Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: vandeman17 on August 15, 2013, 09:46:19 AM
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One month from today I will be on my first day of a seven day hunt in the North East corner of Oregon. We are going to be packing in 11 miles and hopefully chasing around bugling bulls. I have been shooting my bow as much as possible and picking up gear here and there for the past few months. 30 days seems like it is still a long ways away but I am sure it will be here before I know it. I can't wait!!! :archery_smiley:
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Good Luck , I wish i were there. Got 10 points for that state. Hunted Wenaha for 20 yrs. Also eaglecap. There is alot of elk in that state. and big bucks. :)
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Good Luck , I wish i were there. Got 10 points for that state. Hunted Wenaha for 20 yrs. Also eaglecap. There is alot of elk in that state. and big bucks. :)
Thanks! We will be in the Eagle Caps too. OTC hunt but pretty excited!
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Oregon....There's no elk in OREGON! Well there is one and I will shoot it in about 9 days. Wasting your time guys! Oh and the last big buck will be killed in 10 days!
With that, I hope you guys have a great hunt! If your around La Grande, shoot me a PM and ill meet you for a beer or coffee. Anyways, the bulls are rubbing that velvet and bugling a little already! Enjoy the hunt and the area. It is beautiful here and a ton of fun.
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I horse packed in with Jim & his son ,Stine I think was his last name. Jim is gone now . Jason took over. Let me know how it went. :) Haa hogsniper How maney points to draw MT. Emily. Ill never draw wenaha again :bash: :bash:
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Have fun, kills me staring at the them everyday knowing I'm going to be tied up with harvest.
Hogsniper - are you local or just hunting Mt Emily?
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I live in La Grande! Amazing place that's for sure!
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Good luck
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I live in La Grande! Amazing place that's for sure!
It'd be a hell of a lot more amazing if you'd quit spending all your time behind a mocha mixer and went out and found me a big bull! :yeah:
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Oregon....There's no elk in OREGON! Well there is one and I will shoot it in about 9 days. Wasting your time guys! Oh and the last big buck will be killed in 10 days!
With that, I hope you guys have a great hunt! If your around La Grande, shoot me a PM and ill meet you for a beer or coffee. Anyways, the bulls are rubbing that velvet and bugling a little already! Enjoy the hunt and the area. It is beautiful here and a ton of fun.
I will actually be driving through La Grande on the way there and back. We are going to be staying the night at the Cornucopia Lodge and then packing in 11 miles the next morning. I can't wait! I only have an elk tag since I am non-resident but since my dad is a resident, he is buying a deer tag too in case we spot something nice. :tup:
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I will be there from Sept 14-22 hunting the Desolation and Starkey units. Cant wait.
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I am jealous, you guys have an awesome time!
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With all this talk of opening day of elk here I am getting more and more excited. I spent the weekend chasing deer and it was good to get out and tests the legs and get my senses back up to speed. We leave in 10 days and now its time for the final gear check list and getting everything out, washed, cleaned, prepped etc. I am sure these next few days of work are going to drag on!
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Good luck on your hunt! It's amazing country to be chasing animals in!
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Have fun - been getting lots of moisture the last couple days :tup:. Had over a half inch since yesterday in the valley, looks like the Caps had been getting it pretty good. Couple small fires had torched off in there, lots of lightning.
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Have fun - been getting lots of moisture the last couple days :tup:. Had over a half inch since yesterday in the valley, looks like the Caps had been getting it pretty good. Couple small fires had torched off in there, lots of lightning.
We were hoping for some rain, then nice weather this week to keep them a bit held up and then have it cool off and cloud up the week we are there. Fingers crossed! Do you have any idea about the fires or what the weather has been like up in the caps?
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Fires were small and believe they are contained.
As far as the weather - it's been WET. I don't know exactly how much moisture they've gotten, but it's been plenty over the last few days, and have had moisture almost every week since the beginning of August.
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Fires were small and believe they are contained.
As far as the weather - it's been WET. I don't know exactly how much moisture they've gotten, but it's been plenty over the last few days, and have had moisture almost every week since the beginning of August.
I think that is a good thing. I watch the weather in Baker City as one of the closest towns and it is supposed to be hot all next week and then cool down the day we get there which could be perfect!
