Post by: whuppinstick on March 25, 2013, 05:12:07 PM
I chartered a plane out of McCall to do some aerial scouting both for goats and make a plan of attack. From the plane we only saw two solo goats and a big bunch of nannies/kids, but I had a realization of what goat country really looks like; you can't draw an 'S' on a map and walk it out, at least not without ropes and weeks of food.
I left the next morning to drive as close as I could get to the edge of the wilderness area, then dive in the next day. I packed enough food for ten days and my plan for water was to hope I could find it. An hour after leaving the truck I was side-hilling around a ridge when I came upon seven goats. I studied them closely and found four nannies, two kids, and a small billy. A couple of the nannies were over 10", but my goal was to not shoot a nanny, so I passed. But goats within an hour was encouraging!
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FjwpKkwZ.jpg&hash=592c0778ccd51ce234850a03072ef8fb1a970e6c)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fr0reW2A.jpg&hash=8d92ecc84cf11809f18d95fbf859d0ebeb863418)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F1t61x8G.jpg&hash=69d86c2771f75ab3eab12d02418738f060910bb6)
Three days later when I still hadn't found a billy but had a nice nanny at 200 yards, I thought how much easier it would've been to shoot one of those nannies next to the truck. But I passed and continued my search, finally striking gold the next evening. I'd descended down a dangerous chute off the spine of a mountain and set up camp in a nice meadow (with water!) in a bowl, then took a walk out the ridge to look off the backside. I glassed across the basin and spotted a white spot on the far side, which turned out to be a billy. It was two hours until dark and I didn't think I could reach him in time so I decided to make a push in the morning.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fdmtv7Zn.jpg&hash=4eea0ef78cbbd609772c151a6bf4108fe0890b9f)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FQdCkcgd.jpg&hash=cbff65e0a77c758040b94608789edfd29e817dee)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Ft3dCV5l.jpg&hash=bcf84a9a611712417677426903f03da70c912e44)
Initially my goal was to try to kill the oldest billy I could find in the unit, but I'd been pretty humbled by the flight over just a small section of the unit. Also, I was hunting alone. Traversing the mountain tops solo is a fairly dangerous venture. If I'd been able to scout all summer and into the early fall I'm sure I could've found a large goat, but instead I'd been living in Japan until August then hunting pronghorn in Nevada and sheep in Washington. I had a couple weeks allotted to this goat tag, but that wasn't enough to traverse all the corners of the unit, especially since it was already October and snow could be coming anytime.
The next morning I walked out on the viewing ridge to plot my stalk on the billy. But he'd disappeared. No white dots anywhere. I sat on the ridge for 12 hours, waiting for him to come out. The next day I went over to where he'd been, thinking maybe he'd gone around the corner (nope), dropped lower (nope), or doubled back on me (nope). The only remaining option was that he crossed up and out of the basin to the south, so the next morning I broke camp and headed that way.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FLGCEvKp.jpg&hash=6f0c5133bbc870634f8a0047f86b064bdd3de9fe)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FXJKppif.jpg&hash=253f91fada198dee495a067bfb7b09755bdc885b)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FtrJLeqH.jpg&hash=76460248c10f7bbcb960a5a7eae9bbb892c089b5)
[nanny]
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdrTDTPd.jpg&hash=379d479f5878296979cfa63567e7822abd6d0fb8)
I filled up on water then ascended a safer, more circuitous route than the precarious chute I'd come down. I knew where I wanted to go but there didn't seem to be a route that would end with me still alive. I opted for the direct, walk-across-a-giant-chute path, which was not a good choice. I crossed a couple hundred yards of hard dirt that, if I'd slipped, certainly would have ended with me sliding to my death. But I made it, thanks to trekking poles. When I topped out on the next ridge I got that sudden "I could've died" realization that leads to heavy breathing and a breakout of sweat. I sat down to appreciate some oxygen and glass the next basin, where I promptly spotted a billy walking through the trees.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FeiAEjWh.jpg&hash=d4c289453957a154b2f7c02ef33c8d7a37ac1384)
[I went across this for a goat.]
With nowhere to set up a base camp, I had no option but to make the 700 yard stalk with everything on my back. I began at 2:20pm but made incredibly slow progress because of the noise. Nearing 6pm, I popped out just above where I'd seen the billy bed in the timber. Nothing. I moved forward, thinking he'd be in the fold ahead. Nothing. It'd been 3 hours and 40 minutes so he really could be anywhere. Or he could be under the one rock I couldn't see below. I went down and peeked around. He was staring at me. It was my sixth day of chasing goats and I didn't want to mess it up, so promptly missed a couple shots at 100 yards. Seeing that he was going to stand there and watch me shoot, I opted to sit down and give myself a more steady rest. The next shot from my Kimber .270 hit him hard and the last shot tumbled him over.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FqDS5L4G.jpg&hash=760585c25c3d0b399f52f924421d8254a3855ee2)
[Where I shot from. The goat can be seen on the far left side beneath the knoll.]
