Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 09:19:19 AM


Advertise Here
Title: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 09:19:19 AM
2018 was an important season for me.  The 2017 season was haunted by tough hunts and a nagging knee injury that prevented me from taking on the mountain like I knew I needed to in order to kill the class of animal I was looking for.  2016 season was not much better with only a big dumb elk and one good buck taken.

With a tuned up knee and the prior seasons haunting my dreams, I vowed to make 2018 the year of the deer!  No distractions, lots of tags, and NO ELK!!!!!!!

After the dust settled from all the draws I had 2 otc idaho deer tags, a Nevada muzzy tag, a 4th season CO tag, and of course I pulled another stinking elk tag here in WA.  So much for no elk and so much for my plans of hitting the WA high hunt for deer.

Summer came and went and the season was finally upon us!  First hunt of the year was to meet my buddy Dioni in Idaho over labor day weekend.  Weather was fantastic and I was seeing lots of deer.  One buck in particular with big back forks that had my eye.  Thick match stick timber was his home and he never offered a stalk opportunity.  Coming home from the long weekend with nothing to show but sore legs and dusty gear complicated things.  With only 5 days to hunt the general rifle season in Idaho, I needed to fill one of my two idaho tags early.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Pathfinder101 on December 07, 2018, 09:21:19 AM
Tagging along... :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: JakeLand on December 07, 2018, 09:26:11 AM
 :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: mburrows on December 07, 2018, 09:29:04 AM
tag
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 09:37:49 AM
The following weekend my deer hunting was interrupted by this stinking bull tag!  How do you have a year of the deer when you have to elk hunt!  I couldn't get any time off from work for this tag because I used my September week for NV so I was a weekend warrior/every night after work kind of guy.  It was an action packed hunt.  While I knew the top end potential for this unit was relatively low, I was still gonna set my standards on a better than average bull for the unit. 

Opening weekend produced 3 shot opportunities, 2 of which were 6pt bulls.  All week it was a mad dash to get home, strap up, and race to the hills.  Multiple bull encounters every evening of the hunt and endless bugling action but nothing I wanted to hang a tag on.  Last day found me and a couple side kicks back to where it all started.  There was a very large herd of elk that had finally been broken up and multiple bulls had moved in.  Big problem that morning was a few folks must have realized they had been driving past 50 elk every morning and everything we were trying was getting blown up by other hunters who dont know what wind and thermals are.

As we dumped onto an old two track to make an aggressive move on one of the small herds, I caught movement ahead of me in the road.  It was a lonely ol spike.  He bolted at the sight of us but some aggressive cow talk had him slamming on the breaks.  A million thoughts ran through my head.  Do I want to shoot a spike? No.  Am i out of time to hunt this tag? Yes.  Can I see the bottom of the freezer?  Yes.  Will killing this elk afford me the luxury of being picky on my deer tags? Yes.  3 to 1 means a bad day to be a stupid spike elk. 

He fully knew we were there but just couldn't help himself.  The cow talk was too sweet.  When the rangefinder read 50 on the nose I drew, anchored, and pulled through my shot.  Arrow arced over the yellow grass and looked perfectly perfect.  He spun and started to run but more cow sounds slowed him to an uneasy walk.  I could see my arrow hung up by the fletchings.  It was right on the crease and exactly half way up the body.  Couldn't be more perfect.....so I thought.  For 9 more hours and 3.2 miles we ran, climbed, crawled.  Had to hunker under a tree to get out of the rain and then dawn puffy's to help cut the gale force winds.  Tiny specks of blood were lost and then found again.  Finally it was hoof strikes only and then what all hunters fear, a cold trail. 

We ended up on a series of cliffs and rock slides.  In an act of desperation I climbed out onto a rock shelf between cliff bands to see if I could see him moving along the rim rock.  As I was looking down for footing I noticed a small spot of blood!  You have got to be kidding me!?!?!  Then another spot.  And another!  I move another 10 yards and I can see antler tips over the edge!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 09:50:10 AM
He had moved along this shelf and snuck out onto a cliff face like a damn mountain goat!  The wind was blowing 30mph+ and he was 64 yards.  Too far to shoot in this wind and I wasnt even certain I could retrieve him.  I backed out, got the guys, and found a different vantage point that put me 41 yards (30 yard shot with the cut).  I was mentally relieved at finding him but now I had a different concern. Can I retrieve him if I killed him where he stands? And if I shoot him is he going to die where he is or take a step in the wrong direction? I I'm not accustomed to wounded animals and my immense desire to end his suffering drove me to make the decision to take the shot. I stepped out above him on a rock pinnacle, leaned into the wind, and took my shot. The arrow found its mark and miraculously he did not move.  Within seconds he fell over dead.  I got very lucky as a basketball sized rock jammed in his ribs when he piled up.  This kept him from a 90ft fall! 

The retrieval is something my little brother would refer to as "interesting".  With a few attempts we got down to him, got him into pieces, and got him on to Safe ground.  Upon closer inspection I found my shot had it very low.  It entered bottom of brisket, ricocheted up, taking out the offside lung and exiting mid body.  When we got back to the truck and the spot of the shot we ranged back from where he was standing to where I shot from and it was 63 yards.  I had hit the tops of the grass that were in front of him when I ranged.  Archery is a game of inches and a small error such as an inaccurate range made for a nightmare of a day.

 To say that I was relieved that we found him after all of that would be an understatement.  It's a sickening feeling knowing you have wounded an animal and my expectation with the sign we were following was that we would not find this elk. I'm not proud of how it all went down and it was a good reminder that just when you think you've exhausted all options, just keep searching.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 09:51:13 AM
It was a sporty climb up and down  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 09:55:58 AM
I'm doing all this on my phone so be patient :bash:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Antlershed on December 07, 2018, 09:56:54 AM
You know there’s much easier places to kill Spikes, right?  :chuckle:

Following along, and thanks for deciding to share your adventures.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: bracer40 on December 07, 2018, 10:04:35 AM
Wow! Seriously! That's some steep goat looking country!
Thanks for sharing the good AND the not so good. Looking forward to the rest of the season's stories.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 10:04:58 AM
You know there’s much easier places to kill Spikes, right?  :chuckle:

Following along, and thanks for deciding to share your adventures.
I'm so painfully aware :chuckle:  if I had made a better shot he would have died within 50 yards of a drivable road :chuckle:

Josh is to thank for me posting.  He's an immense contribution to the forum both on and off the computer screen
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 10:07:22 AM
Wow! Seriously! That's some steep goat looking country!
Thanks for sharing the good AND the not so good. Looking forward to the rest of the season's stories.
I'm not a fan of heights  :bdid:  I wish I'd taken pictures of the route he took to get to where he was. It was literally some straight up mountain goat stuff. I am still in awe where he ended up and I'm still so very thankful that I was able to finish the job that I had started and that he died somewhere where I could get him.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: slowhand on December 07, 2018, 10:31:49 AM
Tag
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 10:53:03 AM
Some randoms from summer idaho scouting.  First is a demonstration of our ultra light sleep system we used on a weekend kamikaze trip! It's called the fetal position and it is very versatile :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 10:55:39 AM
Second is Dioni multi tasking.  Being able to snack while glassing  is a learned skill and should not be attempted without practice
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 11:27:50 AM
It was a busy week cleaning up from elk hunting and getting meat processed before I had to take off again for my Nevada hunt. I had made the decision that I still very much needed to fill an Idaho tag before the general season so first stop of my 9-day vacation was Idaho.  I got very lucky on this particular trip because my good buddy JonathanS selflessly offered to go along with me since it was originally going to be a solo trip. 

