Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 11, 2019, 12:29:29 PM
Mid August found me exploring some new haunts in Idaho. A big ooops left me with a broken foot and a really crappy hike out. I've been babying it like crazy and trying to get it healed but turns out I'm not a good healer, or I don't follow doctor instructions well? Not sure, I wasnt paying very good attention to him :chuckle:
Lot on the schedule this year. Idaho deer, slowing JonathanS down on his bull tag, slowing my little brother down on his Idaho elk tag, more Idaho deer, my daughters cow tag, her late whitetail tag, CO deer (and maybe elk), my nephews deer permit, and finish off the season with my daughters late youth tag in ID. Few hunts are already knocked out and I've got pics to come so standby for more :drool:
Post by: 2MANY on October 11, 2019, 12:34:53 PM
Post by: jackelope on October 11, 2019, 12:35:13 PM
Post by: Sandberm on October 11, 2019, 12:36:02 PM
Thats a lot of hunting btw.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 11, 2019, 12:39:28 PM
How did you manage to break all 3 of your foot?:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: I'm still trying to figure that one out too!!!! I rebroke the joint in my big toe on my brothers elk hunt so technically it's a 2 foot so far. Season is young, I may just make it to 3 :chuckle:
Thats a lot of hunting btw.
Post by: Tapp8277 on October 11, 2019, 12:41:21 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 11, 2019, 12:43:44 PM
Damn, that looks painful! Where do y'all do late Whitetail? Not specific of course, but buddies and I are always up in the Gifford/Hunters neck of the woods.I let her piggy back on my buck points and we drew late palouse. Way over kill on points but worth it for her to get a good chance at a good buck. And by good I mean legal :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 11, 2019, 12:59:19 PM
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,236165.0.html
Post by: elkrack on October 11, 2019, 01:34:55 PM
Looks like a jammed packed season should be a blast!
Post by: OutHouse on October 11, 2019, 03:39:27 PM
Post by: mburrows on October 11, 2019, 04:42:20 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 11, 2019, 05:44:18 PM
Post by: PlateauNDN on October 11, 2019, 05:45:01 PM
Him being a Hobbit actually explains somethings. :chuckle:
Post by: elkrack on October 11, 2019, 06:01:06 PM
Post by: Dan-o on October 11, 2019, 06:45:26 PM
If it still looks like that I might have been able to keep up with you last weekend.
Post by: PlateauNDN on October 11, 2019, 06:55:14 PM
Post by: getreal711 on October 11, 2019, 07:17:32 PM
Post by: Mr Mykiss on October 11, 2019, 07:18:20 PM
Post by: opdinkslayer on October 11, 2019, 07:18:25 PM
Post by: hollymaster on October 11, 2019, 07:23:31 PM
Him a Hobbit, you a man. Just missing a dwarf and elf and you guys got yourselves an adventure. :chuckle::chuckle:
Post by: getreal711 on October 11, 2019, 07:24:24 PM
Post by: Dan-o on October 11, 2019, 08:27:16 PM
Him a Hobbit, you a man. Just missing a dwarf and elf and you guys got yourselves an adventure. :chuckle:
Thank you for making spit water all over my keyboard......
Post by: Elkrunner on October 13, 2019, 09:41:18 AM
Post by: Widgeondeke on October 13, 2019, 09:54:45 AM
You better follow the Dr's advice.
My son broke his foot, didnt listen. Had surgery to pin it back together for heeling.
3 years later he still doesn't walk right and has a slight limp to his gait.
Good luck.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 11, 2019, 01:49:17 PM
elevation, snow, elevation, sore foot, missed bear, elevation, lots of bulls, archery is dumb, elevation, bears are dumb, rebroken big toe, elevation, shot deer, sore foot, elevation
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 11, 2019, 02:09:01 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 11, 2019, 02:19:57 PM
As a meat hunter first I am very aware that all animals large and small are a true trophy but it didn't make me feel any better about killing a deer I didn't want to kill. I know it was more frustration at my friend and disappointment in myself for being injured than it was about my buck, but I still didn't feel great about how my season was shaking out. The silver lining was that I got to spend a week with my little brother and I got to share a harvest with him and we both got a top off on the ol freezers.
