Post by: actionshooter on June 08, 2009, 04:31:12 PM
Then 2 weeks ago this outfitter calls (a couple of days after I get a no go from Idaho) and tells me he has one spot left for this year and will knock $2200 off if I'm in. After a week of beating my head on the wall, I called him up and told him to book it.
Its in the middle of Sept for 10 days, float plane into a lake and bivy in from there.
Heres the link www.huntdriftwood.com
Tell what you guys think................. if its good :chuckle: :chuckle:
this was a big chunk of change for me, I'm a tight ass. ;)
:)
Post by: billythekidrock on June 08, 2009, 04:59:01 PM
Post by: boneaddict on June 08, 2009, 05:01:49 PM
SWEET!
Post by: hornhunter on June 08, 2009, 05:07:35 PM
Sounds like fun! If you feel its worth it than it is. It really doesnt matter what other people think.
Post by: Bob on June 08, 2009, 05:18:04 PM
Post by: wastickslinger on June 08, 2009, 05:47:23 PM
Post by: Craig on June 08, 2009, 05:47:39 PM
There are some real good deals on guided hunts this year. I got over $2000 of my Utah elk hunt this year.
Post by: bucklucky on June 08, 2009, 07:11:11 PM
Cant wait to see the outcome of the hunt!!
Post by: 75johndeere on June 08, 2009, 08:08:00 PM
Post by: BC CHASER on June 08, 2009, 08:20:27 PM
Post by: Wea300mag on June 08, 2009, 08:25:43 PM
Post by: kenbell27 on June 08, 2009, 08:30:49 PM
Post by: Thenewguy on June 08, 2009, 08:33:02 PM
Post by: huntnphool on June 08, 2009, 08:34:16 PM
Post by: BC CHASER on June 08, 2009, 08:42:34 PM
Have great trip!!! That is going to be a hoot. You probably aren't even excited about the WA permit draw now. :chuckle:
Are you going to cancel when you draw WA? :chuckle:
Post by: shanevg on June 08, 2009, 09:18:49 PM
Post by: actionshooter on June 09, 2009, 03:14:34 AM
I'm scared this will be my year in Washington, oohhh what a problem to have.Have great trip!!! That is going to be a hoot. You probably aren't even excited about the WA permit draw now. :chuckle:
Are you going to cancel when you draw WA? :chuckle:
Post by: actionshooter on June 09, 2009, 03:18:14 AM
Have you told your wife yet, If you have how is the tent holding up! :chuckle:Hey, its about time you got on here. She's not mad, she's getting even. Going to Hawaii with Erica.
Start posting some of your good pics in the photography section, oh ya gonna let me borrow your camera :chuckle:
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 09, 2009, 05:47:41 AM
Post by: Alpinegus on June 09, 2009, 07:30:16 AM
Actionshooter, just so you remember what they look like. Here is the billie you helped me pack out last year. :P
Post by: M_ray on June 09, 2009, 07:58:40 AM
Quote
this was a big chunk of change for me, I'm a tight ass.
Congrats actionshooter that looks like fun!!! and you are officially no longer a tight ass! at 5000 at least you can still *censored* a greased bb!!! :chuckle:
Post by: bucklucky on June 09, 2009, 08:06:46 AM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on June 09, 2009, 09:13:16 AM
Lots of Bears in B.C. from what I have been told. Brought in 4 Bear from B.C. yesterday. The guide he went with says they take 60% color phase where they hunt. I think the 2 black went around 6' 9" - 7' and the 2 Cinnamon went about 5 - 5 1/2'. The hunter said that they probably saw 100 bear in the 6 or 7 days they were hunting.
Post by: washingtonmuley on June 09, 2009, 09:52:03 AM
Post by: Slider on June 09, 2009, 10:28:00 AM
Post by: actionshooter on June 09, 2009, 11:05:40 AM
$8,200.00 is the normal price for a goat hunt ? That is frickin ridiculous!!!!!!!!! I think everyone should sit back for a year or so and let these prices come back down to earth.Good LuckYa, I know its crazy but I've watched the prices go up and up for several years. Thats the going rate pretty much everywhere. I used to think $10,000 for a sheep or griz was nuts, look now.
Glad I got a deal. :)
I'll have a black bear tag and a WOLF tag, I'd love to grease one of those buggers :chuckle:
WOOOHOOO 87 days !