It was a mad dash to pick up Jon and hit the open road.  We drove straight through the night to get to the trailhead and then a long trek up the mountain and into the glorious idaho backcountry!  It was a relatively short hunt. The first evening of glassing produced very little. The following morning we were in position as the sun came up. Immediately Jon spotted deer.  While it was not my buck with the big back Forks there was a respectable deer in the group so we planned our approach and we were off! Those deer did not cooperate however but luckily our stock put us in a position to make a play on a completely different group of bucks. A little repositioning and I had an opening for a good shot and I took it.  A few quick pictures and some handy knife work between the two of us and we were heading back to fetch camp and then bomb down the mountain so we could get on the road from Nevada!

Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 11:32:48 AM
Looking back at pics that buck looked familiar
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 07, 2018, 12:05:58 PM
Ooooooooooh what happened next???
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 07, 2018, 12:10:38 PM
Did anyone get ina fight with a cactus?
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 07, 2018, 12:11:19 PM
Did anyone get ina fight with a cactus?

I got penetrated
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: grundy53 on December 07, 2018, 12:11:23 PM
Tagging along.  Already loving this thread. Can't wait for more.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 12:16:07 PM
Did anyone get ina fight with a cactus?

I got penetrated
now gosh dangit no spoilers!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 07, 2018, 12:37:33 PM
That's a lot of work for a spike. :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on December 07, 2018, 02:46:05 PM
Did anyone get ina fight with a cactus?

I got penetrated
Were you in the fecal fetal position when it happened?
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on December 07, 2018, 03:11:03 PM
sub
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 07, 2018, 09:04:06 PM
Looks like a great years so far!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 07, 2018, 09:10:46 PM
Hey Karl when your all done with yours can you type up stories for my fall? My story telling sucks. I’m not great with all the words
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: bowhunterforever on December 07, 2018, 10:36:23 PM
Great write up and critters so far :tup:
Title: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: jackelope on December 08, 2018, 06:09:14 AM
Just what the heck is going on here??
Those are pictures and stories? From Blanchard?
Bestow my beating heart... keep it coming.  Thanks for sharing, buddy.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: CaNINE on December 08, 2018, 06:48:50 AM
Great stuff Karl keep it coming
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 07:25:54 AM
Hey Karl when your all done with yours can you type up stories for my fall? My story telling sucks. I’m not great with all the words
Deal!  You can't change anything I write though and have to go along with EVERTHING I post  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Dan-o on December 08, 2018, 08:44:55 AM
Supertag!

Thanks, Karl.
I'll be following for sure.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 08, 2018, 08:46:22 AM
Hey Karl when your all done with yours can you type up stories for my fall? My story telling sucks. I’m not great with all the words
Deal!  You can't change anything I write though and have to go along with EVERTHING I post  :chuckle:
:o
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 10:31:01 AM
Once again Jon and I were burning through the gas and the coffee on our way to Nevada!  At some point in the night Jon decided to test the durability of a live coyote.  Turns out that coyotes are not Toyota Tundra proof :chuckle:  50 miles after we turned off the black top and one failed jackrabbit assassination by Jon and we were at the trail head.  Luckily it was mid day so we were able to enjoy our hike in the sweltering Nevada heat :bdid: We hiked, and we hiked, and we hiked but the drainage we were in was failing to give us the elevation gain we wanted to towards dark we pealed off and straight up we went.  We glassed until dark but it produced very little.  Couple small bucks and a dumb little 370" 6x6 bull elk  :bash:

Where we ended up wasn't exactly optimal for sleeping.sharp rock and cactus kind of suck but we managed to dig out a spot flat enough for a tent and we settled in for a semi comfortable nights sleep. The insanely bright full moon kept the tent nicely lit and at one point i contemplated getting up and glassing :chuckle: We were up and caffeinated before the sun and it was incredible how quickly the few deer we saw bedded up for the morning.  They literally ran from sun light!  We needed to get farther up the mountain but for fear of not being able to find water we opted to leave camp and drop back down to the creek bottom to load up on as much water as we could carry.  The creek is what my little brother would refer to as "questionable".  There was an endless chain of beaver ponds and an endless amount of beaver crap floating in the water.  We were convinced that this particular water was the origin of beaver fever but it was all we had so purified, drank till we were sick and back up the hill we went.  That evening we settled in for a nice evening of glassing.  Jon had found a particularly nice spot to sit but there was a cactus that was a bit to close for comfort so in an odd display of aggression towards a plant he removed it from its location.  As he was violently assaulting the cactus with his trekking pole I noticed a lot of quills flying around.  I thought to myself "man that could get a guy in trouble".  The thought barely entered my brain when I noticed Jon was in visible distress.  "Man i sat on a quill".  I laughed but as he continued to dig he came up with a blood covered quill that had achieved a solid 1.5" of  penetration  :yike:  Only thing worth seeing that evening was a big cougar we glassed up that was working  high sage clearing.

Lots of fruitless glassing produced very little so it was time to make a move and find some deer.  Four more days we explored around the most depressing country I have ever hunted  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: tgomez on December 08, 2018, 10:38:08 AM
Those are TALL spikes. Congratulations on a great hunt and thanks for sharing your story with us.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 11:00:05 AM
Our last ditch effort was an area I had looked at during my Google scouting but had decided to stay away because it was foretold to me that it was a popular trailhead for other hunters. Like anything else, just go farther and work harder and you can be rewarded.  The hunt was coming to a close and we had to make something happen so we loaded up packs and kicked it in high gear!  We only had a few hours of light left and we needed to make good time.  I felt bad for Jon because he was in high gear and my fat arse was stuck in mid range.  We gained the elevation we wanted and started working across a big ridge that had canyons running off of it.  The second canyon we got to was exactly what I had been looking for all week.  Instantly I got that feeling that if there was a good buck in all of Nevada, this is where he would be.  We shucked our packs and Jon began to glass.  Though I began to unpack the optics, I couldn't glass.  I had to look over the lip into the mahogany.   I had to scratch that itch.  There was a buck in there and I knew it.  Like a lab with a nose full of fresh pheasant scent I snatched up my gun and edged my way along the mahogany.

