Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 15, 2015, 03:25:00 PM
Post by: sagewalker on October 15, 2015, 03:27:27 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 15, 2015, 03:48:50 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 15, 2015, 03:49:32 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 15, 2015, 04:25:23 PM
Post by: rtspring on October 15, 2015, 04:38:55 PM
Post by: Mark251 on October 15, 2015, 04:40:38 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 15, 2015, 04:43:07 PM
Let me tell you all something, I have seen some impressive stuff in my time, but this 10 year old was something else! He hikes 7 miles, all up hill, then turns around and climbs another 1000 feet and then drops a couple thousand feet down into a basin with me. We find a little buck and get a good shot opportunity and he flat drops the hammer! I bone him out, load him up, and up and out we climb. Kid is tough as they come and will be a deer killing machine in a few short years I am sure of.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 15, 2015, 04:45:58 PM
I seem to remember watching that fall....Ya that sucked a lot!!!! I thought my knee was done for!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 15, 2015, 04:48:06 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 15, 2015, 05:15:23 PM
I looked him over for a while, and at first I wasn't going to shoot him because of how narrow he was, but as he headed up the slope he was on, he hit the sunlight and those forks lit up so beautifuly, I couldn't resist. He was 380 yards but the slope was steep so I shot it for 300 right on the money. He landed flat on his face with his front legs out in front of him!
I knew it was gonna be hot so I didn't waste much time with pictures. Let me tell ya, trying to get pics with your cell phone, when alone, is the most difficult task there is on the mountain :chuckle: I got him broken down and loaded up in the Kifaru and off I go! Down down down down into the bottom of the most god forsaken, deadfall infested, drainage in all of Idaho!!! Then the fun begins! 3300ft up the other side, back to my tent! The last stretch is a 40* slope! I tried to be a man but the last quarter mile, with the temps reaching 80, I made the decision to ditch my rifle, 85mm Razor spotter and tripod, to lighten the load. I made it to camp and got the meat (which was still very cool) in trash bags and put in the creek that ran right below the tent. I downed a couple nalgene's, got some calories in me and headed back down to fetch my things. Jeremie also scored on a good buck that day about the same time I did. Not a bad double!!! That night was spent a thousand feet above camp glassing for bucks and soaking in the views. I also made a fire, which I almost never do! Burned some trash, cooked some tenderloin, and just enjoyed the night. Nothing better than a nice little fire.
The next day we glassed for more bucks and mid morning I packed camp up, ditched food, loaded meat and antler and started the long haul back to the truck! Lord did that suck!!! I had the bright idea of taking the "shortcut" down the mountain :bdid: It was definitely shorter, and I got to the truck more quickly but the pain and suffering probably didn't make it worth it :chuckle:. My right thigh is still literally numb! Like "Mr. Deeds black foot" numb :dunno: I messaged Kifaru about it to see if maybe I had the pack adjusted wrong or something and they told me it is due to the heavy load sitting on my leather belt, which pinched the nerve that sits on my hip bone. They said next time I'm hauling like that, sag like a gangster a little bit or ditch the belt. Who knew right!?!
All in all, a fantastic trip. Next up is general deer season here in washington with the wife, then its off to Colorado!!!!!!!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 15, 2015, 05:22:24 PM
Post by: Watimberghost on October 15, 2015, 06:04:25 PM
Post by: grundy53 on October 15, 2015, 06:14:24 PM
Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk
Post by: SemperFidelis97 on October 15, 2015, 06:21:40 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on October 15, 2015, 06:46:21 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on October 15, 2015, 07:54:58 PM
Post by: The Weazle on October 15, 2015, 09:03:51 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 15, 2015, 09:06:46 PM
Post by: 724wd on October 15, 2015, 09:08:44 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 15, 2015, 09:16:42 PM
Looks like a TON of fun! and some great deer! Congrats to the kid on being a stud, and WOW! I haven't seen an 8 arrow quiver mounted for years! LOL! gotta like having more ammo available! :tup::chuckle: I've had more than one person make that comment. He's an Army Ranger, I think it's that whole accuracy by volume mentality :chuckle:
Post by: RB on October 15, 2015, 09:26:04 PM
Post by: Shane54 on October 15, 2015, 09:38:47 PM
Post by: elkrack on October 15, 2015, 10:52:15 PM
Post by: buglebuster on October 15, 2015, 11:07:27 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 15, 2015, 11:23:16 PM
I seem to remember a pack out video, I see you failed to include that :chuckle:that's next level ninja stuff right there :chuckle: seriously though, that packout back to camp was something else! I've always prided myself on my ability to handle heavy for my size loads and my ability to just switch off and grind my way through but dang! It was a come to Jesus climb out of that hole! I had to swallow an awful lot of pride when I left my gun and spotter on the side of the mountain :'(
Post by: gunnarnewt on October 16, 2015, 08:27:57 AM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on October 16, 2015, 08:37:00 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on October 16, 2015, 09:37:48 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 31, 2015, 08:48:17 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 31, 2015, 08:49:44 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 31, 2015, 09:02:46 PM
Second weekend I stayed home and hunted some OLD haunts I haven't hiked around in for close to a decade. I took a coworker of mine along and we killed a fat little three point, mid morning on Saturday. He doesn't want pics posted so I have to honor his wishes.
Sunday, I decided to go deep into some rough rocky country that I have summer climbed but never hunted. 6 miles in all I found was fog and rain. I melt pretty easy so after about 4 hours of that crap I aborted mission and headed to lower country. About an hour before dark, as I was having a cup of coffee and munching a sandwich, I caught some movement across the canyon from me. Some heavy beamed 4x4 stood to stretch his legs and then bedded right back down. He had the perfect spot. With light fading fast I scrambled to come up with a way to get to him. At 450 yards, I could have killed him at my leisure, but I could not for the life of me figure out a way to get to him that didn't involve wet rocky cliffs. Only way was to climb the ridge and slide down the chute he was in. There was not enough light to safely make that move though. If it had been the day before I could have tipped him over and come in and got him in the a.m. but with work on Monday I had to sit there in agony as shooting light faded to black. He was the best buck I have ever laid eyes on in the mountains west of Yakima, hands down.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 31, 2015, 09:14:31 PM
Another 6 hours in the saddle and I arrived on the killing fields! This place is crazy! The juniper and pines, are an impenetrable wall when you hit 10,000ft and below that it's this rocky, sparse juniper/sage country with tons of cactus. Unlike anywhere I have hunted. Oh and deer EVERYWHERE!!!!! :chuckle: I'll get some pics tomorrow. Not now though, I'm going to bed! :chuckle:
Post by: Bigshooter on October 31, 2015, 09:40:31 PM
Post by: The Weazle on October 31, 2015, 10:00:56 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 01, 2015, 10:55:39 AM
Post by: predatorG on November 01, 2015, 11:03:40 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 01, 2015, 12:50:08 PM
Post by: GUscottie on November 01, 2015, 01:00:29 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 01, 2015, 01:51:06 PM
Post by: predatorG on November 01, 2015, 01:59:47 PM
Post by: pd on November 01, 2015, 02:58:19 PM
How much wall space do you have exactly?
House must be filled, using the garage now?
Great stories, BLRMan.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 01, 2015, 05:50:47 PM
:yeah: Actually, I only have a few in the house, most are out in the garage. I actually have a pile of euro's I need to get on skull hooked and put up. Thanks for all the positive comments guys!How much wall space do you have exactly?
House must be filled, using the garage now?
Great stories, BLRMan.
