Peaches Bull Hunt Report

[Band]

Well, it started out pretty well.  First thing opening morning I was trading bugles with a bull that was coming our way in a big hurry from several hundred yards but I must have sent him packing with a poorly executed bugle or the shift of the wind.  My brother and I later came across a small herd of cows and then a spike and a rag horn feeding in the thick stuff 15 yards away.

We checked my trail cams in the evening after a 1 week soak and found the usual assortment of elk including the regular bedding area of a herd with a good 7x7 that we would have been very happy with.  While walking back to camp in the evening we spotted smoke a few miles away from what we later found out to be the Rock Creek fire and really didn't think too much about it.  Until about 1:30 in the morning, that is, when the forest service stopped by camp with the evacuation order.  While packing up to head out, we decided to regroup this weekend and head back up until the end of the season (as long as the fire was contained by then, of course).

And then yesterday afternoon after getting back home I started getting stomach cramps.  After several hours of severe pain (and not wanting to pay medical bills through the nose) I relented and let my wife take me to the emergency room.  Long story short, I've been diagnosed with gall stones and am awaiting surgery later today to remove my gall bladder.  According to the doctor I won't be able to lift more that 20 lbs. for 4 weeks after the procedure.  "How about packing 100 lbs. of elk meat from the mountains a few times next week?", I asked.  He just laughed.

Wasted Peaches Ridge "any bull" tag, medical bills through the nose, trail cams still upon the mountain.  Maybe the worst part is that my brother was finally going to have a legitimate shot at what would have been his first elk ever and this has blown his season as well.  Worst elk season...EVER!! #*?¥>*# 

I guess the Silver lining is that I found myself in civilization when the medical issue began since I would have been even more apt to wait for the pain to go away in camp and could really have been in an even worse fix.  But anyway, I hope you all have better luck than we did this year!

[Mr Mykiss]

Dude....
.
.
.
.
I'm sorry.

[rackattack]

Send a letter with a doctors note of what went on to the Game Dept.  On a medical reason they may at least give your points back. 

[ffbowhunter]

Send a letter with a doctors note of what went on to the Game Dept.  On a medical reason they may at least give your points back.

never hurts to try! Sorry to hear about that, having a bum gall bladder isnt fun...

[pd]

As much as you are sorry that this year (and that special tag) is a bust, believe me, you would have been much sorrier had you not discovered the gall bladder problem!  A burst gall bladder, leaking bile into your abdomen cavity would really destroy your hunting camp (and, probably kill you).

You are much better off dealing with this issue now.  Count your blessings.  Your brother will get another chance.

[huntnphool]

How much time is left on the season?

[Killmore]

Eating a tag is way better than being dead

[X-Force]

Pm sent.

Get well soon.

[James E]

explain your circumstances to the Game Dept. They will probably give your points back.

[Muleyslyr]

Ouch that sucks! Feel for ya bud. Good luck!

[rosscrazyelk]

Sorry to hear, hope you recover well.

[SniperDanWA]

Dang Band, sorry to hear.  If you could make it out, I'd be up to haul for your bro.  Let me know.

[Band]

Out of surgery.  It went well according to the surgeon.  He said the inflammation was definitely on the serious side so I'm lucky to have been in civilization and come in when I did.  I'm feeling pretty well and am expected to be released tonight or in the morning.  Wife and kids are by my side.

Thanks for the tips on getting my points back, or should I say "point".  Believe it or not, I had this same tag last year so I only went into the draw with one point.  Only reason I got it again this year is because my brother had 12 points and he relies on me to do pretty much everything in the planning department.  I always process the animal as well, but he makes up for it by being the principal packer outer and very flexible about the hunting activities. Anyway, no way would they give him his 12 points back since he is able bodied.

I told him I wouldn't be surprised if I get an offer or two to help him out the rest of the season but he didn't really want to without me.  We'll see if we can find an opportunity in the late season because we both have empty freezers this year.

