Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 30, 2015, 04:52:13 PM
I managed 3 scouting trips to try to learn the area. Tips and suggestions were coming in from a few helpful individuals. Some choose to complain about anyone applying not knowing the area, I respect that opinion. For those, read no further if you are concerned with the outcome and any further stress :dunno:, none of us know the outcome yet. For those that have provided tips and assistance to someone you had never met I have a different level if respect for.
Normally, I would have my son, and recently son in law to hunt with. Circumstances have prevented that from happening which makes it a bit of a bitter/sweet experience.
One of the last days of scouting, I dropped by another HW member YellowDog and his brother camp, and was invited to see an area they were hunting. We spotted elk and I watches those while they pursued some that were bugling close by. The offer was extended to help me get mine.
Using my scouting info and relying on the wealth of info from HW members, I have seen a lot of country. I have passed on a couple that didn't get the blood pumping.
I confess I did tap out one afternoon. I had checked. on a lead from hunters who were leaving, regarding a good bull they had seen. It required a hike of a few hundred yards thru blowdown, and then dro]ING a 300-400 ft down a rocky ridge to overlook a clearing. I think Rtspring tried to steer me clear of this. To avoid the Sunday crowd I decided to return. The closest and best view required dropping a little further down the ridge, to a large rock outcropping with a large notch big enough to set in. When I got to it, it became evident the last 6 feet horizontal and 4 ' vertical was highly questionable. I sat and debated my options. A viewpoint 20' to the side offered a view of 1/2 the clearing below, or the rock notch. If I chose the notch, I knew the 1st step before proceeding would be to deploy my personnal locator beacon. Seeing how that would appear premeditated, I chose the lesser view. Then I had time to study the options if I actually killed an elk in that hole. Not knowing if a trail even existed (none on a map), another 400' in steep elevation drop, a mile to nearest road, dark coming, warm nights, 70 degree days. 15 minutes before the magic time, I turned and climbed out of the hole.
More to come, gotta go play.
Post by: Gringo31 on September 30, 2015, 05:03:36 PM
Post by: Big6bull on September 30, 2015, 05:04:00 PM
Post by: Pete112288 on September 30, 2015, 05:27:20 PM
Post by: Watimberghost on September 30, 2015, 05:57:58 PM
Post by: spikehunter on September 30, 2015, 06:08:59 PM
Post by: Dan-o on September 30, 2015, 06:22:33 PM
There are always good guys on this site willing to help.
And it kind of cracks me up when people complain because you drew a tag in a new area. Like that's some kind of criteria.
Post by: mrkraft on September 30, 2015, 07:46:39 PM
Post by: tgray on September 30, 2015, 07:48:51 PM
Post by: dfresh96 on September 30, 2015, 07:56:14 PM
Post by: willapawapiti on September 30, 2015, 08:00:52 PM
Post by: Mossyoak on September 30, 2015, 08:22:52 PM
Post by: coachcw on September 30, 2015, 08:48:59 PM
Post by: WAElkhunter89 on October 01, 2015, 03:49:12 AM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on October 01, 2015, 12:20:48 PM
I know that viewpoint and outcropping, beauty of a view from there! I've heard the trail exists - lol. Good luck, keep at it, it'll happen!!I bumped into a boy scout leader who said they packed an old cache barrel out of there. He wasn't sure if it was still maintained. My footing isn't as good as it used to be and I've begun to accept that. I'd hate to have the HW crew pack me out.
Post by: WAnoob on October 01, 2015, 12:27:31 PM
Post by: Bob33 on October 01, 2015, 12:27:45 PM
:tup:
Post by: Ghost Hunter on October 01, 2015, 12:34:40 PM
Post by: nw_bowhunter on October 01, 2015, 12:38:21 PM
Post by: rtspring on October 01, 2015, 12:42:20 PM
Post by: MADMAX on October 02, 2015, 07:41:36 AM
hope I see pics
good luck
Post by: daddyelk on October 03, 2015, 04:48:10 PM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on October 04, 2015, 09:35:26 AM
Passed on a bull on the weekend. Hiked in behind a gate on Monday and had one standing in the crosshairs at 30 yards. Couldn't get a clear look at horns and hesitated. The bull didn't. Seen a nice buck further in but was packing the rifle at that point.
Tuesday I decided to go high where I had watched the bulls with YellowDog and his brother. A 10 mile hike with 3000' of elevation gain didn't give me any opportunities other than to stretch my legs. :yike:
Wednesday, I was a little slow getting out and decided to scout some other areas. Another member prompted me to relook at an area I had been thru. At 1:30 in the afternoon I was at 5000', blew a bugle and got 3 responses. I concentrated on the closest but couldn't draw him out into the open.
Thursday I was back an before daylight listening to him talk to his ladies. Tried hard to talk him into any little clearing but it wasn't to be. Thursday afternoon Rtspring came up t help and drug me back to "the ridge of impending doom" :yike: :bdid: He was nice enough to show me a route without all the blowdown to climb over. Nothing showed up so I had the opportunity to show him my route on the way back out. :chuckle:
Friday we decided to return to the bull I had located on Wednesday. The idea was to call him out, kill him, and go have breakfast. The bull and his ladies had other ideas. By 1:00 in the afternoon, we had 3 close encounters from 30 - 50 yards. I had just as well been packing the bow. The bull was hot and mad but had no intentions of stepping into an opening. :bash: The wind was constantly swirling. It would be in your face one minute, and a few seconds later come blasting over your back. We were 5 drainages from the truck when they busted us one last time. We stayed in the area the rest of the day hoping we could catch them. As the sun set, we watched this huge black cloud coming in from the north, hopefully bringing weather and better conditions for the next round.
I never actually seen the bull at any time, and am wondering maybe if it actually was a ghost :dunno: I have challenged a couple other hunters to send me a picture when they kill him :tup:
So I didn't get my bull, but I did have my quality hunt of a lifetime. I met some great people from HW and had a great time. I can't thank Rtspring and the entire Getsum crew enough. To everyone that offered information and help, I hope I can repay or pass forward a small part of what I received. I fell in love with the area and do plan to be back. Thanks to everyone. :brew: :cmp1:
Now I,m repacking and regrouping because I'm late for heading to WY. But that's another story yet to come.....
Post by: Bob33 on October 04, 2015, 10:34:44 AM
:tup:
Post by: MLBowhunting on October 04, 2015, 02:41:29 PM
Post by: WAElkhunter89 on October 04, 2015, 03:20:13 PM
Post by: rtspring on October 04, 2015, 06:23:51 PM
Someone please kill that bull...
Post by: Igor on October 04, 2015, 09:29:50 PM
Sorry I could not get you a shot!!! We had a blast, I truly love helping others. Ghosthunter is a heck of a guy. Trust me we left in all on the hill..
Someone please kill that bull...
Hey.........what are you doing on the 26th ??
Just kidding............
Post by: daddyelk on October 04, 2015, 09:35:15 PM
Post by: WAElkhunter89 on October 05, 2015, 04:28:23 AM
Post by: MADMAX on October 05, 2015, 08:11:51 AM
sorry you didnt get your bull
did you see any other tag holders score ?
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on October 05, 2015, 08:52:40 AM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on October 05, 2015, 11:38:09 AM
wowHaven't anything about the other 2 tags. Still got the multiseasion tag to use when I get back from WY.
sorry you didnt get your bull
did you see any other tag holders score ?