Post by: buglebuster on November 01, 2015, 06:21:20 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 01, 2015, 06:25:06 PM
Post by: Whitpirate on November 01, 2015, 06:25:07 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 01, 2015, 06:31:07 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 01, 2015, 06:32:22 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 01, 2015, 06:33:57 PM
Must be nice to sleep in the backseat with leg room you pack animal midget! Kill a giant!Even I'm too tall to fit comfortably in the back seat of the tundra :chuckle:
Post by: Whitpirate on November 01, 2015, 06:34:55 PM
Must be nice to sleep in the backseat with leg room you pack animal midget! Kill a giant!Even I'm too tall to fit comfortably in the back seat of the tundra :chuckle:
Should have been a man and bought a Chevy!
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 01, 2015, 11:09:46 PM
I made a quick 3 day scouting trip to Idaho in August. I saw a few decent bucks, no monsters. But I did find a great area to set up camp. It was 7 miles in from the trail head. Just below the top of the ridge. This allowed Karl, Jeremy and myself to go in 3 different directions on our hunt. Therefore we were able to stretch our legs without running into one another's area. The scouting trip was a bit smokey, but was defiantly worth the trip. I found an area that had all the ingredients to hold big bucks. Great feed, a 3-4 year old burn, steep country, thick timber pockets, and lots of deer.
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 01, 2015, 11:16:51 PM
My first hunting trip was a North Idaho Moose hunt with a good friend of mine. I was able to gather some good info from the biologist as well as a few members from this site.
The trip was a blast. We saw 22 moose in 4 days. Saw elk and deer every day,including a great bull elk that was within bow range.and none of us had elk tags :bash:. We put eyes on a really nice black bear the first morning, but were unable to close the distance before he made it into the thick timber.
My buddy passed on several bulls and ended up killing a good one a couple days after I left. Here it is.
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 01, 2015, 11:18:59 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 01, 2015, 11:22:18 PM
Keep em coming, looks like fun.
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 02, 2015, 01:40:21 AM
So, mid day on Saturday as we were at the truck eating lunch. A little 2x3 buck came strolling down the hill. He literally walked within 90 yards of us. I tried talking Les into waiting for a bigger buck, but he has only killed 2 deer and he wasn't willing to let this opportunity go to waste. So he decided to give the buck a dirt nap.
The next day, we saw 3 legal bucks on our way up the ridge. We then watched a spike elk wander into a little draw all alone. We worked our way down towards the spike and I let out a few cow cows, the spike came strolling out and Les let him have it. Then the work began.
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 02, 2015, 01:42:14 AM
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 02, 2015, 03:03:57 AM
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 02, 2015, 03:10:44 AM
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 02, 2015, 03:12:01 AM
As Karl already stated this was our worst opening weekend in ten years. There was a huge loss in the whitetail herd due to blue tongue. And for one reason or another, there were not very many mule deer bucks.
Usually we get 4-6 bucks on opening weekend. This year, I saw two legal bucks. I got the second one I saw. Karlhada tough shot on one buck and chose to pass on a second buck that he saw. That was it for the whole weekend. Pretty slow.
I was able to get before and after photos of my buck. He was hanging out at the. Top of a eyebrow. Then some (truck hunters) pulled up behind him and scared him right towards me. I dropped him at about 75 yards.
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 02, 2015, 03:23:48 AM
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 02, 2015, 03:24:50 AM
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 02, 2015, 03:27:42 AM
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 02, 2015, 03:29:12 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 02, 2015, 03:57:23 AM
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 02, 2015, 05:24:02 AM
Post by: rtspring on November 02, 2015, 07:30:48 AM
Post by: 2MANY on November 02, 2015, 07:52:36 AM
Having a spotter/packer is a nice option.
Does he cook?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 02, 2015, 08:51:20 AM
I hope Colorado is going well.He does! He specializes in hotdogs, chili dogs, boiled water (for mountainhouse), and chips :chuckle: I pre made 3 dozen breakfast burritos, a few different soups to reheat and after that it's hotdogs and mountain house. The burritos turned out awesome! A little butter in a pan, toss the burritos in and cover. Flip after about 5min, give em another 5 and you have a hot crispy burrito and no mess!
Having a spotter/packer is a nice option.
Does he cook?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 02, 2015, 09:52:05 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 02, 2015, 09:53:52 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 02, 2015, 09:55:20 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 02, 2015, 09:56:58 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 02, 2015, 09:57:55 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 02, 2015, 10:00:17 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 02, 2015, 05:34:23 PM
Post by: buglebuster on November 02, 2015, 05:47:40 PM
Post by: jackelope on November 02, 2015, 05:53:04 PM
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 02, 2015, 06:39:46 PM
Post by: buglebuster on November 02, 2015, 07:04:01 PM
I should post a pic of Karls stud Colorado buck, just to burst his bubble. LolThe thought already crossed my mind. But I decided against it :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 02, 2015, 09:21:40 PM
Post by: The scout on November 02, 2015, 09:24:56 PM
Post by: coop2424 on November 02, 2015, 09:34:31 PM
Post by: HUNTaHOLIC5 on November 02, 2015, 09:35:41 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 02, 2015, 09:52:11 PM
Post by: jkthomps on November 02, 2015, 09:53:39 PM
Post by: Bigshooter on November 03, 2015, 05:37:14 AM
Post by: go4steelhd on November 03, 2015, 06:05:15 AM
Post by: coachcw on November 03, 2015, 06:20:35 AM
Post by: buglebuster on November 03, 2015, 06:42:52 AM
When you gonna be home? I wanna come put my hands on that stud!
Post by: kentrek on November 03, 2015, 06:48:35 AM
Post by: Timberstalker on November 03, 2015, 07:10:49 AM
Post by: jackelope on November 03, 2015, 08:09:41 AM
Just got done putting the tape and cable to him! 183 2/8" :IBCOOL:
That other buck is no slouch either.
Post by: 2MANY on November 03, 2015, 08:14:01 AM
Post by: rtspring on November 03, 2015, 08:35:36 AM
Way to get it done!!
GETSUM
Post by: Whitpirate on November 03, 2015, 08:40:01 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 03, 2015, 09:17:23 AM
Post by: Mr Mykiss on November 03, 2015, 09:22:34 AM
I'm 5'8" 170lband youdaman!!
Post by: kentrek on November 03, 2015, 09:28:42 AM
What a chunker !
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 03, 2015, 09:40:27 AM
Does he have 7 on both sides? Looks like he might have 8 on one. Hard to tell in the pic's.
Post by: coachcw on November 03, 2015, 10:36:11 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 03, 2015, 10:37:33 AM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on November 03, 2015, 11:42:45 AM
Post by: sagewalker on November 03, 2015, 11:44:16 AM
Post by: bearhunter99 on November 03, 2015, 12:13:21 PM
Post by: Backstraps on November 03, 2015, 07:04:33 PM
Post by: PlateauNDN on November 03, 2015, 07:05:55 PM
Ya I guess he is a 7x7. Here are a few that show the extras better
:yeah: I see a 7x7 :chuckle:
Post by: muleyslayer on November 03, 2015, 07:35:57 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 03, 2015, 07:37:47 PM
Post by: Limhangerslayer on November 03, 2015, 09:11:48 PM
I'm 5'8" 170lbstill doesn't Give you the right to violate him after he's dead just cause he's bigger than you!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 04, 2015, 05:16:41 PM
Just because thats what you weirdo West Valley folk do to your pine mountain deer, does not mean people in other parts of the country do the same 8)I'm 5'8" 170lbstill doesn't Give you the right to violate him after he's dead just cause he's bigger than you!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 04, 2015, 05:43:17 PM
Monday evening we took a long drive to a different part of the unit to see if we could find more water. Saw a few deer, one good 4pt that would push upper 150's, with another buck about the same. Not what you want to see on your limited entry "rut" hunt :bash:
So we ran out of juniper country to look at right before dark. As we are driving down the road out in the nothingness of the prairie country, we pass a small rocky nob. This nob is only 300yards long by maybe 100 yards wide. Jeremie makes a comment about how that is the kind of place a big ol buck would hide out. So we stop the truck, if nothing else, just out of habit, and put the bino's up. We both saw him at the same time. He was bedded in front of some rocks but his antlers stuck above the skyline :yike: With the sun going down behind the nob, all we could see was the outline of his rack. I saw wide, and stickers and my brain turned to mush!
