Author Topic: Sayleans DIY adventure (Read 6175 times)

saylean · « **on:** October 22, 2011, 10:04:45 AM »

I am going to post this in a few different sections, to post pics correctlly.

So, 'spike camps' are a bit new to me, but I tried it last year and really enjoyed the do it yourself aspect. This year, I wanted to camp in the same general area and give it another go, so heres the story.

I get up to the parking area Friday afternoon, white snowy peaks about 700 feet above me, and lightly snowing with some sticking on the ground....I loaded up my pack and headed into the burn out.
Get to my spot that afternoon, setup camp, build a fire and start to glass. Right near dusk, I watch a buck working the ridges above camp and decided I would try to work my way up to him in the morning.
Heres a pic on the way in and of camp~

saylean · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2011, 10:10:41 AM »

Opening morning finds cold temps, but clear gorgeous skys. I work my way up the ridge, to where I think the buck (and does) bedded. I bump a few does on the way up and see lots of sign.

I find a spot to sit on the ridgeline between two large gulleys/small bowls. The pic that is looking down the hill, is actually of my tent WAY at the bottom.
As I sit in that spot, I notice a 5x5 (at least, he may of had an eye guard too, wasnt sure). He walked by me at about 60 yards or so and disappeared down into the gully. I actually believe he was staring at me for about 10 min or so, then decided to move away. I say this as I swear I thought he was a stump and that the stump became the deer as he walked away...

Most of the rest of the opener was calm, I saw more deer bed down on the ridges and bumped a few more doe.
Here is a pic of the drinking fountain I used while at camp. NOTE: I did use a steripen for the water, even though it was probably safe.

saylean · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2011, 10:18:33 AM »

Opening day was odd, I was hiking down the canyon, but the sun was in my face and the wind was wrong. So the next day I decided to have the sun to my back and wind in my face...which paid off.

I walked a short distance from camp (several trails blaze right by camp and head down into the canyon as a funnel). I thought I would watch some of these trails. I glass for a bit and decide to move just outside of the woods, to a border of nice wide openings that I can see a bit of distance.

I wasnt there 10 minutes when a doe materialized before me and walked right by me at about 40 yards. I thought this wasnt that bad of a spot and held position. I always hear of bucks following does, but rarely ever see it..after 10 minutes or so I was losing hope a buck would follow.

But, out of nowhere, a buck shows up about 200 yards away. His antlers in the sun, were a dark black color. Nose down, he follows the does scent and eats a bit here and there. Moving at a steady walk, I lose him behind some bushes. I glass him with the binos when he reappears and he is legal for sure. I try to get into position, but he continues to side hill.....

Finally he starts to walk the tree line down toward me. I keep telling myself to let him come, let him come and try to calm my heart, breathing...(I dont see many big bucks).

At about 80 yards, he turns broadside and I let the .300 WSM (aka the mule) ring out, shattering the gorgeous blue sky morning.

sebek556 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2011, 10:25:38 AM »

great read and nice buck!

saylean · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2011, 10:27:03 AM »

He crumples like a ton of bricks and doesnt move again. A nice 4pt (3X with eye guards). I was very happy with him, but had miles to go to get him out. His outside spread is 27 1/2 inches. I was surprised how wide he was. I then worked from about 9 30 am till 12 boning him out and cooling the meat. I hung it in trees and then prepared some well deserved lunch.

I then loaded up the rack and my day gear, hiked out towards the rig. I had met my brother on the way out on the road, who was coming up to check on me. He killed two rattlers up top, both had about 7 sets of rattlers on them. I had two more trips to make before I could get the deer/gear all the way out. I pulled into our camp in twisp and showed off the goods, everyone was happy and excited naturally.
My younger brother volunteered to help out, so we could pack it all in one trip. I was thankful to have the help. We set early the next day to get camp and all the meat.

That night was very cool and the meat was more than fine. Overall, an excellent adventure. Dad saw two wolves on the ridges not too far from where I was camped.

On a side note, last year, I spotted 40 goats daily on the cliffs above me, this year, I didnt see one. Perhaps they moved over a ridge or two. Hope you enjoyed the read, best of luck to the rest.

jmx369 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2011, 10:42:39 AM »

Great buck. Sounds like a good adventure. Congrats!

LittleJohn · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2011, 10:46:11 AM »

Thanks for posting!!! Great read, and a beautiful Trophy. Sounds like you earned it. Congratulations

SeaRun1 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2011, 11:03:08 AM »

Very cool Saylean. That is what I always imagined hunting should be like when I was younger. Definitely motivational.

SR1

PolarBear · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2011, 11:04:49 AM »

Saweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! Good job man, congrats! That area looks familiar.

dirty24d · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2011, 11:11:08 AM »

WHAT A HOG !! Good Job Dude! You earned that one. Congrats and great story.

archery288 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2011, 11:21:12 AM »

That is awesome man!

Congrats!

Elkrunner · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2011, 11:21:26 AM »

That looks like you a memorable experience, congrats!

DeKuma · « **Reply #12 on:** October 22, 2011, 11:43:53 AM »

Nicely done! Great experience and a good read!

blackveltbowhunter · « **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2011, 12:00:40 PM »

Awesome Trip! And that buck is a beauty!

nw_bowhunter · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2011, 12:14:13 PM »

Great story and congrats on your fine buck

fish vacuum · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2011, 12:46:08 PM »

Most excellent!

CAMPMEAT · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2011, 12:51:53 PM »

Nice deer, no great deer and nice story.

beagledog · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2011, 01:55:55 PM »

Nice job and great story

shanevg · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2011, 02:34:53 PM »

Great job! Nice buck! Congrats!

carver52 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 22, 2011, 02:37:41 PM »

Great read and photos. Real nice buck. Looks like a great spot you have.

Ripper · « **Reply #20 on:** October 22, 2011, 02:48:25 PM »

This is the type of story I love to read. There arn't that many these days. It seems like most people these days arn't willing to hike in and get away from the crowds. Fantastic story and buck Congrats to you.

lewy · « **Reply #21 on:** October 22, 2011, 05:03:20 PM »

nice buck, good story

saylean · « **Reply #22 on:** October 22, 2011, 05:41:20 PM »

Thanks all, I am to please.

Hunt wa members took some real hogs on here this year....plus, just got news, Dad filled his whitey doe tag.

dkecoleman · « **Reply #23 on:** October 22, 2011, 05:53:26 PM »

Great story and congrats

rosscrazyelk · « **Reply #24 on:** October 22, 2011, 06:19:07 PM »

nice bucks and pics

Idabooner · « **Reply #25 on:** October 22, 2011, 06:48:02 PM »

DIY in the back country that's what makes a good hunt, then to score with a nice buck, like frosting on a cake. Memories you will remember forever, brought up a bunch for me. Glad the wolves didn't find the meat over night. Well done.

mulehunter · « **Reply #26 on:** October 22, 2011, 06:51:20 PM »

Great story, Congt...

Mulehunter.

TheHunt · « **Reply #27 on:** October 22, 2011, 07:00:13 PM »

Great story and a fun hunt. Congrats on a deer.

marmotsafari · « **Reply #28 on:** October 22, 2011, 07:46:39 PM »

Thanks for sharing to pics and write up. This stuff feeds my motivation!

Co · « **Reply #29 on:** October 22, 2011, 10:02:45 PM »

Good story, Not as good as bones but a close second.. I would recommend not having a fire, I have learned that my big boys slide out of there comfort zones once they smell the fire... anything out of the ordinary.. ohh and move your tent to a concealed spot not in open as if your hiding.... I bet your buck will double in size......

( I have been HighCountry'n for 15yrs...... picked up few tips from the pro s)

Co · « **Reply #30 on:** October 22, 2011, 10:04:44 PM »

Love the pics.... btw

blacktailer · « **Reply #31 on:** October 22, 2011, 10:05:21 PM »

Heck of an adventure and great buck Saylean. Congrats...

saylean · « **Reply #32 on:** October 23, 2011, 12:01:54 PM »

Quote from: Co on October 22, 2011, 10:02:45 PM

Good story, Not as good as bones but a close second.. I would recommend not having a fire, I have learned that my big boys slide out of there comfort zones once they smell the fire... anything out of the ordinary.. ohh and move your tent to a concealed spot not in open as if your hiding.... I bet your buck will double in size...... ( I have been HighCountry'n for 15yrs...... picked up few tips from the pro s)

Thanks for the tips CO. I hide the fire last year, camped in the trees, but with all the dead trees/blown downs, I was a little worried bout getting crushed if a wind storm hit...I will probably try it like that next year. I noticed the buck WAY up on the hill before opener, looked like he was looking right down at me...he had me pegged.

DeKuma · « **Reply #33 on:** October 23, 2011, 12:06:04 PM »

I have to agree with everyone else, Saylean.

Great read. I love reading the details of the hunt and somehow feeling like I am sharing in the experience. Yours was awesome and I appreciate that. Especially when I am chained to my desk in the office on a Sunday when I could be out hunting!

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Author Topic: Sayleans DIY adventure (Read 6175 times)

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