The bucks caught me off guard.  They saw me before I saw them and they weren't going to stick around to see what I was all about.  I had a little window but I timed it wrong and it was a clean miss.  Jon came down to me and immediately glassed up another bachelor group of bucks at 580 yards with one good one in it.  It was getting dark fast and I was already making my plan for the next morning when Jon says "I bet if you walked straight at that pine you may be able to get into range." 

I made it to the pine tree and miraculously the bucks had not moved.  They were still watching Jon on the hill with great interest.  The bigger buck was in the back and offering a perfect broadside.  The shot was a long one so I took my time getting into a solid shooting position and calming my breathing from the rodeo that had just taken place.  At the shot my line of sight filled with smoke but the all too familiar sound of a 300gr bullet impacting a body brought me sweet relief!  I rolled clear of the smoke just in time to see the buck snow plowing down the sage hillside towards the bottom.  It was going to be a long night!

Up and up and up to the ridgeline for what seemed like an eternity.  Once on the ridgeline it was just a short 4 mile walk across sage grouse (aka pterodactyls) infested rock and we were back to the truck.  It was 1 a.m. and we were both ready for hot chow and a warm sleeping bag.  Nevada was hot, cold, dusty, rocky, and challenging but it felt great to go there, scrap it out and be successful.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 08, 2018, 11:15:11 AM
Karl comes from a long line of sharpshooters and he didn't disappoint on either hunt. He's purely relentless behind his glass.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 11:24:55 AM
There's a forum member and friend who had hunted this unit multiple times and provided me with good insight into the area and i can't thank him enough for being willing to offer up specifics......even though I killed my buck where he told me not to go :chuckle:

Most of all I can't thank the jon enough.  His rock steady positive attitude, high level of fitness, and overall skill and confidence as a woodsman really made that whirlwind  trip one of the more enjoyable hunts I've been on, despite the trials and tribulations.  Your friendship is much appreciated Jon  :tup:

All in all it was a heck of a fun week and was able to bring home almost 200lb of meat as well as a few euro's for the shed wall.

High mtn idaho buck vs mahogany and sage mule deer meat is equally delicious though those idaho deer are the most delicious flesh you will ever consume!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 08, 2018, 11:35:34 AM
Those are some great animals, congrats  :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 11:42:49 AM
If I ever end up back to that nevada spot I will be allowing a day for jackrabbits and a day for fishing.  Every single stream and beaver pond was packed full of huge trout!  One night Jon had had enough and waged war on some trout.  we spent hours in the dark trying to come up with ways to get a fish.  Came close a few ties with the spears but to no avail.  Last ditch effort we cut a narrow strip off my ground cloth and tied it to a safety pin.  With a small freeze dried pea we went to work.  Only thing we successfully caught was granddaddy crawdad! We contemplated eating it but decided he belonged to the water{too lazy to cook it} and turned him back :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 08, 2018, 11:51:33 AM
That's almost worthy of a full mount  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 12:55:50 PM
That's almost worthy of a full mount  :chuckle:
it definitely falls into the "big old goodin" catagory :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Hoythunter on December 08, 2018, 01:21:17 PM
Fantastic season and great write-up!  Congratulations, now it’s time to start planning for next year....   :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 08, 2018, 01:22:32 PM
Fantastic season and great write-up!  Congratulations, now it’s time to start planning for next year....   :chuckle:
Oh he’s only half done with his story.  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: coachcw on December 08, 2018, 01:24:59 PM
Wait till he tells you about his terrible pack out in colorado !
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Kazekurt on December 08, 2018, 03:26:14 PM
Thanks for sharing!  I love hearing about backcountry exploits!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Mr Mykiss on December 08, 2018, 03:52:56 PM
Boot leather?? I always thought you were more of an ATV guy...
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 07:30:59 PM
Boot leather?? I always thought you were more of an ATV guy...
  Hover board. Duh!!!!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 08:16:03 PM
Idaho general season was nothing short of a *censored* show.  Due to scouting early I chose to sneak over for the opener.  It was a gamble because that only left me 4 days to hunt but 4 days to scout.  Once again I joined forces with my good friend Mike Johnson and buddy Dioni for a long trek up the mountain.  With three of use we packed in a pretty plush camp.  Extra food, the big tipi, and the titanium stove.  We got the tipi set, a giant stash of wood gathered and settled in for a fun week of finding bucks and hopefully killing a few come opening day.

First day of scouting was heart breaking.  I immediately found my big boy from summer right where I had left him.  Problem was he had broken off his passenger side antler right above the g1  :'(  I had dreamed of this buck for the last three months and now he was in a condition where I did not want to take him. 

Next few days didn't produce much besides smaller bucks and roughly all the elk in Idaho.  Had a great encounter with a wolf pack though which is always an amazing experience!  Its a weird feeling to hate but love an animal so much.  Then the snow came!  I was awoken in the middle of the night to a very cold tipi wall resting on my face!!!!!  It was dumping snow and in our slumber we had not realized how much had piled up!  Our center pole was shaped somewhat like a horseshoe and was just barely keeping us from a full on collapse.  With some rushed team effort we were able to relieve the pole and get some snow off.  Dawning long johns and crocs we waded into the snow covered night to cut a new pole that wasn't going to be an issue.  We got the mack daddy of all poles installed, a nice fire going to take the chill off a bit and back to bed we went. 

The whole next day it continued to pile up.  For the last few years Mike and I have been trying to time a migration spot right as it was the holy grail of mule deer hunting but we have yet to replicate our first experience there.  With the snow flying all around us we were very much at odds with our current game plan.  We called council and made the hard decision to pack up and move a few hours away to try and be ready for the swarms of giant bucks that were sure to come our way.  Getting out wasn't that easy though.  There was a narrow pass that we had used to access the area and the snow had drifted it in quite badly.  Teamwork and a little luck got us through without issue and we were burning rubber in route for what I hoped to be heaven on earth!

ANOTHER heavy pack in and once again we have a nice soggy camp set and we are ready to wade through the bucks to snipe out a few booners.  WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!  3 days we waited and we glassed.  3 days we never saw anything resembling a shooter.  All we saw were a few locals and an endless amount of elk including one 8x7 that was every bit of 360".  Only thing we could think of is we were too early in the month.  When we hunted this spot when it was good there was less snow than we were currently dealing with but it had been the end of october and they were just starting to move anyways we think.