With light fading fast, we had a small issue. The little strip of land between the road and the nob was private property. If it wasn't for this I could have got out of the truck, laid prone, and dropped him. Luckily for me, the nob itself, as well as all the dirt behind the nob was public, so we mobbed back around to another road, and with gun and rangefinder in hand, we literally sprinted out and around the nob. For fear of spooking him, we swung good and wide. At 400 yards, with only 5 min of light remaining, I got down in a prone position and caught my breath. He stood, took a few steps down below the skyline and stopped broadside. At the recoil of the rifle I lost sight of him momentarily but as I chambered another shell and settled back in, I watched him go down!
Definitely not a hard earned buck but I honestly can't remember the last time I got an "easy" buck. I figure with has tough as Idaho was, they evened out :chuckle: I gutted him, which is also something I am not used to ever doing, and we took him out to the truck whole. Back at camp, we were able to crank up some tunes, have a couple beers, and take our time caping and meating him out.
Next day we packed camp and parted ways. Jeremie headed up to our normal colorado unit where his brother has a 4th season tag, and I headed home. I planned on pushing past salt lake city and sleeping a few hours before the final push back to Yakima, but I couldn't fall asleep. After about 30min of tossing and turning in the front seat I said screw it, got a coffee, and put the hammer down. 21hrs in the saddle in one shot was not awesome :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 04, 2015, 07:00:41 PM
Post by: PlateauNDN on November 04, 2015, 07:12:12 PM
Just because thats what you weirdo West Valley folk do to your pine mountain deer, does not mean people in other parts of the country do the same 8)I'm 5'8" 170lbstill doesn't Give you the right to violate him after he's dead just cause he's bigger than you!
Just because one west valley-ian does that doesn't mean we all do that. :chuckle:
Post by: JM on November 04, 2015, 07:14:50 PM
I'm headed to idaho next Tuesday for my late hunt. Unlike you and Perm I've gotta work or I'd be there right now
Post by: JM on November 04, 2015, 07:16:21 PM
Just because thats what you weirdo West Valley folk do to your pine mountain deer, does not mean people in other parts of the country do the same 8)I'm 5'8" 170lbstill doesn't Give you the right to violate him after he's dead just cause he's bigger than you!
Just because one west valley-ian does that doesn't mean we all do that. :chuckle:
Karl sure as heck isn't a west valley-ian!
Post by: Watimberghost on November 04, 2015, 07:18:06 PM
Post by: PlateauNDN on November 04, 2015, 07:22:52 PM
Just because thats what you weirdo West Valley folk do to your pine mountain deer, does not mean people in other parts of the country do the same 8)I'm 5'8" 170lbstill doesn't Give you the right to violate him after he's dead just cause he's bigger than you!
Just because one west valley-ian does that doesn't mean we all do that. :chuckle:
Karl sure as heck isn't a west valley-ian!
No, but I am and I don't violate animals after I've killed them. :chuckle: karl is a breed unto hisself. He's like an ant, can carry 10 times his weight and come back for more. :chuckle:
Post by: bowhunterwa87 on November 04, 2015, 07:34:48 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 04, 2015, 07:40:24 PM
Good buck Karl congrats!I just get away now and then. Jeremie takes it to another level! September 20 - December 10th off :yike: Anxious to see what you come up with on your tag! Should hit the rut just right!
I'm headed to idaho next Tuesday for my late hunt. Unlike you and Perm I've gotta work or I'd be there right now
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 04, 2015, 07:42:50 PM
I've been called a lot of low down, dirty, rude, hurtful things but a west valleyian (goat lover) is taking it too far!!! :bdid: 8)Just because thats what you weirdo West Valley folk do to your pine mountain deer, does not mean people in other parts of the country do the same 8)I'm 5'8" 170lbstill doesn't Give you the right to violate him after he's dead just cause he's bigger than you!
Just because one west valley-ian does that doesn't mean we all do that. :chuckle:
Karl sure as heck isn't a west valley-ian!
No, but I am and I don't violate animals after I've killed them. :chuckle: karl is a breed unto hisself. He's like an ant, can carry 10 times his weight and come back for more. :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 04, 2015, 07:46:10 PM
and for the record, it's only like 5 times my body weight and I'm only good for like 4 or 5 trips like that before I need a nap :chuckle: 8)Just because thats what you weirdo West Valley folk do to your pine mountain deer, does not mean people in other parts of the country do the same 8)I'm 5'8" 170lbstill doesn't Give you the right to violate him after he's dead just cause he's bigger than you!
Just because one west valley-ian does that doesn't mean we all do that. :chuckle:
Karl sure as heck isn't a west valley-ian!
No, but I am and I don't violate animals after I've killed them. :chuckle: karl is a breed unto hisself. He's like an ant, can carry 10 times his weight and come back for more. :chuckle:
Post by: coachcw on November 04, 2015, 07:58:00 PM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on November 04, 2015, 08:10:24 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 04, 2015, 08:23:54 PM
KARL hunts hard as any but he is like a shrew constantly eating .... every time he stops he eats .... one day he will learn to Cary more fat on him for reserve. Good job buddy on a fine hunt glad those lrabs worked out.Eat big to get big right!?!!
I will do a year in review on my experiences with the Long Range Accubonds after the season is over and I've dropped a few more critters but I will just say that this IS my new bullet! Can't thank you enough Coach for turning me on to these and then feeding the addiction when i couldnt find any :chuckle:
Post by: PlateauNDN on November 04, 2015, 08:37:47 PM
KARL hunts hard as any but he is like a shrew constantly eating .... every time he stops he eats .... one day he will learn to Cary more fat on him for reserve. Good job buddy on a fine hunt glad those lrabs worked out.Eat big to get big right!?!!
I will do a year in review on my experiences with the Long Range Accubonds after the season is over and I've dropped a few more critters but I will just say that this IS my new bullet! Can't thank you enough Coach for turning me on to these and then feeding the addiction when i couldnt find any :chuckle:
He's a bit evil in my opinion...he says, "here redman, shoot goat with stick and string" and then pulls out this big custom cannon to shoot and then expects you to convert to bow after firing the cannon........twisted and evil. :chuckle:
Post by: Whitpirate on November 04, 2015, 10:16:06 PM
Post by: PlateauNDN on November 04, 2015, 10:38:33 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 05, 2015, 06:51:20 AM
Ummm...I believe it. He also need to touch up on his guesstimating. Him and karl both say just a little ways or not far and its nearly double...I like a good workout but dang...at least come a bit closer on your estimate. :chuckle:If I told the truth then people wouldn't follow. If I can bait with a little white lie like, "its on the other side of that hill", you will be committed to go over that hill. At that point it doesn't matter that its 4 miles on the other side of that hill :chuckle:
Post by: Timberstalker on November 05, 2015, 06:56:18 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 05, 2015, 07:04:44 AM
Man, what an awesome buck. Even after I looked at this thread 25 times! :tup:Thank you sir! I'm a little sad I didn't get to hunt more and really see what the unit had to offer towards the end of the week when the rut got going a little bit, but I lacked the willpower to pass on a deer like that.
