Post by: X-Force on June 22, 2018, 12:23:26 AM
Saw the selected for Bull Elk and was surprised I got the number 2 choice. Time to buckle down and really get into shape.
Norway Pass... never been there. Fact... Well no better time to learn.
Looks to be as difficult as a goat hunt with 4 times the weight packing out.
Post by: kerrdog on June 22, 2018, 02:39:37 PM
Again...anything helps
Thanks!
Post by: Shawn Ryan on June 22, 2018, 02:52:36 PM
Post by: SkookumHntr on June 22, 2018, 02:56:07 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on June 22, 2018, 03:44:58 PM
Post by: Bullkllr on June 22, 2018, 03:46:33 PM
Should be a fun fall...
Saw the selected for Bull Elk and was surprised I got the number 2 choice. Time to buckle down and really get into shape.
Norway Pass... never been there. Fact... Well no better time to learn.
Looks to be as difficult as a goat hunt with 4 times the weight packing out.
Depending on where you go it's not necessarily all steep. It's been a few years, but I found the off-trail harder than normal with all the knockdown.
Fun area. You should have a great hunt. Congrats!
Post by: elkontherun on June 22, 2018, 05:05:25 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on June 22, 2018, 06:49:43 PM
Post by: Shawn Ryan on June 22, 2018, 09:30:22 PM
Post by: Skillet on June 22, 2018, 10:42:33 PM
Post by: X-Force on June 25, 2018, 11:24:49 AM
Is that a goat on the rocks behind you elkontherun?
For sure.
I have my campsite reserved and a basic plan laid out. Right now it looks like me and my brother for the first 4 days then a couple more friends over the weekend. Im expecting cold and wet but hoping for a little nicer weather. Lol
Post by: jackelope on June 25, 2018, 01:02:24 PM
Is that a goat on the rocks behind you elkontherun?
That would sure make me feel all warm and fuzzy. Shooting an elk in goat country.
:yike:
Post by: PlateauNDN on June 25, 2018, 01:22:45 PM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on June 25, 2018, 01:30:56 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on June 25, 2018, 02:22:45 PM
I have never held a tag, but spend a fair share of time hiking etc..... I assisted a tag holder in 2016. Located a real solid 6 in an area I felt he could access but come October the bull had moved to a spot I was unsure we could get to. Weather rolled in bad and I was honestly worried about even getting a bull. With the drenching rain and socked in fog. But we made it in opening day and fortunately got into some backups, and after passing several rags he killed a mature 5x5. His first bull. Was a great hunt to be part of. The country is not what I would call big, but it's unforgiving and the weather will make or break how enjoyable it is imo. Oh and if possible have a couple good Packers.
Post by: X-Force on June 25, 2018, 04:50:31 PM
Camp site is reserved for the season.
Right now its looking like ill have 1 "ok" packer... but beggars cant be choosers.
Post by: furbearer365 on June 25, 2018, 06:54:15 PM
Post by: kerrdog on June 29, 2018, 05:09:18 PM
Post by: X-Force on June 29, 2018, 07:43:06 PM
I haven’t been either yet.
Post by: kerrdog on June 30, 2018, 05:06:51 PM
Post by: furbearer365 on June 30, 2018, 10:31:24 PM
Post by: furbearer365 on June 30, 2018, 10:45:03 PM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on July 01, 2018, 08:09:48 AM
I've heard of people going across Coldwater Lake to get in. Is the Norway pass trailhead on the other side an option? It's obviously further but looks like maybe less elevation gain and better trails?
Internal combustion motors prohibited, so limited to paddling or electric. I've seen some scary you tube videos when the wind picks up. Nobody mentioned 'Hunters Trail' yet. Cuts time off, but brutal with a loaded pack. Norway Pass trailhead was easy for this old man.
Post by: Bullkllr on July 01, 2018, 08:52:16 AM
Post by: BA Mongor on July 01, 2018, 08:58:29 AM
I literally spit up coffee laughing :)
Viable Options:
: Helicopter
: (3) Buddies & 2-Days
: Pack Mules ***Dependent on where you get it. But still a huge help for miles
Post by: duckmen1 on July 01, 2018, 09:08:51 AM
Gorgeous country. Pack frame is your best option. Most say they are ready for the hunt then show up and see the unit from a distance and end up driving around without stepping foot into the area.