So for pack in number three in 7 days we hit another spot that offered some wiggle room on mobility.  Elk, elk, and more elk!  Every place I go across the west I can't get away from the stupid elk bucks!  Last morning of the hunt we awoke to high winds that bit right through a guy.  Despite the wind it was a beautiful morning and though the deer hunting had been dismal, I was at peace with my efforts and very much enjoying this amazing morning staring me in the face.  I'm certain that most all hunters know the kind of morning I'm talking about.  One that leaves you in awe at mother nature and what she has created.  I only had a half day to hunt this final day before I had to roll home so I was expecting to go another year with my second Idaho tag unfilled when I spotted a group of bucks feeding up the ridge I was on.  8 bucks in the bunch from 1.5 year olds all the way up to a 27" wide 2x3 that had that sway to him that told me he'd endured more than a few years of wolves, snow, cats, and man.

I immediately wrote them off and continued glassing.  I would periodically glance back to the old buck though to see what he was up to.  Those older bucks just have a way about them and I began to get the itch to make a play at him.  For another hour I went back and forth on whether I was gonna shoot him or not.  Finally with an hour of morning left for me to be productive I decided that I liked him enough to try and take him home.  The stalk was text book and a 90 yard chip shot later he was down.

In an effort to soak in as much of that special morning magic I made a nice fire, a jetboil full of coffee and got nice and settled in for the knife work at hand. I did my best to take pics but a solo cell phone session never produces very good images :chuckle: I got him all meated out right as Mike caught up with me and he helped me pack him out.  Idaho is always a struggle but her rewards are bountiful for those willing to tackle her slopes. 
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 08:21:57 PM
.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 08:25:01 PM
At the beginning of my season Mike had presented me with a 30 cal bullet he milled from stainless steel.  He knew I really wanted to high step through this season so he made me this little lucky charm.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 09:09:24 PM
.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: SeaRun1 on December 08, 2018, 09:21:55 PM
I enjoyed the read and the pics.  Thank you for sharing and congratulations.

SR1
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 09:28:22 PM
I enjoyed the read and the pics.  Thank you for sharing and congratulations.

SR1
Thank you sir.  I'll get WA and CO hammered out tomorrow hopefully.  Dad stuff and house stuff doesnt offer up much internet time.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: fishngamereaper on December 09, 2018, 05:52:43 AM
Several Bucks of a lifetime for some, all in one season for you. Well done sir. :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: ljsommer on December 09, 2018, 09:15:13 AM
What a joy to read, thank you!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2018, 08:25:31 PM
I had a really weird gap in my season this year.  September was packed and then october and november were both fairly spaced out.  With Idaho in the books I had the second weekend of rifle deer to fill with some kid fun.  It was my nephew Hunter's first season and with deer tag in hand we rolled east to spend the weekend with Bullblaster looking for some whitetails.  We saw a few deer but nothing we could get close enough to shoot at (so we thought).  I was confident in his ability inside 200 but had not yet stretched out past that.  We made the most of it though and had fun regardless.  Turns out the kid is a sniper.  We hit rock lake for some steel shooting and he ran my 6mm like a pro!  First round hits at 350, 480, 560, 720, 900, and 1,000 yards.  He missed once at 900 but that was a bad wind call (we blame bullblaster for that)  :chuckle:

The following two weekends were spent with my wonderful daughter chasing muley doe's on a youth tag.  She hunted hard but held firm on not shooting a mommy deer aka "a breeder".  Addison is what you would refer to as above average.  There's some members who have spent some time with her and they will confirm that she is much smarter than her father.  She over heard a conversation I had with a friend about some areas in Idaho that shouldn't be shooting doe's right now and she took interest.  2hrs later we had covered buck to doe ratios, how shooting females affects populations, winter kill, balancing deer numbers with agriculture damage, etc.  You know, standard conversations you have with an 8 year old :chuckle:  We had multiple opportunities for quality shots but each time there were fawns present and she elected to pass on the shots.  It was more fun than any man could have and it brought me immense joy to watch her make the decisions to pass on deer even though she is very driven to be successful.  The speed at which she absorbed information in the field was astounding!  The way she moved, stepped, observed, etc. was that of a seasoned hunter after only  a few corrections from dear old dad.  She will be a force to be reckoned with and I'm very excited to get her to Idaho and Colorado when she is of age. She sure makes it tough on the guide though trying to find an old sway back nag for her to shoot!  I can't wait for my son to hunt, he'll shoot anything :chuckle:

Big shout out to ELKBURGER for the generous invite to let Addison hunt his property! We had a blast!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: idaho guy on December 09, 2018, 08:56:41 PM
 :tup:good stories so far thanks for posting
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: kellama2001 on December 09, 2018, 09:58:48 PM
Thank you for posting your hunting stories, you have a very entertaining writing style while still making the reader feel like they're on the hunt with you! Sounds like a memorable year, thank you for taking the time to share!  :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2018, 10:37:14 PM
Thank you for posting your hunting stories, you have a very entertaining writing style while still making the reader feel like they're on the hunt with you! Sounds like a memorable year, thank you for taking the time to share!  :tup:
thank you.  I'll get CO done tomorrow and be finished with this overly drawn out season recap :sry:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 09, 2018, 11:42:58 PM
I'm still waiting for the MT hunt story........... :dunno:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 10, 2018, 05:07:56 AM
I am waiting for the Utah story
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 06:43:44 AM
I'm still waiting for the MT hunt story........... :dunno:
I'm anti Montana remember  :chuckle:

I am waiting for the Utah story
ha! You and me both!!!!  I've been applying for some really simple to draw tags the last two years trying to burn deer points and they wont give me a tag  >:(
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 10, 2018, 07:09:06 AM
You know life would be much easier if you, Addison, and Hunter had a good Whitetail’s guide. Your current one can’t even get you on a doe in Ag country.  :bash:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 07:09:25 AM
The shanks always go so fast out of the freezer! Why can't deer have 8 legs  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 07:10:32 AM
You know life would be much easier if you, Addison, and Hunter had a good Whitetail’s guide. Your current one can’t even get you on a doe in Ag country.  :bash:
in your defense, if we had known that Hunter was a super sniper we could have probably tagged out fairly easily  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 10, 2018, 07:18:44 AM
You know life would be much easier if you, Addison, and Hunter had a good Whitetail’s guide. Your current one can’t even get you on a doe in Ag country.  :bash:
in your defense, if we had known that Hunter was a super sniper we could have probably tagged out fairly easily  :chuckle:
Yes there is that.  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: mburrows on December 10, 2018, 07:55:25 AM
Thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 08:06:00 AM
Thanks for sharing!
#makehuntwagreatagain.   :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 08:21:15 AM
Oh Colorado! The hunt I look forward to every season! It's the only hunt I do every year that is with a group.  Wall tent, woodstove, good friends and Dutch oven cooking!