Post by: Timberstalker on November 05, 2015, 07:14:46 AM
Man, what an awesome buck. Even after I looked at this thread 25 times! :tup:Thank you sir! I'm a little sad I didn't get to hunt more and really see what the unit had to offer towards the end of the week when the rut got going a little bit, but I lacked the willpower to pass on a deer like that.
Tell the truth... did you put the head in bed with you when you got home?? I know it was at least on the floor next to the bed. LMAO.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 05, 2015, 07:33:26 AM
ABSOLUTELY NOT..........................the wife made me sleep on the couch with it :chuckle:Man, what an awesome buck. Even after I looked at this thread 25 times! :tup:Thank you sir! I'm a little sad I didn't get to hunt more and really see what the unit had to offer towards the end of the week when the rut got going a little bit, but I lacked the willpower to pass on a deer like that.
Tell the truth... did you put the head in bed with you when you got home?? I know it was at least on the floor next to the bed. LMAO.
Post by: buglebuster on November 05, 2015, 08:31:22 AM
He's expensive to know and more so to be friends with....
Tell me about it :bash:
:chuckle:
Post by: Whitpirate on November 05, 2015, 08:32:57 AM
Ummm...I believe it. He also need to touch up on his guesstimating. Him and karl both say just a little ways or not far and its nearly double...I like a good workout but dang...at least come a bit closer on your estimate. :chuckle:If I told the truth then people wouldn't follow. If I can bait with a little white lie like, "its on the other side of that hill", you will be committed to go over that hill. At that point it doesn't matter that its 4 miles on the other side of that hill :chuckle:
Karl is a better guestimate liar than Coach. We call them Wisner miles. If Coach says "its about a mile from the trailhead" plan on 4.
Post by: GUscottie on November 05, 2015, 06:40:23 PM
Congrats! Loved reading your story and seeing you and your friends get some great animals.
Post by: coachcw on November 05, 2015, 06:43:50 PM
Post by: PlateauNDN on November 05, 2015, 06:46:50 PM
Ummm...I believe it. He also need to touch up on his guesstimating. Him and karl both say just a little ways or not far and its nearly double...I like a good workout but dang...at least come a bit closer on your estimate. :chuckle:If I told the truth then people wouldn't follow. If I can bait with a little white lie like, "its on the other side of that hill", you will be committed to go over that hill. At that point it doesn't matter that its 4 miles on the other side of that hill :chuckle:
Karl is a better guestimate liar than Coach. We call them Wisner miles. If Coach says "its about a mile from the trailhead" plan on 4.
:chuckle: That's what I heard scouring the hills with rt, some awesome stories of triumphant, magnificent feats of rt carrying elk and deer over his shoulder like he carries his women all at the same time dragging coach thru thick and thin looking for a roadside bull to shoot. :chuckle:
Post by: coachcw on November 05, 2015, 09:02:20 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 05, 2015, 09:56:43 PM
Karl, I see you are shooting the LR Accubonds...What caliber are you shooting them in? I've been contemplating going to them in my 6.5x284...I've been having great success with the 140's and well, seeing your success this year, I assume it's all about being from the "right" side of the state and shooting the right bullet...I'm running the 190's out of my 300wsm. Velocity is a bit slow but that's where they settled in, so that's where they stay. Shots have been 400, 380, and 60 yards this year and all have produced massive internal damage with a normal sized exit. Damage rivals that of what I saw out of coaches vld's last year, but with an exit. I was really concerned about them blowing up at close range but the 60 yard shot put my mind at ease. Hit a rib on the way in and exited out the meat of the shoulder but didn't hit scapula. I was very pleased at the lack of damage to the shoulder. The lungs were straight up jello though! Wicked bullets!
Congrats! Loved reading your story and seeing you and your friends get some great animals.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 09, 2015, 11:43:45 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 09, 2015, 11:54:39 AM
My strategy when hunting HIGH pressure areas such as this is to think outside the box and to try and go where others dont. Once again this strategy worked. We force marched for about an hour before we hit the country I wanted to scour. Didn't take long before we found a group of cows bedded up. We got Cam set up on my 300wsm and he made a great quartering away shot on this big lead cow. With know one to call for backup, we boned her out and loaded the packs. Dan took a hind quarter, both straps, heart, and both tenderloins. I took both fronts, a hind, and all the neck and rib meat. Up and out we went with two high steppin boys leading the way!!!
This was a wildly fun week of hunting to say the least!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 09, 2015, 11:57:11 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 09, 2015, 12:00:13 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 09, 2015, 12:00:37 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 09, 2015, 12:02:52 PM
Post by: coachcw on November 09, 2015, 12:04:44 PM
Post by: 2MANY on November 09, 2015, 12:09:02 PM
Dave continues to out hunt most on one leg. :)
Glad you are getting it done!!!
Post by: GUscottie on November 09, 2015, 12:20:57 PM
I wonder where that cow gets her hair done?
Dave continues to out hunt most on one leg. :)
Glad you are getting it done!!!
That cow did have some great hair! haha...
Congrats on some more great hunting stories! Almost done for the season I presume??
Post by: buglebuster on November 09, 2015, 12:30:36 PM
And of course I gotta toss in the packout selfie :chuckle:To much background :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 09, 2015, 12:42:23 PM
I wonder where that cow gets her hair done?
Dave continues to out hunt most on one leg. :)
Glad you are getting it done!!!
That cow did have some great hair! haha...
Congrats on some more great hunting stories! Almost done for the season I presume??
Ya I'm almost wrapped up for the season. I'll be in Palouse country with the wife this coming weekend. After that I will be in East Klick for late muzzy. Take off the 25th for some Montana muleys, then after that my wife has a late Khalotus 2nd doe tag. Hopefully I will get a day or two to redeem myself on elk during the late archery season. I've been milking my multi season deer tag for a bit too long, I think it's time to drop the hammer.
Post by: 2MANY on November 09, 2015, 02:28:49 PM
Post by: C-Money on November 09, 2015, 03:42:14 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 12, 2015, 08:22:18 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 12, 2015, 08:33:14 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 12, 2015, 08:45:37 PM
Good luck! Congrats on all the success so far!Thank you sir!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 16, 2015, 02:31:19 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 16, 2015, 09:10:39 PM
Our normal whitetail stomping grounds was hit by Blue Tongue pretty darn hard this year and due to that fact the land owner didn't want us killing anymore deer. With this, we were having to start from scratch on an area we have hunted for over a decade.
Lucky for us, there are some good folks in this world still and we were extended a very generous offer by Bullblaster to crash his home for the weekend and hunt some of his dirt. Let me tell ya, I spend most of my season sleeping in the dirt, eating crap food, and going days, most time a week or more with out a shower, and generally just being half miserable. So to get to stay in a warm bed, eat hot chow, cold beer, and good company was a great change.
Opening morning found two grown men trying to figure out how to use a single serve coffee pot. It's harder than it sounds :chuckle: One legal buck and a hand full of doe's but no shots wrapped up the morning hunt. Momma took a nap, we bs'd hunting and I played with the dogs a bit and then it was back out for the evening. We would be sitting one of Bullblaster's blinds for the evening so a quick stop for candy and some Starbucks for the wife was in order.
