Peaches Ridge / Drop Camp? (Update)

[slowhand]

Good luck

[Hoythunter]

One down, one more to go.  Bulls have gone radio silent the past 2 days, will post more once #2 is down...

[cougforester]

Bulls in the little naches were going today and Monday while I was working. Find a bench mid slope around 4000' where 3 or more drainages come together in big timber with a clear cut or other canopy opening nearby. They didn't like bugles but they were all over lost cow calls.

[Hoythunter]

Our Peaches Ridge journey has come to an end.  Still hard to believe this thread started as a “what if”, followed by actually getting drawn.

A sincere “thank you” is owed to many members on this site.  I got the opportunity to learn first-hand the quality character of a few members as they helped my cousin and I with this hunt.  Specifically, thank you to Sabotloader for all your help in getting me lined out on this muzzleloader thing; you’re a wealth of information.  I followed your recommendation on many specifics such as the gun, powder, peep, etc.  The Knight UL is a shooting machine. 

Also, thank you to both RTspring and fishngamereaper.  Both of you not only took the time to correspond via multiple PM’s but also phone conversations.  Fishngamereaper: I was pulling for you during your archery hunt and look forward to meeting you someday up in N. Idaho where it sounds we both hunt the same area, talk about a small world.

The hunt itself was a blast.  Fantastic weather and lots of action with bugling bulls, what more can you ask for?  Sharing this hunt with both my cousin and dad made it all the more special.  Bulls were on fire the first 4 days before going radio silent after a big wind / cold front moved in mid-week.  We went from having multiple opportunities on bulls the first few days to literally nothing.  The bulls flat shut up for the second half of the hunt.  My cousin passed on a few small bulls the first few days but unfortunately never connected after 8 hard days of hunting.  Despite his mobility challenges he did awesome.

I connected with this bull opening morning at 10 yards.  He came in on a string.  My dad was there with me so I couldn’t have scripted a better outcome....other than his final resting place.  He died directly on a yellow jackets nest!  Hundreds upon hundreds of them pissed the flat off.  Talk about a rodeo.  Hence the reason why I don’t have field photos.  The rest of the day was spent winching it outta the bottom of the canyon we chased him down into. 

In summary, this was a fantastic hunt.  The entire experience starting with learning a new area, meeting new people, and spending 8 glorious days in elk country far exceeded the thrill of the kill itself.  Couldn’t have asked for a better “Quality Hunt” experience.

I head out for my Idaho elk hunt in 2 weeks, time to re-charge my batteries so I can maximizing the opportunity on that hunt as well.

Thanks for following along and all the advise / post contributions along the way.

[trophyhunt]

Congrats!

[Mfowl]

Congrats! Sounds like a great hunt!

[full choke]

Congratulations!
Glad it turned out to be a quality hunt for you!

[Boss .300 winmag]

Bbbbeeeeeesss, OMG  I’ve never thought of that happing. I’m somewhat allergic to them🤭. I wouldn’t have been able to retrieve it, I bet @rtspring would come get it for me though.🤣

Congrats everyone on your bulls. 

[Hoythunter]

Bbbbeeeeeesss, OMG  I’ve never thought of that happing. I’m somewhat allergic to them🤭. I wouldn’t have been able to retrieve it, I bet @rtspring would come get it for me though.🤣

Congrats everyone on your bulls. 

Thank you.  Yeah the bee thing was crazy.  I love taking time and getting good field photos but we had a “situation” on our hands.

[Wingin it]

Oh man, I hate bee's! That would make things interesting to say the least. Glad it all worked out and congratulations!

[elkrack]

Great thread! Congrats on the success!

Bees are the worst.

[fishngamereaper]

  Congrats. Glad you got it done. Based on where that bull was hanging out you guys earned it for sure.

[Odell]

Bbbbeeeeeesss, OMG  I’ve never thought of that happing. I’m somewhat allergic to them🤭. I wouldn’t have been able to retrieve it, I bet @rtspring would come get it for me though.🤣

Congrats everyone on your bulls. 

Thank you.  Yeah the bee thing was crazy.  I love taking time and getting good field photos but we had a “situation” on our hands.

I bet! man I would not want to deal with that. Congrats on a great bull and trip!

[Hoythunter]

Bbbbeeeeeesss, OMG  I’ve never thought of that happing. I’m somewhat allergic to them🤭. I wouldn’t have been able to retrieve it, I bet @rtspring would come get it for me though.🤣

Congrats everyone on your bulls. 

Thank you.  Yeah the bee thing was crazy.  I love taking time and getting good field photos but we had a “situation” on our hands.

I bet! man I would not want to deal with that. Congrats on a great bull and trip!

Thanks, all!  I’ll admit, it took quite the brainstorming session to figure out what exactly to do with the cloud of bees hovering all around.  In hindsight I wish one of us video me as I worked to get the chainsaw winch chain around his head / horns.  I wanted nothing to do with those bees and they weren’t too happy about their new house guest.  What are the odds?!?!  Glad that episode is behind us...

[Birdguy]

Sounds Epic in many ways! Glad you worked through the situation of the hornets, not fun on any level. Very cool trip with family, being there with your Dad sounds just terrific!!! Congrats on your bull and hope you cousin got memories for ever!! Very cool.