Post by: jkthomps on September 08, 2016, 01:29:24 PM
Due to a crazy past couple of weeks and months, some unfortunate and fortunate events (deaths and births), I will be running solo this elk season. I will be hooking the trailer up tonight, loading it up, and heading out tomorrow afternoon. Being solo and with influence from my wife, I decided to kind of cheat this year and reserved a camp spot at Camp Kalama. My wife said she would feel better knowing I was in a RV Campground, and given the unfortunate deaths we have had in my family the past few weeks, I won’t argue with her this year. Besides, full hookups = warm showers, hot meals, dryness, and elk hunting at its finest hahaha. I will definitely have to go back to the backcountry next year to make up for this year, maybe lol. Heck, I might even be able to hunt hard in the mornings and fish for salmon in the afternoons! We will see!
I am just glad that my wife encouraged me to still head out. I was so close to just bagging my plans, but with time spent with @DaveMonti and @Bow_mon hanging out, tuning my bows and spending money on new gear, and with my wife encouraging me to stay on track, I am glad I did not bag my trip. Sure, I feel bad that she will be home with our two little ones and new puppy, but she said she knows how much I need this time right now and bagging my trip was not an option. She also reminded me that she has to deal with me on a daily basis, so the puppy and kids will be a cake walk; wait, maybe she is trying to tell me something there lol. I am pretty lucky, even though she doesn’t hunt and wouldn’t hurt a living thing, she is pretty amazing and I count my blessings every day I see her smile back at me. Not to mention our kids get their looks from her, so she has that going too.
I should be able to update this, my first official Hunt-Washington Elk Hunting thread, nightly. That is if I get back to camp and have internet. I am packing my cameras and tripods as well, so hopefully I will be able to share my experience with everyone. I am not as good as others at taking photos and videos, so you might see a lot of blurry bigfoot photos, but it will be fun for sure. Who knows, maybe I will surprise you guys.
If anyone is hunting in or around the Weyerhaeuser Longview – St. Helens permit area and needs a hand or wants to try and meet up, feel free to send me a PM. I will be up there the 10th - 17th. I have the motorized vehicle pass for down there and don’t mind helping out where I can. I know the area pretty well. If you happen to see me on the roads or in the campsite, stop by and say hi! Silver F150 – Coug Plates.
Good Luck!
Jim
Post by: Rainier10 on September 08, 2016, 01:33:05 PM
I hope you enjoy your time in the field.
Be safe and give updates when you can.
Post by: jkthomps on September 08, 2016, 01:37:49 PM
You and I had some losses this year, but we have a lot to live for. You know you are raising your kids right when they out hunt you ;)
Hope to see some great photos and threads of your buddy's elk!
Post by: DaveMonti on September 08, 2016, 02:00:21 PM
Dave
Post by: Bow_mon on September 08, 2016, 02:14:18 PM
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Post by: jkthomps on September 08, 2016, 02:19:09 PM
Be Safe Jimmy! You're not in your mid 20s anymore! Text updates when you get a chance and best of luck to all!
Dave
You know it! Thanks!
Post by: jkthomps on September 08, 2016, 02:20:18 PM
Good luck out there jkthomps, have a great time, safe trip and I hope you find yourself in the middle of a herd that is overly vocal. Looking forward to the reports.
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I will also do some serious testing on the packs! I am curious how well this Cabelas Instinct 63L will hold up out there.
Post by: coachcw on September 08, 2016, 02:48:21 PM
Post by: jackelope on September 08, 2016, 02:49:05 PM
I sent you a text....wish I would have known you were an archery guy.
Have fun.
:tup:
Post by: TheHunt on September 08, 2016, 02:59:05 PM
Post by: jkthomps on September 08, 2016, 03:03:18 PM
Sorry for your loss, dude.
I sent you a text....wish I would have known you were an archery guy.
Have fun.
:tup:
Thanks! We will have all year to plan out next year :tup:
Post by: jkthomps on September 08, 2016, 03:14:14 PM
Good luck, I will be hunting the some of the units close to you. I will PM you my phone number if you get something down and need some help let me know.