This year, in an attempt to get everyone back on track with points, we all put in for a 4th season tag to burn points and all get back to zero.  Plan worked perfectly!  Plus to 4th season is it doesnt start till a Wednesday so you get 4 days to scout.  Minus to 4th season is it starts on a Wednesday so you only get 4 days to hunt.  Scouting was productive and as a group we were able to locate lots of deer and LOTS of elk!  Downfall to that time of year though is bucks are constantly moving.  Though we saw some good ones, we were never able to relocate some of the better bucks.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 08:23:24 AM
The evening before the season started I was able to find a good buck bedded with what I assume was a hot doe.  I felt good about being able to find him again in the morning so he was going to be my game day plan!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 10, 2018, 08:39:04 AM
And then?
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: MerriamMagician on December 10, 2018, 08:47:39 AM
Awesome recap of your season! Like your 2017 season, my 2018 was disappointing for mulies with none harvested and many of my hunts cancelled or messed up. I'm already making big plans to make 2019 my own year of the deer.  :drool
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 10, 2018, 09:03:35 AM
I'm still waiting for the MT hunt story........... :dunno:
I'm anti Montana remember

I didn't know, but good thing the story is short. Accompanied plat to MT, looked for bison, found bison, killed bison and packed out bison for my good buddy Plat. :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 09:13:49 AM
The upside to carpooling is you save on gas and get someone to talk to.  The downside is you don't have your own rig to get around in.  Everyone had their spots picked out.  Coach and bullblaster had their target buck to chase, my ride JM had his death hike to start, jeremie and kayden were heading to another part of the unit, and Brian had his eye on elk. 

This left me hunting a spot 30 min from anyone.  This meant that I got dropped off an hour and 20 minutes before light to hunt a buck that was extremely close to a county road.  So for an hour and 20 min, in -1° weather, I sat on the back side of a small knob waiting for the sun to rise.  When it was finally light enough to see I was shaking so bad I was convinced that every deer for a mile could hear my teeth chatter! 

As the morning light turned blackness into detail I began scanning the far ridge where I had seen the buck the night before.  I dont know how I first missed his rack but I did.  Luckily I noticed it before it was too late.  A quick confirmation that it was in fact him and it was go time!  Small issue quickly became clear however.  All I could see was his rack and head and he was skylined.  So with the stealth and agility of an elephant I picked my way back up the ridge.  I finally got another hillside behind the buck providing a safe backstop. 

Off come the gloves! Down goes the pack!  I got down in the prone and readied for the shot.  It was 199 yards so no math needed!  I can still only see his head and neck but I don't dare try and stand him up because I was certain he saw me and when he decides to go he is gonna GO.  199 is a chip shot for me so I put it at the base of his head, exhail, and squeezed off my shot.  I heard the pop of the hit but he fell out of sight. 

It took me a bit to get down and back up the steep sandy draw but upon reaching the ridge i was greeted with the sight of a dead mule deer, still in his bed.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 10, 2018, 09:14:57 AM
What a great chronicle of your year. I wish I'd known you when I was younger.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: ljsommer on December 10, 2018, 09:19:33 AM
What a great chronicle of your year. I wish I'd known you when I was younger.

I am flabbergasted at this season. I have to ask, Karl: How in the hell do you get that much time off work?
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 09:42:53 AM
What a great chronicle of your year. I wish I'd known you when I was younger.
thanks John! Likewise sir!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 09:45:55 AM
What a great chronicle of your year. I wish I'd known you when I was younger.

I am flabbergasted at this season. I have to ask, Karl: How in the hell do you get that much time off work?
been with my employer for 14 years so I get 4 weeks of vacation plus some comp days for on calls.  I live a hermits life so I can afford tags and gas.  Biggest thing is I have a very understanding and supportive wife.  She's a strong independent woman who has her own hobbies and friends.  She also says I'm unbearable to be around during the fall when I'm not hunting  :chuckle: 
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 10, 2018, 09:56:23 AM
Having a wife like that Is awesome! I'm sure your wife is like mine when she says "unbearable", I smell like per.  :chuckle: I tell her I'm not the 1 out there rutting anymore, its not my pee.  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Naches Sportsman on December 10, 2018, 09:57:34 AM
Wow nice work.

I do think you may need to look into some gear after chasing that spike and you Idaho hunt in the form of climbing gear and skis :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: ljsommer on December 10, 2018, 09:58:10 AM
What a great chronicle of your year. I wish I'd known you when I was younger.

I am flabbergasted at this season. I have to ask, Karl: How in the hell do you get that much time off work?
been with my employer for 14 years so I get 4 weeks of vacation plus some comp days for on calls.  I live a hermits life so I can afford tags and gas.  Biggest thing is I have a very understanding and supportive wife.  She's a strong independent woman who has her own hobbies and friends.  She also says I'm unbearable to be around during the fall when I'm not hunting  :chuckle:

I see two valuable pieces of information here...

Biggest thing is I have a very understanding and supportive wife. She's a strong independent woman who has her own hobbies and friends.

and

She also says I'm unbearable to be around during the fall when I'm not hunting  :chuckle:

So that's the key! ;)
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: jstone on December 10, 2018, 10:05:45 AM
Very cool hunts.
It’s hard to keep up when they are trolling for chicks
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on December 10, 2018, 10:40:25 AM
Sincere thanks for sharing this here, I really enjoyed reading your 2018 exploits.  I miss being able to hunt the backcountry, but am thankful for the hunts I did get in.  That said, I think my favorite part is the farm ground hunt with the kids!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 10, 2018, 10:52:40 AM
Having a wife like that Is awesome! I'm sure your wife is like mine when she says "unbearable", I smell like per.  :chuckle: I tell her I'm not the 1 out there rutting anymore, its not my pee.  :chuckle:

 :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:

My wife likes her "time off".
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 12:19:52 PM
This left me hunting a spot 30 min from anyone.  This meant that I got dropped off an hour and 20 minutes before light to hunt a buck that was extremely close to a county road.  So for an hour and 20 min, in -1° weather, I sat on the back side of a small knob waiting for the sun to rise.  When it was finally light enough to see I was shaking so bad I was convinced that every deer for a mile could hear my teeth chatter! 

As the morning light turned blackness into detail I began scanning the far ridge where I had seen the buck the night before.  I dont know how I first misted his rack but I did.  Luckily I noticed it before it was too late.  A quick confirmation that it was in fact him and it was go time!  Small issue quickly became clear however.  All I could see was his rack and head and he was skylined.  So with the stealth and agility of an elephant I picked my way back up the ridge.  I finally got another hillside behind the buck providing a safe backstop. 

Off come the gloves! Down goes the pack!  I got down in the prone and readied for the shot.  It was 199 yards so no math needed!  I can still only see his head and neck but I don't dare try and stand him up because I was certain he saw me and when he decides to go he is gonna GO.  199 is a chip shot for me so I put it at the base of his head, exhail, and squeezed off my shot.  I heard the pop of the hit but he fell out of sight. 

