Idaho Experience

[hard hunter]

Pleas forgive me as this is the first time I have tried to do a hunt report like this and try to include pictures.

For a little background, I used to live in Post Falls, ID until work took me west.  When I lived there I had the opportunity to hunt a variety of animals with some success.  For the last few years I have been taking my kids back to Idaho to hunt. 

This year I took my oldest daughter Ashley over with the intention of letting her elk hunt with my wife's uncle and cousins.  I was also asked to hunt with my wife's 16 year old cousin and try and get him his first deer. 

Off to the Hunt.

On Friday, October 11 the daughter and I packed up the car and headed east.  We planned to meet with my wife's aunt and cousin at the range in Farragut State Park and give the cousin a chance to sight in the .270 rifle I had brought over for him.  We met up with them and the cousin quickly was on target and putting inch to two inch groups together at a hundred yards.  He said that he even impressed himself.  The rest of the day was spent with dinner and getting settled at the in-laws in Post Falls.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday were passed with morning visits to extended family (sometimes you got to do it) and in the afternoons Ashley would sit one of the fields in Plummer with the uncle or one of the cousins while I hung out or tried to help on the farm.

Tuesday morning was opening day of the cow season in the Panhandle so Ashley said it was time to get serious about this elk hunt.  Due to issues we left the in-laws a little later than we wanted and wouldn't you know it we get a call from the uncle that there are 40+ elk in one of the fields.  We end up missing them by 15 minutes.  We follow them into the deep woods until they crossed onto another's property.  Thus ending the hunt until later.  That afternoon Ashley went back to the area where elk had been in the morning.  I had a deer tag and could have filled it with an antlerless deer at any time but was focused on Ashley and her elk, the cousin and his deer and I also planned to return in November with another young man to attempt to get his first deer.  After getting some stuff done at the house I got convinced by the uncle to at least go sit a field for the evening hunt. 

I got to the field after 5:30, sunset was 6:02 and legal shooting ended 30 minutes later.  As I walked into the field I bumped out 3 deer.  They were not overly spooked and just moved off so I slowly followed them just to make sure they were not bucks.  After verifying they were does I made my way back to the field I wanted to watch and sat down where the two fields met, it was 6:15.  I figured to just sit there for 15 minutes and there was no way I would see anything.  I was wrong.  Less than 5 minutes after sitting this deer walks out at less than 30 yards.  I could not believe it not only was this a big deer but it had antlers.  I tried to get ready for the shot but could not find it in the scope.  I quickly realized I had the scope turned up from looking at the other deer and needed to adjust it.  After a quick adjustment I was able to find him and send a SST bullet on its way.  After I fired I saw dust kick up under the deer, had I missed?  I chambered another round and figured that he might go through a little row of brush and them come out the other side.  I waited for what felt like an eternity, probably only a minute or two and nothing.  I know began to think I had made a bad hit.  I figured that if hit bad the deer would probably bed down in the brush.  Now when I went to hunt I did not grab my fanny pack as I didn't plan on shooting anything so now its getting dark and I need to try and find this deer.  I slowly start to creep along the brush row looking under the brush for the deer.  I made it about 10-15 yards along the brush and then see something in the middle of the field.  I thought no way would it be my deer but it was.  Ashley had heard my shot and arrived with the uncle to see what was going on.  We loaded the deer into the uncle's pickup and off to the shop we went.

[Dan-o]

Excellent report.

Thanks for sharing.

[hard hunter]

 Wednesday morning dawned early off to Plummer we went.  When we got there Ashley went off with the uncle to see what was in the fields this morning.  According to the uncle they were driving and checking out the fields (this usually means driving through the fields).  They had driven passed a field planted in oats and went to the top of the hill to check those fields.  They were empty so they turned around and as they came to the oat field again there in the middle of it was and elk.  The uncle coasted to a stop and the elk moved off about 20-30 yards and stood looking at them broadside.  Ashley eased out of the truck into the field, slapped the magazine into her rifle and closed the bolt.  She apparently tried to kneel down but could not see the elk over the oats so she make a shot standing.  We later measured the shot to be at 102 yards.  The elk ran about 20 feet and started walking up the hill.  (had I been there I would have had here take her time and shoot it again as it was obviously hit)  The elk walked up the hill about a hundred yards and then fell over rolling into some brush. 