In any event, I appreciate the support from you all.  I knew you would understand.  Thanks!

The only real problem I still have is getting my cams back out next weekend.  They will be found by rifle hunters and potentially others, and I'm not sure I want to take that risk because they are right out in the open.

[jgeorgio]

Out of surgery.  It went well according to the surgeon.  He said the inflammation was definitely on the serious side so I'm lucky to have been in civilization and come in when I did.  I'm feeling pretty well and am expected to be released tonight or in the morning.  Wife and kids are by my side.

Thanks for the tips on getting my points back, or should I say "point".  Believe it or not, I had this same tag last year so I only went into the draw with one point.  Only reason I got it again this year is because my brother had 12 points and he relies on me to do pretty much everything in the planning department.  I always process the animal as well, but he makes up for it by being the principal packer outer and very flexible about the hunting activities. Anyway, no way would they give him his 12 points back since he is able bodied.

I told him I wouldn't be surprised if I get an offer or two to help him out the rest of the season but he didn't really want to without me.  We'll see if we can find an opportunity in the late season because we both have empty freezers this year.

In any event, I appreciate the support from you all.  I knew you would understand.  Thanks!

The only real problem I still have is getting my cams back out next weekend.  They will be found by rifle hunters and potentially others, and I'm not sure I want to take that risk because they are right out in the open.

Glad your surgery went well and hope recovery goes smoothly. 

PM Sent

[Band]

Lots of folks offering to help get my cams out of the woods and I've got a couple guys on the hook.  To those who found an opportunity to offer assistance - thanks!  Good people here.

[Band]

I e-mailed WDFW a little over 2 weeks ago to see whether I could get some relief on getting my points back but hadn't heard a peep, so I called a couple days ago and spoke to a guy whose boss makes these kinds of decisions.  I was supposed to get a call back yesterday but haven't received it yet.

But he pointed out page 5 of the regs where it says the medical issue that prevents hunting has to occur before the season begins.  Since I got to hunt one day before the medical issue I'm probably out of luck.  Looks like we'll be waiting several more years before being able to draw again.  And so ends my sad tale.  I don't drink but I feel like I need a drink.

[cem3434]

Let me preface this by saying I absolutely hate liars and thieves.  With that being said there should be an exception to the rule in this case and turnabout should be fair play. Simply take a page straight out of WDFW's playbook and “mislead” them into believing you sustained your injury prior to the beginning of your hunt.  They lie to us all the time, so I think only providing the necessary information to them in order to get your points back is a fair trade.

[Romulus]

1 point wont make a difference....you will either get lucky again or you wont.

[X-Force]

Man that's a tough pill to swallow. At least you have your health.

[Band]

1 point wont make a difference....you will either get lucky again or you wont.

Yeah, I know, that's not going to make a real difference.  I just hate that this caused my brother to lose all of his points.  Just needed to rant, I guess.  The good news is that by the time I draw this tag again I'll be retired and having the entire season without having to worry about work obligations will make for a great hunt!

[Mxracer532]

I e-mailed WDFW a little over 2 weeks ago to see whether I could get some relief on getting my points back but hadn't heard a peep, so I called a couple days ago and spoke to a guy whose boss makes these kinds of decisions.  I was supposed to get a call back yesterday but haven't received it yet.

But he pointed out page 5 of the regs where it says the medical issue that prevents hunting has to occur before the season begins.  Since I got to hunt one day before the medical issue I'm probably out of luck.  Looks like we'll be waiting several more years before being able to draw again.  And so ends my sad tale.  I don't drink but I feel like I need a drink.

Sorry to hear that, but yes your screwed on your 1 point. Last yr I drew the East Wenaha Archery elk tag and was shut out due to the fire and they told me if the I got 1 day of access and it closed back down I would be out all my points no matter what.

[MADMAX]

sorry to hear that, but wow , back to back draws is pretty impressive bud
hope your well now