PS, when you open a fun size starburst and get two pinks you know its gonna be a good day :chuckle:
Post by: Whitpirate on November 11, 2019, 02:40:30 PM
And Doc says stay off the foot.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on November 11, 2019, 02:57:58 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on November 11, 2019, 03:27:17 PM
Post by: grundy53 on November 11, 2019, 04:52:59 PM
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Post by: jackelope on November 11, 2019, 04:56:22 PM
One of those bucks looks familiar...
Kinda what I was thinking
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 11, 2019, 04:57:41 PM
Opening week of Idaho's rifle season snuck up fast! A long overdue group hunt of a few other members has been trying to come together for a while now. We all hunt together but we have yet to all be in one place except for a bear hunt back in 2016.
JonathanS, Bullblaster, and Coop2424 all met me at the trailhead the night of opening weekend and we made our way up the mountain. With two big tipi's with stoves we had a comfy camp, and 4 backs meant shared loads so extra comforts and snacks :chuckle:
Post by: jackelope on November 11, 2019, 05:01:09 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 11, 2019, 05:42:18 PM
I only see 1 foot in the photo. Did you have the other one amputated to cut down on the pain?the thought crossed my mind :chuckle:
You ever get one of those cramps in the bottom of your foot that is like someone trying to stick a screwdriver through your doot and your toes lock up? I had that for 4 days straight in Idaho. It was absolutely excruciating. Made sleeping, glassing, and hiking a real pain. Literally :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 11, 2019, 05:59:06 PM
Sun up found us glued into our glass scouring the landscape for the buck from the night before. We had been seeing TONS of deer but few bucks and even fewer bucks of the kind we were after. Mid morning Bullblaster glasses up a good framed up a long ways off. To my surprise he deferred his right as spotter of the deer and offered him to me. With my foot the way it was and as sore as I already was from not being able to condition for the last 2 months, I gladly took him up on his generous offer. Long story short, we let him bed (out of sight) and gave him plenty of time to settle in. Took us (me :chuckle:) a long time to make it over there but after 7hrs of waiting and hiking we were working our way down the spine ridge at a snail's pace. Step. Glass. Step. Glass. Sure enough, there he lay underneath a big gray back log. He had his face into the wind and had no clue we were there. I laid out prone and one shot at 200 yards left him dead, still in his bed.
It was darn near dark and I was glad to have chris to assist in the chores as we had a long, dark walk back to the tent where Jon and Jared were impatiently awaiting our return. Chris and I have only known each other for a few years but we hunt very well together and always have a great time! This was another one of those times and I'm always thankful for his humor and strong back. Mainly just his strong back :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 11, 2019, 06:29:20 PM
I dont like posting other peoples grip and grin pics much so if the guys want to post up their bucks they can.
Post by: Jonathan_S on November 11, 2019, 06:37:21 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 11, 2019, 07:45:29 PM
We found ourselves on the edge of a storm front hoping to catch some old bucks heading for lower elevations. We spent the next few days in the fog. On our last day of hunting and what we affectionately refer to as "full send friday", we were on a mission to get Jon some meat in the freezer. Once again we were sitting in a glassing spot staring at fog. Jon jumped the ridge to see if the back side was blown out or not and sure enough, the second he leaves, here come the deer. In great haste I slithered across the ridge to find him. We barely get setup for the shot as the group of deer reach the timber. I call out 340 yards no wind hold and Jon touches off his shot. With a POP, the Buck hops and then runs into the trees! Heck yes! Last day buck!