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Today is going by SO SLOW!! Leaving on Friday about lunch time and I have a feeling that these next few days at work are going to take forever. I can't stop looking at the clock and daydreaming about the hunt. COME ON FRIDAY!
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Good Luck!
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Today is going by SO SLOW!! Leaving on Friday about lunch time and I have a feeling that these next few days at work are going to take forever. I can't stop looking at the clock and daydreaming about the hunt. COME ON FRIDAY!
Hey Adam,
Good Luck to you and your Dad. It should be a hunt to remember. Wish I were going this year too! BTW, Pete (Gasman) and Re-Pete said to say hello. They are in my elk camp over here this year. No luck yet. They are still out there. But, I had to come back to work today thru Thurs. WIll be back out there this Fri thru Sunday. Any luck during early archery deer over there?
Take care,
ET
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Thanks! Tell Pete and Pete hi for me and that I will shoot them a message when I get back and let them know how we did.
No luck on early deer. I could have filled my doe tag a few times opening weekend but I held out because they were a ways back in and it was already very warm. Went out this Saturday and it rained on me all dang day!
You guys seeing anything up there? Hearing anything bugling?
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Been cooler, supposed to warm some. Hopefully it's not too crunchy. Was at the southern boundary this Sunday chasing grouse. Get after them!
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Thanks! Tell Pete and Pete hi for me and that I will shoot them a message when I get back and let them know how we did.
No luck on early deer. I could have filled my doe tag a few times opening weekend but I held out because they were a ways back in and it was already very warm. Went out this Saturday and it rained on me all dang day!
You guys seeing anything up there? Hearing anything bugling?
Nothing. My opening day archery elk streak is broken :bash:. We had six guys in camp this year and only a couple of them have had shot opportunities. I'm heading back over on Thursday afternoon to hopefully seal the deal on my elk tag this Friday thru Sunday. Elk have been QUIET. I only heard one bull from my stand last week. One of the other guys heard another one and we have had a couple on camera at night. Hope we get more end of the season activity this weekend.
ET
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Thanks! Tell Pete and Pete hi for me and that I will shoot them a message when I get back and let them know how we did.
No luck on early deer. I could have filled my doe tag a few times opening weekend but I held out because they were a ways back in and it was already very warm. Went out this Saturday and it rained on me all dang day!
You guys seeing anything up there? Hearing anything bugling?
Nothing. My opening day archery elk streak is broken :bash:. We had six guys in camp this year and only a couple of them have had shot opportunities. I'm heading back over on Thursday afternoon to hopefully seal the deal on my elk tag this Friday thru Sunday. Elk have been QUIET. I only heard one bull from my stand last week. One of the other guys heard another one and we have had a couple on camera at night. Hope we get more end of the season activity this weekend.
ET
Hopefully this warm weather doesn't shut them up too bad. I have been watching the weather down in Oregon and it supposed to be hot there all this week and through the weekend but then cooling off by early next week. I sure hope it holds out!
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Thanks! Tell Pete and Pete hi for me and that I will shoot them a message when I get back and let them know how we did.
No luck on early deer. I could have filled my doe tag a few times opening weekend but I held out because they were a ways back in and it was already very warm. Went out this Saturday and it rained on me all dang day!
You guys seeing anything up there? Hearing anything bugling?
Nothing. My opening day archery elk streak is broken :bash:. We had six guys in camp this year and only a couple of them have had shot opportunities. I'm heading back over on Thursday afternoon to hopefully seal the deal on my elk tag this Friday thru Sunday. Elk have been QUIET. I only heard one bull from my stand last week. One of the other guys heard another one and we have had a couple on camera at night. Hope we get more end of the season activity this weekend.
ET
Hopefully this warm weather doesn't shut them up too bad. I have been watching the weather down in Oregon and it supposed to be hot there all this week and through the weekend but then cooling off by early next week. I sure hope it holds out!
In 2008, we had warm first couple days followed by light rain and then snow. Be sure you take gear for all seasons. I will bet you'll hear them talking over there, as they are just going to get more vocal. Plus, in Oregon you get to hunt all next week!
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I have everything from warm weather gear to my snow gear. I am hoping that we get some cold crisp mornings and then mild daytime temps. A little moisture mixed in there would be ok with me as long as it isn't soaking rain that lasts all week. :bdid:
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Glad you are getting more excited each day. You've been doing plenty of preparation all summer. If you want good weather reports try the NOAA site with the clickable map: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=45.079339209738094&lon=-117.1849823417142. (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=45.079339209738094&lon=-117.1849823417142.) That link should be close to where you are lodging. You can change the location on the map.
I'll be in the area north of you for 10 days. Hoping the weather cools, the wolves move out, and the bulls start bulging!
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The awesome part is that my old man is WAY more excited then I am. He sounds like a little kid before Christmas every time I talk to him. I am really excited to enjoy a week with just my dad and I. He travels a lot for work and deserves a week to unwind and get away from his phone and his computer.
The weather report is looking better and better. We will be battling the full moon but maybe we can get lucky and have some cloud cover to help aid in that.
I am excited to hear how you guys do and hopefully we both come home with some elk. :tup:
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When you're done with this PM me on your travels. I had a change of plans, got freed up from work and now I'm packing some buddies in towards Ukiah. Leaving here in a few minutes.
Take lots of pics!
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When you're done with this PM me on your travels. I had a change of plans, got freed up from work and now I'm packing some buddies in towards Ukiah. Leaving here in a few minutes.
Take lots of pics!
Will do!
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Heading home to throw all my gear into the rig and hit the road! Hopefully when you guys hear from me again I will have pictures of a bull or two. If anything, I am sure we will have a great time and it will be awesome spending some quality time hunting with just me and my old man! :IBCOOL:
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Good luck, man...keep us posted!!
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:archery_smiley:
Good luck.
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Good luck! After looking at that NOAA map that was posted looks lime a killer area to elk hunt and the weather should help! :tup:
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Well??? How did it go?
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Well we made it back in one piece from our elk hunt. We didn't get an elk in camp but we had a great time and saw a bunch of elk. We got to Oregon and the lodge about 8:00 Friday night. After going through all our gear, we tried to get some sleep before the 11 mile horseback ride in the next morning. The ride in was pretty and took us about four and a half hours. We arrived at our camp spot about 2:30 and got all set up. We decided that we might as well take the last hour or two of daylight and explore a little bit. Our camp was tucked back in the timber with a little meadow next to it. I was standing out in the meadow waiting for my dad to go back to the tent because he forgot a hat when I heard a bugle back over camp and up the hill. We headed off into the deep, dark timber and closed the distance. I got back behind him about 75 yards and started a sequence of calling. A few minutes later I heard something bust back up the hill. Turns out the little bull came into about 40 yards but had my dad pegged and they had a stare off until he turned and went back up the hill. Not bad for being there for only two hours or so and already having an close encounter.
The next few days the bulls were pretty vocal and we made a few stalks and tried calling them in. My first close encounter was on the second night. I was set up way up on a ridge where we had seen a good bull, a smaller bull and a bunch of cows. I set up my dad a little down the ridge and behind me. I was periodically giving a few cow calls and soft bugles and then suddenly a little 5x5 popped out about 75 yards down below me. He walked by me a bit then headed up the hill right at me. There was a bunch of trees behind me and him so I had no shot. He got to within 9 yards and had me locked down but still no shot with the little trees. He finally trotted back towards the way he came and I was able to stop him at 44 yards but of course, he stops right behind the one little tree and then moves along over the ridge.
I had my fair share of mistakes on this hunt but learned a lot from each of them. The first mistake I made was on an evening hunt about mid week. I was way up high on the ridge when a rain storm moved in. I put on my rain jacket and made my way side hilling towards the spot we had heard a few bugles a little earlier. I started to work up a good sweat so I stopped to strip down some layers and go with just my rain jacket. About 20 minutes later into my hike I came into a little timber and saw the tips of horns over a little ridge. He had no idea I was there so I nocked an arrow and flopped my wrist around to get my release in my hand. My heart sank when I didn't feel it on my wrist so I quickly felt all my pockets and it was no where to be found. I started thinking if I could shoot without it but knew that it wouldn't happen. I backed out slowly to try to not spook him and backtracked to try and find my release. It sure is crazy how all the trees on a hillside start to look the same. After about 30 minutes of cruising around and I finally was able to locate it and felt a huge sense of relief. Not sure I will buy a camo release again. :chuckle:
My other "mistake" happened on the last morning of our hunt. I was slowly making my way along an area and doing some calling when a group of about 6 cows and a satellite bull caught my eye about 100 yards above me walking single file in the opposite direction I was going. I turned around and tried to get in front of them. I got to the edge of this little meadow that turned into a rock slide and posted up. I was sitting there for a bit when I caught movement out of the corner of my eye behind me and to my right. It was one of the cows and the bull working their way down the hill about 50 yards to my right. I spun around on my knees and waited until he got even with my. I slowly stood and gave him a little grunt to stop him and came to full draw. He stopped right behind a little tree so no shot. I stood there at full draw for about 10 seconds and then let down. He started a fast walk again and I saw another opening so I grunted him to stop him again. He stopped perfectly in the opening and I drew again, settled my 50 yard pin and let it fly. As soon as I hit the trigger I heard a clunk and saw my arrow come out knuckling and hit the rocks under his belly. It turns out that my arrow and come off my rest when I had to let down from my first draw and I didn't notice it. Needless to say I was really bummed!
Overall, we had a great time and we estimate that we saw about 15 different bulls and about 100 head total. We saw some beautiful country and made some awesome memories. During the full moon clear nights, it was pretty cool to just lay in bed and hear bulls bugling all around us. The trip was everything I could have asked for without actually harvesting an elk. My dad is now hooked on bow hunting and we are already planning our next trip. :)
Thank you everyone for sharing in our adventures. Our computer crashed so I can't get any pictures off my camera but as soon as I can, I will post them.
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Sounds like a fun trip!! Gotta love the 'caps!
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Sounds like a good time!
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We had a great time. A little sad to come back empty handed but that is all part of hunting. I was just happy to be out there, seeing elk and spending quality time with my old man
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8) Great story. Thanks for sharing. :tup:
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Thanks for the report Adam :tup:
Glad you got the old man hooked :archery_smiley:
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Thanks for the report Adam :tup:
Glad you got the old man hooked :archery_smiley:
Of course Pete. He is now hooked and really looking forward to late season whitetail in the NE corner. Once I find a way to upload my pictures I will do that so you guys can see some of the beauty we got to experience.
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Thanks for the report Adam :tup:
Glad you got the old man hooked :archery_smiley:
Of course Pete. He is now hooked and really looking forward to late season whitetail in the NE corner. Once I find a way to upload my pictures I will do that so you guys can see some of the beauty we got to experience.
Awesome :tup:
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Glad you guys had a great time, Adam.
:tup:
Pete
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Great report Adam. Glad you guys were into the animals! Sounds like you and your Dad have some great memories! I'm definitely looking forward to next year :tup:
ET
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Great report Adam. Glad you guys were into the animals! Sounds like you and your Dad have some great memories! I'm definitely looking forward to next year :tup:
ET
And I hope you don't break any bones on that trip.... LMAO
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Hey Pete, No, not going to make it three years in a row! :bdid: Broke two ribs last year on my New Mex elk hunt and now four ribs, plus my arm this year in WA. :bash: I used to bounce better (rather than break) when I was younger...LOL.
ET
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Here are some pics
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Livin the dream man! Awesome camp and country :tup:
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Did you have to ride down a steep steep hill to drop into your camp? I have hunted the caps several times and that looks like a Mark Haley camp Wildrness outfitters? :dunno:
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Did you have to ride down a steep steep hill to drop into your camp? I have hunted the caps several times and that looks like a Mark Haley camp Wildrness outfitters? :dunno:
Not really. It was a gradual ride down towards the river. Feel free to PM me and I can let you know in more detail where we were. :tup:
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Cool, thanks for sharing your adventure with us.
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Great story! :tup: glad you had. Fun time!
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I have got a few emails from somebody with an email address with dinger in it asking about this hunt. For some reason when I try to reply to the email it says it can't be delivered. Send me a pm if possible.