It took me a bit to get down and back up the steep sandy draw but upon reaching the ridge i was greeted with the sight of a dead mule deer, still in his bed.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 12:22:31 PM
With chris tagged out and my tag also filled that gave us the entirety of the season to focus on finding the big man a good buck!  Corey has been long over due for a good buck and my bad luck had rubbed off on him the last few seasons.  All week we covered ground.  We saw elk and deer but no good bucks.  On the 4th day we hiked up onto the back side of a ridge near where I had killed my buck.  As we peeled back the folds of sage we caught sight of what looked to be a good deer.  As we started to decide our approach, the buck made the decision to make a play for us! Here comes a doe flat out packin the mail and he is hot on our heals!  A bit of cat and mouse through the sage and he offered up a trotting shot for Corey and he put one right through the top of his heart!

It was a joyous day! Sun was out and we had all the time in the world to take pics, meat out the buck and to top it off there was three of us to do the packing!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 12:24:51 PM
With chris tagged out and my tag also filled that gave us the entirety of the season to focus on finding the big man a good buck!  Corey has been long over due for a good buck and my bad luck had rubbed off on him the last few seasons.  All week we covered ground.  We saw elk and deer but no good bucks.  On the 4th day we hiked up onto the back side of a ridge near where I had killed my buck.  As we peeled back the folds of sage we caught sight of what looked to be a good deer.  As we started to decide our approach, the buck made the decision to make a play for us! Here comes a doe flat out packin the mail and he is hot on our heals!  A bit of cat and mouse through the sage and he offered up a trotting shot for Corey and he put one right through the top of his heart!

It was a joyous day! Sun was out and we had all the time in the world to take pics, meat out the buck and to top it off there was three of us to do the packing!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 12:28:11 PM
Brian's buck was an ancient warrior.  At first glance he looked small but then you look a bit closer and see his true form.  He's 24" wide and has just regressed to almost nothing.  These old brutes fascinate me. With all the hunting pressure that this area receives it's amazing that a deer can get to that age.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 12:33:51 PM
Few more from CO.  The club bull was a sad deal.  He was dead right next to a gut pile.  Some jack wagon shot two elk and just left him to rot :bash:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 12:36:40 PM
Here's a link to Bullblasters story and pics! Great buck!


https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,234257.0.html
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: boneaddict on December 10, 2018, 12:50:52 PM
Great read Karl.  I really enjoyed it.   What a fantastic fall.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 10, 2018, 01:06:06 PM
Those pictures of Corey’s buck don’t do it justice... the body and head on that deer are enormous! And not to mention the giant man sitting behind it.

And yes I’m longarming mine in this picture.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 10, 2018, 01:27:53 PM
Nice animals and stories. :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: grundy53 on December 10, 2018, 02:27:25 PM
Great stories and great season! Thank you very much for sharing!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: cavemann on December 10, 2018, 02:37:54 PM
speachless...  Nice work guys..  dang..
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 05:58:27 PM
I'm still waiting for the MT hunt story........... :dunno:
I'm anti Montana remember

I didn't know, but good thing the story is short. Accompanied plat to MT, looked for bison, found bison, killed bison and packed out bison for my good buddy Plat. :chuckle:
weird I just pulled a hammy   :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: huntnphool on December 10, 2018, 06:17:19 PM
 Fantastic year guys :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: elkboy on December 10, 2018, 06:31:42 PM
Karl, thank you for sharing. Awesome hunt stories. Looks like a lot of blessings going on in your life! Thanks for giving us a look into your incredible year!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Jpmiller on December 10, 2018, 07:35:40 PM
Thanks for sharing your adventures. Fantastic read!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Doublelunger on December 10, 2018, 07:52:28 PM
Phenomenal! Glad you're back to sharing dead animals on social media! :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 08:53:59 PM
Thanks all!  It was for sure a great season.  It's funny though how you are never really satisfied.  There's always those few things you wished you'd done differently that would have surely made all the difference  :chuckle:  I guess never being satisfied is what drives a man to continue to learn and work harder. 

No off season this winter.  February I head to Kodiak Alaska with my baby brother to try and scrounge up a couple Mountain Goats.  Sure to be a great adventure and a bit on the sporty side  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Mr Mykiss on December 11, 2018, 06:15:15 AM
Living the dream man!!  :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Yakirack on December 11, 2018, 07:55:15 AM
Great work guys congrats! Incredible season for sure  :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 08:18:09 AM
I am very superstitious about my hats.  You can't just wear any old hat.  I got this hat years ago when my little brother left it in my truck therefore by sibling law it became my property.  Ive killed dozens and dozens of deer wearing old betsy but she's become tired. The problem with an old hat is as it starts to break down it becomes incredibly uncomfortable.  It's not as simple as grabbing a new hat however.  You dont pick a lucky hat, a lucky hat picks you.  Before that happens though, you must end your old hats life on a high point and then ceremoniously burn it in a hunting camp fire. Now I'm left with no lucky deer hunting hat and I feel like part of me is gone. Finding a new lucky deer hunting hat is one of the hardest things you can do in life.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: jstone on December 11, 2018, 08:22:32 AM
Karl. I hear you about the hat thing. I have a specific hat I wear. When I am out hunting and nothing goes together it’s cause I was wearing the wrong hat.! It’s a fact
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 08:50:17 AM
Karl. I hear you about the hat thing. I have a specific hat I wear. When I am out hunting and nothing goes together it’s cause I was wearing the wrong hat.! It’s a fact
it upsets the balance of the universe!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Seabass on December 11, 2018, 09:23:39 AM
I'm an ex-athlete and have a few superstitions myself....I went through this scenario a few years back.

Now I'm a coach so I took a "coaching" approach to my new lucky piece of garb. I picked the new piece...for me it's my bottom base layer (weird I know). I gave it some work in the off season....maybe some coyote hunts or fishing trips. You know, nothing that is super critical but still live reps. I put that new base layer in situations where it could be successful without a ton of pressure. I didn't put it in the game when the stakes where at their highest. enough good things happen and you build some confidence in that new luck piece. Just an idea.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 09:29:21 AM
I'm an ex-athlete and have a few superstitions myself....I went through this scenario a few years back.

