white river shock!

[steveO]

Yesterday was the end of an 11 year wait for me. WHITE RIVER!!!!!! WHAT?? I am going to share something that the people on this site might appreciate.
       My dad grew up in Lead, South Dakota hunting whitetail to help feed his family. For this I will forever be thankful. Dad was a scientist and later became super religious ( I know it doesn't make sense ) so we were never really close except for the 1 week a year when he took my brother and I hunting above Twisp . I believe for those 7 days dad didn't struggle with his inner self. when I turned 18 I stopped hunting with a riffle and went to a 30/30 contender (pistol) to make deer hunting a little more challenging. Well that didn't work either, dad taught his son to think like the food you hunt. On to the bow. Holy crap I was hooked. Yes It was hard wearing orange careering a cheap bow during modern season.
        Life changed in the home front like it always does and one day, poof, no more hunting with dad in Twisp. Forward a few years .... brother moves to Alaska and we start hatching a plan. The three of us had not hunted in years together. Dad's parkinsons is pretty bad by now making this trip we are planning requiring even more thought. No guide, lots of maps , rented a pontoon boat , satellite phone , lots of mountainhouse chile mac , 30 miles of river that has more forks than an all you can eat buffet. fast forward ... got a nice moose or what dad would say " we got meat" .
        Fast forward again ..... dad has past on. That had been his last hunting trip ever. I have continued to hunt because it is in my blood and I love the meat. I have never taken a record book animal but that's ok. Like dad taught us you can't eat the horns. I miss dad a little bite more than normal before the start of hunting season. This year is going to be a different. I love you dad but   
               " I AM GOING AFTER THE BIGGEST , STINKIEST  FREAKING ELK IN WASHINGTON"
 
         

[trophyhunt]

Which weapon did you get?

[Crunchy]

Good for you.  White River has some nice bulls in it.  I would spend a little time and do some scouting to get some good starting points.  I put in for that unit as a back up plan but didn't draw. 

[steveO]

archery

[bearmanric]

Great story. I got the modern firearm nov 7-18 excited. Rick

[trophyhunt]

On your thread Rick I said buck creek was free camping, I think I was wrong.  Drove by a few weeks ago and I believe it's a fee area now.  Can't be much of a fee because they offer only outhouses, no power or water or sewer.  It's a nice central place to camp though.  You might be able to camp for free at the bottom of crystal mnt road by the park boarder sign.  I will be up there a bunch in the next couple months, I will check it out.

[billythekidrock]

Congrats

[bearmanric]

 I have a 24 ft trailer i Will scout soon. Looking into maps stuff like that. Going to be fun. Will spend my bear hunting there this year. Paid off last year on the coast. Rick 

[bearmanric]

What I will be camped in Every one. Silver 2014 tundra RRcalls in back window Lol. THANKS for the help every one good people here. Rick

[bearmanric]

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Fun hunt.  Get in shape it's steep!!

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk

[steveO]

 I already know where a few of the monsters like to hang out . I just cant believe its my turn. I hope my nerves don't get the best of me. Feel like a little kid again. I have been acting like a goofball and I don't care

[bearmanric]

You will do great. Been working out have diabetes now. This is a great reason to get in shape. Heading over to Cabelas to look at a bigger pack. I'm like a little kid to. Need to turn me some elk calls. The guy that put the new well pump bought all I have. Hope to meet others. Rick

[trophyhunt]

I have a feeling you guys will be ok!  Lots of advice and guys WANTING to help pack elk meat on here.  Including myself, with that late rifle tag I would almost shoot any rag horn or better.  This isn't the blues, I've hunted the white since I was 18. Killed a few elk up there.  It's a good tag and it only gets better if the early deep snow come to the park!

[steveO]

I definitely agree on meat packers. lucky I am a local and have some tuff farm boys on speed dial.