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I have got a few emails from somebody with an email address with dinger in it asking about this hunt. For some reason when I try to reply to the email it says it can't be delivered. Send me a pm if possible.
must not be workin..
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Looks like a blast!! Congrats on a fun trip!!
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Sorry you guys didn't tag out. Glad you had fun and made great memories. Looks like you had a good camp in some awesome country.
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Sorry you guys didn't tag out. Glad you had fun and made great memories. Looks like you had a good camp in some awesome country.
I was "disappointed" when we were riding out but that is why it is called hunting. All things considered it went really well and the best part is my dad is now hooked on bow hunting!
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What outfitter did you use?
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What outfitter did you use?
Moss Springs out of Cornucopia were the ones that packed us in.
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Sorry you guys didn't tag out. Glad you had fun and made great memories. Looks like you had a good camp in some awesome country.
I was "disappointed" when we were riding out but that is why it is called hunting. All things considered it went really well and the best part is my dad is now hooked on bow hunting!
Nice! Glad your dad is now into Archery. I've been hooked since I was 15 (34 years ago)! Looking forward to late season archery elk here in WA now, as my opening day WA streak is broken...LOL. Plus, looking forward to some duck hunting soon!
Talk to you soon.
ET
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Sorry you guys didn't tag out. Glad you had fun and made great memories. Looks like you had a good camp in some awesome country.
I was "disappointed" when we were riding out but that is why it is called hunting. All things considered it went really well and the best part is my dad is now hooked on bow hunting!
Nice! Glad your dad is now into Archery. I've been hooked since I was 15 (34 years ago)! Looking forward to late season archery elk here in WA now, as my opening day WA streak is broken...LOL. Plus, looking forward to some duck hunting soon!
Talk to you soon.
ET
I am looking forward to ducks as well as late buck. We should get together and do some hunting sometime. Come on over to Wenatchee and we can hunt the river or something.
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Sorry you guys didn't tag out. Glad you had fun and made great memories. Looks like you had a good camp in some awesome country.
I was "disappointed" when we were riding out but that is why it is called hunting. All things considered it went really well and the best part is my dad is now hooked on bow hunting!
Nice! Glad your dad is now into Archery. I've been hooked since I was 15 (34 years ago)! Looking forward to late season archery elk here in WA now, as my opening day WA streak is broken...LOL. Plus, looking forward to some duck hunting soon!
Talk to you soon.
ET
I am looking forward to ducks as well as late buck. We should get together and do some hunting sometime. Come on over to Wenatchee and we can hunt the river or something.
Sounds good! I usually hunt the eastside for Ducks anyway, mostly Othello area. I have 16' welded Alum boat w/25hp prop and duck blind if it would be possible to float it on the river at that time. If you are talking Columbia instead of Wenatchee river, no problems as long as it's not too windy/choppy.
RE late buck, Tom and I still have MT rutting Mulie trip planned for mid-Nov. Plus, I still have Entiat late archery doe tag this year too.
ET
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Sorry you guys didn't tag out. Glad you had fun and made great memories. Looks like you had a good camp in some awesome country.
I was "disappointed" when we were riding out but that is why it is called hunting. All things considered it went really well and the best part is my dad is now hooked on bow hunting!
Nice! Glad your dad is now into Archery. I've been hooked since I was 15 (34 years ago)! Looking forward to late season archery elk here in WA now, as my opening day WA streak is broken...LOL. Plus, looking forward to some duck hunting soon!
Talk to you soon.
ET
I am looking forward to ducks as well as late buck. We should get together and do some hunting sometime. Come on over to Wenatchee and we can hunt the river or something.
We all need to get together and duck hunt this year. You both hunt different parts of Othello :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
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I like that idea. Just load up on a few ponds and see if we can shoot some ducks. That would be really fun!
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Im in and I will drag Repete with me :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
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Im in and I will drag Repete with me :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
No dragging required. Just say when
Pete
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Pete and RePete in a duck hunting blind. Now that would be an interesting trip.
When are we all going?
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Pete and RePete in a duck hunting blind. Now that would be an interesting trip.
When are we all going?
Lets just pick a weekend and make it happen.