Out of 18 to 20 tags last year between bull/cow hunters of all weapons I believe only 4 elk were reported taken.
The elk are there but you will earn it.
Post by: furbearer365 on July 01, 2018, 11:18:43 AM
Last year we went to take the hunters trail up it was a bit brushy to say the least. Over blow downs. Under blow downs. Pushing through brush getting soaked and very slippery. We finally said the heck with that. It's an easy trail if it was better maintained. For giggles we tried to go straight uphill off the hunters trail. Although it was an adventure I'd never do that again.lol
Gorgeous country. Pack frame is your best option. Most say they are ready for the hunt then show up and see the unit from a distance and end up driving around without stepping foot into the area.
Out of 18 to 20 tags last year between bull/cow hunters of all weapons I believe only 4 elk were reported taken.
The elk are there but you will earn it.
I second all of this. My best advice to anyone with this tag is to go in with help, and don't take it lightly. Be prepared for your worst case scenario. The weather will turn, and the country is not in your favor, it's in the elks. If you do go in from the lake, there is one trail in and out. And the chances of killing your elk close to that one trail is pretty dang small, so you best get ready to climb over blow down after blow down. Can't wait to hear how it goes
Post by: h2ofowlr on July 01, 2018, 11:59:36 AM
Last year we went to take the hunters trail up it was a bit brushy to say the least. Over blow downs. Under blow downs. Pushing through brush getting soaked and very slippery. We finally said the heck with that. It's an easy trail if it was better maintained. For giggles we tried to go straight uphill off the hunters trail. Although it was an adventure I'd never do that again.lol
Gorgeous country. Pack frame is your best option. Most say they are ready for the hunt then show up and see the unit from a distance and end up driving around without stepping foot into the area.
Out of 18 to 20 tags last year between bull/cow hunters of all weapons I believe only 4 elk were reported taken.
The elk are there but you will earn it.
I second all of this. My best advice to anyone with this tag is to go in with help, and don't take it lightly. Be prepared for your worst case scenario. The weather will turn, and the country is not in your favor, it's in the elks. If you do go in from the lake, there is one trail in and out. And the chances of killing your elk close to that one trail is pretty dang small, so you best get ready to climb over blow down after blow down. Can't wait to hear how it goes
We had two tags for archery and didn't fill either one. We did have a good opportunity on one, but just to far back. It would have spoiled before we could have packed it out. We made the ethical choice not to shoot it. Just weren't able to get one close enough to where we could pack it out in a reasonable area. Beautiful area, but brutal on the body. I'm sure some of the guys that get animals in that area run into spoilage unless you bring in a crew to quickly pack it out.
Post by: BA Mongor on July 01, 2018, 12:30:47 PM
I can't tell you how many times over the past 20 years or better that I've been in there and ran out of food waiting for the weather to break. Or going to bed in 70 degrees temps and waking up to 3" snow. Or the intense lightning / thunder storms that roll in. I know I'll never forget the time I spent in there by myself or with my buddy. I always dreamed of hunting elk in there....Someday !
Post by: X-Force on July 02, 2018, 12:23:52 PM
Boots on the ground scouting is up in the air until Nevada leftover results come out.
Lots of google earth, topo maps and searches for previous hunts.
Thank you to those who have pm'd me with info.
Post by: furbearer365 on July 04, 2018, 03:13:01 PM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on July 05, 2018, 06:26:36 AM
Post by: X-Force on July 06, 2018, 12:59:21 PM
My honest opinion?!?! I would put your boots on and go in there early so you know what you're up against. Google is great and talking with guys that have hunted it is even better. But i truly think anyone with this tag should get in there, and see what everyone is talking about first before you start making rash plans. Everything looks doable on google earth and guts that had packers were ok with going deep like I did. But I think putting your eyes on it first, then translating that to Google earth will help you understand and give you a sensible plan as to how you will go about the hunt. Just my :twocents:
I think that's fair. Its not a big area but its big country. Except for the deadfalls it looks a lot like areas around Baker.
Post by: LongBomb on July 06, 2018, 03:02:41 PM
A game cart for Norway Pass !