Post by: popeshawnpaul on June 09, 2009, 12:01:17 PM
Post by: boneaddict on June 09, 2009, 12:07:11 PM
Post by: Blacktail135 on June 09, 2009, 01:39:54 PM
Post by: actionshooter on June 09, 2009, 04:03:38 PM
Sounded like a lot of the guys he takes shoot the first decent billy they see, the 1st day or 2. I hope the guide doesn't have plans cause I've got 10 days and can hold out for a good one. ;)
I'm jealous. If you have to wait for WA you'll be goat hunting when you are 90 years old, if you are lucky...
I agree 100% thats the main reason for the hunt.
:hello: Hey we need a goat picture.
Actionshooter, just so you remember what they look like. Here is the billie you helped me pack out last year. :P
Thats one of the other reasons I did it, I'm hooked on goat country....... :)
Post by: PacificNWhunter on June 09, 2009, 06:40:28 PM
Post by: Ridgerunner on June 10, 2009, 07:58:26 PM
Post by: Skinner on June 10, 2009, 08:18:38 PM
Post by: longear on June 10, 2009, 08:30:13 PM
Post by: tonymoe on June 11, 2009, 07:47:55 AM
Post by: Aneoakleaf on June 12, 2009, 10:59:01 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on June 12, 2009, 12:22:24 PM
Good luck, we'll be waiting with bated breath for the story and the pics. I'll be living vicariously through you until I can afford the same, or get drawn for WA....
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on June 12, 2009, 01:02:58 PM
Post by: Alpinegus on July 22, 2009, 07:28:05 AM
Have you heard anything from the outfitter?
Are you packing yet? :o
Post by: actionshooter on July 22, 2009, 09:25:59 AM
Action....Any updates on this hunt? :dunno:
Have you heard anything from the outfitter?
Are you packing yet? :o
Trying to get into shape :)
AND its all paid for :chuckle:
Post by: actionshooter on September 01, 2009, 09:09:12 PM
So far everything that can go wrong has. My first rifle decided it wants to start shooting 8" groups at 200 yards :bash: My back up is shooting good, so I'm ok there.
My truck (I'm driving up to Smithers) has broke down, TWICE! I just got it back today.
3 weeks ago I thru my backing out bucking hay and its just starting to feel better :rolleyes:
Other than that its all good!! Well except for the 100% chance of rain the day I'm supposed to start hunting :chuckle:
beats work right ;)
Post by: bucklucky on September 01, 2009, 09:37:19 PM
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on September 01, 2009, 09:39:35 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 02, 2009, 12:46:25 PM
Post by: Wea300mag on September 02, 2009, 08:57:35 PM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on September 02, 2009, 09:19:25 PM
How bout's I take your place? :chuckle:
Have a great time!
-Steve
Post by: Alpinegus on September 03, 2009, 05:23:56 AM
Got your list all checked off?
license, gun, 1-bullet, ,paper work to get you and gun past the border patrol, camea, batteries for camera, bi-nocs ; should be all you need...........
Have fun :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL:
Post by: billythekidrock on September 03, 2009, 06:06:22 PM
Good luck and have fun.
Post by: Maligator on September 03, 2009, 06:37:43 PM
Post by: actionshooter on September 03, 2009, 07:46:14 PM
One more wake up Steve!
Good luck and have fun.
I'd have to fall asleep for one more wake up :chuckle:
Post by: billythekidrock on September 04, 2009, 05:45:20 AM
One more wake up Steve!
Good luck and have fun.
I'd have to fall asleep for one more wake up :chuckle:
If you didn't sleep then you better be driving already. :chuckle:
Post by: boneaddict on September 06, 2009, 06:30:49 AM
Post by: sagerat on September 10, 2009, 08:51:38 PM
Post by: ratherhunt on September 10, 2009, 10:38:17 PM
Post by: Skinner on September 11, 2009, 07:26:02 AM
Post by: kenbell27 on September 12, 2009, 12:03:17 AM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on September 12, 2009, 12:18:27 AM
-Steve
Post by: billythekidrock on September 12, 2009, 06:52:20 AM
Action tried calling me at 8:00 tonight but i was at the rodeo and Jason Aldean concert, He did not leave a message. I will call him back tomorrow.
Keep us posted.
Post by: bucklucky on September 12, 2009, 07:40:41 AM
Post by: alecvg on September 12, 2009, 03:48:16 PM
Post by: bucklucky on September 12, 2009, 06:35:12 PM
Post by: Craig on September 12, 2009, 07:20:53 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on September 12, 2009, 08:03:19 PM
I just talked to Actionshooter............... :tung:
And.....? :dunno:
Post by: actionshooter on September 13, 2009, 08:13:24 AM
I'll try to do a story like some of the better ones on the site.