Not gonna lie, this was a tough hunt for me. I'm not a sitter. It is a skill which I do not have :chuckle: It was a long few hours but just as he said, about 4pm the deer will start to filter out, and they did. A few doe's, a small spike, and then from the far side of the field, here he comes. Now my wife is a very practical woman. She does not share my love of antlers, but does share my love of venison. If there is a legal deer in front of her, it is in trouble. It took a second to confirm legal status on this little guy but when we did she wasted no time and dropped the hammer. One perfect broadside shot took out the top of the heart and both lungs. He is far from big, but Kattie was happy to be part of filling the family freezer and loves her little buck. Back to the house in time to clean up and go to dinner :IBCOOL:
Can't thank Bullblaster enough for the hospitality and generosity in not only hosting us but letting us hunt his spot. Also in introducing me to that jalapeño cream cheese sauce stuff at that mexican restuarant! That stuff was uuuummmmmazing :chuckle:
If anyone needs any Christmas gift ideas for bullblaster, his wife needs a coffee pot :chuckle:
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 16, 2015, 09:21:24 PM
Post by: Mr Mykiss on November 16, 2015, 09:35:41 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 16, 2015, 09:49:10 PM
Well done!! Was that the last whitetail that was alive in the Palouse?? :'(Na man, there is one more. That's all you need to repopulate an area in a year, when it comes to whitetails :chuckle:
Post by: coop2424 on November 16, 2015, 09:58:43 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 16, 2015, 10:13:56 PM
Congrats to the wife and you... Surprised bullblaster even lets there be coffee in his house.. He must of been trying to impress you guys.. :chuckle: Again congrats!!:chuckle: apparently there are strange humans on this planet who DON'T drink coffee :dunno: who knew....
Post by: coop2424 on November 16, 2015, 10:35:43 PM
Congrats to the wife and you... Surprised bullblaster even lets there be coffee in his house.. He must of been trying to impress you guys.. :chuckle: Again congrats!!:chuckle: apparently there are strange humans on this planet who DON'T drink coffee :dunno: who knew....
They just don't have kids and I think they own stock in red bull. Haha. Crazy world sometimes.. :)
Post by: buglebuster on November 16, 2015, 10:39:42 PM
I don't drink coffee either karl :chuckle:Congrats to the wife and you... Surprised bullblaster even lets there be coffee in his house.. He must of been trying to impress you guys.. :chuckle: Again congrats!!:chuckle: apparently there are strange humans on this planet who DON'T drink coffee :dunno: who knew....
Post by: Ripper on November 17, 2015, 07:07:39 AM
Great write up, thanks for sharing. Congrats to you, your wife and all the other contributors to this thread. You all are truly living the dream. :tup:
Post by: BULLBLASTER on November 17, 2015, 08:11:47 AM
We were glad to have you for the weekend! ...and now like it or not you guys are part of the family. :chuckle:
Now on to the poison... Err... coffee machine. You think a new one would fix our ability to operate it? All a new one would do for us is give more buttons to push to mess it up. :chuckle:
I thought the Starbucks was bad to take in the blind... But almost called off the entire hunt when Kattie started taking selfies in the blind! :yike: that is completely unacceptable.
She made up for it a bit with that perfect shot. Karl, for your sake I hope you never get on her bad side... You won't stand a chance! :chuckle:
Post by: BULLBLASTER on November 17, 2015, 08:16:48 AM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on November 17, 2015, 08:43:56 AM
i knew there had to be another out there!I don't drink coffee either karl :chuckle:Congrats to the wife and you... Surprised bullblaster even lets there be coffee in his house.. He must of been trying to impress you guys.. :chuckle: Again congrats!!:chuckle: apparently there are strange humans on this planet who DON'T drink coffee :dunno: who knew....
Post by: 2MANY on November 17, 2015, 08:51:47 AM
Must be all the clean living and organic meat you two be eatin.
Post by: buglebuster on November 17, 2015, 09:25:04 AM
He makes fun of me because I don't like peanut butter, and I like mayonnaise as well. Just add this to the list hahai knew there had to be another out there!I don't drink coffee either karl :chuckle:Congrats to the wife and you... Surprised bullblaster even lets there be coffee in his house.. He must of been trying to impress you guys.. :chuckle: Again congrats!!:chuckle: apparently there are strange humans on this planet who DON'T drink coffee :dunno: who knew....
Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk
Post by: jstone on November 17, 2015, 09:41:46 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 17, 2015, 08:37:39 PM
Peanut butter is without a doubt, one of mans greatest achievements and has shaped the world as we know it :chuckle:He makes fun of me because I don't like peanut butter, and I like mayonnaise as well. Just add this to the list hahai knew there had to be another out there!I don't drink coffee either karl :chuckle:Congrats to the wife and you... Surprised bullblaster even lets there be coffee in his house.. He must of been trying to impress you guys.. :chuckle: Again congrats!!:chuckle: apparently there are strange humans on this planet who DON'T drink coffee :dunno: who knew....
Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 17, 2015, 08:39:17 PM
Well done Kattie and Karl!I disagree with nothing you just said. Only reason I allowed the selfie is she was the only one of us that was armed :yike: :chuckle:
We were glad to have you for the weekend! ...and now like it or not you guys are part of the family. :chuckle:
Now on to the poison... Err... coffee machine. You think a new one would fix our ability to operate it? All a new one would do for us is give more buttons to push to mess it up. :chuckle:
I thought the Starbucks was bad to take in the blind... But almost called off the entire hunt when Kattie started taking selfies in the blind! :yike: that is completely unacceptable.
She made up for it a bit with that perfect shot. Karl, for your sake I hope you never get on her bad side... You won't stand a chance! :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 17, 2015, 08:41:03 PM
Great looking hunting couple there.Its all her :chuckle:
Must be all the clean living and organic meat you two be eatin.
Post by: buglebuster on November 17, 2015, 08:42:38 PM
You're the selfie king!Well done Kattie and Karl!I disagree with nothing you just said. Only reason I allowed the selfie is she was the only one of us that was armed :yike: :chuckle:
We were glad to have you for the weekend! ...and now like it or not you guys are part of the family. :chuckle:
Now on to the poison... Err... coffee machine. You think a new one would fix our ability to operate it? All a new one would do for us is give more buttons to push to mess it up. :chuckle:
I thought the Starbucks was bad to take in the blind... But almost called off the entire hunt when Kattie started taking selfies in the blind! :yike: that is completely unacceptable.
She made up for it a bit with that perfect shot. Karl, for your sake I hope you never get on her bad side... You won't stand a chance! :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 17, 2015, 08:45:31 PM
I just read this whole thread and I have to tell you, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can only dream of being able to hunt as much as you guy's. I hope that I retire soon, give my body time to heal itself from all the years of working, and work myself into shape enough to scale mountains again. 3 1/2 years to go.............Thank you sir! I'm very lucky that I have enough time with my company that I get 4 weeks of vacation a year, plus I can work for comp time on top of that. Even luckier that I have a wife that is ok with letting me use most of it for hunting :chuckle: She accepts the fact that besides my family, it is the driving factor in my life............and without it I am a miserable *censored* to live with :chuckle:
Great write up, thanks for sharing. Congrats to you, your wife and all the other contributors to this thread. You all are truly living the dream. :tup:
I'm right behind you on retirement too. Only 33 1/2 more years to go :chuckle: :bash: :'(
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 17, 2015, 08:47:55 PM
Yes but packout selfie's are different than starbuck selfies :chuckle:You're the selfie king!Well done Kattie and Karl!I disagree with nothing you just said. Only reason I allowed the selfie is she was the only one of us that was armed :yike: :chuckle:
We were glad to have you for the weekend! ...and now like it or not you guys are part of the family. :chuckle:
Now on to the poison... Err... coffee machine. You think a new one would fix our ability to operate it? All a new one would do for us is give more buttons to push to mess it up. :chuckle:
I thought the Starbucks was bad to take in the blind... But almost called off the entire hunt when Kattie started taking selfies in the blind! :yike: that is completely unacceptable.