I literally spit up coffee laughing :)
Viable Options:
: Helicopter
: (3) Buddies & 2-Days
: Pack Mules ***Dependent on where you get it. But still a huge help for miles
Pack animals aren't allowed in Margaret Backcountry
Post by: kerrdog on July 07, 2018, 04:32:58 PM
I had that same thought when I read the post. We're going up to scout in about 2 weeks and I'll see for myself whether a game cart (they have some nice one wheel carts with a disk brake) is feasible on any worthwhile stretches of trail. I still can't get a straight answer about whether or not it's allowed but it doesn't matter until I see the trails for myself. We're gonna go in both from the lake and from the NP trailhead on separate trips.A game cart for Norway Pass !
I literally spit up coffee laughing :)
Viable Options:
: Helicopter
: (3) Buddies & 2-Days
: Pack Mules ***Dependent on where you get it. But still a huge help for miles
Pack animals aren't allowed in Margaret Backcountry
Post by: duckmen1 on July 07, 2018, 05:53:29 PM
We did a cow hunt in Mt. Whittier a few years back. Dropped a cow. It took 23 hours to get it out. Only 2 hours rest. Only 2 of us packing. Mid October and it reached over 80 degrees. Definitely bone out the meat.
Last year we dropped a cow in Norway pass in the morning and didn't get out till the next day. That was 3 people hauling. And weather was complete oposite. Snow, rain, wind. So be prepared for weather to the extremes. Elk are in there but success rates are low for a lot of reasons for permit holders. Being prepared for everything mentally and physically can give a better advantage
Post by: kerrdog on July 07, 2018, 06:47:24 PM
I honestly would stick to pack frames. There are some decent trails in the unit and some not so good trails. Some of the unit gets very steep. Off trail travel is tons of blow downs and brushy and steep. My opinion is the cart would not be worth it. It would cause my harm then good. Best advise is to get use to hauling in your frame because if you get one I'm pretty sure that's how it will be hauled out. And have a couple people lined up to start packing meat.
We did a cow hunt in Mt. Whittier a few years back. Dropped a cow. It took 23 hours to get it out. Only 2 hours rest. Only 2 of us packing. Mid October and it reached over 80 degrees. Definitely bone out the meat.
Last year we dropped a cow in Norway pass in the morning and didn't get out till the next day. That was 3 people hauling. And weather was complete oposite. Snow, rain, wind. So be prepared for weather to the extremes. Elk are in there but success rates are low for a lot of reasons for permit holders. Being prepared for everything mentally and physically can give a better advantage
That all sounds really very reasonable. We talked about having a rig at both ends; one at the Coldwater Lake Parking Lot (assuming we take a boat across) and another at the Norway Pass Trailhead just in case we end up closer to there while hunting. That seems like a good idea?
Post by: kerrdog on July 11, 2018, 08:58:50 PM
Post by: BA Mongor on July 12, 2018, 12:34:02 PM
Post by: bucksnort on July 12, 2018, 04:04:41 PM
Post by: BA Mongor on July 13, 2018, 08:30:58 AM
That's awesome about your boy drawing that tag !!!
Have fun and Be Safe.
Post by: X-Force on July 23, 2018, 10:01:34 AM
My first scouting trip is scheduled for 8/10. I plan to use it as a dry run for the trip. Boat up the lake, pack into camp, hit the ridges, couple days of scouting and back out.
Post by: BA Mongor on July 24, 2018, 03:13:58 PM
Great pic :)
Post by: Ghost Hunter on July 24, 2018, 03:37:37 PM
Post by: Elkcollector82 on July 24, 2018, 07:27:12 PM
Thanks for the info and Pm's they are appreciated.
Camp site is reserved for the season.
Right now its looking like ill have 1 "ok" packer... but beggars cant be choosers.
You put one on the ground. I’ll be more then happy to come help you pack it out. Only thing I ask. Share a cold beverage once done. Pm me if your interested.
Post by: sjhgraysage on July 25, 2018, 03:51:42 PM
Cool pic! I recognized the spot right away.
Looks like there is still quite a bit of snow on the higher elevations.
Thanks for posting those pics, good job getting your daughter out in God's country!