I only had 30 minutes of remaining daylight so I worked quickly to take photos and sort out a camp. The only flat spot I could see on the mountain was the bed the goat had pawed out, so I pawed it out to six feet and pitched my tarp, pad, and sleeping bag. I called my dad on the satellite phone to report the good news, then skinned and boned meat until 11pm.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FsBOMkXn.jpg&hash=4a57a868faa7199bb44087f65d5810d5cc3c2067)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fv7sJP8u.jpg&hash=7cf7bc0c3171b8b76dc0182e91e915435fb11208)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FZqgjox9.jpg&hash=5c600bbc1c698418beb73dd957cfd86c18a03efc)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FOy1E6FF.jpg&hash=e5c80dd4890da4f5f19891be73efe171be947a5b)
Returning the way I'd come with meat on my back was out of the question, which meant I'd be taking the river bottom. The upper end looked good, the lower half did not. It took three days to take the goat from 9000' down to 6500' then back up to 8500', but on the ninth day I walked out for the last time.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F9zG4W4a.jpg&hash=a02031245c1851b27dfc712a93180c0fb7d31b0a)
[the upper end of the river]
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FCZzu0jO.jpg&hash=693b18668e6b38b54588d3e20e95fd6dd257c7f5)
The billy's horns were 8 7/8" long with 5.5" bases. The biologist estimated his age at 5.5-6.5 years old. This is only the third billy that's been killed in the unit in the last 5+ years.
Post by: greenhead_killer on March 25, 2013, 05:21:29 PM
Post by: whuppinstick on March 25, 2013, 05:26:23 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FEzQKUL8.jpg&hash=10e1e095c650aeb31c177aa65822096fdba46d57)
Post by: jackelope on March 25, 2013, 05:33:12 PM
Post by: steen on March 25, 2013, 05:42:56 PM
Post by: NWWA Hunter on March 25, 2013, 05:54:57 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 25, 2013, 06:11:18 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on March 25, 2013, 06:42:20 PM
Post by: scottcrb on March 25, 2013, 06:52:17 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on March 25, 2013, 06:52:44 PM
What were the temperatures like?
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on March 25, 2013, 06:54:04 PM
Post by: kentrek on March 25, 2013, 07:12:30 PM
you left out some crucial info tho...how did your pack handle the heavy loads ??????? dont see many of those packs around here..
Post by: Idahocougar on March 25, 2013, 08:15:18 PM
Post by: whuppinstick on March 25, 2013, 08:19:54 PM
great story !
you left out some crucial info tho...how did your pack handle the heavy loads ??????? dont see many of those packs around here..
Pack was great. I used the same one last year to pack out a ton of meat from a bull I killed in the Idaho backcountry, but some of the seams on the bottom were stressed. In the offseason I sent the pack back to have the bottom panel replaced and it performed very well this season, though this was its only meat haul this year. The loads were not terribly heavy, just all the my camping gear and ~30ish pounds of meat, then another load with the hide and head. Probably nothing exceeding 60 pounds.
For those interested, it's an ULA Equipment pack: http://ula-equipment.com/ (http://ula-equipment.com/)
I don't know if I'd recommend it (nor would they) for heavy meat hauling, but it's a superb backpack. This pack has already completed a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike (2668 miles) and is about ready to embark on a Continental Divide Trail (2800 miles) thru-hike.
There was a question about the temperatures. They weren't bad, as this was the last week of September and the first week of October. It froze most nights but was fairly warm in the afternoons. Mostly I got lucky, though, as there have been inches (feet?) of snow known to fall this time of year. That was part of the reason I killed this goat. I had seen another goat a few ridges away but it would've taken me at least two days r/t to go investigate and I didn't want to risk bad weather moving in (and losing this billy again).
Here's a picture of how I dressed in the morning windy conditions while glassing:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fj8DYnI0.jpg&hash=15e69e3b8e5720608826192876876c9e1c48764b)
Post by: kentrek on March 25, 2013, 08:25:25 PM
great story !
you left out some crucial info tho...how did your pack handle the heavy loads ??????? dont see many of those packs around here..
This pack has already completed a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike (2668 miles) and is about ready to embark on a Continental Divide Trail (2800 miles) thru-hike.
:bow: pct and continental divide thru hikes are on my list..
congrats again :tup:
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on March 25, 2013, 08:27:29 PM
What's you're trail name, most through hikers have them.
My brother in law and niece are doing the Continental Divide Trail this year, when completed she will be the youngest ever to complete the triple crown. :tup:
Their trail names are Balls and Sunshine.