We gather up our gear and head over to collect Jon's grocerys but upon arrival we find no blood, no hair, too many deer tracks to decipher and no dead buck! I've seen literally hundreds and hundreds of animals shot. I know when a buck gets hit and that deer took a bullet. But 2hrs of searching the area we couldn't find a stitch of evidence of a hit. Guess anyone can get fooled :bash:
As the fog rolled in on the mountain and our spirits, we began our climb out to head for home. We were momentarily held up by a weasel sighting. Cool little creatures and a rare sight. While we were standing at the edge of the drainage watching our fury little friend. It's hard to explain and I think anyone who has been around can attest that sometimes you just get that "feeling" and this was one of those times. I turned around just in time to see a a deer standing in the fog as it blew through the drainage. I frantically get Jon's attention once again and we setup for the shot. It took a bit for the fog to blow out and all the while this 4pt stood motionless with his attention affixed to something down drainage. As a window cleared, Jon pulled through his trigger and I got to watch the vapor trail as the bullet arched right into the shoulder and crumpled the buck in his tracks. Just when we thought our hunt was over......sweet sweet redemption :IBCOOL:
Post by: nwwanderer on November 12, 2019, 08:19:46 AM
Post by: 2MANY on November 12, 2019, 08:53:58 AM
Titanium frame, Cerakote high temperature Sitka Camo coating, brush-less motor, solar re-chargeable battery, 4 fat tires, disc brakes, man sized wire basket w/vertical trek pole sleeve, CO2 horn, mono pod seat, and self erecting sun shade.
If your willing to upgrade, the patented Eazyfind panic button on the walker handle can be Bluetoothed to your Inreach. The Yeti Athletic Ice Keeper option keeps ice wraps cool for short day gimps and the insulated, PVC lined candy pouch guarantees your Starburst will never melt.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 12, 2019, 09:32:08 AM
Perhaps you should look into the Big Cat Electric Walker.is this a real thing? Please don't tease me 😍
Titanium frame, Cerakote high temperature Sitka Camo coating, brush-less motor, solar re-chargeable battery, 4 fat tires, disc brakes, man sized wire basket w/vertical trek pole sleeve, CO2 horn, mono pod seat, and self erecting sun shade.
If your willing to upgrade, the patented Eazyfind panic button on the walker handle can be Bluetoothed to your Inreach. The Yeti Athletic Ice Keeper option keeps ice wraps cool for short day gimps and the insulated, PVC lined candy pouch guarantees your Starburst will never melt.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 12, 2019, 09:32:52 AM
Thanks for the weasel and has the palouse tag happened yet?we are headed your way friday after Addison gets out of school!
Post by: BULLBLASTER on November 12, 2019, 09:57:35 AM
We should be able to stop by and say hi sometime over the weekend nwwandererThanks for the weasel and has the palouse tag happened yet?we are headed your way friday after Addison gets out of school!
Post by: jstone on November 12, 2019, 11:32:17 AM
Thanks for sharing
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on November 12, 2019, 01:06:34 PM
Post by: jackelope on November 12, 2019, 01:29:13 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on November 12, 2019, 01:41:37 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on November 12, 2019, 01:47:19 PM
I feel like Blanchard is holding out on us.He wouldn’t... :chuckle:
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on November 12, 2019, 01:47:30 PM
I feel like Blanchard is holding out on us.:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 12, 2019, 10:26:05 PM
When we got out with Jon's buck we learned that Coop had also tagged out so the crew was all done. Just in time too as I had to turn and burn to make it home in time to take my daughter out on her cow elk hunt. It was gonna be a long night.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 12, 2019, 10:47:52 PM
As some of you may know, I have been known to put a bit of effort into pre season prep :chuckle: . Well my daughter is even more intense than me! With a cow tag, a palouse buck tag, and a late idaho deer tag in her pocket, we made the most of her time off in the summer by hiking and shooting. She shot a few hundred rounds through her little Ruger American 7mm-08 and probably over 600 dry fires in our living room at the deer and elk pictures taped to our dish washer. She is a remarkable student and takes instruction very well. Our dry fire sessions were short every night but focus was always on good form. Get solid, don't torque your grip, pull through your trigger, keep your face on the stock, eye in the scope, chamber a new round and be ready to repeat. This kid was like a well oiled shooting machine coming into season. Prone. Bipod. Tripod. Shooting sticks. She was proficient from them all
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 12, 2019, 11:01:12 PM
On saturday morning we hit an area I was wanting to hunt but didnt have the time. The wind was absurd that day. Sustained 30mph made it just about miserable to be out but there we were anyways. We were working a big ridge, bouncing across the top spot checking draws, when one produced! 8 cows, a spike, and a good bull were tucked up and out of the wind. We snuck into 210 yards and got set. I should have been paying better attention to the wind that was rocking me. If the wind is blowing around my dumb 180lb butt, what is it doing to your 58lb daughter dummy :bash: it was a hard earned shot and a tough miss to swallow but it was clean miss so very thankful for that. She just couldn't firm up in that wind.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on November 13, 2019, 11:14:48 AM
Post by: 2MANY on November 13, 2019, 11:28:26 AM
Perfect trekking form.