:tup:
Scott
Post by: X-Force on July 25, 2018, 04:21:51 PM
X-Force,
Cool pic! I recognized the spot right away.
Looks like there is still quite a bit of snow on the higher elevations.
Thanks for posting those pics, good job getting your daughter out in God's country!
:tup:
Scott
Man I love that area and it was great to share it with my daughter. She did great for 4 miles round trip, I didn't have to push her at all, she was all about gaining elevation. There is still a lot of snow up there. She wants to bring a sled next time.
Post by: X-Force on October 05, 2018, 02:45:25 PM
Fundraiser tomorrow then off to the hills for a week.
The plan is to get into camp Sunday afternoon and do some scouting before season.
Post by: furbearer365 on October 05, 2018, 08:37:49 PM
Post by: Cylvertip on October 06, 2018, 08:38:12 AM
Post by: X-Force on October 13, 2018, 10:21:52 AM
The trail isn’t in the best shape and some slides had almost no footing and a big pucker factor.
I wish I had more photos but I only took 20 or 30.
Post by: LongBomb on October 13, 2018, 12:56:36 PM
Post by: X-Force on October 13, 2018, 01:06:07 PM
There were 15-18 bulls at least in the bottom of Mt. Whittier unit.
Post by: LongBomb on October 13, 2018, 02:31:59 PM
Post by: X-Force on October 13, 2018, 03:12:33 PM
Sunday was beautiful a little overcast but cold water was placid. I got there late, loaded up the canoe and hit the water. Paddling across the lake I realized I wasn’t willing to hike to camp before dark.
Did I say the terrain is real? Well Monday it was wet too. Miserable wet. I think the trail says snow lake is 4 miles. My health app says 4.8. A USFS guy walking the trail for maintenance schedule said it was 6 miles from Mt Whittier to the trail intersection by the lake.
After slogging to camp, everything was wet, I was cold and with no visibility I wasn’t able to scout, beat brush and possibly bump animals out of the country.
Post by: furbearer365 on October 14, 2018, 03:59:17 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 14, 2018, 06:56:29 PM
Post by: X-Force on October 15, 2018, 11:56:12 AM
Long days, long nights, but the views were phenomenal. I only wish i could have enjoyed it more.
I promised my oldest that her and i would go deer hunting in Winthrop opening weekend I wasnt going to let her down.
After dealing with the rain all day Monday and hunkering down in the tent, i was hoping my luck would change for opening day of the permit, Tuesday. Unfortunately, Tuesday was more of the same. It was wet, cold and socked in. I started out from camp climbing over the ridge to the west. While working the side hills blind with the wind in my face i bumped a couple elk but never saw them. All morning I worked mid hill on the backside of lake Venus and came up empty.
Mid afternoon the clouds still socked in everything so I worked my way down a finger towards miners creek. About 2 pm i heard a bugle, then another farther down in the canyon. Not wanting to go in blind I stayed up on the finger and waited, and waited... By 4 pm the clouds started to break. First i could see the small draw next to me. Then, i could see miners creek. All the while the clouds would blow out, sock in and blow out, so visibility was still very poor.
Post by: jbeaumont21 on October 15, 2018, 03:27:43 PM
Post by: X-Force on October 15, 2018, 04:03:02 PM
Post by: X-Force on October 15, 2018, 04:21:12 PM
Post by: jackelope on October 15, 2018, 04:55:06 PM
Post by: X-Force on October 15, 2018, 05:00:08 PM
Where I thought the last finger had to many cliffs to access the bull, the new ridge didnt have to many clifts just one large one that towered 200-300 feet above the canyon. I worked my way down to the edge. There was an outcropping with a couple dead trees, blue berry bushes and a fallen jog the jetted out from the cliff some 4-5 feet. Dropped my pack on an open spot and crawled over to the lip with a couple quick loads, binos, rangefinder and muzzle-loader. Within a minute or 2 the bull showed himself. He walked out of some jack firs, lit up by the sun piercing the clouds. It was a beautiful site.
The mountains are solid granite carved out by prehistoric glaciers. The water the flows through them have done little to change the the topography. Instead, its the glacier carved valleys with a carpet of thick, colorful vegetation that dominate the landscape. This bull lived in heaven.