Awesome, thank you! I can return the favor if you get one down too. Just let me know.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 08, 2016, 03:25:16 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on September 08, 2016, 03:30:35 PM
Nuff said. :tup:
Post by: jkthomps on September 08, 2016, 03:39:03 PM
Tagging along! Good luck, be safe, shoot straight, but most importantly....have fun! Oh and go cougs :chuckle:
You too man! I know you will get it done!
Go Cougs! :tup:
Post by: jkthomps on September 08, 2016, 03:41:37 PM
Don't leave elk to go find easier elk and never give up, pain is temporary.
Nuff said. :tup:
and your other quote is accurate also, "I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it." :chuckle:
Post by: Rainier10 on September 08, 2016, 03:59:42 PM
Exactly! :tup:Don't leave elk to go find easier elk and never give up, pain is temporary.
Nuff said. :tup:
and your other quote is accurate also, "I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it." :chuckle:
Post by: dyhardhuntr on September 08, 2016, 04:33:29 PM
Post by: jkthomps on September 08, 2016, 05:35:42 PM
I live and hunt in the Kalama area. If you get one down and need a hand I'll be glad to help! Good luck! :tup:Awesome, thanks!
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Post by: csaaphill on September 08, 2016, 10:36:27 PM
Post by: jkthomps on September 08, 2016, 11:26:05 PM
:yike: missed it I guess so sorry to hear. But yeah go get em. Maybe I get the clown pics now :chuckle:Haha, I didn't even put those together either but makes sense now. Hopefully I don't run across any of those out there lol. I didn't post about the deaths, only a couple guys on here knew and they were awesome at keeping me upright. It has just been crazy lately. I keep my sanity because of this forum :) They say that things happen in threes, so I should be good after these past few weeks. Knock on wood.
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Post by: BGLEMIN on September 09, 2016, 06:11:16 AM
Post by: DaveMonti on September 09, 2016, 06:56:38 AM
They say that things happen in threes, so I should be good after these past few weeks. Knock on wood.
[/quote]
I think that means you'll have three bulls in front of you as some point. Just pick one and focus on him!
Post by: jkthomps on September 09, 2016, 11:33:40 AM
Best of luck to you!!Thank you!
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Post by: jkthomps on September 09, 2016, 11:38:55 AM
They say that things happen in threes, so I should be good after these past few weeks. Knock on wood.
I think that means you'll have three bulls in front of you as some point. Just pick one and focus on him!
[/quote]
Yeah I have a feeling there will be more than a few elk out there. I was just thinking, I have my deer, bear, and cougar tags too and the season is open for all of them... wouldn't it be something if I tagged all four in the same area!
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Post by: DaveMonti on September 09, 2016, 04:00:54 PM
DM
Post by: jmscon on September 09, 2016, 04:36:35 PM
I hope the stars align for you and you can fill your tags!
Be safe and can't wait to hear the tales!
Post by: jkthomps on September 09, 2016, 07:31:06 PM
Sorry to hear that the roller coaster of life has been tough, has been for me too!Thank you! Hope things get better with you too!
I hope the stars align for you and you can fill your tags!
Be safe and can't wait to hear the tales!
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Post by: jkthomps on September 09, 2016, 07:32:20 PM
Top off and on the road! Tripled checked my list. Hope I didn't forget anything!
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Post by: GregE on September 10, 2016, 01:47:23 PM
Hope you get the truck a little muddy and bloody
Post by: jkthomps on September 10, 2016, 06:36:24 PM
Nice looking rig.Thanks! It is muddy and got lots of branch love aka scratches today, it'll buff out, I hope lol. No blood, yet. Saw 4 bulls - two that I won't pass up if I get in range and 6 cows with a smaller one. Cows were super close and it was tough not to let an arrow fly. Got within 90 yards of the smallest of the bulls but another hunter spooked them out. We chatted for a bit. Turns out he never saw the bulls until they boltrd. His first year hunting elk and archery and he was just trying to find his way out of the mess. Took him to the road and sent him on his way. Good guy, no complaints here.