I can't imagine having my picture taken holding them REI gadgets.
He must have been really hurting.
(Behind the scenes I'm really digging the daddy work you have put in with your daughter Karl. :tup:)
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 13, 2019, 11:35:11 AM
That dude resembles a cross country skier of sorts.you should see me in the summer using them in the neighborhood in shorts and flip flops :chuckle:
Perfect trekking form.
I can't imagine having my picture taken holding them REI gadgets.
He must have been really hurting.
(Behind the scenes I'm really digging the daddy work you have put in with your daughter Karl. :tup:)
Post by: 2MANY on November 13, 2019, 11:36:45 AM
Post by: Mtnwalker on November 13, 2019, 12:04:55 PM
As you can see in the picture that Jon posted, the bloody spot is not where I saw his shot land. I watched his shot land squarely on the shoulder. Sure as anything, this was the buck that Jon had "missed". That should have been a lethal shot but somehow, several hours later, that buck was coherent and still breathing. It will forever be a shot I cannot explain.
How’d the entry/exit look after the cape was off?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 13, 2019, 12:06:23 PM
Addison was discouraged but we pressed on. We ended up walking into the herd an hour later and though we got setup quick, we couldn't stop any of them for a shot. Dad was low (and really pissed). Addison was still optimistic but I could tell she was a bit bummed. All week I had been telling her to keep the faith and stick with me and we will get our chance.
About that time MtnMuley calls me and says "I found em"! They had worked up into a steep canyon and eventually bedded in a shady spot on the vertical canyon wall. The approach was pretty simple and straight forward. I honestly didn't think it was gonna be close enough. We came down the canyon to the west of them and popped up in a saddle on the ridge separating the two canyons. We dumped pack and belly crawled up through the saddle. We were able to get prone in the saddle with the elk straight across from us. I had tossed in my rear bag at the last second so her shooting position was identical to most shots she had taken that summer. We made extra sure that we were on the same elk, a big ol bedded cow, and she began her shot process. At 372 yards, the ragged edge of what I wanted her to shoot under perfect conditions, she executed a flawless shot. She sent that 140gr ballistic tip right through both lungs, breaking both shoulders. Somehow that big ol gal got to her feet! Before I could mumble anything she had a second shot headed down range. This one missed as I think she was excited. All the training paid off though because she already had a 3rd round chambered and was back on target. This time I stopped her, we reset and she put a 2nd round in the same spot as the first. That elk just couldn't pack the burden of that second hit and began to back pedal. Now facing uphill and exposing the full length of her back, addison put one more right through her spine mid body and down she went! I jumped up screaming "what did I tell you!" And Addison replied with an eye roll, "I know dad, perseverance will always pay off."
We grabbed our things and headed over. MtnMuley caught up with us and after a quick photo shoot, we got to work. We caped her for a soft tan, boned out the meat and back to the truck we went.
We would not have killed that elk if not for MtnMuley's selflessness. Dude is a hunting machine and we were so thankful to have him on our team that day.
