Post by: vandeman17 on August 15, 2013, 09:46:19 AM
Post by: buddy01 on August 15, 2013, 04:49:59 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on August 15, 2013, 04:52:12 PM
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!
Post by: hogsniper on August 15, 2013, 05:02:37 PM
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.
Post by: buddy01 on August 15, 2013, 05:11:59 PM
Post by: KopperBuck on August 15, 2013, 06:07:02 PM
Hogsniper - are you local or just hunting Mt Emily?
Post by: hogsniper on August 15, 2013, 09:31:30 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on August 16, 2013, 02:58:56 AM
Post by: MtnMuley on August 16, 2013, 08:24:40 AM
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:
Post by: vandeman17 on August 16, 2013, 09:12:46 AM
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:
Post by: Crunchy on August 16, 2013, 09:20:24 AM
Post by: Snipe on August 16, 2013, 09:27:35 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 03, 2013, 11:03:53 AM
Post by: fireguy459 on September 03, 2013, 01:10:32 PM
Post by: KopperBuck on September 05, 2013, 12:35:50 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 05, 2013, 01:32:47 PM
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?
Post by: KopperBuck on September 05, 2013, 05:49:16 PM
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.
Post by: vandeman17 on September 06, 2013, 09:09:06 AM
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!
Post by: vandeman17 on September 09, 2013, 03:37:08 PM
Post by: mp.hunter on September 09, 2013, 03:47:37 PM
Post by: et1702 on September 09, 2013, 04:05:14 PM
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
Post by: vandeman17 on September 09, 2013, 04:22:25 PM
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?
Post by: KopperBuck on September 09, 2013, 10:27:05 PM
Post by: et1702 on September 10, 2013, 11:15:31 AM
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
Post by: vandeman17 on September 10, 2013, 11:19:54 AM
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!
Post by: et1702 on September 10, 2013, 12:40:19 PM
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!
Post by: vandeman17 on September 10, 2013, 12:45:32 PM
Post by: Shawn Ryan on September 10, 2013, 11:47:24 PM
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!
Post by: vandeman17 on September 11, 2013, 09:45:03 AM
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:
Post by: KopperBuck on September 11, 2013, 10:32:27 AM
Take lots of pics!
Post by: vandeman17 on September 11, 2013, 10:34:23 AM
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!
Post by: vandeman17 on September 13, 2013, 11:18:53 AM
Post by: jackelope on September 13, 2013, 11:21:30 AM
Post by: Curly on September 13, 2013, 11:32:24 AM
Good luck.
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on September 13, 2013, 12:04:04 PM
Post by: hogsniper on September 22, 2013, 08:37:18 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 23, 2013, 10:24:15 AM
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.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on September 23, 2013, 10:31:16 AM
Post by: Elkrunner on September 23, 2013, 10:38:02 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 23, 2013, 10:45:02 AM
Post by: Curly on September 23, 2013, 11:09:16 AM
Post by: gasman on September 23, 2013, 04:54:48 PM
Glad you got the old man hooked :archery_smiley:
Post by: vandeman17 on September 23, 2013, 04:56:51 PM
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.
Post by: gasman on September 23, 2013, 05:15:07 PM
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:
Post by: low97ram on September 24, 2013, 06:52:29 AM
:tup:
Pete
Post by: et1702 on September 24, 2013, 09:25:01 AM
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
Post by: gasman on September 24, 2013, 09:33:46 AM
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
Post by: et1702 on September 24, 2013, 09:42:54 AM
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
Post by: vandeman17 on September 24, 2013, 09:46:48 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on September 24, 2013, 09:52:24 AM
Post by: Elkpiss on September 24, 2013, 10:02:26 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 24, 2013, 10:04:23 AM
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:
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on September 24, 2013, 10:24:56 AM
Post by: buck man on September 24, 2013, 10:39:04 AM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 24, 2013, 10:43:41 AM
Post by: Elkpiss on September 24, 2013, 11:07:28 AM
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..
Post by: C-Money on September 24, 2013, 11:11:41 AM
Post by: 250savage on September 24, 2013, 12:28:53 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 24, 2013, 02:01:30 PM
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!
Post by: rosscrazyelk on September 24, 2013, 02:11:38 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 24, 2013, 02:13:05 PM
What outfitter did you use?
Moss Springs out of Cornucopia were the ones that packed us in.
Post by: et1702 on September 24, 2013, 02:25:01 PM
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
Post by: vandeman17 on September 24, 2013, 02:35:39 PM
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.
Post by: et1702 on September 24, 2013, 02:54:35 PM
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
Post by: gasman on September 24, 2013, 02:56:18 PM
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:
Post by: vandeman17 on September 24, 2013, 03:16:24 PM
Post by: gasman on September 24, 2013, 03:28:06 PM
Post by: low97ram on September 24, 2013, 07:08:29 PM
Im in and I will drag Repete with me :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
No dragging required. Just say when
Pete
Post by: Elkrunner on October 04, 2013, 09:41:54 AM
When are we all going?
Post by: vandeman17 on October 04, 2013, 09:48:54 AM
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.