I got a very excited phone call from Ashley (this is only her second elk) telling me where to come.  The uncle, bless him, went to the get a tractor  help move the elk.  He was able to pull the elk back to the top of the hill for pictures and such.  I am so proud for elk but also because she has been really working on her shooting positions this past year especially standing.  (Sorry for the blood in the pics)

[hard hunter]

Tried to finish up but it all deleted...post more later

[pianoman9701]

Nice job putting those animals down, neighbor! 

[hard hunter]

Continuing on....

Thursday, we slept in a little but the phone rang around 9a.m. with the aunt(mother of the cousin) calling and asking if we were still staying in town and if the cousin could possibly go hunt with us in the evening.  Now we had been trying since the range on Friday to get the cousin to come with us hunting.  We would make plans and then the cousin would remember something that he had to do like piano lessons or swim practice, ect.  It was kind of frustrating as we had been planning this trip with him since June.  Plans were made with the aunt to meet up and then go to the place Ashley and I had been hunting. 

Ashley and I arrived at the meet location a little early and soon got a call from the aunt that we needed to meet at the Fish and Wildlife regional office because the guy at the store where they tried to get his license said that the cousin had to go to the regional office to get his license (turns out the store guy didn't know what he was talking about).  So off to the regional office Ashley and I go.  After we all arrive at the regional office we find a long line to get service.  Ashley and I went outside as there were a lot of people in the lobby.  As we were waiting outside two gentlemen came out of the regional office with an employee and walked to a pickup nearby.  They lowered the tailgate and there was a nice looking black bear in the pickup. 

Ashley and I tried to keep our distance while admiring the bear but the gentlemen called us over to get a closer look.  As we were standing there the cousin came out of the office and walked over to us.  From the look on his face when he saw the bear in the back of the pickup I could tell he had never seen a bear that close up and he may have been seeing his first harvested animal.  He was thrilled to see it and started asking questions that the gentlemen seemed only to happy to answer.  I really appreciated the time and care that these gentlemen took with the cousin.

A short time later the aunt came out of the office and told us that she needed to go home to get the cousin's social security number in order to get his license.  We devised a plan that due to time I would take the cousin and head to Plummer while the aunt went home and texted me his SSN. 
The aunt managed to text me the cousin's SSN just as we got to Plummer.  I quickly pulled into the store that sells licenses and tags.  Fortunately we were the only ones in the shop so we were able to get the license and tag vey quickly.  Off we went for a short drive to the hunting fields.  I was now 5p.m.

Ashley dropped the cousin and I off near the field where I had gotten my deer and we walked into the area.  As we came to the field we found 5 does already in the field.  They moved off into the woods as we approached.  The cousin and I sat near where I had previously gotten my deer in some grass.  I had hoped the grass would mask any movements.  As we sat I began to get nervous that we would not see anything.  This was not helped by the cousin being a first time hunter that needed to know what every sound in the woods was.  I just kept tell in him we needed to sit quiet and still.  He said ok and then proceeded to start picking grass.  I kind of had to laugh to myself as I remember when my kids did about the same things their first year hunting.  I just hoped that we would at least see a deer.  I kept scanning the field in front of us for any movement and nothing.  For some reason about 6:15 I looked behind us and believe it or not there were 8 does standing in the field.

I whispered to the cousin to slowly turn around and come to a kneeling position.  He of course turned a lot faster then I would have liked and managed to alert the deer.  I whispered to pick a big deer with a good backstop behind it and make sure there were no other deer behind the first one.  He whispered "ok" as he centered in on the doe farthest into the field.  I replied "take the shot when you are ready."  I could see the deer were going to spook at any moment.  The rifle cracked and all the deer turned and ran back into the woods.  The first thing the cousin said was I think I missed.  I asked him why and he replied because all the deer had run back into the woods.  I then went through the shot with him, what he saw in the scope, was he comfortable in his kneeling position and so on.  The cousin said that he had seen the front leg of the deer, didn't think he had jerked the trigger and felt steady with the rifle.  I informed him that we follow up every shot.  After he but a fresh round in the chamber we started the track. 

