My last quality tags are filled and paying the price

[Ghost Hunter]

Burned 19 points for a 2nd choice Kelly Hill modern WT tag.  Base camp is in 105, that's where I plan on finishing my hunting career.  I've built a few permanent stands on my property at various locations, with cameras out all year.  Had several small spikes, 2 and 3 pt throughout the year.  Prospects were dismal from past few years.  MS tag gave me scheduling flexibility.  Came down to one target buck, a small 5x6 I watched all year.  Missed early archery season to make my quality elk.  Had a few days to hunt during muzzy and early modern.  All my hunting this year has been in a stand with my crossbow using the three P's; patience, perseverance, persistence topped off with a few apples.  I tried to hold out until my 5 days of quality hunt followed by late archery.  When the weather changed to snow with 3 days left in late modern, I was ready to take my first opportunity.  Scent wicks up high he couldn't locate, my target buck finally gave me an opportunity at 20 yards I couldn't pass up, a 50-yard run and he was bled out.  With temperatures below freezing I decided to enjoy camp and let him hang a few days.  The problem was it didn't stop snowing. 

I had already shoveled the truck and trailer out twice.  On the 20th I chained up and started packing.  Got up at 3am on the 21st with it still snowing, shoveled truck and trailer out again for loading, 15 - 18" total at that point.  Threw my pruning saws in at last minute for use at home.  Physical therapist had told me to stay away from chainsaw and other heavy work.  300 yards into the 5 1/2-mile trip to pavement I came the first down tree.  Pruning saw no problem; I can do this (brief thought about walking back for chainsaw) turning around with trailer not an option.    Cut a few more in next couple of miles, nothing bigger that 8".  At 2 miles I came to the big spruce on an uphill grade.    I'm on my own now.  No calling the help crew.  Unload the Kubota RTV, leave the dog to watch the truck, and back to camp to get the chainsaws.  3 hours and 40 minutes after I left camp the first time, I had cut my way 5 1/2 miles to plowed road.  No wind damage, just wet heavy snow.  FYI, logs don't roll in wet heavy snow. 

The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful.  Well there was a brief moment a couple mile before turning off I-5 that the cab filled with smoke so I couldn't see anything but glow of traffic lights, but that was quickly resolved...........made for a 21-hour day. 

Hide was given to a crafter.  Head is in the maceration pot.  Meat is being processed.  Scratch on head from spruce limb is healing.  Heat pad doesn't seem to be helping much on the shoulder.    Looking forward to Thanksgiving with family.

Anybody planning on hunting late archery, the road is cleared to the Mineral Mt. turnoff. 

[MHWASH]

I hope my hunting career ends this way. Sounds like a very memorable hunt, that included struggle and success. I'm sure you will remember it for the rest of your journey.

[Dan-o]

Memorable for sure.   

[MADMAX]

Heck of a season 👍👍

[OutHouse]

Sounds exciting! Will you show us the buck?   

[hunter399]

I feel it every year, can't make it to top of the mountain.
Then I hunt with my kids ,that will death walk me in the ground.
I see there strength, endurance, determination that I once had when I was there age.

Congrats on the hunt. Heck ya.👍
Never say never,see how you feel next year.
I didn't think I was buying a tag this year.

[Ghost Hunter]

I feel it every year, can't make it to top of the mountain.
Then I hunt with my kids ,that will death walk me in the ground.
I see there strength, endurance, determination that I once had when I was there age.

Congrats on the hunt. Heck ya.👍
Never say never,see how you feel next year.
I didn't think I was buying a tag this year.

Oh I'm not calling quits, far from it I hope.  Just not buy lottery tickets for quality.

[Falcon]

GH…….You are one of the last tough guys out there      Great story and adventure you won’t soon forget. 
Glad you made it out alive.   

[hunter399]

I feel it every year, can't make it to top of the mountain.
Then I hunt with my kids ,that will death walk me in the ground.
I see there strength, endurance, determination that I once had when I was there age.

Congrats on the hunt. Heck ya.👍
Never say never,see how you feel next year.
I didn't think I was buying a tag this year.

Oh I'm not calling quits, far from it I hope.  Just not buy lottery tickets for quality.

Ohh sorry, don't blame ya on calling it on permits.
Quality is just not that quality anymore.

[teanawayslayer]

I bet the shoulder was sore after that!

[Mfowl]

Congrats on your draw tag successes! And glad you made it off the mountain to tell the story!

[boneaddict]

Way to make the best of it.

[Ghost Hunter]

 

I bet the shoulder was sore after that!

Paying the price now.    

[hunter399]

I remember a buck you posted a last year or before was a nice one.
I'm betting this one is a good one too.
Congrats on a nice buck.👍

[Ghost Hunter]

I remember a buck you posted a last year or before was a nice one.
I'm betting this one is a good one too.
Congrats on a nice buck.👍

I've got 3 bigger, but not as many points.  Will try again, don't know why I always have issues finding and posting pictures.  Never get good ones hunting alone.