Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 09:19:19 AM
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.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on December 07, 2018, 09:21:19 AM
Post by: JakeLand on December 07, 2018, 09:26:11 AM
Post by: mburrows on December 07, 2018, 09:29:04 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 09:37:49 AM
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!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 09:50:10 AM
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.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 09:51:13 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 09:55:58 AM
Post by: Antlershed on December 07, 2018, 09:56:54 AM
Following along, and thanks for deciding to share your adventures.
Post by: bracer40 on December 07, 2018, 10:04:35 AM
Thanks for sharing the good AND the not so good. Looking forward to the rest of the season's stories.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 10:04:58 AM
You know there’s much easier places to kill Spikes, right? :chuckle: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:
Following along, and thanks for deciding to share your adventures.
Josh is to thank for me posting. He's an immense contribution to the forum both on and off the computer screen
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 10:07:22 AM
Wow! Seriously! That's some steep goat looking country!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.
Thanks for sharing the good AND the not so good. Looking forward to the rest of the season's stories.
Post by: slowhand on December 07, 2018, 10:31:49 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 10:53:03 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 10:55:39 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 11:27:50 AM
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!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 11:32:48 AM
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 07, 2018, 12:05:58 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 07, 2018, 12:10:38 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 07, 2018, 12:11:19 PM
Did anyone get ina fight with a cactus?
I got penetrated
Post by: grundy53 on December 07, 2018, 12:11:23 PM
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2018, 12:16:07 PM
now gosh dangit no spoilers!Did anyone get ina fight with a cactus?
I got penetrated
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 07, 2018, 12:37:33 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on December 07, 2018, 02:46:05 PM
Were you in theDid anyone get ina fight with a cactus?
I got penetrated
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on December 07, 2018, 03:11:03 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 07, 2018, 09:04:06 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 07, 2018, 09:10:46 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on December 07, 2018, 10:36:23 PM
Post by: jackelope on December 08, 2018, 06:09:14 AM
Those are pictures and stories? From Blanchard?
Bestow my beating heart... keep it coming. Thanks for sharing, buddy.
Post by: CaNINE on December 08, 2018, 06:48:50 AM
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 wordsDeal! You can't change anything I write though and have to go along with EVERTHING I post :chuckle:
Post by: Dan-o on December 08, 2018, 08:44:55 AM
Thanks, Karl.
I'll be following for sure.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 08, 2018, 08:46:22 AM
:oHey 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 wordsDeal! You can't change anything I write though and have to go along with EVERTHING I post :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 10:31:01 AM
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:
Post by: tgomez on December 08, 2018, 10:38:08 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 11:00:05 AM
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.
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 08, 2018, 11:15:11 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 11:24:55 AM
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!
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 08, 2018, 11:35:34 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 11:42:49 AM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on December 08, 2018, 11:51:33 AM
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:
Post by: Hoythunter on December 08, 2018, 01:21:17 PM
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:
Post by: coachcw on December 08, 2018, 01:24:59 PM
Post by: Kazekurt on December 08, 2018, 03:26:14 PM
Post by: Mr Mykiss on December 08, 2018, 03:52:56 PM
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!!!!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 08:16:03 PM
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.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 08:21:57 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 08:25:01 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2018, 09:09:24 PM
Post by: SeaRun1 on December 08, 2018, 09:21:55 PM
SR1
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.Thank you sir. I'll get WA and CO hammered out tomorrow hopefully. Dad stuff and house stuff doesnt offer up much internet time.
SR1
Post by: fishngamereaper on December 09, 2018, 05:52:43 AM
Post by: ljsommer on December 09, 2018, 09:15:13 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2018, 08:25:31 PM
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!
Post by: idaho guy on December 09, 2018, 08:56:41 PM
Post by: kellama2001 on December 09, 2018, 09:58:48 PM
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:
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 09, 2018, 11:42:58 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 10, 2018, 05:07:56 AM
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 storyha! 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 >:(
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 10, 2018, 07:09:06 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 07:09:25 AM
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:
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 10, 2018, 07:18:44 AM
Yes there is that. :chuckle: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:
Post by: mburrows on December 10, 2018, 07:55:25 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 08:06:00 AM
Thanks for sharing!#makehuntwagreatagain. :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 08:21:15 AM
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.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 08:23:24 AM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 10, 2018, 08:39:04 AM
Post by: MerriamMagician on December 10, 2018, 08:47:39 AM
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:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 09:13:49 AM
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.
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 10, 2018, 09:14:57 AM
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?
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!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 09:45:55 AM
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: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?
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 10, 2018, 09:56:23 AM
Post by: Naches Sportsman on December 10, 2018, 09:57:34 AM
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:
Post by: ljsommer on December 10, 2018, 09:58:10 AM
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: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?
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! ;)
Post by: jstone on December 10, 2018, 10:05:45 AM
It’s hard to keep up when they are trolling for chicks
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on December 10, 2018, 10:40:25 AM
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".
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 12:19:52 PM
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.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 12:22:31 PM
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!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 12:24:51 PM
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!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 12:28:11 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 12:33:51 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 12:36:40 PM
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,234257.0.html
Post by: boneaddict on December 10, 2018, 12:50:52 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 10, 2018, 01:06:06 PM
And yes I’m longarming mine in this picture.
