ShaneVG's 2016 Western WA Alpine Blacktail

[OutHouse]

Shane, you're the man. This is text book definition of hardcore hunting if there ever was a definition. Great buck too!

[Taco280AI]

Congrats and great pics 

[Buckewe]

Way to get it done. You are always getting into some great bucks. The one on your cam is a stud . Congrats to all the hard work

[sagerat]

Awesome story! Hey in one of the pics I see what looks like two white zip ties around your barrel. What for?

[seth30]

Congrats on the hunt   That is one dandy buck and a adventure!

[CGDucksandDeer]

Shane, curious about your mention of the BD Whippet in your new gear list. Was that because it actually snowed that much that it was useful for snow self arrest in the case of slippage, or was it because the hills were so steep and wet that you felt the need to be able to self arrest even on dirt and vegetation? And did that work?

I have a whippet and consider it invaluable for steep or icy ski touring and light mountaineering. But I have trouble imagining it to be practical off frozen water. Interested to hear your thoughts. Maybe I'll have to throw it and my crampons in for my next high hunt.

Great photos and story!

[shanevg]

Awesome story! Hey in one of the pics I see what looks like two white zip ties around your barrel. What for?

Two zip ties on the top of the pack and the cinch strap towards the bottom hold my gun onto my pack.  I can easily remove the gun just by unclipping the cinch strap without even taking my pack off.  I'll try to post some more photos sometime. 

Shane, curious about your mention of the BD Whippet in your new gear list. Was that because it actually snowed that much that it was useful for snow self arrest if the case of slippage, or was it because the hills were so steep and wet that you felt the need to be able to self arrest even on dirt and vegetation? And did that work?

I have a whippet and consider it invaluable for steep or icy ski touring and light mountaineering. But I have trouble imagining it to be practical off frozen water. Interested to hear your thoughts and maybe I'll have to throw it and my crampons in for my next high hunt.

Great photos and story!

I've used the whippet multiple times when climbing on steep hills just to gain a bit extra traction.  (You know those hills you climb where you're standing up and your knees are pretty much touching the ground.)  I've used the whippet for digging holes for salt blocks, digging snow to bury meat and/or boil for water, etc. 

I got caught in a snowstorm last year in those ankle high blueberries and then got snow clogged in my crampons.  Before I knew it I was about 600 feet in elevation down the hill and sliding fast.  A little sapling luckily slowed my slide enough that I was able to stop by just clawing at blueberry bushes but ever since then I've never left home without the whippet.  That day, I literally just sat down next to that sapling and waited until the snow melted before I started hiking again.  Shot my deer about 3 hours later. 

[jkthomps]

Congrats, Shane! Thanks again for taking us along for the ride!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[de0827]

Congrats on another awesome hunt!  What amazingly beautiful country God created for us to hunt these great animals!  Thanks for sharing.

[shanevg]

Congrats on another awesome hunt!  What amazingly beautiful country God created for us to hunt these great animals!  Thanks for sharing.

   And nothing beats the Skagit Country high country!

[Kit Carson]

Cool story & pics! 
Congrats

[tony04]

Wonderful story with exceptional photos.  Easy to get lost in your well told story and imagine it at though I'd been there myself.  Congratulations on your successful hunt.

 

Same here! I really enjoy your stories.  Congrats on the buck!

[Wanttohuntmore]

Congrats and great write up!