Bettin on Bone

[Ray]

Nice work Doug. NO surprise that you landed a great looking deer. 

[boneaddict]

You guys are all very nice in your comments.  Thank you!  Makes a guy feel pretty good.  I was a little disappointed I didn't beat my big buck, thats one of the whole goals to torturing myself.  I just don't know how to do that, as I said in a pm to a friend, I can't hike much farther, go much higher or hunt much harder.  You guys have helped me appreciate this buck even more. 

5+ hours out, and it was MISERABLE. It would have taken longer but I would do anything to get that thing off my back and it was virtually a feat to get it off and back on by myself, so in the words of my supportive wife, one step at a time.   My knees and feet had a hard time with the heavy pack.  I've been dealing with a bum knee my whole life, adventures like this always bring it to life, and planar facitis this summer from being on my feet at work.  I was way out of shape.  I did some biking, some running and just overall I work a lot at home and am on my feet all day.  I was not nearly the shape I needed to be in, but those that know me know that when I set my mind to something I have the determination or drive of a grizzly bear.  It helps to have a lot of mountain man blood running through my veins and the legs of a moose.

[MichaelJ]

Nice job Doug!  I'm curious, what time did you spot the buck and how far away were you and what time did you arrow him?  Just want to get an idea of the kind of patience to get that close, especially from downhill when the thermals are starting to rise in the morning and he's on an open hillside...

Michael

[boneaddict]

He was about 700 feet in elevation above me(I am not sure about yards distance)...a long ways.... and I spotted him about as early as you could see an animal as I was sitting there glassing waiting for it to get light.  I went as hard and as fast as I could straight up at him while he was distracted.  He was near water so I was hoping that would help with sound.  The patience came in being vigilent on all of the surroundings because I kept spotting more and more deer and I knew if ONE of them blew out, he would be gone.  A doe and twin fawns almost screwed me up, but they decided to flee in the opposite direction and they did it in a fairly calm manner.  He noted them, but went back to feeding.  I got lucky there.  I was pressed for time with the thermals as I knew they would switch as soon as the sun hit the hill.  Sure enough they did shortly after I anchored him.  The hardest part was when I got into the gravel.  Crunching gravel makes noise that travels FAR......

[MichaelJ]

Thanks for the info Bone, sounds like quite the stalk!

Michael

[Gobble]

I'm glad to see that he didn't have velvet and the crappy red stringy mangy cape (I hate the looks of early season deer) In fact my dad and I are heading out this weekend to use our multi season tags and I really didn't want to shoot any deer this early unless they are a monster because of my dislike for their looks but yours has changed my mind

[boneaddict]

I agree Gobble.  i would like to have seen my deer in about a week.  He had been rubbing quite a bit in the white pines and that sap turns em nice and black.  His undersides of his mains are almost black.   I love dark boned critters.

[Red Dawg]

great buck and story bone. Kind of deal that we all dream to accomplish at some time.

[PacificNWhunter]

Congrats Bone! He's a beautiful buck, and it looks and sounds like you had one hell of a trip. Thanks for taking pictures for us. Lucky #4 arrow strikes again!

[Armadillo]

Oh man! what a hunt. Im at a loss for the amount of difficulty it must've taken to time everything and have it all fall together like that, especially in that terrain of rocks and steep slope. AWSOME

[javman]

Nice work! 

[hornhunter]

Great job Bone!     You the Man. Screw the Idaho Elk tag.  Get a Wolf tag!   

[boneaddict]

I'm not sure what I am doing in Idaho yet.  They really jacked their tag costs.    I might just end up taking some pics for you guys with some local bulls and spending some time withthe girls and their sports.  Its all in a tight knot in the guts right at the moment.  I have been looking forward to elk and wolves for a lONG time and for a camping trip with Booner.  With my recent tooth activity, the crown, I would probably have to credit card it all.  Its pretty easy to ching ching it, but I am trying not to do that now.  I get a lot of enjoyment out of taking pics for you guys especially, and thats a lot cheaper.  I don't really need any more taxidermy projects anyway. 

[hornhunter]

Your pictures are much appreciated.     Sounds like youve got a plan! Im scared the Wolf hunting might be a 1or 2 year thingover the counter.......then maybe a special hunt after that   Oh well!  leaving now gone hunting gonna get wet.

[boneaddict]

I'd like to shoot one about late November.  Right now their hides look like crap for what I want.  Even if you had a tag, I would think it would be just a matter of letting the air out of one and feeling the satisfaction.  Knowing the animal, I am sure they will be a bit harder to find now.