I left Friday morning for the drive up tp Smithers, about a 17 hour drive. I took my time and stopped a few places along the way to check out some of the sights and stayed overnight in one of the smaller towns over half way. I got into Smithers Saturday afternoon and stayed the night in a nice lodge and had dinner with the outfitter and his family. We were to get on the float plane at 7am for a ride about 100 miles north.
Sunday mornings weather pretty much dictated the rest of the trip :(
There was drizzle with thick fog and there was no way we were going to get out in the morning. I was OK, this is a 10 day hunt and some bad weather is too be expected :dunno:
I had breakfast with the outfitter, we visit with his family (very nice people) and I spent a large part of the morning shopping for stuff for my kids to kill time. :rolleyes:
FINALLY about 2pm the outfitter gets a call from the pilot telling him we will have a window about 3:00. :)
We get to the lake, the fog has lifted and we get loaded.
I'm pumped!! :)
Post by: actionshooter on September 13, 2009, 09:34:51 AM
So anyway we get to the cabin and its about 4:30 and we decided we probably have enough time to get to the spike camp up the ridge. Its pretty much a straight up hike and the guide said it takes 3-7 hours depending on what kind of shape the hunters in :chuckle:
We end up getting to the top between 7:30 and 8pm and its getting dark, we aet up the tent and grab a mountain house dinner and hit the sack.
Post by: Maligator on September 13, 2009, 09:50:29 AM
Post by: shoot-em-dead on September 13, 2009, 10:00:04 AM
Post by: actionshooter on September 13, 2009, 10:17:21 AM
About 1am we get hit with some wind, I mean like blow the top of the tent down on your face while sleeping, wind! This went on for for the next 24 hours. The wind never stopped for over 20 seconds the whole day. There was no way we were gonna hunt in the wind like this. Oh-ya, it was raining off and on also :(
I was really happy this guy has good quality equipment, mountain hardware tent. A cheaper tent would have shredded, even in the protection of the trees. Whole day shot.
The next day (day 3) the wind had died down but the ridges were fogged in :bash:
We just hung out around camp until about 10am and the fog finally lifted and it looked like it was going to be a pretty good day!!! :)
It takes a couple of hours to get up on the ridges where the goats hang out and there was a ton of sign but not a goat in site!
After a while we noticed the goats where in the trees across the valley below the high ridges. Apperently the wind had forced them down. There was no way we were going to be able to look in the trees below the ridge we were on, just wasn't possible to get there.
We decided to head down to the cabin for the night and cross the lake the next morning and head up to a different ridge where there was a bowl that would have been proteced during the windstorm and hopefully the goats weren't disturbed.
We packed up the spike camp and headed down.
Post by: actionshooter on September 13, 2009, 11:00:28 AM
We got to the cabin the previous night, had a good meal and was feeling OK. Sometime during the night a downpour let loose that reminded me of Forks in November :( and we woke up to fog and rain that seemed to take turns just to ruin my hunt :bash:
The positive side was we came down of the mountain and weren't in a 2 man tent during this storm. We just waited it out. I read a book I brought along just in case this happened. Rigged a shower and got cleaned up. During one of the breaks Derrick called the pilot on the SAT phone and the forecast wasn't good. We might have a clear day tomorrow and then more of the same. :cryriver:
Post by: actionshooter on September 13, 2009, 11:23:48 AM
We woke up to some of the best weather we have seen yet, there were fog pockets but it was moving and clear the direction the bad weather had been coming from. :)
Our packs were already loaded and we took the boat to the other side of the lake, headed up the mountain in a hurry! :)
It was almost like hunting the first day all over again!
We got to the opening where we were going to set up the spike camp took a break, 3 hours non stop straight up (these guys don't believe in switchbacks!!) and I was pooped but we needed to take advantage of the weather.
The view from this spot was incredible, a little lake with high ridges on 3 sides.
We set up camp, ate some power bars and went up a ridge where we had seem 2 billys 2 days previous. After about 45 minutes climb we saw a lone goat in a different direction where we were going. I was sure it was a billy from the build and size but Derrick wasn't sure. It was lower than he generally sees goats, being just above the trees.
It was 8-900 yards away and setting the spotting scope up identified him as a billy but we couldn't see the horns.
He was heading in a direction in which he would have been safe if he got there soon. The wind was all over the place and it felt like another storm was on the way.
We broke the cardinal rule and ignored the wind :o
Post by: actionshooter on September 13, 2009, 11:38:06 AM
Post by: alecvg on September 13, 2009, 12:18:48 PM
Post by: actionshooter on September 13, 2009, 12:26:15 PM
He wasn't what I was hoping for going up there but the thought of coming home with nothing was quickly becoming a reality.
