Post by: Mxracer532 on April 29, 2014, 11:46:01 PM
I had NOTHING to go into the back country, no tent, no sleeping bag, no sleeping pad, no hiking poles, no NOTHING! He told me not to worry about it that he had lots of extra stuff and we would make it work. I couldn't believe a guy would do this for a complete stranger. The man just has a true passion for the outdoors and like his name loves to hunt whether he has the tag or somebody else. I cant thank Luke enough for what he has done for me.
From the moment we left my house and headed out Thursday morning we talked and told hunting stories and shared our life with each other. I realized very fast that Luke is far more than a fantastic guide/hunter and backpacker but he is just flat out an amazing man with a huge heart. A one in a million.
The hunt we experienced everything weather wise rain, blizzard snow, sunshine, you name it we had it. First day hunting we hiked out to where Luke had pics of a big chocolate bear and sat down for the evening. It wasnt long till he spotted a small boar that was really cool brown with really dark lower legs. Luke says he is a rolli-poly and not a shooter. Hr later or so I get the psssst and wave again grab my gun and this time it is a shooter but a long ways off and a blonde. (Now that its late and im exhausted im gonna cut to the good stuff). Next day we seen another small blonde boar and a huge solid black about 600 yards straight above camp but with him atleast a 4hr hike to him we decided to go after him in the am. Morning came and it was rain turning into an absolute blizzard with huge snow flakes so we stayed at camp till the weather broke and then found a log crossing and started our 2+hr straight vertical climb to be above where the big black was the night before. It was a very narrow ridge with big draws on both sides so we got changed into dry clothing and picked sides to glass. Then the blizzard hit us again with wind. I bundled up and ended up crashing and waking up about the time it stopped and just in time to see a blonde sow with 2 cubs below me. We watched her for a bit and Luke said, ok they are moving, keep spotting them and went back and sat down to glass his side. Maybe 30min had passed and I got the signal and grabbed the gun and headed over to see a chocolate on the opposite side of the canyon. I asked Luke," is he a shooter?" He says, "he's not huge but he is a good bear, its up to you." I said,"I just want to kill a bear." (It was getting down to the end and I didnt want to disappoint both our daughter's as they both were expecting us to bring one home. MYSELF INCLUDED) So Luke responds with KILL IT!
Ranged him at 276 yards and got a rest on a tree limb and let him have it. He spun biting at the hit and Luke says," hit him again". I chamber another round and squeeze the trigger NOTHING, No click nodda, chamber another round as Lukes saying "still going" squeeze the trigger again NOTHING. Im telling Luke my guns screwed up it wont fire. Try the 4th round, not expecting it to go off but it does, miss. Grab one of the shells off the ground and close the bolt take aim as he is standing slightly quartered to me and put it on his shoulder and touched it off again. It goes off and WHOOOP he is down. I got my bear. As Luke is congratulating me and im telling him how my gun wouldnt go off and wondering why along with picking up our gear preparing for the hike to get him Luke says look another bear, a blonde, same trail mine was on and it turns and heads straight to my bear sniffing it and walking around it and eventually leaving. So after packing up and making the hike to the top and around we head down to my bear and im a happy man. Got some pics and skinned and boned out and back to camp before dark and made the plan to make 2 trips out early in the am. When we got up Luke says, well I think were just gonna pack heavy and make one trip. Packed all up left camp at 7:30am and 8+ miles later arrived at my truck. Shedded the wet clothes meat in the ice chest and hit the road, got lunch and a what not and made was home just after 5pm. It was a hell of an experience that I most definitely will never forget and cant wait to do it again. Most important I have gained a truly amazing friend that I cant thank enough for helping me with this great hunt.
Just to be clear YES HE DID ALL THIS FOR ME FOR ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!
Oh and yes I did it with lil ole .243 and 95gn Berger VLD's.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1204.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fbb412%2FMxracer532%2F20140427_152627.jpeg&hash=5ad662e3f60d1050209edcd696ed28f8e6db4057) (http://s1204.photobucket.com/user/Mxracer532/media/20140427_152627.jpeg.html)
Post by: Mxracer532 on April 29, 2014, 11:49:41 PM
Post by: redi on April 30, 2014, 12:24:31 AM
Post by: bowhunterforever on April 30, 2014, 12:42:02 AM
Post by: shanevg on April 30, 2014, 06:55:08 AM
Post by: klikboom on April 30, 2014, 07:02:19 AM
I feel so betrayed, I was always told bear don't die from bullets less than .30" in diameter? :chuckle:
Post by: trytough on April 30, 2014, 07:02:53 AM
Post by: combs338 on April 30, 2014, 07:17:59 AM
Post by: Mxracer532 on April 30, 2014, 07:32:10 AM
Heck ya! What did the autopsy tell you about the hits?
