Father son white river adventure

[harvester21]

On the road to help my dad fill his first Washington bull tag. Back in June my dad was lucky enough to draw not only a quality mudflow muzzy tag but also the bull category for white river. All summer he spent every weekend scouting both areas and doing his homework knowing he was going to make a choice and turn one of the permits in to retain points on one category. After discussions with couple buddies and members on this site dad settled on Whiteriver. I’ll try and post any updates. If any other tag holder is on here and needs helping pack let me know. Dad is open to suggestions if anybody was lucky enough to have the archery tag that just ended and willing to share.

[redi]

Following along. Good luck on your adventure

[harvester21]

Hopefully I’ll find some service on the hill and post some updates. Dads 63 yr old kid on Christmas morning right now.

[pianoman9701]

Good luck to your dad, harvester!

[Squatch200]

My 15 year old son also drew the muzzy tag for WR. We are headed up this afternoon. Good luck! We can also pack if needed.

[Crunchy]

Muzzy tag in my pocket and leave in a couple of hours.  See you guys up there!  Good luck

[harvester21]

Good luck to your dad, harvester!

Thanks!

[harvester21]

My 15 year old son also drew the muzzy tag for WR. We are headed up this afternoon. Good luck! We can also pack if needed.

Awesome! I hope he gets a big one!

[harvester21]

Well first day was a butt kicker. We went with our plan A spot and commenced our hike half hour before dark to get into a meadow close to first light. I couldn’t write the story any better. We walked right into the middle of a mini rut fest. Couple different bulls bugling around us and few cows milling around. We got our wind right and slow played right into a decent 6point bull. He chased a cow right toward us. We were in position with dad on shooting sticks when bull came into our window. 148 yards. Look over at my dad and he is shaking like a leaf. I cow called and bull stops, looks our way and dad wasn’t ready. He went back to chasing his cow. I cow call again and tell my dad to take a deep breath. BOOM. We did our due diligence but that bull ran off unharmed. Dad was too amped up. The rest of the day turned into a nature hike. Never did hear another bugle after that or see an elk. Today is a new day!

[huntnfmly]

What a awesome first day that’s a successful hunt in my book

[bigelk1030]

Good luck!   Sounds like a great first morning!

[Crunchy]

Good action.  We are in WR also.  Bulls are bugling all night but not much more talking after sunrise.  Clear skies and near full moon.  We passed on four bulls so far.  Fingers crossed.  Go get them!

[harvester21]

Glassed up 4 bulls right at daylight. All bugling until 8:30 or so. Small groups of cows with them (5-8 cows and calves). We watched 2 smaller 6 points bulls head to a cut to bed down for the afternoon. We are currently on a uphill death March to go up and around them. Figure maybe 2-3 hour endeavor.

[Twispriver]

Thanks for taking us along - I'm rooting for you

[Ryan P]

I'll be up scouting tomorrow evening if someone gets one down let me know and I can help.

[harvester21]

I'll be up scouting tomorrow evening if someone gets one down let me know and I can help.

You have the rifle tag?

[Ryan P]

Yep. 13 days but who's counting.

[Ryan P]

Well 14 lol

[Crunchy]

No updates?  I am headed back out tomorrow afternoon for another round! 

[harvester21]

Sorry was trying to update on the hill but service was terrible there so we go… may be a touch long

After the first day missing the nice bull my dad was down in the slump feeling like he let me down. We had such a good day, missed that nice bull and seen 21 mountain goats. Had a few drinks that night and he explained how he just really had buck fever and wanted to execute the plan we had. No big deal we moved on. Explained to him we need to not beat up our bodies doing 10-12 mile days and find a spot so I can set up the spotting scope to find something we want to make a move on.

