Unsuccessful 2011 High hunt..

[marmotsafari]

   Well, I spent the 14th to the 20th in the ALW with no real luck to talk of. Got into some does on a couple occasions and found one buck on the way out down low but he was probably a yearling? Just itty bitty forks in velvet, still hanging out with Mom and Auntie and a couple of fawns. Had them within 20-30'.. did get my blood up for a minute till I could really see the headgear on him.

   My plans involved all sorts of scrambling endeavors- what I found was that once up in elevation I was sitting in nearly constant rain with a low ceiling and sometimes fog that made me cancel some of my projected rambles. Might have been common sense, might have been part chicken. I was solo, so had no other voices in my mind other than my own on what was reasonable for goals. I had hunted this area last year and was socked in in fog when up there. Really didn't have a good grip on the terrain, and staring at google earth and topos only did so much for me.


   Like all my trips by pack I still had a great time despite constantly soaked feet with the inability to (legally at least) have a fire to combat the wet and cold. I learned more about myself and my own capabilities.. and of course about the constant question of gear.

   I did get into all sorts of other critters, and a lake I was by had some very easy fishing, providing a couple of good dinners that were a welcome change from the dried stuff (although I was very happy with my "kitchen"- did the freezer bag cooking thing and will never look back to mountain house- guts were happier too). I passed on a few grouse, partly because I was already humping @10#'s of food, and partly because my .30-06 has never been bloodied- call me wierd, but I really want it's first kill to be my first buck. Just seems right to me.

   My hats is off to all of you out there that made the same effort or greater- whether you brought home meat and antler or not. It's a heck of an experience.

[bucksbearsbeers]

I went into the alpine last year and had the same problem...wet wet wet! Shot a bear instead of a deer in there and was happy with that.  Beautiful country up there, would like to go back.  I need to do a little more scouting up there to find some more spots.

[GoPlayOutside]

Marmotsafari,
Don't get down...stay with it!  Each time you go out to the high country, you will learn more and more.  In high country, it's all about glass, glass, glass.  There is soooo much country, cliffs, terrain, etc...you have to pick the whole area apart, over and over again.
Stay with it, and do a little research...and that '06 will get some blood on it!
Congrat's for going out and getting uncomfortable, to pursue a passion that seems to be fading away.

[GoPlayOutside]

By The Way....

I still love reading all the stories of the "unsuccessful" hunting trips that people post.  You don't have to kill a trophy to post your story.  Just the hunting trip stories alone get my blood goin!

I say this as I sit at Children's Hospital watching my 1 year old (twin girl) recover from her 10th surgery in a year. 
No hunting last year due to the Birth and Many Surgeries.  And it is turning out to be no hunting again this year due to more Surgeries.  She is doing great!  I will have both the twins out in the high country in a few years.

So I will live another hunting season through your stories...keep em comin'.

[marmotsafari]

Thanks for the encouragement guys.. it was epic for me, kill or not. Probably 28 miles logged and some elevation gained and lost..

GoPlay- wish you the best with your little girl, my prayers are with you

[BOWHUNTER45]

Yep thats the way she goes... having a sucessful hunt does not always mean killing something ...I have hunted bear about 5 different days now and I am empty handed ....Not many blueberries this year but I have seen 4 this year 1 of them I could of shot and have good video of ...So as far as I am concerned I was successful because I saw one and could of killed it if I really wanted to...I am not given up yet because I found a good patch of Oregon grapes which should be ripe anytime and a bad boy should show up their I hope ...

[whuppinstick]

(although I was very happy with my "kitchen"- did the freezer bag cooking thing and will never look back to mountain house- guts were happier too).

Can you elaborate/provide links on freezer bag cooking?  I am used to Mtn. House but would be interested in a change!

Also, thanks for posting your story.  Like others, I do appreciate the unsuccessful stories as well.

[marmotsafari]

Whuppinstick, check out http://www.trailcooking.com/  for a start.

I've kept it to simple, one bag meals, about 4oz each. You will see there are all sorts of elaborate things to try and do- their is a cookbook published by the gal behind that website.

You'll need a dehydrator. I enjoy putting everything together, tailored to my tastes. You get to pick your portion size etc., lots of benefits, the key drawback may be that it is time consuming to prep everything.

[Co]

hahaha.... welcome to High Country Hunting.   U can expect that crap every year, that crappy weather usually shows up right on the 15th on the money....  If your lucky you will find 1 outta 5 yrs you will have good weather... 

[C-Money]

Glad you had a good hunt! Hope you enjoyed the wonderful ALW! Will you get a chance to hunt the regular season? I am the same way when it comes to a first animal taken with a new rifle. You are not wierd. Good luck, and get bloody!

[bearhunter99]

Keep at it and you will find success.  Its been quite a few years since I was up there but every year you learn a little more and the country can't be beat!

[whuppinstick]

Whuppinstick, check out http://www.trailcooking.com/  for a start.

I've kept it to simple, one bag meals, about 4oz each. You will see there are all sorts of elaborate things to try and do- their is a cookbook published by the gal behind that website.

You'll need a dehydrator. I enjoy putting everything together, tailored to my tastes. You get to pick your portion size etc., lots of benefits, the key drawback may be that it is time consuming to prep everything.

Thanks for the link, marmotsafari.  I've got lots of time on my hands so that's no drawback for me.