That night as I tucked addison into bed I asked her if she realizes what she had done that day. She said, "yeah, I got my elk." I told her yes but by doing so you provided our family with 200lb of meat. That's almost 200 meals! She processed that for a split second and reply'd, "so that will feed our family for over half of the year?" I said yes sweety and kissed her good night.
I watched my little girl make the absolute connection of death=life. She processed that hunting and killing means food. That little girl has made me shed more tears of pride than anything in my life. She never ceases to amaze and impress me. That day was a good day.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 13, 2019, 12:13:24 PM
entrance and exit was a pencil hole. 143gr eldx out of a 6.5-06AI at 3100fps out of the muzzleAs you can see in the picture that Jon posted, the bloody spot is not where I saw his shot land. I watched his shot land squarely on the shoulder. Sure as anything, this was the buck that Jon had "missed". That should have been a lethal shot but somehow, several hours later, that buck was coherent and still breathing. It will forever be a shot I cannot explain.
How’d the entry/exit look after the cape was off?
Post by: Brushbuster on November 13, 2019, 12:49:07 PM
Post by: 2MANY on November 13, 2019, 01:33:35 PM
Nice work dad.
Good luck in Co.
Post by: CackleBird98 on November 13, 2019, 03:25:44 PM
Post by: Mr Mykiss on November 14, 2019, 11:36:11 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 14, 2019, 09:24:09 PM
With Addisons elk cut up and in the freezer just in time, I was rolling for gods country! Once again I was teaming up with JonathanS for what would prove to be a dull but rewarding week. Almost a full day of driving and setting up camp and all the chores that come with will leave a guy pretty wiped. With the season already underway and all the chaos of opening day, we found ourselves perched in an easy to get to spot, glassing into a not so easy to get to spot. That first day always kicks my butt so I like to start slow with what has now become my opening day O ritual.
Sure enough, right at dark, Jon spots a buck! Nice 4pt, way too far away to get to that night so we just keep glassing. Moments after Jon spots the first 4pt I get my one and only glimpse of what would cause me to about go goofy over the course of the next week!
He appeared on a small knife ridge, feeding along. I've been around the block long enough to know a good deer when I see him and this was a good deer! Once again with not e ough light to do anything we just watched him till dark. Tall, heavy, good forks and matching kickers, there was no doubt that this was the buck I would kill or eat my tag trying to kill. Poor Jon :chuckle:
Post by: elkrack on November 14, 2019, 09:33:55 PM
Yeah that’s a buck worth going all in for!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 15, 2019, 09:05:38 AM
The sun was hot, the wind was annoying, and the days crawled by at a snail's pace! Jon and I stared at the same timber edge and canyon for what seemed like an eternity! Mid week we made a small move to try and get a new angle and we stumbled upon some blood. Up to this point my stress had been high as every person we saw "bumped my buck", and every rifle shot within 3 miles "had to have been my buck" :o With this blood I was certain that somehow without us knowing it, someone had got a pill in my deer :yike: There were no human tracks following this blood so as ethical sportsman, we wanted to follow it up so we could ensure there wasn't a suffering animal at the end of it but to also put my mind at ease.
The blood led us across a slope that I don't care to cross ever again without spikes and then onto a big bench. From there things got interesting. This deers normal stride turned into sporadic movements and then as the cat tracks fell in line, everything turned to pure chaos! A female with what looked to be two juveniles saw an easy meal and as per usual, nature handled it's own. I was relieved it wasn't my buck and I was relieved that our wounded animal was no longer suffering. Some jack wagon had blown his rear right foot off :bash:
Post by: ctwiggs1 on November 15, 2019, 09:17:20 AM
Post by: 2MANY on November 15, 2019, 09:25:46 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 15, 2019, 10:06:59 AM
Friday. Our 6th day of hunting and what we affectionately refer to as full send friday! If you wanna take home a meat buck then full send friday is the day to do it. I had decided it was the kicker buck or nothing but Jon wanted venison and was out for blood! It was fitting that the first buck we saw on day 1 was the same 4pt we saw on full send friday. Jon got set for the shot and once again I got to watch the vapor trail of a perfectly placed shot hit its mark! Buck down!!!!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 15, 2019, 10:14:04 AM
I couldn't make out a single word he was saying but his frantic mumbling and desperate excitement needed no explanation! I ran to my gun, slithered down to Jon, and confirmed what I already knew....big kicker buck at the edge of the timber!