She made up for it a bit with that perfect shot. Karl, for your sake I hope you never get on her bad side... You won't stand a chance! :chuckle:
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 26, 2015, 11:01:39 AM
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 26, 2015, 11:06:40 AM
Post by: Bigshooter on November 26, 2015, 01:18:32 PM
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 26, 2015, 05:14:36 PM
Post by: HUNTaHOLIC5 on November 26, 2015, 05:16:51 PM
Post by: buckmaster_wa on November 26, 2015, 05:23:41 PM
Post by: actionshooter on November 26, 2015, 06:21:13 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on November 26, 2015, 06:38:58 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 26, 2015, 08:19:27 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 26, 2015, 08:25:51 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on November 27, 2015, 10:32:08 AM
Post by: coachcw on November 27, 2015, 10:51:27 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 27, 2015, 08:32:24 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 27, 2015, 09:05:30 PM
Post by: lamrith on November 28, 2015, 06:11:04 AM
Buck down!!!! It's a good one! It's also freaking cold!
Tease!! wheres the picts!?
Post by: coachcw on November 28, 2015, 07:32:30 AM
So when you crank your scope up to 16 power, is your reticle supposed to spin with it?!!!?!?!?! :bash:must be a vortex ........ hurry and get on the ziess sale :chuckle:
Post by: rtspring on November 28, 2015, 08:12:43 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 28, 2015, 03:30:26 PM
So I always bring a backup gun on my hunts because you never know what can happen. Like the reticle in your scope rotating when you adjust the power. So with my trusty .243, and a virgin load in the chamber, there I am, out of real estate, with deer that know something is up. I prone out, check yardage, figure out my dope and settle in. Trigger broke clean and the 105gr VLD found its mark! Buck back pedaled in a circle and flopped over dead!
Didn't waste much time because as the sun went down it went from 14° to "oh my god its cold" really fast! I promised a friend I would get him a cape so that was an added chore on top of an already challenging task. Meat and cape froze as I was cutting it off. I post holed my way up and out to the truck where a warm cab and a very tired and excited little boy and my dad were impatiently waiting.
He is gonna tape in the low 160's with one G4 being over 14" :yike: Long drive but an amazingly fun trip with lots of game seen, and quality time with three generations of Blanchard men. Although I'm thankful for the opportunity to take Hunter hunting and teach him about the ways of the mountain, it's also saddening because it should be Aaron taking him out on his first hunt, his first kill, hunters ed, and everything else on his way to being a skilled woodsman.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 28, 2015, 03:35:01 PM
Post by: Bow tech hunter on November 28, 2015, 03:42:29 PM
Post by: coop2424 on November 28, 2015, 06:10:18 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on November 28, 2015, 07:16:23 PM
Post by: Mr Mykiss on November 29, 2015, 11:07:55 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 29, 2015, 08:29:34 PM
You guys are worse than blue tongue on a deer population!!:chuckle: wait until Mrs. Blanchard gets into your unit with her second doe tag on Saturday! Watch out!
Post by: BULLBLASTER on November 29, 2015, 08:41:54 PM
Be careful of Starbucks and selfies on the hunt. watch for the trail of Starbucks cups and sour patch kids wrappers to find out where Karl and his wife hunt! :chuckle:You guys are worse than blue tongue on a deer population!!:chuckle: wait until Mrs. Blanchard gets into your unit with her second doe tag on Saturday! Watch out!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 29, 2015, 09:30:56 PM
Post by: Miles on November 29, 2015, 09:43:15 PM
Post by: PlateauNDN on November 29, 2015, 09:45:52 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 29, 2015, 09:51:07 PM
Karl lied, all his hunts are here in central wa...he's enrolled :yike: :yike: :yike::bash: Thanks for letting the cat out of the bag chief! :chuckle:
Post by: muleyslayer on November 29, 2015, 10:14:16 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2015, 08:41:16 AM
We split up so we could flank the herd. We shadowed them for about an hour. As they fed up Coach's side of the basin, I got comfortable as I was certain I had a front row seat to an elk's final moments. As I sat there freezing my tail off, I hear gun shots from down below in the valley. Elk weren't too excited about that and started to feed back down into the bottom of the basin. Wind was good, we were both hidden from sight but for some reason the whole herd spooks and starts my way. Totally unprepared for the sudden shift in action, I only had a few seconds before my window opened. I could range, or I could draw, but there was no time for both. Sitting on my butt with my legs out in front of me I yanked the bow back just as the first cow came through my saddle. A short whistle brought her to a stop, I settled my 60 pin on the last rib, bubbled up, and the trigger broke clean! That beautiful red light buried in her side! I got glass on her just as the fog engulfed her and my heart sank! It looked like I hit too far back in her flank. I gathered my pack, text Coach, and when I turned around and the fog blew off I saw a 2ft wide trail of blood that went across the ridge and out of sight.
With Aaron's bow in my hand, the moment hit me a bit. Sadness that he wasn't with me, excitement that his bow continues to hunt elk, and anger because he should be the one shooting arrows out of that bow at elk, not me. Coach made it down to me and we found her piled up in a rock slide shortly after. My arrow did in fact find its mark in the back of the ribs and came out the offside shoulder.
The terrain resembled a sheep hunt more than it did an elk hunt. With the loose rock and mud, we made the decision to roll her off the hill instead of boning and trying to get off that mountain with loaded packs. We got her off just as darkness covered us up. We broke her down, and back at the truck the guys took some steaks and we all hit the road.
My schedule didn't give me much time to hunt with the crew this year so I was very thankful to hook up for one last hunt before the season ended.
Heading back to Bullblaster's house this coming weekend to try and find a deer to hang my Washington tag on. Standards are low and I said at the beginning of the season that I was gonna kill a 4pt or else a doe on the last day of the last open season. I've passed on lots of legal bucks this season in Washington looking for a good one so I have no regrets if it comes down to a whitetail doe.
Post by: rtspring on December 08, 2015, 08:53:43 AM
Congrats on a successfull hunt!
We did it the hard way!
GETSUM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2015, 09:12:23 AM
Post by: Axle on December 08, 2015, 09:32:01 AM
Post by: jstone on December 08, 2015, 09:42:05 AM
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 10, 2015, 09:53:20 AM
1) BLRman gets it done...hat's off
2) BULLBLASTER doesn't drink coffee...dude WTH? Not liking pickles was bad enough :yike:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2015, 10:04:07 AM
Okay, many takeaways from this thread. A few that stand out to me.I try not to judge but sometimes it's very difficult :chuckle:
1) BLRman gets it done...hat's off
2) BULLBLASTER doesn't drink coffee...dude WTH? Not liking pickles was bad enough :yike:
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 10, 2015, 10:12:59 AM
Post by: coop2424 on December 10, 2015, 12:11:53 PM
Okay, many takeaways from this thread. A few that stand out to me.I try not to judge but sometimes it's very difficult :chuckle:
1) BLRman gets it done...hat's off
2) BULLBLASTER doesn't drink coffee...dude WTH? Not liking pickles was bad enough :yike:
With Chris it is ok to judge... :-) I just shake my head and carry on and then he looks at me and opens his giant red bull and it is like 5am.. Haha
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2015, 12:30:56 PM
Then washes it down with another redbullOkay, many takeaways from this thread. A few that stand out to me.I try not to judge but sometimes it's very difficult :chuckle:
1) BLRman gets it done...hat's off
2) BULLBLASTER doesn't drink coffee...dude WTH? Not liking pickles was bad enough :yike:
With Chris it is ok to judge... :-) I just shake my head and carry on and then he looks at me and opens his giant red bull and it is like 5am.. Haha
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2015, 04:09:10 PM
Okay, many takeaways from this thread. A few that stand out to me.HOLD UP!!!!!!! He doesn't like pickles!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!! :dunno: I don't even feel like I know this guy :yike: I let him stay in my home even :yike:
1) BLRman gets it done...hat's off
2) BULLBLASTER doesn't drink coffee...dude WTH? Not liking pickles was bad enough :yike:
:yike:
:yike:
:chuckle:
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 10, 2015, 04:10:10 PM
It really confused me :chuckle: I think what I asked was, "how do you not like pickles?" :dunno:
Post by: coop2424 on December 10, 2015, 09:04:49 PM
Post by: coachcw on December 10, 2015, 09:13:45 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 10, 2015, 09:29:00 PM
You guys wouldnt know what to do without without me. :yike:
And coffee and pickles... That's all poison anyways. Now red bull.... That is the nectar of the gods.