I feel so betrayed, I was always told bear don't die from bullets less than .30" in diameter? :chuckle:
We never opened up the chest cavity but the front shoulder was absolutely destroyed. It broke the leg bone just under the shoulder socket. The first bullet also was a complete pass through with an exit hole about the size of a 50 cent piece or so. He was done after the first shot but the 2nd through the shoulder flattened him. .243 and Bergers have been devastating on game.
I will post more pics later.
Post by: JLS on April 30, 2014, 07:36:19 AM
Post by: Mxracer532 on April 30, 2014, 07:42:44 AM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on April 30, 2014, 08:28:51 AM
Post by: fair-chase on April 30, 2014, 08:59:31 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on April 30, 2014, 09:07:39 AM
Post by: X-Force on April 30, 2014, 09:13:26 AM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on April 30, 2014, 09:16:15 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on April 30, 2014, 09:50:42 AM
Post by: MLBowhunting on April 30, 2014, 10:18:17 AM
Post by: teegansdad on April 30, 2014, 10:43:25 AM
Post by: andersonjk4 on April 30, 2014, 11:01:14 AM
Post by: andersonjk4 on April 30, 2014, 11:05:08 AM
Post by: Watimberghost on April 30, 2014, 11:43:10 AM
Post by: elkoholic1 on April 30, 2014, 01:09:47 PM
Post by: Wea300mag on April 30, 2014, 07:13:38 PM
:tup: :tup: :tup: for Luke
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on April 30, 2014, 07:17:51 PM
Post by: B.G.hunter on April 30, 2014, 07:39:17 PM
Post by: Mxracer532 on April 30, 2014, 09:20:11 PM
Awesome bear and sounds like you have a new friend for life. :tup:Without a doubt!
Post by: Mxracer532 on April 30, 2014, 09:23:55 PM
What elevations were you seeing bears, if you don't mind sharing?
Not 100% sure, my gps is dead right now but I would guess 5000 ft or so. We literally left camp and climbed atleast 2hrs straight up.
Post by: NWWA Hunter on April 30, 2014, 10:11:06 PM
Post by: bearpaw on May 01, 2014, 10:58:24 AM
Sounds like a great time, congrats on your success.
:tup: :tup: :tup: for Luke
:yeah: x2
Post by: Hoythunter on May 01, 2014, 01:38:54 PM
Sounds like Luke is a stand-up guy. Its sad to see he has to go to another hunting site and post pics of all his awesome sheds / hunting experiences all because of the way his name got trashed on here a few months back.
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 01, 2014, 01:49:47 PM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on May 01, 2014, 02:27:55 PM
Post by: kevinlisa06 on May 01, 2014, 08:52:46 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Mxracer532 on May 01, 2014, 10:10:43 PM
Awesome post, great job!
Sounds like Luke is a stand-up guy. Its sad to see he has to go to another hunting site and post pics of all his awesome sheds / hunting experiences all because of the way his name got trashed on here a few months back.
Yep sure is ALOT of guys should feel ashamed of themselves. I hope when guys ask Luke for help on here I hope he refers back to The Blues News thread that Mt Cook started and anyone of them questioning his integrity and how he goes about helping people for free, I hope he tells them to go BLANK themselves. ( I know he wouldn't tho as he is just that nice of a guy).
Post by: Machias on May 03, 2014, 03:41:56 PM
Post by: Fowlweather25 on May 03, 2014, 04:29:39 PM
Awesome looking bear! Would make a sweet 3/4 mount.:yeah:
All the way man!!!!
Post by: Fowlweather25 on May 03, 2014, 04:33:32 PM
Post by: Mxracer532 on May 03, 2014, 07:50:35 PM
I never doubted Luke one bit through all that crap! I dont know him but i would be happy to hunt with him. I am the same as him. I would almost pay people to let me help them hunt. It gives me more time in the great outdoors that i love, and i will always enjoy the look of enjoyment on someone elses face rather than my own. That is worth more than any amount of money!
No doubt. Hell of a guy and absolute hunting fanatic.
Now ? Is what kind of 3/4 mount??? Uright or the walking look???
Post by: Fowlweather25 on May 03, 2014, 07:54:03 PM
Post by: coachcw on May 03, 2014, 08:16:16 PM
Post by: 87Ford on May 05, 2014, 03:29:44 PM
Post by: Harbor_hunter on May 05, 2014, 03:40:16 PM
Post by: Rich_S on May 05, 2014, 06:40:01 PM
Post by: bear hunter on May 05, 2014, 06:51:05 PM
Post by: Okanagan on May 05, 2014, 07:13:50 PM
Post by: Mxracer532 on May 15, 2014, 09:51:32 PM