coming in silently.  It took him about 5 minutes to respond but he was coming in quick.  I knocked an arrow and got ready.  I seen his antler tips coming in.  He stepped out at 10 yards broadside.  I was at full draw.  It was a 6x6 young bull.  Easy pack to the truck.  I almost released.  I let him walk.  The wind cahnged and he was gone.  I then did another call or two and ended up over in moose country.  I got one elk answer and  grunted up a moose.  He was coming in but it was getting dark so I left him.  I figured my best chance was to get in the spot early on that big bull, and maybe the guys would back off.  I got up at 345 and was at the spot by 4.  I sat in the dark and listened to the herd bull screaming down in the hole along withthe 280 bull.  The 200 bull was on the ridge.  About 545 the first rig showed up up above.  I opened my truck door so the light would come on.  He seen it and turned around.  I then slipped into the woods.  I was trying to figure out the wind as it whips around alot as it was coming in crosswise of the canyon.  At this time 2 more rigs show up above and they stop to take in the scene.  It was almost light and I was almost into position. They moved on.   Then I find a fresh moose rut pit that was dug that night.  I went a little further and I could smell the moose.  I gave a grunt and sure enough he answered.  I stopped to dig out my camera to take a picture of the sunrise.  At this time another moose started grunting answering me and the other fellow.  I took a sunrise picture with two moose grunting, one less than 50 yards away and three bulls bugling, including a 350 bull less than 200 yards away.  Would have been cool to have audio with my pics.  I couldn't resist the moose and I was in good position for some pics so I stayed to play.  That was my downfall. I guess I was just having too much fun and enjoying myself too much.  The 350 bull was screaming about every 45 seconds. The little one came in but winded me before I could get his pic.  The big one was coming in strong.  He walked right by the 350 bull, one bugling and screaming and one grunting.  I bet that would have been cool to see.  About this time another rig shows up.  These dorks get out of their rig, slam the door, let off two hoochie Mamma squeezes then bugle.  Everything in the woods went silent.  The moose quit, and so did all three bulls.  INSTANTLY.  I never heard another sound out of the moose or herdbull or the 200 bull.  The 280 bulged twice more throughout the morning, and I was on his ass.  I had got Daisy's bug and had about a 101 temp so wasn't feeling the best.  I slipped off of a log over the creek and landed square on my lower back on the log. got to love those wet logs.   I saw a flash of light and stars, then I fell to the gorund about 4 feet below, and layed in a pile in the devils club patch for awhile. First thought that comes to mind is damn dude, you fall at least once a year..... The 280 bull laughed and gave me his last bugle.  I picked myself up and went after him, but he lost me of course.  He sure has been tearing the *censored* out of that hillside.  I managed to make it back to the truck and then I pulled stakes.  I was going to go check out a different spot that one of our good members shared with me, but I decided that sporting the fever I had and a stiff back that was really killing me now, it was good.  I waved to the *censored* on the way out and said next year.  I came home to the same crap I did last time.  I guess I should have stayed out there and camped, but there was no one to talk too but fired up moose and bulls.  A rig drove by with the little 4 point I passed on in the back of his truck.  I guess he won't be growing up.  There were alot of guys in the woods this time, especially for a Wed.

[Hornseeker]

ya gave it a good shot...

[American Rattlesnake]

Dang, Bone, what a hunt.  Sure wish I was savvy enough to see all the critters you do out there.

Congratulations and I hope your back heals up quick. 

[bowsandhose]

sounds like fun except the dorks the fall and the fever 

[boneaddict]

It was all fun.   Who gets to stand on a mountain, 33 degrees, beautiful sunrise with a bull moose grunting 50 yards away, one closing from 500, a 350 bull 200 yards away with a 280 SCREAMING at each other and another squeeky bull on the ridge watching it all.  I mean if I could paint a picture with sound.   

The *censored* I usually hunt I am lucky to have two eyes still or two knees.  i was just thankful for the cooler moister conditions.  It was miserable before and the bees were nasty.  If you did shoot one, I have no idea how you could take care of him without a bee suit on.

[boneaddict]

I guess here is the picture, you just add the sounds.