Post by: X-Force on October 15, 2018, 05:26:16 PM
I go through 2 dry runs to make sure everything was comfortable. I end up having to move my footing, take off my bino harness. and situate everything so that I'm comfortable.
Open peep sight, 209 primer, 100g of pellets, 240 gr bullet...
My anchor it solid and I miss. I pull up my binos and the bull is just standing there, looking around. So, i load again, get a solid rest, the bull takes a couple steps closer, I miss again. In my mind I'm asking myself a million questions. I keep watching the bull and he looks around for 30-40 seconds and goes back to eating. What the Heck!
I brush my barrel and load the gun again. The bull is feeding to the right, is behind some dead standing timber and I wait for a couple minutes for him to offer a clear shot. I range again... 165 yards. Solid anchor and....
MISS!
Man I wish I was making this stuff up, ill probably get flamed for it but its true. I missed 3 straight times, ran out of quick loads, and had a decision to make.
I go back to my pack and reload the quick loads. When i get back to my shooting platform I think to myself, it has to be the angle. How do i compensate? Do i just give up, he is clearly unwound-ed and unfazed by this exchange. My ego gets the best of me. I tell myself ill hold low and everything will be fine.
I reload my gun for the 4th shot. By this time I'm just furious with myself. I range the bull 170 yards. He is literally milling around in a semi circle just eating. As I comp for the angle (in my mind), and anchor, I hear the sound of metal sliding down something. I look up and had left my ramrod in the barrel and it nearly fell out and down a giant cliff.
I flip the barrel up and snag the rod. Putting the rod back inline with my barrel put everything into prospective. How the angle was too great, my misses should have told me that... but i still didnt listen.
I anchored, breathed, squeeze and !! MISS AGAIN. unbelievable!
Why am I even shooting at this point?
I do have another quick load so I load again... this time I cant miss. The bull at this point knows somethings up. He doesn't know from where or what is happening but he still hasn't moved. I tell myself that this is my last shot. I breath, by this time there is no adrenaline, I hold solid, the smoke clears and i clearly missed a 5th time. Rehashing this I am getting angry with myself. Dumb! straight up stupid.
Post by: X-Force on October 15, 2018, 05:50:34 PM
Loading up my gear, needing to brush my barrel, I look at maps and figure out where he is going and what i can do to close the distance. It takes a couple minutes to clean, reload and to verify i have all of my gear.
Working my way back up the ridge and around to another finger I am blind to any of the bulls movements. It is getting closer to dark, 6 pm and the question comes to mind is it worth it being this far back? Im probably 2 miles from camp walking and a mile as the crow flies. The bull is 300-500' lower in elevation than camp and there is a big ridge line in between he and camp.
As I drop further in the valley down the ridge I catch movement just across the way. The bull is almost parallel with me at 144 yards but i want to get closer. I keep working my way down the face to a couple of dead standing trees as the bull crosses a small stream and is quartered away from me. He stand there for a couple seconds giving me the opportunity to brace against a tree.
As the smoke clears I look... He is looking around again, I almost start to panic with the thought of another miss, but then he stumbles and folds. He rolls down the hill and gets pinned against a large cedar dead-fall. Bull down!
This is when the magnitude of the job ahead hits me. 2 miles from camp, 1000' to get him out of the canyon we are in, just after 6 at night and solo.
Post by: JakeLand on October 15, 2018, 06:23:27 PM
Post by: 3nails on October 15, 2018, 06:29:22 PM
Post by: furbearer365 on October 15, 2018, 07:36:48 PM
Post by: Ridge Hunter on October 15, 2018, 07:49:09 PM
Post by: jackelope on October 15, 2018, 07:50:58 PM
Post by: dewandgin on October 15, 2018, 08:31:30 PM
Post by: grundy53 on October 16, 2018, 04:51:37 AM
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Post by: Timberstalker on October 16, 2018, 05:28:58 AM
Post by: nitroelk on October 16, 2018, 06:36:20 AM
Post by: dominknows on October 16, 2018, 08:14:44 AM
Post by: Sandberm on October 16, 2018, 08:26:54 AM
Pic on page three i think, looking down at a drainage. The wife and i hiked there 5 or so years ago. Like you posted, beautiful country. The mountain really did its thing back in 80.