Hope you get the truck a little muddy and bloody
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Post by: kevinlisa06 on September 10, 2016, 11:46:38 PM
Post by: csaaphill on September 11, 2016, 06:33:50 PM
well anyways sorry about the losses and GL on the hunt. Yeah just got back from my wife's coworkers wake yesterday. I only knew her from my wife's job, but what I did she was good people.:yike: missed it I guess so sorry to hear. But yeah go get em. Maybe I get the clown pics now :chuckle:Haha, I didn't even put those together either but makes sense now. Hopefully I don't run across any of those out there lol. I didn't post about the deaths, only a couple guys on here knew and they were awesome at keeping me upright. It has just been crazy lately. I keep my sanity because of this forum :) They say that things happen in threes, so I should be good after these past few weeks. Knock on wood.
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Post by: kellama2001 on September 12, 2016, 08:24:20 AM
Post by: jkthomps on September 12, 2016, 10:48:56 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160912%2F7c25c3686dcffb9951e01040af1d2184.jpg&hash=95156b1ba77b90ef99d0a8735c21ec37be94b3cd)(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160912%2F3a49045b9e4958789c662bfb2e8cf91f.jpg&hash=3371d64907a2a93697f5449f667c9a84e6957f26)(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160912%2F6f72a92cf796500fde25e4c1ca2e7d78.jpg&hash=82a082c3ef7abaa9c54c4382d77a308667ee7a04)(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160912%2F0aabdd11f7cadd6581b02eb39f8d009d.jpg&hash=c4086d4312bd4ec82524b2e66ad3c3418b50e9dc)
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Post by: Carl on September 12, 2016, 12:24:51 PM
I was wondering if you were out after your elk, and then saw this post. Best of luck to you and can't wait to hear the stories. Be safe by yourself. :tup:
Carl
Post by: Bow_mon on September 12, 2016, 06:09:47 PM
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Post by: SniperDanWA on September 12, 2016, 08:51:40 PM
Post by: jkthomps on September 12, 2016, 08:57:28 PM
Got in them again today. Quiet morning compare to the last two days. 80 degrees will do that I guess. I am still working the big boy. He is smart and won't give me a shot. Yesterday and today he would sit in the timber and have an hour conversation with me, but he won't give me a shot. I have a game plan for him tomorrow. If he is in the same routine as the last two days. I had a raghorn about run me over but I was not ready for him at all. Couple cows are looking really temping right now but figured I would give it as much as I can the next couple days since I have the time off.
Better photos for yoy ;)
Nap time on a stump.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160913%2F243d2b1cda6a1158d8a7f685237146af.jpg&hash=e0c6692b8c497ce8660ab51a8327cfd58f9360d6)
And St. Helens and Adams in one shot. (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160913%2F136b6c9e4ba90d54a6dba1fad0373373.jpg&hash=d799f53a0575d684e715a921f46c12f07cfb461c)
This one was yesterday. I just thought it was cool looking.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160913%2Fab5c5a2f434ffd7e7b61444a0f164a39.jpg&hash=bc939bcd51780d1429509e225a647d351cec0cd9)
Oh and I did shoot a grouse yesterday at 31 yards. Aimed for the neck and hit the neck. Took a photo but not sure anyone wants to see that lol
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Post by: csaaphill on September 12, 2016, 11:10:40 PM
But yeah that one looks cool, almost like lighting coming down.
:tup:
Post by: jkthomps on September 14, 2016, 05:31:04 PM
My daughter is good. The doctors just gave her benadryl and changed her antibiotics for her ear infections. She is in pain from the rashes all over her body, but she will be ok.
Congrats to everyone who got out and tore it up!
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Post by: Rainier10 on September 14, 2016, 05:56:08 PM
Post by: jkthomps on September 14, 2016, 06:31:25 PM
Family first, there is always the late season.Exactly! How did you guys do?
