Post by: X-Force on June 10, 2016, 09:05:12 AM
Avalanche Gorge!!! :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL:
Awesome year.
He also drew a Buck tag
Sinlahikin
Post by: PolarBear on June 10, 2016, 09:05:51 AM
Post by: Buckewe on June 10, 2016, 09:08:32 AM
Post by: Tbar on June 10, 2016, 09:09:50 AM
Post by: blacktailer on June 10, 2016, 10:27:59 AM
Post by: saylean on June 10, 2016, 10:40:01 AM
Post by: X-Force on June 10, 2016, 10:43:22 AM
Congrats. Hope he makes the best of a great tag....
I am confident he can and will. He has been a "thru
Post by: sjhgraysage on June 10, 2016, 11:16:29 AM
I have no idea what to expect at this point, hoping to hear from previous tag holders maybe.
Post by: Ridgerunner on June 10, 2016, 12:03:40 PM
AG is a top notch unit. Congrats to you lucky tag holders.
Post by: elkrack on June 10, 2016, 12:07:04 PM
Post by: Curly on June 10, 2016, 12:09:49 PM
Post by: Wea300mag on June 10, 2016, 04:27:45 PM
Post by: bearpaw on June 10, 2016, 04:42:51 PM
Post by: sjhgraysage on July 20, 2016, 09:54:47 AM
Also I'm waiting for Leupold to send back the scope I had them add the CDS system to so I can get back to the range for more shooting.
From what I hear there is still quite a bit of snow on the Mt Baker areas so I'm holding off on a scouting trip hoping for better conditions soon.
Any one have any Avalanche Gorge updates?
Post by: X-Force on July 20, 2016, 07:55:17 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on July 22, 2016, 08:55:10 AM
Post by: X-Force on July 26, 2016, 11:48:37 AM
The trail in was slick and steep in spots.
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on July 26, 2016, 04:57:05 PM
Post by: X-Force on August 22, 2016, 10:16:01 PM
Saturday was a perfect day to be up there. Saw some animals but the big billies seem to be really high or really low. Either way I haven't gotten close enough to judge any of them.
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 23, 2016, 07:31:07 AM
Post by: sjhgraysage on August 23, 2016, 03:30:58 PM
Yes meeting X-Force was a highlight of the day for me, he's a great guy.
It was a very nice day up there, almost to nice. I about ran out of water before I got out.
Nice to be able to see some goats!
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on August 23, 2016, 03:32:33 PM
Thanks X-Force!
Yes meeting X-Force was a highlight of the day for me, he's a great guy.
It was a very nice day up there, almost to nice. I about ran out of water before I got out.
Nice to be able to see some goats!
WAS THE SNOW ALL GONE UP THERE?
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on August 23, 2016, 03:37:48 PM
Post by: sjhgraysage on August 23, 2016, 03:38:30 PM
Post by: X-Force on August 29, 2016, 03:41:25 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on August 29, 2016, 03:57:54 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on August 30, 2016, 08:46:50 PM
Post by: saylean on August 30, 2016, 08:51:22 PM
Post by: csaaphill on September 01, 2016, 01:43:26 AM
Post by: GoldenOscar on September 24, 2016, 02:40:33 PM
Post by: REHJWA on September 24, 2016, 04:21:32 PM
Post by: sjhgraysage on September 26, 2016, 11:40:52 AM
The weather was nice but then it was going to be rainy and foggy so we packed out.
Post by: X-Force on September 27, 2016, 12:49:40 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on September 27, 2016, 05:40:08 PM
Post by: shanevg on October 03, 2016, 02:37:12 PM
Post by: hillbillyhunting on October 03, 2016, 04:08:46 PM
Post by: X-Force on October 05, 2016, 10:50:25 AM
Post by: Jpmiller on October 05, 2016, 10:52:34 AM
Post by: shanevg on October 05, 2016, 11:45:58 AM
Nothing on the ground yet. We had a great weekend and a really fun camp. My dad had all of his boys and son in law up with him enjoying the sun, rain, snow and lots of goat sightings. We are working on getting back up there this weekend.
Thanks for the update! Good luck this weekend!
Post by: X-Force on October 06, 2016, 11:48:27 AM
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA
753 AM PDT THU OCT 6 2016
WAZ567-568-070000-
CASCADES OF WHATCOM AND SKAGIT COUNTIES-
CASCADES OF SNOHOMISH AND KING COUNTIES-
753 AM PDT THU OCT 6 2016
...6 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW EXPECTED OVER THE NORTH CASCADES ABOVE
6000 FEET TONIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING...
STEADY PRECIPITATION WILL SPREAD INTO THE NORTH CASCADES AFTER
SUNSET THIS EVENING...BECOMING INTENSE DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS
TONIGHT. WITH A FORECAST SNOW LEVEL NEAR 6000 FEET...THIS WILL
AMOUNT TO MODERATE AND HEAVY SNOW AMOUNTS FOR HIGH ELEVATIONS.