Now I'm a coach so I took a "coaching" approach to my new lucky piece of garb. I picked the new piece...for me it's my bottom base layer (weird I know). I gave it some work in the off season....maybe some coyote hunts or fishing trips. You know, nothing that is super critical but still live reps. I put that new base layer in situations where it could be successful without a ton of pressure. I didn't put it in the game when the stakes where at their highest. enough good things happen and you build some confidence in that new luck piece. Just an idea.
genius!!!!! I did a similar thing with my new Turkey hat 2 years ago.  Started with youth season because I wasnt shooting obviously.  It absorbed some good mojo and Turkey blood and now it's a tried and true piece.  I've got a blue under armor base layer that I got my junior year of high school.  You couldn't burn the stink out of that thing  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: cavemann on December 11, 2018, 09:33:10 AM
Karl, I will add from one chrome dome to another...  Lucky hat's can make or break a year and without one the risk of rain, sun and chill on ones head is very uncomfortable until this is achieved.  those fuzzy domers can't relate.  Good luck keeping the sun roof dry until then.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Seabass on December 11, 2018, 09:34:34 AM
I just hate to leave anything to chance...even luck.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: mburrows on December 11, 2018, 09:34:55 AM
Im confused so your saying I need species specific lucky hats? If so that explains a lot...

#makehuntwagreatagain
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 11, 2018, 09:35:50 AM
I'm an ex-athlete and have a few superstitions myself....I went through this scenario a few years back.

Now I'm a coach so I took a "coaching" approach to my new lucky piece of garb. I picked the new piece...for me it's my bottom base layer (weird I know). I gave it some work in the off season....maybe some coyote hunts or fishing trips. You know, nothing that is super critical but still live reps. I put that new base layer in situations where it could be successful without a ton of pressure. I didn't put it in the game when the stakes where at their highest. enough good things happen and you build some confidence in that new luck piece. Just an idea.
You can’t put the lucky into something! It’s just gotta be natural.  :chuckle: just like you can’t coach athleticism or coordination into someone. I would know there was plenty of coach’s that tried when I was growing up.  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: 2MANY on December 11, 2018, 09:42:04 AM
What really surprises me about all this is
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Well Nothing.
Karl gets it done.
Congrats on a fun year.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on December 11, 2018, 09:46:26 AM
I'm an ex-athlete and have a few superstitions myself....I went through this scenario a few years back.

Now I'm a coach so I took a "coaching" approach to my new lucky piece of garb. I picked the new piece...for me it's my bottom base layer (weird I know). I gave it some work in the off season....maybe some coyote hunts or fishing trips. You know, nothing that is super critical but still live reps. I put that new base layer in situations where it could be successful without a ton of pressure. I didn't put it in the game when the stakes where at their highest. enough good things happen and you build some confidence in that new luck piece. Just an idea.
genius!!!!! I did a similar thing with my new Turkey hat 2 years ago.  Started with youth season because I wasnt shooting obviously.  It absorbed some good mojo and Turkey blood and now it's a tried and true piece.  I've got a blue under armor base layer that I got my junior year of high school.  You couldn't burn the stink out of that thing  :chuckle:
Ha!  My wife still triggers on mention of the "blue shirt", my polypro base layer I tossed her when I returned from my 1998 sheep hunt.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Seabass on December 11, 2018, 09:47:50 AM
I'm an ex-athlete and have a few superstitions myself....I went through this scenario a few years back.

Now I'm a coach so I took a "coaching" approach to my new lucky piece of garb. I picked the new piece...for me it's my bottom base layer (weird I know). I gave it some work in the off season....maybe some coyote hunts or fishing trips. You know, nothing that is super critical but still live reps. I put that new base layer in situations where it could be successful without a ton of pressure. I didn't put it in the game when the stakes where at their highest. enough good things happen and you build some confidence in that new luck piece. Just an idea.
You can’t put the lucky into something! It’s just gotta be natural.  :chuckle: just like you can’t coach athleticism or coordination into someone. I would know there was plenty of coach’s that tried when I was growing up.  :chuckle:

No doubt...some things can't be forced. I'm not manufacturing the luck, just giving it an opportunity to express its self. :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 09:48:35 AM
Im confused so your saying I need species specific lucky hats? If so that explains a lot...

#makehuntwagreatagain
it's a real thing man!!!!!  I'm freaking out right now about the mountain goat hunt!  Where do you even start with a lucky goat hat  :yike: :yike: :yike:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 09:49:24 AM
Hahahaha!!!!! I knew the hat thing would spark some good convo 🤣🤣🤣
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: cavemann on December 11, 2018, 09:57:26 AM
Karl, you had a h3ll of a year..  That said, I think Kegan still holds bregging rights!!!!  Maybe he'll loan you a hat!?!? :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 11, 2018, 09:59:55 AM
Karl, you had a h3ll of a year..  That said, I think Kegan still holds bregging rights!!!!  Maybe he'll loan you a hat!?!? :IBCOOL:
Ya that little turd wins the whole year! He deserves every minute of it too!
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 10:02:05 AM
Little *censored* shot a bigger deer than me! Must be nice being designated trigger puller  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 10:03:07 AM
Karl, you had a h3ll of a year..  That said, I think Kegan still holds bregging rights!!!!  Maybe he'll loan you a hat!?!? :IBCOOL:
Ya that little turd wins the whole year! He deserves every minute of it too!
no way!!!! I lost all sympathy for him after big bull number 3 :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on December 11, 2018, 10:46:43 AM
Im confused so your saying I need species specific lucky hats? If so that explains a lot...

#makehuntwagreatagain
it's a real thing man!!!!!  I'm freaking out right now about the mountain goat hunt!  Where do you even start with a lucky goat hat  :yike: :yike: :yike:
You're welcome.  https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/11892386492037675
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 11:10:34 AM
Nailed it 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: cavemann on December 11, 2018, 11:47:22 AM
I'm putting up $20 to charity if Karl wears it on his goat hunt..  Karl's charity of choice, who's in..  And no, a pose with it on doesn't count..  Need several action photos.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Antlershed on December 11, 2018, 12:40:13 PM
Congrats on a great season Karl.

Although not as many adventures as you had, maybe I’ll have to write up my hunts.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 12:41:23 PM
Congrats on a great season Karl.

Although not as many adventures as you had, maybe I’ll have to write up my hunts.
Do it!!!!!!!