Coach will you be my new friend? :tup:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2015, 10:09:08 PM
Finish strong Lil buddy ! I'm not sad that's the last mountain for a few months !Heck you barely broke a sweat on Sunday :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2015, 10:10:04 PM
All you guys are really something else. :chuckle:Hey back off! I already claimed him >:(
You guys wouldnt know what to do without without me. :yike:
And coffee and pickles... That's all poison anyways. Now red bull.... That is the nectar of the gods.
Coach will you be my new friend? :tup:
:chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2015, 10:10:46 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 14, 2015, 05:30:21 PM
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 14, 2015, 05:39:19 PM
All you guys are really something else. :chuckle:Hey back off! I already claimed him >:(
You guys wouldnt know what to do without without me. :yike:
And coffee and pickles... That's all poison anyways. Now red bull.... That is the nectar of the gods.
Coach will you be my new friend? :tup:
:chuckle:
:o Ummmmmmm......so I guess I'm glad I didn't show up sunday??? :bdid:
:chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 14, 2015, 09:36:40 PM
Nice spacingAll you guys are really something else. :chuckle:Hey back off! I already claimed him >:(
You guys wouldnt know what to do without without me. :yike:
And coffee and pickles... That's all poison anyways. Now red bull.... That is the nectar of the gods.
Coach will you be my new friend? :tup:
:chuckle:
:o Ummmmmmm......so I guess I'm glad I didn't show up sunday??? :bdid:
:chuckle:
:chuckle: 8)
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 14, 2015, 10:07:04 PM
With time winding down, I made my way back over to Spokane on an invitation from Bullblaster to crash his house, and his blind. Now I gotta say, this was the toughest hunt I have had all year!!!! For those of you who have hunted with me or know me, know that I CANNOT sit still for more than about 5 seconds unless I have a tripod in front of me with some sort of an optic attached to it :chuckle: So to sit in a ground blind for two days was one of the most difficult things I have done hunting that I can remember. I learned a good trick from Bullblaster though, fall asleep, then periodically wake up and sure enough, there are the deer :chuckle: Only problem was I had the "shooter" stool, which is a code word for the crappy chair that knowone wants to sit in :chuckle:
So a long story short, here we are, its sunday, hawks game is about to start, Im starving, I have to crap like know ones business but there are some fawns and a few spikes feeding by the blind :bash: I tell Bullblaster that the next doe that shows her face is getting a savora in her side. Sure enough, here she comes. Its super doe! Mature nanny that Bullblaster had cam pics of. Target aquired 8) So she strolls right into 22 yards but the darn fawns are running a screen for her. Deer get jumpy and start to move, I draw, she stops to look back, I guess it for 30 yards, bubble up and that beautiful red light buries in her side! She takes off on a death run and is piled up inside 100 yards :IBCOOL:
We high five'd and I went running for the bushes :yike: With the Pipeline pizza ordered and the Seahawks about to start, we make quick work of cleaning her up. Pizza was pretty good, Seahawks were even better, but these cinnamon pizza stick things that we got with our order absolutely blew my freaking mind :yike: :yike: :IBCOOL: :yike: :IBCOOL: :tup: :drool: :yike: I don't know if they were sprinkled with crack or what but lord have mercy :chuckle:
All in all, it was a pretty awesome weekend to wrap up the season. Got to share a fun hunt with a good friend. Ate more amazing mexican food from the place I am forbiden to mention the name of :chuckle: and filled the last tag left in my pocket with a tasty deer that I'm as proud of as any of my other bucks from this season.
On my way home I stopped to pay a visit to Aaron at the Veterans Cemetary in Medical Lake. I haven't made it there since hunting season began and I needed a little bro time and I also needed to deliver his rocks. I bring him a small stone from the kill site of all my animals. Feels like I'm bringing him a little piece of the hunt. I also left him the bloody arrow from my deer :chuckle: That arrow zipped through both my elk and my deer this year and of course it was launched out of his Hoyt.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 14, 2015, 10:09:43 PM
Post by: LittleJohn on December 15, 2015, 06:12:27 AM
Thanks for taking me along with you, One of the best post of the year IMHO :tup: :tup:
If you get bored come on over to MT and do some wolf hunting with me :tup:
Post by: buglebuster on December 15, 2015, 07:03:02 AM
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 15, 2015, 07:32:27 AM
Thanks for the awesome thread. I am already looking forward to next year's :tup:
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 15, 2015, 07:50:22 AM
Post by: coop2424 on December 15, 2015, 08:06:24 AM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 15, 2015, 08:21:25 AM
Again great shooting! Glad I was there to watch the mad scramble for the tp and out the blind door to the bushes.
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 15, 2015, 08:22:40 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 15, 2015, 09:01:19 AM
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 15, 2015, 09:02:33 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 15, 2015, 09:18:18 AM
You're a young man, you aren't supposed to have these problems :chuckle:I have an insanely high metabolism. When it's time to go, it's time to go! :chuckle:
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 15, 2015, 11:35:35 AM
That or super doe may have been a bit too much excitement for you to handle!!??You're a young man, you aren't supposed to have these problems :chuckle:I have an insanely high metabolism. When it's time to go, it's time to go! :chuckle:
I'm surprised anything came around with how the blind smelled that morning.
:chuckle: can't even blame the Mexican food because I ate the same and wasn't doin the prairie dog scramble like you.
Still not sure if you were more excited about killing he deer or being able to take a crap. :sry:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 15, 2015, 02:14:59 PM
Oh definitely more excited about hitting the bushes :chuckle:That or super doe may have been a bit too much excitement for you to handle!!??You're a young man, you aren't supposed to have these problems :chuckle:I have an insanely high metabolism. When it's time to go, it's time to go! :chuckle:
I'm surprised anything came around with how the blind smelled that morning.
:chuckle: can't even blame the Mexican food because I ate the same and wasn't doin the prairie dog scramble like you.
Still not sure if you were more excited about killing he deer or being able to take a crap. :sry:
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 15, 2015, 02:35:44 PM
That or super doe may have been a bit too much excitement for you to handle!!??
Those whitetail does can really get the heart pumping.
Still not sure if you were more excited about killing he deer or being able to take a crap. :sry:
Sounds like when you glassed for about 13 seconds at first light before high tailing it to the brush :lol4:
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 15, 2015, 02:38:18 PM
Couldn't be! I would never do such a thing!!! Except maybe most weekends in the fall.That or super doe may have been a bit too much excitement for you to handle!!??
