Hirshey's Washington Hunts 2017

[hirshey]

I can't believe it is already time for this post again... this year flew by!   

I'll try to get this all written today, but no promises. 

[hirshey]

So as many of you are aware, the way I make a living is by allowing the government to own my soul from March-Octoberish each season. I took a new position this summer on one of the nation's few shorthaul modules, meaning in addition to my regular fire duties I could also be attached to a 250' line and inserted if/when a fellow firefighter was in need of immediate medical assistance. The season was incredibly busy... we finally arrived back in Washington in August to assist with the fires in Naches and Cle Elum. I was able to take a few days off to seek out bears in the Methow valley with jennabug, but the drought-stressed berries didn't allow for much bear action. The season slowed in pace enough that my supervisors allowed me time off for the general season for muzzleloader elk; they knew what they bought in regards to an absentee employee once October leaves heralded in the fall with fantastic colors.

[hirshey]

(a few photos of work and a little play)

[Skillet]

Oh great.  I was going to get some boat work done during this blow, but now I'm going to crack open a barley pop and go along for the ride.   

[Timberstalker]

Nice. Look forward to this every year. 

[hirshey]

As October arrived, so did my little Subaru Forester in Chelan. A few hours of crafting quickloads and the aroma of ignited powder still fresh on my gun, I was feeling confident with my firearm's performance; clay pigeons were certainly not safe at 100 yards. I packed the remainder of my hunting items in my vehicle and struck out for the camp my parents had set up in our normal haunt. 

[hirshey]

We had a few new additions to our elk camp this season; a few of my parents' close friends and their two boys were hoping to spend some time in the woods with us. They arrived at twilight, just as we were enjoying the view of a herd bull, his harem, and a few satellite bulls putting on a show for us in a nearby meadow. The promises of the next morning's adventures were about as tangible as the air was frigid; it was set to be a great day.

[hirshey]

The morning was silent, and the crisp air was softened by the aroma of coffee in each of our wool-adorned hands. A plan was made which took full advantage of each person's physical capabilities; me and the two men who grew up always a foot or two ahead of me would be going off-road, off-trail, and putting on the miles. We struck out with a plan in mind; Dustin would take one ridgeline and Michael and I would mirror his movements on a second one. We arrived at the point of divergence as the golden light filtered through the trees.

[hirshey]

 

[hirshey]

As Dustin took off up his ridgeline, Michael and I moved slowly and intently towards ours. We searched the hillsides and soils for fresh signs of elk, but the first tracks we cut were not quite what we wanted to find; they were boot tracks. The tread print moved directly toward the ridge we had planned on hunting, so Plan B was initiated: instead of heading west, we took another terrain feature to the north. We split up, as distant sounds of bugles and a few shots traversed across the hillsides and valleys. I worked along the edge of a steep ravine and sat above a small table created on the hillside below me. I took in the stunning morning sun and contemplated crafting some elk calls.

[hirshey]

 

[hirshey]

The sound of my chirps spilled across the hillside as I tried to stifle my shivers. I attempted to suppress my excitement as I heard the unmistakable sound of an animal coming up the hill. Tines, tines, and tines was all I was greeted with; I tried to exchange my binoculars for my camera, but something down the drainage caught the bull's attention and he disappeared back out of sight, pushing another animal yet to be visible up the creek-bottom. I followed their tracks tirelessly through the remainder of the day, and arrived back at camp to hear everyone else's tales that evening; almost everybody in our group saw elk,  but my mother and Dustin had the most exciting encounters. They both had multiple herds and herd bulls cross their paths, but no spike elk to be seen. The resonating sound of those bulls bugling still had them vibrating with excitement as they recounted their tales, and I was happy to see the positive effects of hunting reflected in their expressions. Even though no elk hit the dirt, it had been a good day.

We all went to bed late that evening as the snow and wind swept through the trees.

[hirshey]

The next morning's darkness was cut with the white understory of a few inches of snow. Trying to ensure everyone had opportunities for encounters, I suggested Michael head up the ridge Dustin had used the day prior, and Dustin and I worked the ridgeline we had initially intended to hunt the day prior. We were definitely right in the midst of them, but either the wind was unfavorable or I am not as sneaky as I like to imagine, because all the day produced for me was freshly-emptied beds. 

[hirshey]

 

[jennabug]

Yay! I've been wondering how it went!