First I we went to where the deer had been standing and I had the cousin look for any blood or other sign.  We found no obvious sign so we headed to where the deer had entered the wooded area.  The cousin was still thinking that he had missed.  I reassured him that we needed to follow up the shot and that I didn't think he had missed.  The shot had only been 40 yards.  As we started to enter the wooded area I told the cousin that we needed to go at least 20 yards into the woods before I would even consider the idea that he missed.  He still seemed unsure but followed the tracks into the woods.  As we entered the cousin went right around a tree and I went left.  When I looked up I could see a little white and 10 feet further was able to confirm what I was seeing.  I called the cousin over to me and pointing asked him what he could see.  I will never forget the look on his face as he saw the deer laying dead under some brush.  He was so happy and glad.  After a quick as they lay shot I had the cousin help me drag the deer out to the field where Ashley arrived with the car.  We loaded the deer up and headed to get it cleaned and skinned and called the cousins mom to let her know.   She had gotten the SSN and then headed down to the hunting area. 

The aunt and little sister were so excited to hear the he had gotten a deer.  I later found out that the aunt did not think her son would be successful this quickly.  I also felt bad that his dad could not be there for this first.  I was humbled to be trusted enough to have this experience. 

The cousin was only to happy to help with the processing of the deer which was good as Ashley and I didn't want to do it alone.  As we started it became obvious that the cousins knife work needed a lot of help.  I was able to help him a little by giving him a smaller bladed knife.  He was super excited when I had him grab the tail and pull it down and it peeled a bunch of the hide off.  The skinning and cleaning went a little slower than usual but we got it done.  I blame it on training a first timer. 

I have to say that I have felt so blessed this year.  I am not sure if I could ever top the events that have occurred.  I would not trade the experiences I have had for anything.  I am so grateful for the time I have spent with my daughter and the wife's cousin and for the aunt and uncle that own the land that we hunted and all their hospitality.  I am grateful for the uncle and cousins that were willing to hunt with Ashely and help her.  I am also very grateful to all those on HuntWA for all the information that they have posted and the collective knowledge they have all shared.



Now only one more hunt to go.....Another first timer but due to others hunting I cant use the usual place.  Any ideas?

[Machias]

Nice job!!

[Jimmy33]

Continuing on....

Thursday, we slept in a little but the phone rang around 9a.m. with the aunt(mother of the cousin) calling and asking if we were still staying in town and if the cousin could possibly go hunt with us in the evening.  Now we had been trying since the range on Friday to get the cousin to come with us hunting.  We would make plans and then the cousin would remember something that he had to do like piano lessons or swim practice, ect.  It was kind of frustrating as we had been planning this trip with him since June.  Plans were made with the aunt to meet up and then go to the place Ashley and I had been hunting. 

Ashley and I arrived at the meet location a little early and soon got a call from the aunt that we needed to meet at the Fish and Wildlife regional office because the guy at the store where they tried to get his license said that the cousin had to go to the regional office to get his license (turns out the store guy didn't know what he was talking about).  So off to the regional office Ashley and I go.  After we all arrive at the regional office we find a long line to get service.  Ashley and I went outside as there were a lot of people in the lobby.  As we were waiting outside two gentlemen came out of the regional office with an employee and walked to a pickup nearby.  They lowered the tailgate and there was a nice looking black bear in the pickup. 

Ashley and I tried to keep our distance while admiring the bear but the gentlemen called us over to get a closer look.  As we were standing there the cousin came out of the office and walked over to us.  From the look on his face when he saw the bear in the back of the pickup I could tell he had never seen a bear that close up and he may have been seeing his first harvested animal.  He was thrilled to see it and started asking questions that the gentlemen seemed only to happy to answer.  I really appreciated the time and care that these gentlemen took with the cousin.

A short time later the aunt came out of the office and told us that she needed to go home to get the cousin's social security number in order to get his license.  We devised a plan that due to time I would take the cousin and head to Plummer while the aunt went home and texted me his SSN. 
The aunt managed to text me the cousin's SSN just as we got to Plummer.  I quickly pulled into the store that sells licenses and tags.  Fortunately we were the only ones in the shop so we were able to get the license and tag vey quickly.  Off we went for a short drive to the hunting fields.  I was now 5p.m.