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 10, 2018, 01:27:53 PM
Post by: grundy53 on December 10, 2018, 02:27:25 PM
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Post by: cavemann on December 10, 2018, 02:37:54 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 05:58:27 PM
weird I just pulled a hammy :chuckle: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:
Post by: huntnphool on December 10, 2018, 06:17:19 PM
Post by: elkboy on December 10, 2018, 06:31:42 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on December 10, 2018, 07:35:40 PM
Post by: Doublelunger on December 10, 2018, 07:52:28 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 10, 2018, 08:53:59 PM
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:
Post by: Mr Mykiss on December 11, 2018, 06:15:15 AM
Post by: Yakirack on December 11, 2018, 07:55:15 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 08:18:09 AM
Post by: jstone on December 11, 2018, 08:22:32 AM
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 factit upsets the balance of the universe!
Post by: Seabass on December 11, 2018, 09:23:39 AM
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.
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.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:
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.
Post by: cavemann on December 11, 2018, 09:33:10 AM
Post by: Seabass on December 11, 2018, 09:34:34 AM
Post by: mburrows on December 11, 2018, 09:34:55 AM
#makehuntwagreatagain
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.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:
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.
Post by: 2MANY on December 11, 2018, 09:42:04 AM
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Well Nothing.
Karl gets it done.
Congrats on a fun year.
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on December 11, 2018, 09:46:26 AM
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.I'm an ex-athlete and have a few superstitions myself....I went through this scenario a few years back.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:
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.
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.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:
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.
No doubt...some things can't be forced. I'm not manufacturing the luck, just giving it an opportunity to express its self. :chuckle:
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...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:
#makehuntwagreatagain
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 09:49:24 AM
Post by: cavemann on December 11, 2018, 09:57:26 AM
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!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 10:02:05 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 10:03:07 AM
no way!!!! I lost all sympathy for him after big bull number 3 :chuckle: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!
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on December 11, 2018, 10:46:43 AM
You're welcome. https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/11892386492037675Im confused so your saying I need species specific lucky hats? If so that explains a lot...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:
#makehuntwagreatagain
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 11:10:34 AM
Post by: cavemann on December 11, 2018, 11:47:22 AM
Post by: Antlershed on December 11, 2018, 12:40:13 PM
Although not as many adventures as you had, maybe I’ll have to write up my hunts.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 12:41:23 PM
Congrats on a great season Karl.Do it!!!!!!!
Although not as many adventures as you had, maybe I’ll have to write up my hunts.
#makehuntwagreatagain
:chuckle:
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.🤣🤣🤣
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 11, 2018, 01:53:14 PM
Post by: 2MANY on December 11, 2018, 02:04:53 PM
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.😂😂😂
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: :-[
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 11, 2018, 04:58:55 PM
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:
Post by: Brushbuster on December 11, 2018, 06:49:11 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 11, 2018, 06:57:34 PM
yeah yeah yeah :chuckle: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:
Post by: Jpmiller on December 11, 2018, 07:22:38 PM
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:
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 11, 2018, 07:32:35 PM
No way, lies, blasphemy!? Why have i been hiking and killing my back all these years........
:chuckle:
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???You just gotta hunt them on the winter range and by roads plat!
No way, lies, blasphemy!? Why have i been hiking and killing my back all these years........
:chuckle:
:peep:
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???You just gotta hunt them on the winter range and by roads plat!
No way, lies, blasphemy!? Why have i been hiking and killing my back all these years........
:chuckle:
:peep:
:chuckle: I think its the pepshi.
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:
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:
Post by: shootem on December 11, 2018, 11:03:28 PM
Post by: go4steelhd on December 12, 2018, 04:38:50 AM
I may have missed the story, but how did you guys do the year you mentioned you hit the migration right in Idaho?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 12, 2018, 08:32:29 AM
Nice bucks Karl :tup: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 may have missed the story, but how did you guys do the year you mentioned you hit the migration right in Idaho?
Post by: 2MANY on December 12, 2018, 08:51:20 AM
Post by: jstone on December 12, 2018, 08:55:29 AM
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:
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 12, 2018, 09:40:00 AM
But you told me it was the panhandle migration to wa via the Colorado river!!?? :yike:Must have been in the Blues.Missouri. It's a sleeper state for mule deer :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 12, 2018, 10:02:04 AM
well it WAS a secret >:(But you told me it was the panhandle migration to wa via the Colorado river!!?? :yike:Must have been in the Blues.Missouri. It's a sleeper state for mule deer :chuckle:
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 12, 2018, 10:10:42 AM
:sry: my bad....well it WAS a secret >:(But you told me it was the panhandle migration to wa via the Colorado river!!?? :yike:Must have been in the Blues.Missouri. It's a sleeper state for mule deer :chuckle:
Post by: go4steelhd on December 12, 2018, 05:34:25 PM
Nice bucks Karl :tup: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 may have missed the story, but how did you guys do the year you mentioned you hit the migration right in Idaho?
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.
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:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 13, 2018, 11:33:06 AM
valid point. You weren't quick enough on the offer though slacker :chuckle: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:
Post by: Mossyoak on December 14, 2018, 08:07:26 AM