Those whitetail does can really get the heart pumping.Still not sure if you were more excited about killing he deer or being able to take a crap. :sry:
Sounds like when you glassed for about 13 seconds at first light before high tailing it to the brush :lol4:
I think I bombed that mile section of road a total of 5-7 times between moose scouting and hunting last year! :chuckle:
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 15, 2015, 02:52:01 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 16, 2015, 07:36:09 PM
Days in the field: 54
Number of states hunted: 4
Mountain house eaten: 36
Miles driven: 13,131
Nights sleeping on the ground: 29
Nights sleeping in the truck: 8
Number of animals taken by me: 1 elk
4 deer
Number of misses: Bow 1
Gun 0
Number of 1 shot kills: 5
Inches of antler: 509"
Now for the important numbers. The number of packages of meat in my freezer :IBCOOL:
>19 roasts
>103pkgs burger
>60pkgs Bacon burger
>92pkgs steaks
>25pkgs Italian Sausage
>50lbs Summer Sausage
All in all it was one of the most amazing seasons I can remember. Took some fantastic animals, hunted with many friends, new and old. For the core group of my deer partners, we took 1 buck over 180, two more over 175, and 4 more over 160. I got to hunt with my wife. Helped a youngster kill his first elk. Successfully tested a couple new bullets and some new pieces of gear. I filled my freezer, along with meat for my mom and my sister in law. I tested myself physically as well as mentally. Most of all I had one hell of a good time!
My goal next season is to take more pictures (for my huntwa fam). Break 60 field days. 650" of antler :chuckle:
Thank you everyone for following along, and for all the words of encouragement. Hope everyone enjoyed the poor photography and bad grammar :chuckle:
Post by: coachcw on December 16, 2015, 07:44:55 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 16, 2015, 07:48:54 PM
Hey pal the season is over snap out of it ! The season is over .... BTW if you just kill on 380 plus bull 650 is doable ! LolTrust me I know! Its like a bad dream :chuckle: I pull that tag and we will find some elk bone
Post by: buglebuster on December 16, 2015, 10:09:21 PM
Total $$ spent! :chuckle:
Just messing man, you had one hell of a year! Can't wait to put some muleys on the ground with you next year :tup:
Post by: Reidus on December 16, 2015, 10:17:14 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2015, 07:38:35 AM
Some people drink. Some people smoke. Some people gamble. Some people drop $700 a month on a truck payment. Some people have 10k dollar snowmobiles, motorcycles, or ski boats. Gotta spend money on a hobby of some sort. Mine just puts 500 pounds of meat in my freezer. $300 a month over the course of a year is pretty good if you ask me :tup:
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 17, 2015, 07:40:12 AM
Number of misses: Bow 1
Gun 0
Wasn't it 1 elk, 3 times? :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2015, 07:47:25 AM
:yeah: it's a worthy vice :tup: Let me start off by saying, you're the man. Great year and I look forward to next year's thread and stories. :tup:Oh snap! I completely forgot about that debacle! I better edit the tally. Do they count as a miss if it was an equipment failure though?
Number of misses: Bow 1
Gun 0
Wasn't it 1 elk, 3 times? :chuckle:
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 17, 2015, 07:48:37 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2015, 07:52:50 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2015, 08:17:16 AM
Utah archery mule deer in the Wasatch range when I can fit it in
Disabled Veterans deer hunt in Oregon Oct 1-5
Idaho deer the 3rd or 4th week of October (2 tags)
Colorado 3rd season deer
Washington stuff to fill the gaps
Obviously these are all subject to a few draws that may pop up. RT may screw up all my plans with his possible idaho veterans tag. I'd give back most tags in order to tag along on a unit 40 tag though :IBCOOL:
Post by: Reidus on December 17, 2015, 09:02:19 AM
Looks like you need to add a couple elk trips to your 2016 schedule.
Washington stuff to fill the gaps is how I roll too.
Only 9ish more months :drool:
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 17, 2015, 09:04:23 AM
You need to start a thread, "GearFest 2016" to help you ramp up to "DeerFest 2016"
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2015, 09:26:32 AM
Washington stuff to fill the gaps :chuckle:I'm actually looking at a pretty smooth year gear wise coming up. Maybe a Kifaru super tarp but that will be it. I'm going with more tags vs. gear upgrades this year.
You need to start a thread, "GearFest 2016" to help you ramp up to "DeerFest 2016"
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2015, 09:29:07 AM
Price wise that don't seem to bad. I've always been scared to figure out what it costs me.It's probably more than that honestly. I try not to keep track. I have a dedicated bank account and debit card for all my hunting expenses. If it runs out, I stop :chuckle:
Looks like you need to add a couple elk trips to your 2016 schedule.
Washington stuff to fill the gaps is how I roll too.
Only 9ish more months :drool:
Dude I want to do more elk hunts so bad but I'm a full fledged mule deer junkie so I can't bring myself to axe a deer hunt to go shoot elk.
Post by: Reidus on December 17, 2015, 09:55:05 AM
Washington stuff to fill the gaps :chuckle:I'm actually looking at a pretty smooth year gear wise coming up. Maybe a Kifaru super tarp but that will be it. I'm going with more tags vs. gear upgrades this year.
You need to start a thread, "GearFest 2016" to help you ramp up to "DeerFest 2016"
I always think that and end up finding more stuff "I need". There's been so many deals lately, it's hard to not buy gear.
Weren't you looking at getting a new scope too?
I find it hard to give up a September Elk hunt for an archery deer hunt. One of these years I'm going to do a high country archery muley hunt.
For the most part I elk hunt september and focus on deer in later Oct/Nov.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2015, 10:43:33 AM
:chuckle: I always say that too but as I was putting stuff away this week :'( I was taking inventory and I'm at that point where I need to purge some gear actually. I need a few odds and ends small stuff but that's it. And ya, a new dang scope too :bash:Washington stuff to fill the gaps :chuckle:I'm actually looking at a pretty smooth year gear wise coming up. Maybe a Kifaru super tarp but that will be it. I'm going with more tags vs. gear upgrades this year.
You need to start a thread, "GearFest 2016" to help you ramp up to "DeerFest 2016"
I always think that and end up finding more stuff "I need". There's been so many deals lately, it's hard to not buy gear.
Weren't you looking at getting a new scope too?
I find it hard to give up a September Elk hunt for an archery deer hunt. One of these years I'm going to do a high country archery muley hunt.
For the most part I elk hunt september and focus on deer in later Oct/Nov.
Post by: buglebuster on December 17, 2015, 11:01:51 AM
Purge that $h!t my way :chuckle::chuckle: I always say that too but as I was putting stuff away this week :'( I was taking inventory and I'm at that point where I need to purge some gear actually. I need a few odds and ends small stuff but that's it. And ya, a new dang scope too :bash:Washington stuff to fill the gaps :chuckle:I'm actually looking at a pretty smooth year gear wise coming up. Maybe a Kifaru super tarp but that will be it. I'm going with more tags vs. gear upgrades this year.
You need to start a thread, "GearFest 2016" to help you ramp up to "DeerFest 2016"
I always think that and end up finding more stuff "I need". There's been so many deals lately, it's hard to not buy gear.
Weren't you looking at getting a new scope too?
I find it hard to give up a September Elk hunt for an archery deer hunt. One of these years I'm going to do a high country archery muley hunt.
For the most part I elk hunt september and focus on deer in later Oct/Nov.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2015, 11:38:34 AM
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 17, 2015, 11:53:07 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2015, 11:57:20 AM
I'm not sure what my wife hates more. Me buying new gear or selling it for pennies on the dollar :chuckle:I traded a spotting scope for a years worth of eggs once. That went over quite well :chuckle: of course now I hold my nose at everything but farm fresh eggs :chuckle:
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 17, 2015, 11:58:38 AM
:whoo:
Post by: coop2424 on December 17, 2015, 09:06:47 PM
I'm not sure what my wife hates more. Me buying new gear or selling it for pennies on the dollar :chuckle:I traded a spotting scope for a years worth of eggs once. That went over quite well :chuckle: of course now I hold my nose at everything but farm fresh eggs :chuckle:
That's to funny my wife was trying to get me to trade some reloading stuff to the neighbor for chicken eggs.. I told her she was crazy..
Post by: mikelonsford on December 18, 2015, 06:27:05 PM
Congrats!!!
Mike