FROM TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...6 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED ABOVE 6000 FEET FROM THE GLACIER PEAK AREA NORTH TO THE
CANADIAN BORDER...INCLUDING HARTS PASS.
THOSE VENTURING INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY...INCLUDING HIKERS ALONG THE
PACIFIC CREST TRAIL...NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR THIS EARLY SEASON
SNOW OVER THE HIGH COUNTRY.
$$
WWW.WEATHER.GOV/SEATTLE
Post by: X-Force on October 06, 2016, 12:30:53 PM
The hike in was a lot of fun. Its not easy with lots of optics, wood stoves, and a 4 days worth of food but we had great conversations and awesome views.
We got to camp and had a Nanny and Kid just up from us and a lone goat around the corner but he/she was very elusive.
Post by: X-Force on October 06, 2016, 12:33:36 PM
Im not totally sold on the stoves yet but it is nice to be able to get warm and dry out a little.
Post by: X-Force on October 06, 2016, 12:35:45 PM
Post by: X-Force on October 06, 2016, 12:46:39 PM
After camp got situated the weather rolled in and we make a break for lower elevations in hope of getting out of the clouds.
We dropped 500' or 600' elevation but we weren't seeing goats like we expected so my dad and Saylean turned back for camp.
Post by: X-Force on October 06, 2016, 01:04:54 PM
After about 30 minutes or so i looked back to where we split up and there was a goat walking through the same meadow.
I grabbed everything and tried to close the distance to get a better look but by the time I got there the goat gave me the slip.
Instead of heading back up the same way I came down and potentially bumping the goat, I opted to head straight up hill to camp up a nasty goat trail. It was ugly and I didn't get any photos of the assent but it wasn't pleasant at all.
We never did find that goat even though he/she was less than 400 yards from camp.
Post by: X-Force on October 06, 2016, 01:43:18 PM
We climbed out of the hole we camped in and found multiple groups of goats but couldn't find a lone billy.
We did end up finding a lone nanny and watched her for 20-30 minutes.
my dad didn't like the hike out of the hole so we took a different route back down which wasn't as steep but it was very thick.
Monday we woke up to fog soup and didn't do anything but eat breakfast, pack up and pack out.
Post by: shanevg on October 07, 2016, 10:23:05 AM
Post by: Machias on October 07, 2016, 10:25:47 AM
Post by: elkrack on October 07, 2016, 10:32:57 AM
Post by: whacker1 on October 07, 2016, 02:11:01 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on October 07, 2016, 02:20:06 PM
Awesome photos, good luck!!!:yeah: :tup:
Post by: saylean on October 07, 2016, 10:37:00 PM
Post by: saylean on October 12, 2016, 05:42:27 PM
Post by: wheels on October 12, 2016, 06:25:48 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on October 12, 2016, 08:41:26 PM
Post by: Curly on October 12, 2016, 08:45:16 PM
Post by: elkrack on October 13, 2016, 01:02:05 AM
Post by: blacktailer on October 13, 2016, 03:23:36 PM
Post by: Falcon on October 13, 2016, 04:26:17 PM
Bring on the pics :drool:
Post by: bulldogs40 on October 13, 2016, 09:21:32 PM
Post by: Machias on October 14, 2016, 04:16:56 AM
Post by: Jpmiller on October 14, 2016, 11:14:06 AM
Post by: X-Force on October 14, 2016, 12:56:09 PM
We got to the trail head Sunday morning 0630 and it was pea soup so instead of jaunting down the trail Saylean and I caught a couple more minutes shut eye and waited for our dad, brother and brother in law to show up.
Hikes in with a group of people is always fun, lots of banter back an forth and lots of antipcation for the clouds to clear. Around 1030 the clouds began to lift and we could pick out a few goats here and their off in the distance.
Our goal for Sunday was to find a camp spot and start picking apart the country.
Post by: X-Force on October 14, 2016, 01:17:26 PM
The goat was 1,200 yards line of sight and 500' lower in elevation.
Saylean stayed back with our little brother to continue to glass the area. Our dad, myself and B-I-L headed toward the goat. Side hilling wasn't easy and we were going up and down draws, across boulder fields and closed to within 375 yards.
The goat left his bed and went into a draw on the backside of the hill and no one could see it for about 30 minutes. After feeding the goat went back to the same bed and started kicking dirt around. Man these animals are fun to watch!
Our Dad didn't feel comfortable with 375 yards so we worked out a plan to get within 200. As he was working to within range the goat must have spotted him or heard him coming because at about 225 yards out the goat stood up and walked off.
The fog rolled back in and everyone sat in limbo for 20 minutes waiting to see if the goat was coming back to its bed or if we could find it some where else on the hill. We all came up empty.