Post by: coachcw on March 25, 2013, 08:28:42 PM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on March 25, 2013, 08:44:15 PM
Post by: Hawgdawg on March 25, 2013, 08:54:29 PM
Post by: shanevg on March 25, 2013, 08:54:55 PM
I can't wait to go on a goat hunt for myself!!! Hopefully this is my year!
Post by: TommyH on March 25, 2013, 08:57:49 PM
Post by: Greenhorn on March 25, 2013, 09:01:52 PM
Post by: JoeE on March 25, 2013, 09:05:21 PM
Post by: brocka on March 25, 2013, 09:14:01 PM
Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2
Post by: 6x6in6 on March 25, 2013, 09:35:58 PM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on March 25, 2013, 09:50:54 PM
Post by: JLS on March 25, 2013, 09:52:41 PM
Post by: huntnphool on March 25, 2013, 09:56:20 PM
Post by: chukar hunter on March 25, 2013, 10:00:42 PM
Any luck on a similar story about the Swakane?
Post by: actionshooter on March 25, 2013, 10:52:07 PM
Soooo a sheep hunt also??
Post by: Bwana Bob on March 26, 2013, 07:55:16 AM
Makes my 1992 WA goat hunt look like a walk around green lake. I hiked in 6 miles on a trail and shot my goat about a mile from camp the next day. The hardest part of my hunt was packing the meat and head out 6 miles then 6 miles back to camp only to find my friend did not want to hunt deer in the pouring rain so we broke camp and I walked the same 6 miles back to the truck. At 62 I doubt I can do that again.
Post by: MLBowhunting on March 26, 2013, 08:10:12 AM
Post by: pendoreilleadventures on March 26, 2013, 08:19:40 AM
Post by: norsepeak on March 26, 2013, 08:39:19 AM
Post by: Dan-o on March 26, 2013, 08:40:39 AM
See any outsized bucks while you were wandering that country?
Post by: whuppinstick on March 26, 2013, 08:51:46 AM
What's you're trail name, most through hikers have them.
My brother in law and niece are doing the Continental Divide Trail this year, when completed she will be the youngest ever to complete the triple crown. :tup:
Their trail names are Balls and Sunshine.
My trail name is Whuppin' Stick. I'm familiar with Balls and Sunshine! I've been hearing all about them and hope to get a chance to meet them this summer!
This is my 2005 PCT journal: http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=90826 (http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=90826)
To answer another question, yes, it was the Frank Church.
Any luck on a similar story about the Swakane?
It's coming, but it may be a few months. :)
Awesome goat and great story and photo's. did you walk in on hiking trails or did you bushwhack the whole way in?
Bushwhacking the whole way. There were some tenuous (and waterless) routes, though, which is why I chose a brushy creek bottom over going back the way I'd come.
Here's another picture of what the country looks like:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FmWLRUxd.jpg&hash=a0d123c84755aeb79e39496a3baf7a8c09233146)
See any outsized bucks while you were wandering that country?
I didn't see a single deer or elk until about 200 yards from the pickup, when I saw a pretty nice 4x4 buck. Nor did I see anything but a small 3-point on my November week-long backpacking trip into the same country. There are productive deer (and elk) areas in the Frank but I seem to have chosen the vast lifeless swaths this year.
Post by: elkoholic1 on March 26, 2013, 08:57:02 AM
Post by: gunnarnewt on March 26, 2013, 09:00:27 AM
Post by: fillthefreezer on March 26, 2013, 09:15:17 AM
Post by: combs338 on March 26, 2013, 09:39:03 AM
Post by: HUNT on March 26, 2013, 09:49:23 AM
What a year!
Post by: boneaddict on March 26, 2013, 09:52:35 AM
Post by: Basket Rack on March 26, 2013, 05:12:54 PM
Post by: Lunchbox1981 on March 26, 2013, 11:46:16 PM
Post by: NoImpactNoIdea on March 26, 2013, 11:57:42 PM
Post by: Elkpiss on March 27, 2013, 03:39:52 PM
Post by: Gringo31 on March 27, 2013, 03:59:59 PM
Well done and well shared. Too often the story doesn't get the detail it should to fully appreciate.
Thanks!
Post by: saylean on March 27, 2013, 05:22:49 PM
Post by: steeleywhopper on March 27, 2013, 07:30:01 PM
Post by: Elkstuffer on April 07, 2013, 08:19:36 PM
Post by: Beardo on April 08, 2013, 09:58:43 AM
Post by: Bob Williams1 on April 09, 2013, 06:23:42 PM
Post by: Alan K on April 09, 2013, 06:32:27 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on April 09, 2013, 07:03:58 PM
:tup: Epic hunt and great write up! Thats some serious solo hunting! :tup: Thats the kind of story to pass down to the kids and grandkids! :tup:Pretty much what I was going to say, not too many guys out there are that dedicated, persistant and good. You have many accomplishments, I wish I had half the adventures you've had. Unbelievable job, and thanks very much for posting.