Post by: 7mmfan on November 15, 2019, 10:18:19 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 15, 2019, 10:25:19 AM
The second his face hit that 9:30 a.m. sunlight he stopped, turned, and started back into the timber. It was a frantic race to build a solid shooting position before he was gone! I already had my trekking poles lashed together from Jon's shot, but I needed rear support so I grabbed Jon's poles, shortened them, looped the wrist straps and started to settle in.
I've shot a lot of animals. I've been around the block a time or two. I have ice water in my veins. I'm a stone cold killer......normally :chuckle: This buck and our situation rattled me! The second the shot broke I knew it was garbage! Luckily them big bucks don't just bolt unless they know which direction is for sure safe. He was unsure of where the shot came from and gave me enough time to re rack a new round, give myself a metaphorical ass chewing, settle back in, and execute a proper shot process and round two was on its way.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 15, 2019, 10:34:03 AM
With us being unsure of the hit we elected to leave him be and go get Jon's buck, bring him back to a gear dump and then go track my buck.
We made record time finding and deboning Jon's buck. As we were pulling the last tenderloin we heard foot steps above us. We turn to see a guy riding towards us leading two pack horses. After some small talk this guy offers to haul Jon's buck out for us :yike: this was gonna save us some serious time and calories! One of the happiest moments of my life :chuckle:
With Jon's buck heading down the mountain in style, we double timed it back to our gear, an awaiting buddy, and a blood trail to find.
Post by: Jonathan_S on November 15, 2019, 10:55:34 AM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on November 15, 2019, 10:59:18 AM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on November 15, 2019, 11:07:46 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 15, 2019, 11:34:09 AM
As we began to look for the exact spot where the buck had been standing, Kayden motions for us to approach him. He can see a big slash of blood 50 yards down in the timber. We take up the blood trail in the snow and it looks like someone was squeezing it out of a water bottle. It was coming out both sides of him and while that gave me relief, I was still a bit concerned at how far he had gone. We were probably only 80 yards into the timber but he was switch backing down the hill (also a good sign) and had walked a total of probably 200 yards.
We were approaching the bottom third of the timber patch and it was getting steep enough that a guy starts to pay attention to where he is putting his feet. I remember finding the next spraying of blood on the snow, placing a foot, looking back up and catching the familiar look of unfamiliarity of a body on the landscape. Horizontal lines in a vertical world. There he lay! Relief was the emotion more than excitement or elation! He had found his final resting place on a small, shady flat spot in a deer trail he had probably walked hundreds of times before.
Post by: Jonathan_S on November 15, 2019, 11:41:08 AM
Post by: Mtnwalker on November 15, 2019, 12:06:18 PM
Tough deer for sure. He also had broken off his kicker :yike:
I was wondering about that. Bummer!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 15, 2019, 12:49:13 PM
With a busted up foot I haven't done any conditioning besides hunting since mid August. That burden was starting to show on this packout. Between just being an iut of shape pile of goo, the emotional roller coaster of the day had me just gassed. To top it off my foot cramp was back which left my toes and foot in a locked up state of pure misery. Towards the end I had fully crossed over into the spirit world but as we dumped packs on the tailgate, all the pain and suffering left us and the world was right again.
We were greated back at camp with a hot tent, cheesy hashbrowns and some big fat venison burgers. I don't think the smile left my face even after I went to bed. To kill that buck after 6 days and to have Jon there to share the experience with was simple amazing! There is something to be said about having a hunting partner who is a better hunter than you. When they can out hike, out pack, out shoot and out woodsman you, there is never any worry about having to pick up others slack or have to sacrifice your own hunt to "hold a hand". Quite the opposite. Jon's selflessness enable me to stick to that buck the whole week and his keen intuition and awareness of the world had him looking in the right place at the right time. It was quite the day.
