Post by: boneaddict on October 25, 2007, 09:48:15 AM
I'm glad the hunt worked out Vek. I thought about you the whole time you were up there and wondered if you were getting slammed. He looks like a dandy. He may be 3.5, but still a nice buck. Did you cape, or just hump out the meat?
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fsmile_large.jpg&hash=98aecf459a8bcee062e5821450a6acee15727f34)
Post by: bucklucky on October 25, 2007, 09:54:42 AM
Post by: boneaddict on October 25, 2007, 09:59:12 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fvek3.jpg&hash=933fc0d0275f186abe27e22ee4207f4d09f8f7f7)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2Fvek2.jpg&hash=5e7495964d3e918c2dc11bafebbd9d3c1e8dcd94)
For what it is worth, Vek is one of the most hardcore hunters I know, and I really enjoy our e-mails and our strategy sessions etc. Thanks for trusting me and thanks for your help as well. Next year Carl WILL die!
Post by: Ridgerunner on October 25, 2007, 10:04:43 AM
Post by: jackelope on October 25, 2007, 10:06:49 AM
congrats vek.
Post by: Vek on October 25, 2007, 02:13:19 PM
Presently the 15-20 deer broke into groups of 2-4, and over the next half hour, began filing towards me, crossing the alder bottom at the only good crossing for 500' up and down the cut (this is a GOOD funnel to catch moving deer). Their path brought them up from the cut on a path about 30 yards below me. I obviously chose the right rock. About 15 deer moved through, including 3 small forkys. I didn't think it was them sparring, and soon enough a bigger buck popped into view across the way, close enough that I could see decent spread through the watery fogged binocs, in spite of my now-uncontrolled shivering. He proceeded to follow the others on the same path 30 yards below me, and I made a quick evaluation and capped him there, shivering all the while. I wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth on a day like that, but you can't help but wonder if the other buck was bigger or cooler.
I boned him out, which warmed me up some, and one-tripped his sorry butt down to the trail. No cape, but he had good coloration and a big neck. We'll start doing that head-mount gig when I'm independently wealthy...In the time it took to bone him out and lop off his skull cap, three more inches of snow fell. Tons of fun coming down that steep finger in 6" of snow with 120 pounds on my back...
At the trail (elev. 4400' or so), I unloaded the meat and booked it the 1.5 miles back up the trail to my camp, sacked it, and came back down to the deer. I then loaded EVERYTHING up and made it 4.5 miles to the truck in an hour and fifteen minutes. My first time one-tripping a deer all the way to the truck (I've done the full-load suicide plunge from the kill to the trail before, but never all the way out). No permanent damage that I can tell, but it was very heavy and not much fun. But, I did sleep in a bed that night, and I wouldn't have if I would have taken two trips...
That's my last hurrah down there for a few years. I've just moved to Anchorage, and this was my last year down there for a while as a resident (I lined the hunt up with a business trip). Next season I get to hunt sheep and goats up here though, and for now it's still over-the-counter for both. I don't think the sheep bodies are quite as big, but the distances involved are longer. Hopefully I'm ready...
Post by: Bearhunter on October 25, 2007, 02:35:13 PM
Post by: GoldTip on October 25, 2007, 02:52:04 PM
Post by: saylean on October 25, 2007, 04:14:07 PM
Post by: Vek on October 25, 2007, 04:20:12 PM
My somewhat-limited experience (four years of backpack deer hunts in 3 different places in WA, one backpack elk hunt in ID, one backpack elk hunt in WA, one backpack/canoe moose hunt in AK) tells me that if it is hard, you will be alone. This wasn't TOO hard (my high hunt spots are WAY worse), but yet I was all alone. There are three more solid deer hunts in the North Cascades alone that I want to try someday, plus others north of the Colville rez and the selkirks that I hope to try someday. Lots of opportunity in this state. And, if you take the moderate pack-in approach elsewhere in the western states, you'll be busy until you can no longer walk. I cannot imagine what a guy could do hunting deer and elk like this in CO, WY, MT, parts of ID, UT, parts of OR, NV, etc. Limitless. All you need is a good backpack, good boots, a good light sleeping bag and pad, a lightweight tarp, and the world is your oyster.
It stops hurting 3 days after you get back, and all you want to do is go again...
Post by: Slider on October 25, 2007, 04:31:00 PM
Post by: jackelope on October 25, 2007, 04:45:10 PM
Quote
It stops hurting 3 days after you get back, and all you want to do is go again...
i might get that tattoo'ed on my forearm and use it for motivation to get my ass out there. thanks, vek. 3 days of hurt ain't too bad.
Post by: sasquatch on October 25, 2007, 05:12:42 PM
Post by: Wea300mag on October 25, 2007, 05:54:37 PM
Post by: Hunting Cowboy on October 25, 2007, 06:21:04 PM
Post by: Dman on October 25, 2007, 06:25:17 PM
Post by: Clark33 on October 25, 2007, 06:28:02 PM
Post by: Vek on October 25, 2007, 07:10:58 PM
Post by: jae on October 25, 2007, 07:20:58 PM
Post by: Idabooner on October 25, 2007, 07:58:11 PM
I got a late tag coming up but it will have to be a low lander, my old legs won't get me up there anymore. My guide partner Boneaddict has his work cut out for him.
Post by: Grizzlykiller on October 27, 2007, 03:16:31 AM
It stops hurting 3 days after you get back, and all you want to do is go again...
That is the truth. You are correct when you say if it's hard you'll be alone.
Human nature is to take the path of least resistance. Like water, it's easier to take the path already travelled. Getting off the beaten path is the way to go, it's so obvious yet rarely do you see anyone when you get there.
Very nice buck. Nice reward for your efforts.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv69%2Fbandcgrizzly%2F4symbols.gif&hash=f470673a36ce40cb3ba23212710a8d4eb746c5a9)
Post by: PacificNWhunter on October 27, 2007, 01:57:22 PM