It was about 430 and my little brother just shot a bear 1000' below and a mile from camp so my dad and BIL went back to finish setting up camp. I wanted to wait until the bear was deboned and ready to pack out :chuckle: so I stayed and glassed for another hour before dropping elevation to help.
I spotted another goat worth looking at but he was almost 2 miles from camp and we had already put on 7 miles (plus whatever elevation) that day so putting a stalk on him was not in the cards.
Post by: X-Force on October 14, 2016, 01:28:01 PM
Everyone finally got ready and with the heavy clouds we split up to cover more country.
I doubled back the way we came in and tried to glass as much country as possible but with fog rolling in and out and flurries coming in waves it was difficult.
I ended up coming upon a covey of ptarmigan in winter plumage. Beautiful birds and my photos don't do them a justice.
Post by: X-Force on October 14, 2016, 01:35:11 PM
We all close in on Saylean and the goat disappears... its incredible how they can find little nooks and crannies in areas you just cant access.
The clouds never really lifted until just before dark. By this time everyone was ready for hot food and a warm tent.
The temperature up there would drop rapidly as soon as the sun went down... Within minutes it seemed like the wind would pick up and you were bundling up as fast as possible.
Post by: X-Force on October 14, 2016, 01:48:13 PM
Everyone commented on how much food they packed and how much they were going to eat for breakfast...
By 0900 camp was broke and we were going to glass/hunt our way back to the trailhead.
My BIL decided to check his phone for cell service and wouldn't you know it... My mom said the weather is looking bad after Wednesday so stay out another night.
I was basically out of food... So was everyone else because we ate everything we had left for breakfast!
Post by: X-Force on October 14, 2016, 01:54:50 PM
Since camp was already packed up we all decided to move to a different area.
We found a couple different goats but nothing we could close distance on.
Saylean and LB hit the trail with excess gear and bear in tow.
Post by: X-Force on October 14, 2016, 02:06:16 PM
Post by: jackelope on October 14, 2016, 02:27:51 PM
The trail in this unit is a hikers highway. Even in the middle of the week or in bad weather there were people all along the trail. We ran into a couple people who were standoffish but a couple pieces of bear summer sausage and talking to them about the meat we get and the effort we put into that meat and most seemed to be more accepting of what we were doing up there.
Way to be the diplomatic type. It's important for us hunters to act that way.
:tup:
Edit. I couldn't help but notice that you're not online as I type this. How dare you leave us hanging like that.
On with it!!!
Post by: X-Force on October 14, 2016, 02:34:20 PM
The morning was fairly slow, we couldn't locate any goats in a stalkable positions, we had nannys and kids near camp but all we could do was sit and glass.
Around 9 am we found a goat 750' below us and almost a half mile away. I stayed high to keep an eye on the situation while Dad and BIL went to cut off the goat as it worked its way out of the canyon. They worked down to a chute as the goat closed distance, 275, 230... then it went behind some glacial till and up the backside of hill.
At 99 yards and a perfect broadside shot is all it took!
Post by: Jpmiller on October 14, 2016, 02:42:45 PM
Post by: X-Force on October 14, 2016, 02:51:13 PM
We got busy photos, sharing laughs checking out our trophy, etc.. These animals are awesome, horns are so unique, great hides, its hard to focus because you just want to sit an marvel.
Then the real work began. My dad decided on a rug so we started that process, and with 3 guys deboning was pretty easy. Everyone gravitated toward a job and we went to work.
By 2 my dad was loaded up with the hide and heading back to camp, BIL and I worked on finishing up deboning and loading up all our miscellaneous items.
By 4 we were all back at camp and took the time to make one last hot meal along with some goat tenderloin fried and fat. We brought salt, pepper, steak seasoning, and garlic salt so we tried a little of everything. The meat is tougher than deer or elk but its flavor was awesome. We ate a tenderloin, packed up camp and got to the trail 520.
The weather was already turning, winds had picked up around 3 and clouds started rolling in before that.
It was bitter cold with biting wind but with a big grin on our faces we slogged all the gear, meat, etc. back to the trailhead.
Our adventure was over but the memories will last a lifetime.
Post by: X-Force on October 14, 2016, 03:09:34 PM
Post by: saylean on October 14, 2016, 07:02:40 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 30, 2016, 09:13:27 AM
Post by: fish vacuum on November 21, 2016, 02:28:51 AM
Post by: actionshooter on November 21, 2016, 10:04:56 AM
Post by: lokidog on November 21, 2016, 12:02:27 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on November 21, 2016, 12:04:11 PM
Post by: ElkBOW79 on November 21, 2016, 07:34:12 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on November 21, 2016, 08:00:51 PM
Post by: RB on November 25, 2016, 09:40:16 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on November 27, 2016, 09:44:51 AM