Post by: 2MANY on November 15, 2019, 01:05:04 PM
Post by: lemondog on November 15, 2019, 01:16:39 PM
Post by: 206 on November 15, 2019, 01:23:12 PM
Post by: grundy53 on November 15, 2019, 02:02:28 PM
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 15, 2019, 02:19:39 PM
Everyone had a chance to fill a tag but the big deer we were all looking for were mia.
Keegans buck had little crab fronts but was 28.5" wide. Kayden's buck went 165 and was just beautiful all around just lacked the length to get up there in score. That kid has really become a good hunter. This was his first solo deer so made it extra special.
Post by: muleyslayer on November 15, 2019, 06:03:08 PM
Post by: Bowhunter3 on November 15, 2019, 07:00:35 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 15, 2019, 09:47:15 PM
Post by: Pinetar on November 15, 2019, 10:19:07 PM
Go get em Addison!!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 16, 2019, 06:43:38 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on November 16, 2019, 07:51:39 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on November 16, 2019, 07:57:36 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 16, 2019, 08:18:08 AM
Decent buck at my southeast corner right nowchris is sneaking over to get eyes on now! Thank you for the heads up!
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 16, 2019, 08:39:52 AM
Nice to live vicariously through others since my season has been a disaster. :chuckle: :'(
Glad to see Keegan kicking butt to... :tup:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 17, 2019, 11:03:10 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 17, 2019, 11:04:52 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 17, 2019, 12:00:23 PM
Chris had barely left us when a doe came through. Sure enough, here comes a buck in hot pursuit! Addison got on the gun, found him through the very wet scope lenses, and got settled. I was able to stop him with a coyote howl and she torched one off. Hit wasn't perfect but it was good enough and he expired quickly! Took us a hot second to find him in the tall CRP but once we got him we made quick work of the knife stuff and got the heck out of the rain!
Post by: full choke on November 17, 2019, 12:27:35 PM
Congratulations young lady!
Post by: Pinetar on November 17, 2019, 12:40:37 PM
Post by: jackelope on November 18, 2019, 09:22:05 AM
Thanks for sharing, Karl. A thread I look forward to every year.
Post by: Goshawk on November 19, 2019, 06:16:49 PM
Well Bullblaster barely salvaged his reputation today! Zero deer moving in this downpour. Chris decided to do a little push so we moved from our hay bail sanctuary and set the gun out for a prone shot as where they would come through was gonna be a medium range poke.
Chris had barely left us when a doe came through. Sure enough, here comes a buck in hot pursuit! Addison got on the gun, found him through the very wet scope lenses, and got settled. I was able to stop him with a coyote howl and she torched one off. Hit wasn't perfect but it was good enough and he expired quickly! Took us a hot second to find him in the tall CRP but once we got him we made quick work of the knife stuff and got the heck out of the rain!
Well done young lady!
Those are the memories she will tell your grandchildren about long after you and I are gone.
Post by: mburrows on November 19, 2019, 07:15:56 PM
Post by: actionshooter on November 19, 2019, 07:21:31 PM
Post by: highside74 on November 19, 2019, 07:28:59 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 20, 2019, 06:57:11 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 01, 2019, 01:56:25 PM
Post by: jackelope on December 02, 2019, 01:04:58 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 02, 2019, 01:19:40 PM
Keegan doesn't even look like the same kid. That's so awesome.yeah he has really shot up in the last 6 months. Missing a chunk of lung really slows him down though. We killed that bull at 9,000ft and he was really sucking wind. He is tough as nails though. He goes in for his first rib plate adjustment procedure here in a few weeks. All the growing has him back in some discomfort in that area.
Post by: Cougeyes on December 03, 2019, 07:52:11 AM
Well my season is winding down. I've only had a single weekend off since Aug 10th and I'm starting to feel it.
You're married correct? How in the heck are you managing to hunt that much without coming home to divorce papers? You must have a rockstar of a wife.