1 shot at 200 yards dropped him in his tracks and he was done..............until he started rolling.....and rolling and then some more. :o
He ended up rolling about a 100 yds and he did end up breaking maybe 1/2" off of one side >:(
We took the pictures, caped and boned him out and headed for spike camp.
It was about 5pm when we got back to spike camp and decided to load up and pack down to the boat/cabin.
I was happy as Derrick said he had only ever gone up and back in 1 day only 1 other time. Its a long day.
The billy ended up being 7 1/2 years old and fairly large bodied, good hair and looked like he was a real fighter, lots of healed scars on his face.
Post by: alecvg on September 13, 2009, 12:29:22 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on September 13, 2009, 12:32:32 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on September 13, 2009, 12:55:20 PM
Post by: andrew_12gauge on September 13, 2009, 01:15:26 PM
Post by: Maligator on September 13, 2009, 01:42:11 PM
Post by: popeshawnpaul on September 13, 2009, 04:29:20 PM
Post by: huntnphool on September 13, 2009, 04:41:30 PM
Post by: Wea300mag on September 13, 2009, 05:12:00 PM
Post by: boneaddict on September 13, 2009, 05:15:34 PM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on September 13, 2009, 05:27:19 PM
Great job!
-Steve
Post by: ICEMAN on September 13, 2009, 05:56:53 PM
Post by: runamuk on September 13, 2009, 06:22:41 PM
Post by: billythekidrock on September 13, 2009, 07:33:13 PM
When you only have a small window of time and weather you need to make the most out of the situation at hand. Great photos and write up.
Post by: blacktailer on September 13, 2009, 07:55:40 PM
Post by: Hunting Cowboy on September 13, 2009, 08:20:16 PM
Post by: jackelope on September 13, 2009, 08:51:05 PM
congrats.
Post by: actionshooter on September 13, 2009, 09:00:53 PM
Way to go man. That was a great write-up. I think, without a doubt, you made the right choice. that is a great looking billy. He looks really heavy in the bases. Great job and congrats!!!Good observation, he is really heavy in the bases, first thing I noticed when we got up to him :)
Charlie has got him and I decided to go with a shoulder mount, I really wanted a full body but he isn't the one I was after. Gives me a reason to keep putting in for tags. ;)
One thing I have to say, I am happy with the hunt and I had a good time but, I don't have the personal satisfaction that I have had in the past with successful DIY hunts. I don't think I'm a guided hunt kind of guy, not saying I won't ever do it again though ;)
Dall sheep are still calling :chuckle:
Oh ya, had goat backstrap tonight, good stuff
Post by: robb92 on September 14, 2009, 12:37:49 PM
Post by: sagerat on September 14, 2009, 07:42:23 PM
Post by: shoot-em-dead on September 14, 2009, 10:35:44 PM
Post by: Bighorse on September 15, 2009, 04:53:49 PM
He's a dandy and an inch here or there don't mean a thing. Now below the belt line maybe....but on a goat horn, not.
Welcome to the fraternity.
Post by: Alpinegus on September 15, 2009, 08:20:23 PM
Great story and photo's.
That Billy looks huge, I like the photo of you holding him.
It will make a great mount with all that hair.
Way to go... :tup:
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 15, 2009, 10:13:42 PM
Post by: shanevg on September 17, 2009, 09:41:00 PM
Post by: JoeVon on September 26, 2009, 10:07:03 PM
Nice Billy Actionshooter, I'd have made the same decision you did, knowing how fast weather can make or break a hunt. Congrats, I'm green with envy!
Post by: boneaddict on September 27, 2009, 08:28:30 AM
Post by: actionshooter on September 27, 2009, 10:17:34 AM
Post by: LongTatLaw on September 27, 2009, 06:46:41 PM
damn nice bro!
huge body...perfect looking cape.....good bone :dunno:
Looks like a great hunt!
congrats!
Im way jealous!!!
Post by: sdwwaverider on September 28, 2009, 03:36:54 PM
Post by: Jethro on December 07, 2009, 04:35:09 PM
Post by: yakimarcher on December 11, 2009, 12:54:12 PM
Post by: GoldTip on December 11, 2009, 01:11:49 PM
Post by: GregE on March 15, 2010, 11:13:08 PM
Post by: Elkstuffer on March 18, 2010, 10:50:18 AM
Post by: actionshooter on March 19, 2010, 06:37:55 PM
Post by: Austrian Hunter on March 19, 2010, 07:45:28 PM
Post by: bucklucky on March 20, 2010, 08:09:30 AM
Post by: actionshooter on March 21, 2010, 08:03:16 AM
Post by: bearpaw on March 21, 2010, 08:38:56 AM