Post by: X-Force on October 16, 2018, 08:58:42 AM
Skinning, quartering and de-boning the first half of the elk took about 3 hours. After that it got fun for a little bit. It took a carabiner pulley system to pull the bull up and roll him over to the other side. By 1:30 all the meat was off the skeleton, quarters were hanging and I was ready for bed.
During the process I found the bullet. It worked flawlessly. Coming in high behind the left shoulder it used up all its energy and stopped on the right side of the sternum. Both lungs were toast and there was minimal meat damage. I cant thank @Sabotloader enough for the help setting up my gun, and helping me pick out my bullet/sabot combo.
By 3 I was back to camp and cooking dinner. Exhausted, elated, and ready for a full belly and some shut eye.
Post by: X-Force on October 16, 2018, 09:17:19 AM
The colors in this area, this time of year area amazing. Purples, pinks, bright reds, greens, white rocks, I wish i could put into words what that country looks like. It really is a heavenly place.
It took some time getting back down to the kill. While en-route I was trying to formulate a plan for the rest of my trip.
Before I left on this adventure I had asked 10+ people to go and they all had work or modern season that would get in the way. So I went it alone, I figured might as well suffer alone too... (probably a really stupid idea)
Wednesdays plan was to move the meat to the trail. It was right about 2 miles and 5 trips to get 4 quarters bags, 1 loose meat bag, and head back to the trail. I like taking breaks so instead of making straight shots from kill to trail the trip was broken up into 2 stages, get the bull out of the hole and then to the trail.
It was wonderful weather, beautiful scenery everywhere, bumped elk every couple hours and bulls were sounding off throughout the day.
Post by: X-Force on October 16, 2018, 09:36:11 AM
That changed about 12 O'clock at night. The wind came in and started popping stakes. To make matters worse the wind was coming from the tall side of the tent so there was more surface for the wind to grab. Running around, getting pelted by wind and rain, half awake i scoured the sand flat for rocks big enough to hold stakes down. It was freezing and miserable work. Finally the job was done and i crawled back into the sack... As i look around the tent to make sure none of the stakes are moving i see something else... The rain is coming down so hard its flowing into the tent... I have lakes forming on each side of me. I grab a piece of wood and start making a ditch behind the tent drip line to divert the rising water... More cold, wet, miserable work.
After another 20 minutes of that I pass out. Periodically, giant gusts would slam into the tent rousing me from much needed slumber... by 2 or 3 my ditches are filled with sand and i have to re excavate the perimeter.
By sun up Tuesday morning, it didnt matter what weather was like outside... it was better to face it out there then deal with the problems of being in a tent all day.
Post by: X-Force on October 16, 2018, 09:44:23 AM
Post by: X-Force on October 16, 2018, 09:45:37 AM
Post by: X-Force on October 16, 2018, 10:16:31 AM
The trail is great in spots, terrible in others and sometimes is just a giant pain in the butt. There are multiple slides where footing can be almost nonexistent. Some of the deadfalls are so large its a scramble to get over them. Others are so low hanging its an army crawl to get under them.
My best guess is that each load going out was roughly 80 lbs. This first load felt all of that and by the time I got to the lake i needed a meal, change of socks, foot care and some rest. During the R&R a boat trolled by and laded a couple toad trout... Man it would have been nice to bring a pole.
On the trail back to the cash i decided i wasnt going for broke with staight shots in and out. Instead i wanted to get all the meat past the chute area before dark. The antlers were especially concerning because in the chute/slide areas there was not way you could walk down the trail with the head on the frame.
1 hour was the time i gave myself to drop down out of the chutes and to "easier" areas below.
I dont know how far that section of hiking was because i was more focused on just getting the meat down and in a cool spot during the heat of the day.
The first load was lighter, the second load was a shoulder and antlers. Its amazing, even tired how much you can focus when things get sketchy. On multiple chutes I had to toe into the hill with minimal footing, large drops below and almost nothing for hand holds... Prayers were sent at almost a continuous basis.
The third load was done in the dark and by this time i plugged into an audio book. It was definitely helpful to listen to books during the pack-out portion of this adventure. Ive never done it before but it was worth it being on the trail for this long.