Next morning (yesterday) I had a spot in mind. We got situated half hour before daylight and I set up the spotter. We had 4 maybe 5 bulls bugling around us. As the sun came up I glassed up two herds that had 6 point bulls. I explained to my dad these bulls were not BIG by any means, respectable but we should maybe think about passing. He wasn’t having it. Kept asking, “do you think we could kill one?” I confirmed yes but this would be a death March for both of us. We are talking all day and night if this happens. He didn’t hesitate, “I’m in if you are”. So we draw a make shift line on OnX. No trails close by. Took us 2.5 hours to go .9 miles with dead fall. We make it to where I thought elk bedded and there was no elk. We tip toed into it the cut we last seen them and nothing. We agreed let’s play this right and sit down and wait til they start moving for the evening since we have high ground on them. I kept checking the wind. 30 min after we sat down bull bugles in his bed at about 12:30. Every 10-15 min he would bugle which confirmed he was still there. He did that all day long.  We locked in to our spot and figured best not to try to sneak in know he has cows we could bust first. We couldn’t have been more than 100-125 yards away from this bull but couldn’t see him in the thicket. We sat there for 6 hours. Pretty soon I catch some cows moving and hear some mewing.  The bull finally stood up and was working the cows our way. We were talking through the whole thing working out the scenario. By the time we could see clear vitals bull came to 55 yards straight downhill. Last words I said was “make sure your happy with him…” click BOOM. Rolled him! High shoulder shot. Dad got his first ever bull! We hugged and agreed this could be the dumbest thing we will ever do. Actually dad said “We are F’d”. We both knew this was gonna take me and him all night to get this bull out. We took the pictures and started breaking him down. By the time we boned him out and had him bagged up it was nearly 10pm. No service to make calls or text. We commence our first load. Anybody who has done it knows it’s almost comically how much pain we put ourselves through for something. We laughed. Got to the truck worn out, hungry and ready for bed. This morning we hands and knees back to the top and make our final load. Numerous times we stopped and lay on our sides with heavy packs,  that you can’t even stand back up with, and laugh. “This is so dumb… WE are so dumb… but this is awesome!” We got the last load to the truck at 1pm today.

Dad got his first bull and the adventure was complete. We had so much food, supplies and propane to last the whole duration of the tag. It was over fast but so worth it. I’m back home now and Mt whole body hurts but my mom texted explaining that “your dad won’t shut up”. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Thanks for the couple guys on here that messaged me with advise and pointers. We took all your advise and utilized everyone. Really appreciate the people on this site that step up. Dad appreciated the extra encouragement and pointers. Thank you!

[hunthard]

Fricking awesome, a hunt you and your dad will always remember.

[harvester21]

Here’s our attempt at a timed photo on cell phones.

[redi]

Great job and great bull. So glad your dad was successful. Thanks for taking us along.

[ridgefire]

That’s awesome. Big congrats!

[blackveltbowhunter]

Great write up! Congrats on the hunt and nice bull!

[Ryan P]

Congrats on a great bull and hunt.

[carpsniperg2]

Congrats those hard fought ones are well etched memories.

[hunter399]

Congrats 👏
Sounds like an adventure,you won't forget.
Great memories.

[steeleywhopper]

Great job and good for you getting after it with your dad! I would expect a Dayton guy to blow up and down that White river stuff as steep as it is in the Blue's!
It's amazing how those pack out's feel like it's gonna kill you but your body still keeps on a going.

[pd]

OP, let me say this: You are an awesome son.

[pianoman9701]

Way to bag a beautiful bull and gain a lifetime memory with your dad. My son doesn't hunt. I am envious.

[highside74]

Great job guys. I'm gonna stop by his shop this week so I can hear all About it.

[Gringo31]

Memories with loved ones > Inches 

Love that you shared this with us.  Thank you and congrats!!

[lewy]

 

[npaull]

Way to go! Curious if you hunted this on public land or bought a timber company access permit?

[Gentrys]

Congrats!  Thanks for the story

[Lincoln4]

 

[MADMAX]

Nice job
Nice bull
 

[High Climber]

Awesome bull and how cool for you guys! Your dads first bull and what a way to get it done 

[Boss .300 winmag]

Congratulations two you both, crazy stories are the best.👍

[harvester21]

Great job and good for you getting after it with your dad! I would expect a Dayton guy to blow up and down that White river stuff as steep as it is in the Blue's!
It's amazing how those pack out's feel like it's gonna kill you but your body still keeps on a going.

Your exactly right the blues are not forgiving either. But I havnt been lucky enough to pack a bull out of those canyons get. Just cows and spikes on semi flat ground. But your absolutely right, it’s a labor of passion/love

[harvester21]

Great job guys. I'm gonna stop by his shop this week so I can hear all About it.

He is never gonna let you leave the shop once he starts talking! Goodluck! He will be stoked to tell you all about it I’m sure.

[harvester21]

Way to go! Curious if you hunted this on public land or bought a timber company access permit?

Npaull we did this all on public. Camped on usfs land and strictly hunted public. Probably woulda tried the whole Hancock timber permit had we bought permits before it was just available for walk in.

[Birdguy]

Great story, great memories and thank you for taking us along!! Hope the others do just as well! It's awesome you two were able to do it all. Outstanding!

[Falcon]

Love the story and the outcome.  Huge congrats 

[bearhunter99]

What a great memory!   Congratulations to your father!


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[millerwheeler]

As I sit at muzzy elk camp with my dad I really appreciate your story thank you for sharing very cool

[rosscrazyelk]

Congrats