Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: deerhuntr4885 on September 20, 2013, 09:29:01 AM

Title: My high hunt: over B4 it started
Post by: deerhuntr4885 on September 20, 2013, 09:29:01 AM: This is not a happy story: :'(

When I was a much younger man my friends and I would backpack in 13 miles to our honey hole. The trail has not been maintained in several years and the last time I went in there it took us two days just to reach camp as the trail was in such bad shape. I found another trail that got us into the same area in 7 miles but ALOT of switchbacks for the first 2.5 miles.

I had a friend go up to our selected trailhead on the opener to see how many rigs were there. There were none :drool: we loaded up and headed out on Tuesday. We reached the trailhead and still there was no one there. This area holds big non-typicals so I was jacked!

We hit the trail and found that the trail was as steep as I thought. It was wet from rain the day before as well. We had two riding horses and two pack horses. About 45 minutes into our accent one pack horse slipped off the trail and started rolling with all of our gear. We thought for sure we were shooting a horse. We scrambled down after her and found her about 150 feet below. She was OK. I was able to get her packs off and all the gear was fine too. After getting her back up to the trail we hauled all the gear up too. We loaded her back up and started out again. After another half mile, down she went again! Same thing...rolling down the hill, feet up!

She survived that one too without any injuries. We got her packed back up and with frayed nerves all around we turned around and walked them all out. I have never been so frustrated on a hunt.

Some of you know, I did not hunt it last year either because if a new baby boy and I was sure looking forward to this one.

Next year I guess. I still have Idaho and Montana so not all is lost.
Title: Re: My high hunt: over B4 it started
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 20, 2013, 09:31:35 AM: Tough break. Good for you taking care of the critters and going out. It had to be a hard call to make.
Title: Re: My high hunt: over B4 it started
Post by: muzbuster on September 20, 2013, 09:43:07 AM: Oh man that sucks, sounds like you made the right call on heading back, glad your horses are ok!
Title: Re: My high hunt: over B4 it started
Post by: Ridgerunner on September 20, 2013, 12:28:03 PM: Glad it didn't turn out worse, I know how disappointing it is to look forward to something for so long and have it be so frustrating, I feel for ya man.
Title: Re: My high hunt: over B4 it started
Post by: scout/sniper on September 20, 2013, 01:47:01 PM: You did the right thing. Even if you made it to camp you would worry the whole time about getting back out with a lame horse.
Glad you and the animals are fine.
Title: Re: My high hunt: over B4 it started
Post by: Bill W on September 20, 2013, 02:21:59 PM: There's two trails over north of Lake Wenatchee that are known as horse killers.
Title: Re: My high hunt: over B4 it started
Post by: KopperBuck on September 20, 2013, 03:00:02 PM: Good call man. Stock can make your hunt, and break it just as quick. I've had my battles for sure.
Title: Re: My high hunt: over B4 it started
Post by: dmv9 on September 20, 2013, 06:46:46 PM: So sorry. Tough break.
Title: Re: My high hunt: over B4 it started
Post by: MichaelJ on September 23, 2013, 10:52:22 AM: Too bad to hear that Mike... I had a similar story but I had to hike out because of a knee injury on opening morning. Sounds like we both had some bad luck! Glad all is safe though...

Mike