Ashley dropped the cousin and I off near the field where I had gotten my deer and we walked into the area.  As we came to the field we found 5 does already in the field.  They moved off into the woods as we approached.  The cousin and I sat near where I had previously gotten my deer in some grass.  I had hoped the grass would mask any movements.  As we sat I began to get nervous that we would not see anything.  This was not helped by the cousin being a first time hunter that needed to know what every sound in the woods was.  I just kept tell in him we needed to sit quiet and still.  He said ok and then proceeded to start picking grass.  I kind of had to laugh to myself as I remember when my kids did about the same things their first year hunting.  I just hoped that we would at least see a deer.  I kept scanning the field in front of us for any movement and nothing.  For some reason about 6:15 I looked behind us and believe it or not there were 8 does standing in the field.

I whispered to the cousin to slowly turn around and come to a kneeling position.  He of course turned a lot faster then I would have liked and managed to alert the deer.  I whispered to pick a big deer with a good backstop behind it and make sure there were no other deer behind the first one.  He whispered "ok" as he centered in on the doe farthest into the field.  I replied "take the shot when you are ready."  I could see the deer were going to spook at any moment.  The rifle cracked and all the deer turned and ran back into the woods.  The first thing the cousin said was I think I missed.  I asked him why and he replied because all the deer had run back into the woods.  I then went through the shot with him, what he saw in the scope, was he comfortable in his kneeling position and so on.  The cousin said that he had seen the front leg of the deer, didn't think he had jerked the trigger and felt steady with the rifle.  I informed him that we follow up every shot.  After he but a fresh round in the chamber we started the track. 

First I we went to where the deer had been standing and I had the cousin look for any blood or other sign.  We found no obvious sign so we headed to where the deer had entered the wooded area.  The cousin was still thinking that he had missed.  I reassured him that we needed to follow up the shot and that I didn't think he had missed.  The shot had only been 40 yards.  As we started to enter the wooded area I told the cousin that we needed to go at least 20 yards into the woods before I would even consider the idea that he missed.  He still seemed unsure but followed the tracks into the woods.  As we entered the cousin went right around a tree and I went left.  When I looked up I could see a little white and 10 feet further was able to confirm what I was seeing.  I called the cousin over to me and pointing asked him what he could see.  I will never forget the look on his face as he saw the deer laying dead under some brush.  He was so happy and glad.  After a quick as they lay shot I had the cousin help me drag the deer out to the field where Ashley arrived with the car.  We loaded the deer up and headed to get it cleaned and skinned and called the cousins mom to let her know.   She had gotten the SSN and then headed down to the hunting area. 

The aunt and little sister were so excited to hear the he had gotten a deer.  I later found out that the aunt did not think her son would be successful this quickly.  I also felt bad that his dad could not be there for this first.  I was humbled to be trusted enough to have this experience. 

The cousin was only to happy to help with the processing of the deer which was good as Ashley and I didn't want to do it alone.  As we started it became obvious that the cousins knife work needed a lot of help.  I was able to help him a little by giving him a smaller bladed knife.  He was super excited when I had him grab the tail and pull it down and it peeled a bunch of the hide off.  The skinning and cleaning went a little slower than usual but we got it done.  I blame it on training a first timer. 

I have to say that I have felt so blessed this year.  I am not sure if I could ever top the events that have occurred.  I would not trade the experiences I have had for anything.  I am so grateful for the time I have spent with my daughter and the wife's cousin and for the aunt and uncle that own the land that we hunted and all their hospitality.  I am grateful for the uncle and cousins that were willing to hunt with Ashely and help her.  I am also very grateful to all those on HuntWA for all the information that they have posted and the collective knowledge they have all shared.



Now only one more hunt to go.....Another first timer but due to others hunting I cant use the usual place.  Any ideas?

Are you going to be hunting the panhandle?


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[Skyvalhunter]

That's a nice elk congrats to the hunter.

[hard hunter]

Are you going to be hunting the panhandle?


Yes, I unfortunately will not be able to hunt our usual spot in Plummer as some other family members are hunting it.  I want to give them the best chance too as its their first time also.  I'm still hoping that I somehow come across some private land to get him a better shot at deer.  I found out today that our hunt will be cut short (by his mom) due to missing school and grades (I totally understand).

[Jimmy33]

Pm me...im always willing to trade info


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