#makehuntwagreatagain


 :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 01:14:11 PM
I'm putting up $20 to charity if Karl wears it on his goat hunt..  Karl's charity of choice, who's in..  And no, a pose with it on doesn't count..  Need several action photos.
🤣🤣🤣
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 11, 2018, 01:53:14 PM
Ill donate a pack of firesticks if he wears it. :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: 2MANY on December 11, 2018, 02:04:53 PM
If you really want to nail a goat you should wear your lucky, knee high, rubber boots.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 02:33:47 PM
If you really want to nail a goat you should wear your lucky, knee high, rubber boots.
😂😂😂
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: NOCK NOCK on December 11, 2018, 04:28:28 PM
Ill donate a pack of firesticks if he wears it. :tup:




  I'm picturing that hat with a red stain on it now...………...not from the blood of a goat though, I've heard about Plats firesticks. .  :yike: :chuckle: :chuckle: :-[
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 11, 2018, 04:58:55 PM
That hat will help you get scary close to those old billies. 👍
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Pinetar on December 11, 2018, 05:38:22 PM
Little *censored* shot a bigger deer than me! Must be nice being designated trigger puller  :chuckle:

It shouldn't have been a surprise, I warned you before you left :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Brushbuster on December 11, 2018, 06:49:11 PM
Congrats on a fantastic season!! Thank you for sharing your adventures.  :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 06:57:34 PM
Little *censored* shot a bigger deer than me! Must be nice being designated trigger puller  :chuckle:

It shouldn't have been a surprise, I warned you before you left :chuckle:
yeah yeah yeah  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Jpmiller on December 11, 2018, 07:22:38 PM
I killed deer back to back years wearing Nikes, finally broke down and bought a new pair of hunting boots and been out of luck since then. Had a complete equipment failure year and two years of operator error. You better see if jackalope has any lucky goat stuff he would loan you.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 07:25:55 PM
I killed deer back to back years wearing Nikes, finally broke down and bought a new pair of hunting boots and been out of luck since then. Had a complete equipment failure year and two years of operator error. You better see if jackalope has any lucky goat stuff he would loan you.
now there's an idea!  Only. Problem is I'm normal sized and he's got a bad case of gigantism  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 11, 2018, 07:32:35 PM
Wait a minute JP??? So you're telling me that I can wear Nike shoes and sweats while drinking pepshi and eating sheeds and still kill big bucks???

No way, lies, blasphemy!? Why have i been hiking and killing my back all these years........










 :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 11, 2018, 07:57:10 PM
Wait a minute JP??? So you're telling me that I can wear Nike shoes and sweats while drinking pepshi and eating sheeds and still kill big bucks???

No way, lies, blasphemy!? Why have i been hiking and killing my back all these years........










 :chuckle:
You just gotta hunt them on the winter range and by roads plat!


 :peep:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 11, 2018, 09:30:00 PM
Wait a minute JP??? So you're telling me that I can wear Nike shoes and sweats while drinking pepshi and eating sheeds and still kill big bucks???

No way, lies, blasphemy!? Why have i been hiking and killing my back all these years........










 :chuckle:
You just gotta hunt them on the winter range and by roads plat!


 :peep:

 :chuckle: I think its the pepshi.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Jpmiller on December 11, 2018, 09:55:05 PM
Wait a minute JP??? So you're telling me that I can wear Nike shoes and sweats while drinking pepshi and eating sheeds and still kill big bucks???

No way, lies, blasphemy!? Why have i been hiking and killing my back all these years........










 :chuckle:

I make no claim to big bucks I simply said deer  :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Caseyd on December 11, 2018, 10:17:30 PM
I killed deer back to back years wearing Nikes, finally broke down and bought a new pair of hunting boots and been out of luck since then. Had a complete equipment failure year and two years of operator error. You better see if jackalope has any lucky goat stuff he would loan you.
now there's an idea!  Only. Problem is I'm normal sized and he's got a bad case of gigantism  :chuckle:

 :chuckle: maybe he’s got snow shorts you could borrow

Enjoyed the write and movement it started  :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: shootem on December 11, 2018, 11:03:28 PM
It's amazing what desire, knowledge,committment, and a hardcore willingness to do what it takes can get you. You guys are bad ass to the max. In my prime I had the desire covered but then trailed off the further down the list I went. Especially the hardcore part. Well done.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: go4steelhd on December 12, 2018, 04:38:50 AM
Nice bucks Karl :tup:
I may have missed the story, but how did you guys do the year you mentioned you hit the migration right in Idaho?
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 12, 2018, 08:32:29 AM
Nice bucks Karl :tup:
I may have missed the story, but how did you guys do the year you mentioned you hit the migration right in Idaho?
there was no story. killed this buck the day before the snow came.  Deer left overnight.  Spent the next 5 days trying to find them.  Then we did.  If I had one or two more days to hunt I would have killed the Giant but I just flat ran out of time.  And know it wasnt 39.  That migration is no secret lol.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: 2MANY on December 12, 2018, 08:51:20 AM
Must have been in the Blues.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: jstone on December 12, 2018, 08:55:29 AM
Awesome
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 12, 2018, 09:26:31 AM
Must have been in the Blues.
Missouri. It's a sleeper state for mule deer :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 12, 2018, 09:40:00 AM
Must have been in the Blues.
Missouri. It's a sleeper state for mule deer :chuckle:
But you told me it was the panhandle migration to wa via the Colorado river!!??   :yike:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 12, 2018, 10:02:04 AM
Must have been in the Blues.
Missouri. It's a sleeper state for mule deer :chuckle:
But you told me it was the panhandle migration to wa via the Colorado river!!??   :yike:
well it WAS a secret  >:(
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 12, 2018, 10:10:42 AM
Must have been in the Blues.
Missouri. It's a sleeper state for mule deer :chuckle:
But you told me it was the panhandle migration to wa via the Colorado river!!??   :yike:
well it WAS a secret  >:(
:sry: my bad....
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: go4steelhd on December 12, 2018, 05:34:25 PM
Nice bucks Karl :tup:
I may have missed the story, but how did you guys do the year you mentioned you hit the migration right in Idaho?
there was no story. killed this buck the day before the snow came.  Deer left overnight.  Spent the next 5 days trying to find them.  Then we did.  If I had one or two more days to hunt I would have killed the Giant but I just flat ran out of time.  And know it wasnt 39.  That migration is no secret lol.

I would never ask a unit. I can say if I ever say I’m hunting a unit, I’m actually no where near there :tup:
Nice buck on that trip. I always hunt the opener and have done very well. But I feel if you don’t live in the state the migration is your best chance at a once in a lifetime type buck.
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: jackelope on December 12, 2018, 05:56:55 PM
I killed deer back to back years wearing Nikes, finally broke down and bought a new pair of hunting boots and been out of luck since then. Had a complete equipment failure year and two years of operator error. You better see if jackalope has any lucky goat stuff he would loan you.
now there's an idea!  Only. Problem is I'm normal sized and he's got a bad case of gigantism  :chuckle:

I offered my tent.
:dunno:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 13, 2018, 11:33:06 AM
I killed deer back to back years wearing Nikes, finally broke down and bought a new pair of hunting boots and been out of luck since then. Had a complete equipment failure year and two years of operator error. You better see if jackalope has any lucky goat stuff he would loan you.
now there's an idea!  Only. Problem is I'm normal sized and he's got a bad case of gigantism  :chuckle:

I offered my tent.
:dunno:
valid point.  You weren't quick enough on the offer though slacker :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2018 season...Boot leather and backpacks
Post by: Mossyoak on December 14, 2018, 08:07:26 AM
What a year! That would still qualify as the year of the Mule Deer!
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal