Backcountry Trophies

[Maxtrax]

2011 High Buck, Pasayten, as he lay. First Muley (grew up hunting wet side). Quartered with ribs and burger meat 174lbs on the hook. Measured 30.5" outside spread and IIRC scored mid 160s green but I never bothered checking again or having it professionally scored.

Back in Tonasket, sore and tired but happy.


2010 Caribou, N. Slope Brooks Range, AK. Flew in ~40 miles (straight line) from the Haul Road and then rafted back out 60 miles to our truck. I got antsy knowing that we were fairly far north towards the tail end of the migration and dropped the first bull I saw, small rack but large body for his age, estimated 350-400lbs on the hoof. My partner dropped two larger bulls that dumbly elected to come within 1000 yards of us (with the wind to our advantage) while we were cleaning my animal.



Wow, looking back through these pics has me chomping at the bit to get back into the hills. I started a new job in July so have only been able to hunt weekends and have been unsuccessful so far this year. My uncle took a forkie blacktail but I know where there's a couple mashers hiding in the same area so I'm hoping to get one of them this weekend.

[X-Force]

Max both hunts look awesome 

[Woodchuck]

That boys and girls is a first post right there.  Awesome

[jason4429]

Here is a couple of backcountry bucks.There is nothing better than coming out heavier than you went in.

[Maxtrax]

Thanks guys! Not gonna lie, pretty proud of myself on those two hunts but it is great to look through this thread and remember that I've been skunked so far this year to keep myself humble I've been teaching my girlfriend to hunt this year and in trying to show her best practices in everything I have amazed myself in how many little things I had gotten lazy about and how much I have left to learn. Hopefully I will be able to take some time off from work next year and really put in some good days other than the weekends. (And hopefully everything won't be burning half way into October again!)

One more shot from the Brooks Range. Had a small herd of ~20 animals cross the river just behind us as the sun was setting on our last evening. Pretty magical.


E to add: Yeah, very nice bucks Jason. My back is a little jealous of those pack animals though . Definitely agreed on coming out heavier than you went in being one of the best things ever ...it just takes a couple days to feel it some times

[fillthefreezer]

wow max, nice pictures, looked like some awesome trips
jason- nice buck!

[Benny]

One more shot from the Brooks Range. Had a small herd of ~20 animals cross the river just behind us as the sun was setting on our last evening. Pretty magical.

What river did you float? Looks like Ivshak or Echooka country.....

Congrats on the critters.

[Maxtrax]

Wow, good eye. We did indeed float out the Ivishak to the Sag. And in fact were planning to hunt N/NE out of our camp towards the Echooka before breaking camp and hunting along the float out, but ended up finding our critters all within 1.75 miles of our first camp. My hunting partner for this trip (actually one of my dad's hunting partners from when he lived in AK in the 70s and 80s) has done this particular trip 2 or 3 times and assistant guided in that general area during the 70s. He's always been successful but sometimes not till the last day just as they were approaching the 5 mile corridor. From his descriptions though we were pretty lucky to get on that many animals that quickly, it probably had to do with it being a bit of a warmer year than typical.

[elkpack]

WA Backcountry

[blackveltbowhunter]

Great pic! Looks like a dandy bull!

[wilsongideon]

Love this thread...some great additions this year! I keep coming back to look, dreaming of next year. had to add my 2012 High buck

[blackveltbowhunter]

Quality buck and photo!!!

[Jburke]

I'm hoping to add to this thread next september.  Will be my first high hunt.

[actionshooter]

a couple from the past, nothing worth posting this year. 

[troyspinetar]

October 2012 Bear