The forth load was a shot straight to the bottom and the lake. During the decent I tried to talk myself into walking until all the bags were lakeside but in the end a sleeping bag called my name. Crashing for a couple hours helped... but it was also discouraging seeing how many miles I still had to go.
Over 26 miles on Thursday.
Post by: X-Force on October 16, 2018, 10:48:15 AM
Early Friday the work started. I hiked up to the loads and decided I didnt want to go through the canyon during the middle of the day. Instead, I dropped a couple hundred feet elevation and into the lower more vegetated area along the trail. There I found a stream the provided a constant cool breeze and a perfect place to stash meat during the trek out today.
Shuttling the meat down to the lower elevation took time and there were very few people on the trail. Around 2:30 the Mt. Whittier permit holder was coming down the hill and he and his partner offered to wait for me at the lake. I cannot tell you how motivating that was!
At 4:40 the last load of a quarter and antlers reached the lake. I was greeted with a couple venison pepperoni sticks and a Gatorade. We loaded up the canoe, jumped in the drift boat and putted across the lake. Looking back at the canyon and the adventure behind me, I was struck by the jagged peaks, brilliant fall colors and the unique beauty of the area. What an amazing experience.
Thank you Craig and Pete.
Friday was over 22 miles.
Post by: X-Force on October 16, 2018, 11:10:28 AM
Saturday evening I arrived at camp Templeton, so named because food is the main stay at deer camp. Within a couple hours my BiL has a whitetail doe down and the kids in camp are all smiles.
Elk heart, chicken pot pie and pumpkin pie is the menu for dinner.
Post by: X-Force on October 16, 2018, 11:15:43 AM
In the morning we had a doe and fawn come running out of the timber as we pulled onto public. They came right past the truck, jumped the highway and across to another unit and were no longer legal... I thought our day was a bust.
Post by: X-Force on October 16, 2018, 11:28:24 AM
We ran into hunters, No Trespassing signs and were getting pretty discouraged. With an hour left of shooting light we decided to hit the river bottoms and find some public land that could hold deer.
We find a spot with a couple does and make a plan. The kid and I would go after the does and once he dropped on I would have my turn.
On our approach the does bump and bound into the timber. We try and close the distance when we see something out of the corner of our eye. A deer right along the grass line looking at us!
Its a whitetail. My nephew gets a solid rest and asks me if its a buck... I pull up my binos. its obviously a buck!.... I say no no (any buck so it doesnt matter)... its a doe just focus on the vitals.
He anchors and squeezes. BOOM! the buck doesnt move... He has a difficult time reloading with the adrenaline pumping so I load and hand the rifle back to him. The buck takes one step then... BOOM! he drops. What a shot!
I grab my nephew and say its a Buck!!! you were right!!!
He is grinning ear to ear. Soon we are joined by Saylean and my daughter.
What a day.
Post by: saylean on October 16, 2018, 11:33:11 AM
Post by: jackelope on October 16, 2018, 12:29:33 PM
:dunno:
I'll take some time later on and flip them over if nobody else does.
Post by: sjhgraysage on October 16, 2018, 04:23:29 PM
Great work man! You are an animal LOL!! :tup:
Post by: X-Force on October 16, 2018, 06:35:25 PM
Post by: 3nails on October 16, 2018, 06:59:28 PM
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on October 16, 2018, 07:09:38 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 16, 2018, 07:16:50 PM
I wish people would shout out on here when they need help packing..i live for that type of pure physical exhaustion..
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 16, 2018, 08:35:42 PM
Post by: cem3434 on October 16, 2018, 08:54:28 PM
Post by: Brushbuster on October 16, 2018, 09:00:11 PM
Post by: furbearer365 on October 16, 2018, 09:06:52 PM
Post by: jbeaumont21 on October 17, 2018, 08:54:34 AM
JBeaumont21 your inbox is full. Thanks for the pm.
Sorry fixed it now. U bet!
Post by: jbeaumont21 on October 17, 2018, 03:37:29 PM
Post by: X-Force on October 18, 2018, 09:30:56 AM
Its hard to tell. The size is right but my bulls antlers are super dark with ivory tips.