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Post by: Rainier10 on September 14, 2016, 08:01:49 PM
I came home to watch my daughters first high school volleyball game, she made varsity, played every minute, they won and my buddy tagged out this morning. That gives me next weekend to spend at the cabin chasing cows and true spikes.Family first, there is always the late season.Exactly! How did you guys do?
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I hope you daughter keeps improving.
Post by: jkthomps on September 14, 2016, 08:50:56 PM
She is okay. Just this rash all over her body, but she is a trooper and doing better.
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Post by: Bow_mon on September 14, 2016, 09:00:15 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160915%2F3929cc458b14ec3354c06accd79c3ba0.jpg&hash=a704b3b66571e31d2cc0ada55434a0ae2198a04c)(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20160915%2Fcecd9c13d5f81ed747477d0cd089f7f3.jpg&hash=f7750787234fce63055579b39c01d140fb728229)So glad to hear she is ok. Also happy to hear you had a good time out there in the woods.
She is okay. Just this rash all over her body, but she is a trooper and doing better.
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Post by: kellama2001 on September 14, 2016, 09:01:38 PM
Post by: jkthomps on September 14, 2016, 09:25:25 PM
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Post by: csaaphill on September 14, 2016, 11:21:43 PM
Post by: BGLEMIN on September 15, 2016, 07:10:01 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 15, 2016, 07:44:53 AM
Post by: jkthomps on September 15, 2016, 04:22:55 PM
Best of luck and stay safe !Thanks man. So glad you guys tore it up!
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Post by: jkthomps on September 19, 2016, 11:44:11 AM
On a plus side, the good news is her ear infection is gone.
Thanks again for keeping us in your thoughts. She will be okay as soon as this crap gets out of her system.
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Post by: Carl on September 19, 2016, 12:08:36 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on September 19, 2016, 12:18:40 PM
Prayers sent for your little girl. Included mom and dad since I'm sure you need them too. ;):yeah: :yeah:
Nothing worse than having something wrong with your kid. Hang in there man.
Post by: jkthomps on September 19, 2016, 08:19:38 PM
She is getting better...
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Post by: DaveMonti on September 19, 2016, 08:43:39 PM
Post by: jkthomps on September 20, 2016, 02:20:42 PM
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Post by: coachcw on September 22, 2016, 06:29:07 AM
Post by: jkthomps on September 22, 2016, 09:28:29 PM
Really glad to hear its just allergic reaction .Yeah, it sucks seeing kids suffering, but she is good to go now. Had a doctor appointment this morning and she got the all clear. Just some minor spots left that will clear with time. Will shoot a pm over to you in the morning so we can get together soon. I will toss some info I have on a good place I know for westside muzzle elk... never know, it might help out.
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Post by: jmscon on September 22, 2016, 09:45:10 PM
I'm glad she is doing better!
Post by: csaaphill on September 22, 2016, 11:32:59 PM
Post by: jkthomps on September 26, 2016, 07:58:46 PM
wow that's great that she's better :tup:She is all better! What a pain
It's tough when the little ones get sick! They can't tell you what's wrong or what hurts.
I'm glad she is doing better!
Yeah exactly! Wish there was a way to take all the pain away for the kiddos.
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Post by: jkthomps on September 26, 2016, 08:19:09 PM
Thanks again for the well wishes for my daughter. She is about back to 100%. Our first experience with an allergic reaction. Glad it is over for now.
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Post by: csaaphill on September 26, 2016, 11:21:08 PM
I will be back on this thread in Nov. Might still be able to get a bull if I can dig up some info on other units besides 520 for late season.Think I missed it but what was she allergic too? and is it long term allergic reaction? Meaning what ever it is she has to avoid from now on?
Thanks again for the well wishes for my daughter. She is about back to 100%. Our first experience with an allergic reaction. Glad it is over for now.
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Post by: jkthomps on September 27, 2016, 12:14:04 PM
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