Post by: Machias on December 03, 2019, 08:27:00 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 03, 2019, 09:18:32 AM
she has a really great boyfriend. Took me a while to find her the right one but now I'm free and clear to hunt all I want :chuckle:Well my season is winding down. I've only had a single weekend off since Aug 10th and I'm starting to feel it.
You're married correct? How in the heck are you managing to hunt that much without coming home to divorce papers? You must have a rockstar of a wife.
Seriously though, I didn't just start hunting this much. It's how it's been since the day she signed on. She is a strong independent woman who doesn't need me to be entertained. Honestly I hunt less now then I used to when we first got together. I used to waterfowl pretty dang hard and coyote hunted a few days a week. Trying to find big deer has taken priority over the other stuff so now I've dropped all small game and traded that in for more deer tags. I try and be the best husband and father I can be in the off season so i can get away with being the worst come fall :chuckle:
Awesome year. Love seeing the kids out there and doing a fantastic job. You rock Karl!!thank you Fred! The kids stuff always makes my season special! Gotta train em up so they can start spotting and packing for me :chuckle:
Post by: boneaddict on December 03, 2019, 09:27:09 AM
Post by: 2MANY on December 03, 2019, 09:51:38 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 04, 2019, 08:58:07 AM
Great thread Karl. Looks like an awesome year.Thanks Doug :hello:
Yes folks Karl gets it done like a one footed man in an ash kicking contest.:chuckle: I'm up to a foot and a halfish now
Post by: Whitpirate on December 04, 2019, 10:02:18 AM
Great thread Karl. Looks like an awesome year.Thanks Doug :hello:Yes folks Karl gets it done like a one footed man in an ash kicking contest.:chuckle: I'm up to a foot and a halfish now
Hobbits heal fast!
Post by: 2MANY on December 04, 2019, 10:23:20 AM
That dudes got game.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 04, 2019, 11:11:51 AM
I believe he would rather be Tyrion Lannister then a hobbit.He can’t be Tyrion... he’s bald!
That dudes got game.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2019, 10:24:35 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on December 07, 2019, 12:04:30 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2019, 08:52:41 PM
The very first draw we looked into we were greated by the beautiful sight of deer EVERYWHERE!!!! There was at least 30 so we picked the ones who gave us the best approach and made our move. We found super doe standing all by herself at 149 yards. We got setup on the tripod and Addison got settled in. It was pretty steep downhill so we ended up having to shoot at a standing height but she executed her shot process and follow through flawlessly. She spun, ran 20 yards and nose dived into the snow. We made quick work of poor pics and efficient knife work and got the heck out of there. Man we were wet!
We just got down with dinner and some serious pool time at the hotel. A short 6 hour drive in the a.m. and I can finally park the truck for a while 😂
Post by: Pinetar on December 07, 2019, 09:19:09 PM
Post by: Dan-o on December 07, 2019, 09:20:52 PM
Post by: adamR on December 08, 2019, 06:31:50 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on December 08, 2019, 07:46:05 AM
And wait a second...it's rains in Idaho.. don't tell my wife she'll never let me buy property :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 08, 2019, 09:47:35 AM
:tup: well done... awesome little huntress you've raised..only once a year........when Addison is here :chuckle:
And wait a second...it's rains in Idaho.. don't tell my wife she'll never let me buy property :chuckle:
Post by: nwwanderer on December 08, 2019, 11:50:30 AM
Post by: grundy53 on December 08, 2019, 04:53:02 PM
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 09, 2019, 06:44:57 AM
:tup: well done... awesome little huntress you've raised..your inbox is full sir but thank you and I will definitely pass that on :tup:
And wait a second...it's rains in Idaho.. don't tell my wife she'll never let me buy property :chuckle:
Post by: fishngamereaper on December 09, 2019, 07:56:40 AM
:tup: well done... awesome little huntress you've raised..your inbox is full sir but thank you and I will definitely pass that on :tup:
And wait a second...it's rains in Idaho.. don't tell my wife she'll never let me buy property :chuckle:
:tup: