Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 14, 2024, 12:13:12 PM
I'd love to chat with anyone that has some experience in this unit, especially early. I've hunted it quite a bit for waterfowl and coyotes but no boots on the ground since 2015 or so.
The goal is an exceptional buck and I'm willing to throw the tag into the ever growing pile of unpunched mule deer tags in pursuit of him. Scouting officially starts tomorrow.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on June 14, 2024, 12:31:46 PM
Post by: bearpaw on June 14, 2024, 12:37:34 PM
Post by: bigmacc on June 14, 2024, 01:15:05 PM
Post by: redi on June 14, 2024, 01:18:29 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on June 14, 2024, 01:23:15 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 14, 2024, 01:41:10 PM
Congratulations! I got a feeling your gonna do just fine.👍Definitely an ice cold pepsi when that buck hits the tailgate.....well it'll be an ice cold pepsi even if one doesn't hit the tailgate if we're being honest :chuckle: It'll be 20 years for me on July 19th.
Post by: bigfish51 on June 14, 2024, 01:59:46 PM
Post by: bustedoldman on June 14, 2024, 02:07:48 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 14, 2024, 02:13:17 PM
Do not leave valuables or items of importance in your truck as they may not be there when you come back, it's been terrible for that around here lately.I'm from Yakima sir, this just goes without saying :chuckle: :bash:
Post by: Colbasin Bear on June 14, 2024, 02:26:51 PM
This is my first post on HW, but I will help out with anything you want help with.
Post by: kentrek on June 14, 2024, 02:31:55 PM
Post by: Falcon on June 14, 2024, 02:37:56 PM
Congrats Karl.
If you treat this hunt like your dall sheep hunt........A big buck will most likely be taking a dirt nap :chuckle:
Post by: teanawayslayer on June 14, 2024, 02:49:57 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 14, 2024, 02:55:23 PM
Man congrats! Early or late?early. I wanna scout, pattern, and have first Crack at them.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 14, 2024, 02:58:42 PM
I drive the unit twice daily, and have been on 6-7 hunts with other tag holders. Exceptional will be difficult, (depending on your definition), but not impossible. There are a lot of people who will tell you 170" is about max, but that is not the case. 180+ deer don't just hang out in plain view, even when they are rutting.Colbasin, I'd love to pick your brain a bit. I'll send you my number :tup:
This is my first post on HW, but I will help out with anything you want help with.
To answer your question, exceptional to me is 190"+. I've got a handful in the 80's and endlessly trying to drum up better. I have a ton of time to dedicate to the tag and as I stated earlier, have no problem eating the tag if that's what it takes :tup:
Post by: teanawayslayer on June 14, 2024, 02:59:09 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 14, 2024, 03:01:03 PM
A friend of mine has been living in that unit, depending how the season rolls out il be rolling through and could spend a day or two spottingvery much appreciate the offer buddy! I'll keep you in the loop :tup:
Post by: jstone on June 14, 2024, 03:02:53 PM
Always wondering what it would be like in the heat of September
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 14, 2024, 03:10:07 PM
Good Luckunfun :chuckle:
Always wondering what it would be like in the heat of September
Post by: dvolmer on June 14, 2024, 03:12:43 PM
Post by: kentrek on June 14, 2024, 03:33:26 PM
A friend of mine has been living in that unit, depending how the season rolls out il be rolling through and could spend a day or two spottingvery much appreciate the offer buddy! I'll keep you in the loop :tup:
:tup:
Post by: LDennis24 on June 14, 2024, 03:36:15 PM
Here's something to get you motivated. From over a decade ago.
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=124997.0
Post by: hunterednate on June 14, 2024, 03:37:20 PM
Post by: yakimanoob on June 14, 2024, 04:54:27 PM
Congrats and good luck! Can't wait to see photos of the huge buck you take.
Post by: ELKBURGER on June 14, 2024, 06:00:03 PM
Post by: OltHunter on June 14, 2024, 06:04:19 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on June 14, 2024, 06:15:28 PM
Post by: Wingin it on June 14, 2024, 06:39:36 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on June 14, 2024, 07:23:50 PM
Lots of pics will be cool to see.👍
Post by: howlow on June 14, 2024, 07:45:19 PM
Post by: Caseknife on June 14, 2024, 07:47:50 PM
Post by: Tenkara on June 14, 2024, 07:51:49 PM
Post by: mp.hunter on June 14, 2024, 07:56:58 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Special T on June 14, 2024, 08:13:47 PM
Post by: Gentrys on June 14, 2024, 09:01:22 PM
Post by: carlyoungs on June 14, 2024, 09:15:06 PM
Post by: MLBowhunting on June 14, 2024, 10:30:57 PM
Post by: LDennis24 on June 15, 2024, 10:34:15 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 15, 2024, 07:49:40 PM
He's already gone scouting for Father's day I'll bet! :chuckle:Not gone yet but 0300 will come early. My wife just asked me what I was cooking for father's day dinner (yes you read that correctly :chuckle:) and I told her probably gas station corndogs in George at 10:00pm so she better figure something out :chuckle:
Post by: Huntin4Ever on June 15, 2024, 08:04:10 PM
Post by: crabcreekhunter on June 15, 2024, 08:18:46 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 15, 2024, 08:26:25 PM
With this tag, you may have a chance at one in the velvet, do you have a preference? Personally, I prefer hard horned over velvet.I am not a velvet fan at all but big is big and big dead buck trumps hard horns every time. When the velvet comes off they get harder to kill.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 15, 2024, 08:26:46 PM
Grab some Swedish fish or candy of your liking, a beverage! take the last exit into Moses. Take a right on 17 and your first right onto baseline and go until the stop sign on potato hill rd. Take a left and then take the first right and follow it back. Set up camp down at the boat launch, easier to access than through people’s yards. Put some sunscreen on and paddle north while glassing, if you get bored paddle south towards the dunes and depending on the weekend can glass some good eye candy up. Come tag time repeat but use your buddies equipment cause pretty good chance you aren’t getting it back but good chance of hitting your 190” goal. Don’t say I never did anything for ya!nailed it :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: crabcreekhunter on June 15, 2024, 08:32:57 PM
I’ll DM you the access code to the boat launch! ;-)Grab some Swedish fish or candy of your liking, a beverage! take the last exit into Moses. Take a right on 17 and your first right onto baseline and go until the stop sign on potato hill rd. Take a left and then take the first right and follow it back. Set up camp down at the boat launch, easier to access than through people’s yards. Put some sunscreen on and paddle north while glassing, if you get bored paddle south towards the dunes and depending on the weekend can glass some good eye candy up. Come tag time repeat but use your buddies equipment cause pretty good chance you aren’t getting it back but good chance of hitting your 190” goal. Don’t say I never did anything for ya!nailed it :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: huntnphool on June 15, 2024, 09:14:45 PM
Post by: jstone on June 15, 2024, 09:18:12 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on June 15, 2024, 09:31:22 PM
Grab some Swedish fish or candy of your liking, a beverage! take the last exit into Moses. Take a right on 17 and your first right onto baseline and go until the stop sign on potato hill rd. Take a left and then take the first right and follow it back. Set up camp down at the boat launch, easier to access than through people’s yards. Put some sunscreen on and paddle north while glassing, if you get bored paddle south towards the dunes and depending on the weekend can glass some good eye candy up. Come tag time repeat but use your buddies equipment cause pretty good chance you aren’t getting it back but good chance of hitting your 190” goal. Don’t say I never did anything for ya!
All I can say is wow! Best description of access and area one can get for the unit. :chuckle:
Post by: mburrows on June 16, 2024, 05:14:22 AM
Post by: C-Money on June 16, 2024, 08:35:37 AM
Post by: Ironhead on June 16, 2024, 09:23:54 AM
Post by: 2MANY on June 16, 2024, 09:39:04 AM
Post by: Fish4Fun on June 16, 2024, 10:20:14 AM
We moved to Moses and I now live right in the 290
Post by: M_ray on June 16, 2024, 01:49:59 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 16, 2024, 06:01:59 PM
Cool! I’ll had this tag years ago. Fun hunt and lots of quality animals back then and also more difficult than one would think. The ground is not flat and imagine an entire day hiking in sand. Scouting alot will get you prepared for it not the gym. ;)Well it's a good thing I'll be scouting a lot and I don't have a gym membership then :chuckle:
Post by: 2MANY on June 16, 2024, 06:09:52 PM
Post by: Fletch on June 17, 2024, 08:50:14 AM
Grab some Swedish fish or candy of your liking, a beverage! take the last exit into Moses. Take a right on 17 and your first right onto baseline and go until the stop sign on potato hill rd. Take a left and then take the first right and follow it back. Set up camp down at the boat launch, easier to access than through people’s yards. Put some sunscreen on and paddle north while glassing, if you get bored paddle south towards the dunes and depending on the weekend can glass some good eye candy up. Come tag time repeat but use your buddies equipment cause pretty good chance you aren’t getting it back but good chance of hitting your 190” goal. Don’t say I never did anything for ya!
This cracks me up... I know what your talking about... If ya know ya know Best of Luck Karl, I live near the desert so if you need anything give me a shout.
Post by: HikerHunter on June 17, 2024, 09:05:27 AM
Post by: Dan-o on June 17, 2024, 09:18:12 AM
You are going to have aa blast.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 17, 2024, 10:18:13 AM
Why did you bother to apply for this hunt if you're only going to dedicate 20 days to scouting the unit?I know I know! I'll try harder! Technically those are just the full days. Doesn't factor in the evening kamikaze runs after work. Appreciate you keeping my on the straightened arrow Dan :tup: :chuckle:
You are going to have aa blast.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 17, 2024, 10:25:27 AM
Also, probably gonna be a pretty uneventful thread until it's done. There are other tag holders lurking and I'm in this thing to win it. I'd die if I spent hundreds of scouting hours learning a target buck just to have him blown up by another tag holder because I posted summer scouting pics :bdid: :sry:
I did spend the day in there yesterday. Covered a lot of ground relearning access points and such. Saw a LOT of deer. Gonna be a fun summer.
Post by: asmith on June 17, 2024, 10:41:57 AM
Post by: LDennis24 on June 17, 2024, 12:32:35 PM
Post by: Bone collector 13 on June 17, 2024, 12:39:09 PM
Post by: 92xj on June 17, 2024, 01:51:52 PM
Post by: actionshooter on June 17, 2024, 04:35:14 PM
Hoping to follow along when the time gets here.
Post by: NOCK NOCK on June 17, 2024, 06:05:46 PM
I'm going to offer a different kind of help...........If ya need some freezer space to store any of the meat(Steaks) from the buck your gonna kill.........I (and my tummy) can help you out with that! :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Good huntin dude!
Post by: high_hunter on June 17, 2024, 07:26:47 PM
Most of the hunting experience was during Nov. & Dec. so likely way different than what you'll experience in early archery.
State Park Campground was great and cannot stress having good glass and being patient. Many blown stalks being too aggressive with lots of eyes & ears around. Other than that, enjoy the scouting and time spent chasing deer!
-HH
Post by: scottfrick on June 17, 2024, 08:20:24 PM
I'd like to say thank you to all the friends new and old that have reached out to offer insight and assistance. Special tags don't come around every day and when they do a guy needs all the help and info he can get. I've given specific info via pm to countless folks over the years in hopes the good karma will one day circle back and it seems like it has.
Also, probably gonna be a pretty uneventful thread until it's done. There are other tag holders lurking and I'm in this thing to win it. I'd die if I spent hundreds of scouting hours learning a target buck just to have him blown up by another tag holder because I posted summer scouting pics :bdid: :sry:
I did spend the day in there yesterday. Covered a lot of ground relearning access points and such. Saw a LOT of deer. Gonna be a fun summer.
Find that great big one so my younger sister can shoot it in October with a rifle😂
Post by: kellama2001 on June 18, 2024, 07:33:18 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 18, 2024, 09:14:48 AM
Post by: TriggerMike on June 23, 2024, 10:43:23 AM
Post by: time2hunt on June 23, 2024, 01:45:07 PM
. Best way to cover and see that country is off the back of a horse that little extra elevation makes a big difference. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Caseyd on June 23, 2024, 03:29:02 PM
Time to brush up your riding skills
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I was thinking one of those little 12ft mini jet boats :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 23, 2024, 04:40:03 PM
Time to brush up your riding skillsI'd shoot a forky before I climbed onto the back of one of those 4 legged devils :chuckle: :bdid:
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 23, 2024, 04:42:20 PM
Post by: Call em in on June 23, 2024, 04:58:07 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 23, 2024, 05:16:25 PM
Bullfrog makes one but it’s not scent free.I'm fine with that. That also makes me sad. There goes my million dollar idea! Guess I'll go back to work tomorrow :chuckle:
Post by: teanawayslayer on June 23, 2024, 07:57:30 PM
skin so soft from Avon does the trick!Bullfrog makes one but it’s not scent free.I'm fine with that. That also makes me sad. There goes my million dollar idea! Guess I'll go back to work tomorrow :chuckle:
Post by: kentrek on June 23, 2024, 08:32:19 PM
Random thought from the weekend......can we get a sunscreen and mosquito repellent 2 in 1 spray can already :chuckle:
Did you endure the hoyt course at hoodoo ?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 23, 2024, 09:03:20 PM
:chuckle: I've yet to shoot hoodoo but there was some dandy swarms up Stevens :chuckle: They were THICK this morning! Second I stepped out of the truck I was covered. Thank god the wind picked up or I may have been sucked dry.Random thought from the weekend......can we get a sunscreen and mosquito repellent 2 in 1 spray can already :chuckle:
Did you endure the hoyt course at hoodoo ?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 23, 2024, 09:18:03 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 23, 2024, 09:21:08 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 23, 2024, 09:22:30 PM
Post by: Dan-o on June 23, 2024, 10:07:25 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on June 24, 2024, 05:51:42 AM
Post by: LDennis24 on June 24, 2024, 07:32:13 AM
Post by: muleyslayer on June 24, 2024, 07:36:56 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on June 24, 2024, 09:08:34 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 24, 2024, 09:27:57 AM
Awesome pictures 8)awesome may be an over statement :chuckle: blurry pics through heat waves aren't much to look at. Still nothing that I would call remotely big. The search continues.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 24, 2024, 09:28:20 AM
WOW, thanks, any whitetail?no whitetails so far.
Post by: jstone on June 24, 2024, 09:53:42 AM
Post by: ridgefire on June 24, 2024, 10:05:01 AM
Post by: carlyoungs on June 24, 2024, 10:58:05 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 24, 2024, 12:46:39 PM
Lots of Rattlers?Well there was at least one :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 24, 2024, 12:47:57 PM
I saw a huge 4 point this weekend on one of the islands South and East of the Crab Creek boat launch. I could not get a picture because I was on my jetski but he is going to be a giant.this comment should be deleted immediately as it's obviously not true as there are no big bucks in there and everyone with an early archery tag should definitely not bother hunting :chuckle: 8)
Post by: LDennis24 on June 24, 2024, 01:17:01 PM
I saw a huge 4 point this weekend on one of the islands South and East of the Crab Creek boat launch. I could not get a picture because I was on my jetski but he is going to be a giant.
Yeah this is worse than the elk comment!
Post by: C-Money on June 25, 2024, 06:54:17 AM
Lots of Rattlers?
I've never seen a rattler in the Desert unit. I would bet there are some on the southern border of the unit, as I've seen a few of them below the O'Sullivan dam.
Post by: Fletch on June 25, 2024, 12:27:46 PM
Lots of Rattlers?
I've never seen a rattler in the Desert unit. I would bet there are some on the southern border of the unit, as I've seen a few of them below the O'Sullivan dam.
I have not seen one in the desert unit either... not to say there arent some around but 26 yrs of stomping around in my back yard and have not seen one there. Porcupines yes!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 25, 2024, 12:35:01 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on June 25, 2024, 12:44:25 PM
Guess I'm just special then :chuckle:I think thats an understatement. :dunno:
Post by: howlow on June 25, 2024, 02:47:28 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 25, 2024, 03:01:00 PM
the location of the Desert is on the westside :chuckle: :IBCOOL:That explains all these unimpressive racks...they are BLACKTAILS :chuckle: :peep:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 28, 2024, 11:37:09 PM
Post by: LDennis24 on June 29, 2024, 12:11:11 AM
I have been a few places this year already where the mosquitos were just relentless! I used up all my deet one time in the Indian Heaven Wilderness and the biting flies and mosquitos never stopped so my wife and I decided to turn back and get down where the mosquitos weren't so bad. It was awful!
Post by: Dan-o on June 29, 2024, 12:19:07 AM
Just got back to the truck from one of the most unpleasant hikes I've ever done. 80° but had to put my puffy on because the mosquitos were so bad. Worse than any place I've ever been including Alaska!
Yuck.
That sounds terrible.
Post by: LDennis24 on June 29, 2024, 12:44:55 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on June 29, 2024, 05:06:21 AM
Post by: NOCK NOCK on June 29, 2024, 05:26:10 AM
Post by: blindluck on June 29, 2024, 07:52:09 PM
Post by: Pegasus on June 30, 2024, 10:44:55 AM
Just got back to the truck from one of the most unpleasant hikes I've ever done. 80° but had to put my puffy on because the mosquitos were so bad. Worse than any place I've ever been including Alaska!
Just wait until September. Temps will be over 80 if it is sunny. Get a head net and gallons of water. Deer stop moving by 7:30 AM and will spot you a mile a way. The rest of the day is spent busting cattails and russian olive groves unless you hunt near the ag plots. Not a great set up for bow hunting but the big deer are there. Good luck.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 10, 2024, 07:54:21 PM
Post by: mp.hunter on July 10, 2024, 07:59:09 PM
Well turns out I did not draw a deer tag or a cow elk tag but both are still showing in my hunt wins so maybe I still get to hunt :dunno: I was pretty fired up there for a while. I've spent 7 days in the unit already to the tune of about $75 a trip so I was none too pleased to see my draw status changed to not selected. I guess the scouting will continue though I'm not overly thrilled at the thought of additional competition in such a small unit. I can't be the only extra permit in there :bash:If it’s in the hunt wins you got them!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: NOCK NOCK on July 10, 2024, 08:33:01 PM
Post by: addicted1 on July 10, 2024, 08:46:03 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on July 11, 2024, 06:14:09 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 11, 2024, 06:29:29 AM
I'm pretty sure he kept his tag, but I wouldn't be 100% now until it's in my hands.:yeah: until that envelope shows up I'm not banking on anything :chuckle:🤦♂️
Post by: Lapua338 on July 11, 2024, 06:35:07 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on July 11, 2024, 06:40:10 AM
Post by: teanawayslayer on July 11, 2024, 07:26:58 AM
Post by: b23 on July 11, 2024, 08:12:45 AM
Guess I'm just special then :chuckle:I think thats an understatement. :dunno:
Now when you say "special" do you mean like you rode the short bus special or ?? :chuckle: :chuckle:
Best of luck to you on this and look forward to reading more about your endeavors in this unit.
Post by: GWP on July 11, 2024, 08:17:19 AM
Best of luck to you!
Post by: hunter399 on July 11, 2024, 08:56:29 AM
Yup, I feel ya. Until it's in the mail box. Nothing wrote in stone.I'm pretty sure he kept his tag, but I wouldn't be 100% now until it's in my hands.:yeah: until that envelope shows up I'm not banking on anything :chuckle:🤦♂️
I started scouting my permit as well. So I have some of the same feelings as you. Now my unit changed.
Also want to say.....
You seem like the guy to give it 110 percent.
I'll continue to lurk along in your topic.
Best of luck with your hunt.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 11, 2024, 10:54:50 AM
Definitely short bus sir :tup:Guess I'm just special then :chuckle:I think thats an understatement. :dunno:
Now when you say "special" do you mean like you rode the short bus special or ?? :chuckle: :chuckle:
Best of luck to you on this and look forward to reading more about your endeavors in this unit.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 26, 2024, 11:30:43 AM
Not fun when its 100°+ out. Quite possibly the worst summer of my life :chuckle: I only had company for 1 of those days. Well two if you can't the one trip my son went with me but he quit me after a day. "This place kinda sucks dad" :chuckle:
The Desert unit is a sandy, bug infested 💩 hole. I've hunted across the west and never have I encountered a place I've disliked more. There's bucks though! Lots of them! According to my notes I saw a total of 161 different bucks (give or take 10 on the little guys). I've looked at about every inch of the place and I've found a grand total of 1 buck that meets my criteria (I think).
Out of the 10 attempts to see him, I've gotten eyes on him 3 times. Only 1 of which was an ok look at him...but he's there. Just glad JonathanS was with me so I know I'm not hallucinating :chuckle:
So many people reached out to offer advice, Intel, and support. I can't pit into words how much I appreciate it. I've got the first full week of the season off, then back to work for a week, then I can take another full week if need be. I can hunt 18 days of the season if need be but please lord baby Jesus I hope it doesn't come to that :chuckle: Regardless of the outcome I'll have LOTS of deer pictures once we're all wrapped up :tup:
Highlight of a few weeks ago was stopping to crap, only to crap prematurely because this guy met me in the doorway :chuckle:
Post by: Buckhunter24 on August 26, 2024, 11:40:54 AM
Post by: jstone on August 26, 2024, 11:42:36 AM
Snakes NOPE
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 26, 2024, 11:47:31 AM
Post by: Mfowl on August 26, 2024, 12:01:13 PM
Post by: High Climber on August 26, 2024, 02:13:47 PM
Post by: high_hunter on August 26, 2024, 02:19:13 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 26, 2024, 02:48:16 PM
Post by: Mtnwalker on August 26, 2024, 02:53:09 PM
Lots of deer, not many with the size people think of for the unit based on my experience last year, albet much later in the season. Best of luck if you have a target buck picked out!
Unfortunately I think more than a couple big bucks fall victim to the ol' 2am blast and dash in 290...
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 26, 2024, 03:49:00 PM
Lots of deer, not many with the size people think of for the unit based on my experience last year, albet much later in the season. Best of luck if you have a target buck picked out!it's just a numbers game. Honestly I was a bit surprised to find one with so few bucks looked at (relatively speaking). When you're talking about an animal that makes up less than 1% of the buck population it's a needle in a hay stack ordeal, whether that's the Desert, ID, NV, CO, etc. There's just not very many anywhere. He'll I'm not even positive he's big enough to make my mark but he's the biggest I've found so for now I'll hunt him. I've seen his driver side really well and his back end on his passenger side but it's always low low light and moving and I've just not made out what his passenger g4 is. I've got a 45 second video of him but his passenger side is washed out against the sage the whole time. Very annoying :chuckle:
Post by: Dan-o on August 26, 2024, 08:28:02 PM
I can't wait.
Post by: hunter399 on August 26, 2024, 08:43:51 PM
Dude.......Thinking same and tagged along on this one.
I can't wait.
Post by: actionshooter on August 28, 2024, 05:17:06 PM
The Desert unit is a sandy, bug infested 💩 hole. I've hunted across the west and never have I encountered a place I've disliked more.
One of the better area descriptions I have ever read... literally LOL :chuckle:
Post by: link on August 28, 2024, 05:48:21 PM
Nah, it's not too bad in November.
The Desert unit is a sandy, bug infested 💩 hole. I've hunted across the west and never have I encountered a place I've disliked more.
One of the better area descriptions I have ever read... literally LOL :chuckle:
Post by: Klickitatsteelie on August 28, 2024, 06:26:31 PM
Post by: LDennis24 on August 28, 2024, 11:17:01 PM
Post by: crabcreekhunter on August 29, 2024, 08:57:47 PM
Just picked up a new pair of Klein side cutters, just let me know!Lots of deer, not many with the size people think of for the unit based on my experience last year, albet much later in the season. Best of luck if you have a target buck picked out!it's just a numbers game. Honestly I was a bit surprised to find one with so few bucks looked at (relatively speaking). When you're talking about an animal that makes up less than 1% of the buck population it's a needle in a hay stack ordeal, whether that's the Desert, ID, NV, CO, etc. There's just not very many anywhere. He'll I'm not even positive he's big enough to make my mark but he's the biggest I've found so for now I'll hunt him. I've seen his driver side really well and his back end on his passenger side but it's always low low light and moving and I've just not made out what his passenger g4 is. I've got a 45 second video of him but his passenger side is washed out against the sage the whole time. Very annoying :chuckle:
Post by: 2MANY on August 29, 2024, 09:05:36 PM
Enjoy the ride!
Post by: blindluck on August 30, 2024, 06:39:42 AM
Post by: C-Money on August 30, 2024, 07:10:58 AM
Post by: Ironhead on August 30, 2024, 07:14:12 AM
Post by: b23 on September 01, 2024, 02:27:41 PM
Post by: Bone collector 13 on September 02, 2024, 12:49:32 PM
Post by: ASHQUACK on September 02, 2024, 01:35:53 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 02, 2024, 02:20:20 PM
Post by: Caseyd on September 02, 2024, 04:40:31 PM
Big boy has been a no show. I've seen all his buddies but he has not read my script I wrote for him apparently :chuckle: Last couple days have been really unpleasant 🤮
Probably went out of town for the holiday weekend, he’ll be back once the crowds are gone
Post by: Gentrys on September 02, 2024, 05:10:50 PM
Post by: jstone on September 02, 2024, 07:22:34 PM
Post by: addicted1 on September 02, 2024, 10:55:14 PM
Post by: b23 on September 03, 2024, 08:42:43 AM
Last couple days have been really unpleasant 🤮
Just keep telling yourself the greater the suffering the greater the reward. Stay hydrated and have cool frosty thoughts you'll hardly notice the miserable conditions. ;)
Post by: boneaddict on September 04, 2024, 08:56:24 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on September 04, 2024, 11:40:49 AM
Post by: 2MANY on September 04, 2024, 01:22:33 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on September 04, 2024, 03:25:36 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on September 04, 2024, 04:02:05 PM
Try Coke Classic.Oh boy, them is fightin’ words to a Pepsi guy. :chuckle:
Don’t take the bait Karl.
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on September 04, 2024, 05:31:32 PM
Try Coke Classic.
It’ll help your buck vision.🤣
Post by: Stein on September 04, 2024, 05:37:34 PM
Good luck, look forward to the pics.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 04, 2024, 06:57:55 PM
Post by: Klickitatsteelie on September 04, 2024, 07:40:39 PM
Big boy has been a no show. I've seen all his buddies but he has not read my script I wrote for him apparently :chuckle: Last couple days have been really unpleasant 🤮Unpleasant is almost an understatement, I don’t have a square inch on my back and arms that does not have a mosquito bite.
Post by: C-Money on September 05, 2024, 07:15:54 AM
Try Coke Classic.Oh boy, them is fightin’ words to a Pepsi guy. :chuckle:
Don’t take the bait Karl.
Nothing beats RC Cola, Boys!
Post by: bustedoldman on September 05, 2024, 07:24:57 AM
Except a frosty rootbeer!!!!Try Coke Classic.Oh boy, them is fightin’ words to a Pepsi guy. :chuckle:
Don’t take the bait Karl.
Nothing beats RC Cola, Boys!
Post by: Sandberm on September 05, 2024, 07:34:10 AM
Post by: time2hunt on September 05, 2024, 08:14:33 AM
I came to the Desert unit for the big bucks and I left with west nile virus.And a side order of Lyme disease
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: C-Money on September 06, 2024, 08:15:22 AM
I came to the Desert unit for the big bucks and I left with west nile virus.
Mosquito control has been flying every night lately...I think its helping, but man its loaded out there!
Post by: 6haase6 on September 06, 2024, 08:36:45 AM
Post by: 2MANY on September 06, 2024, 08:58:58 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 06, 2024, 10:06:54 AM
Post by: Dan-o on September 06, 2024, 10:19:28 AM
"He Tasks Me. He Tasks Me, And I Shall Have Him! I'll Chase Him 'Round The Moons Of Nibia, And 'Round The Antares Maelstrom, And 'Round Perdition's Flames Before I Give Him Up!"
I'm looking forward to your success pics.
Post by: b23 on September 06, 2024, 04:32:19 PM
Still undecided on what's worse, the bugs or the heat. I'll sweat on it a bit more :chuckle:
Look on the bright side, distortion from all the heat waves shouldn't be an issue for you. ;)
Post by: TeacherMan on September 06, 2024, 04:48:07 PM
Post by: dilleytech on September 06, 2024, 05:12:53 PM
If anything after reading this thread I’d never apply for the tag 😂 🦟
I was thinking the same thing. There’s more to a hunt then a trophy on the wall and this doesn’t sound like any type of fun.
Post by: jstone on September 06, 2024, 05:16:08 PM
Good Luck Karl.!!! Hopefully you get what you want. If not a great experience.!!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 06, 2024, 05:41:54 PM
Why diminish it to simply a trophy on the wall :dunno: That's like diminishing it to just a kill. It's about the pursuit of a truly exceptional and intelligent adversary. Its an incredible challenge that puts every skill I've dedicated my entire adult life to learning. Its about testing ones own grit when its not easy. That's hunting.If anything after reading this thread I’d never apply for the tag 😂 🦟
I was thinking the same thing. There’s more to a hunt then a trophy on the wall and this doesn’t sound like any type of fun.
If I just wanted to fill a tag I could have done that day 1, hour 1. Hunting is hard. Hunting a smart old buck is even harder. It's not always enjoyable but if success is found it is ALWAYS worth the effort. Heck I could have arrowed this one this morning at 52 yards. He desperately wanted to be shot.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 06, 2024, 05:45:08 PM
Or wait till later GzzzzzThe season is a full month. I want to maximize every available day I have. I've waited a very long time for this so I'm gonna drink it all in. The good as well as the bad. The later in the season, the more likely he is to transition to different feeds, areas, or get pressured. The time to capitalize is now. He got bumped twice last week before season and it messed him up. He'll show again, I just have to be there when he does.
Good Luck Karl.!!! Hopefully you get what you want. If not a great experience.!!
Post by: raydog on September 06, 2024, 05:50:49 PM
You're a stronger man than me Karl, that buck would have had an arrow thrown at him :chuckle:Why diminish it to simply a trophy on the wall :dunno: That's like diminishing it to just a kill. It's about the pursuit of a truly exception and intelligent adversary. Its an incredible challenge that puts every skill I've dedicated my entire adult life to learning. Its about testing ones own grit when its not easy. That's hunting.If anything after reading this thread I’d never apply for the tag 😂 🦟
I was thinking the same thing. There’s more to a hunt then a trophy on the wall and this doesn’t sound like any type of fun.
If I just wanted to fill a tag I could have done that day 1, hour 1. Hunting is hard. Hunting a smart old buck is even harder. It's not always enjoyable but if success is found it is ALWAYS worth the effort. Heck I could have arrowed this one this morning at 52 yards. He desperately wanted to be shot.
Good luck, and I always get excited to see this thread with updates on it!
Post by: addicted1 on September 06, 2024, 05:53:17 PM
Post by: b23 on September 06, 2024, 05:55:09 PM
Post by: jstone on September 06, 2024, 06:19:08 PM
Kill or not.
Post by: 2MANY on September 06, 2024, 08:46:52 PM
Kill some bugs!
Post by: C-Money on September 07, 2024, 08:41:22 AM
Post by: Caseyd on September 08, 2024, 04:40:10 PM
Post by: LDennis24 on September 08, 2024, 06:20:12 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 08, 2024, 07:10:17 PM
Potholes jet boat gathering this weekend. Saw a post that planes were landing in the Moses mud flats. Sounds like an active weekend.yeah the campground was full of speed boats. Man those things are loud!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 08, 2024, 07:10:59 PM
Another tag holder got a nice one I see!oh yeah? Like how good :chuckle:😬
Post by: Mfowl on September 08, 2024, 07:24:30 PM
Another tag holder got a nice one I see!oh yeah? Like how good :chuckle:😬
If it's the same one I saw on FB it's not your target buck.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 08, 2024, 07:30:20 PM
OK good haha. Yeah I've been sent that one 9,000 times.Another tag holder got a nice one I see!oh yeah? Like how good :chuckle:😬
If it's the same one I saw on FB it's not your target buck.
First time was a buddy and the caption read "somebody killed your buck". Service wasn't the best and the Pic wasn't coming through. That was a stressful time in my life :chuckle:
Post by: LDennis24 on September 08, 2024, 08:02:28 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 08, 2024, 08:03:47 PM
If that's the dude and the backdrop, I've not seen that Pic yet. Pic I saw was an average 4pt and they were night shots
Post by: LDennis24 on September 08, 2024, 08:09:22 PM
Post by: LDennis24 on September 08, 2024, 08:11:26 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 08, 2024, 09:18:38 PM
I don't use Facebook, but I was hoping it was you. Still rooting for that beauty with deep forks and good mass! :tup:Well good news is after 8 days of searching I finally found him! No play though so now the long week of work waiting for another chance.
Post by: actionshooter on September 08, 2024, 09:24:01 PM
I don't use Facebook, but I was hoping it was you. Still rooting for that beauty with deep forks and good mass! :tup:Well good news is after 8 days of searching I finally found him! No play though so now the long week of work waiting for another chance.
Him as a great buck or the biggest mosquito in the swamp :)
Post by: mburrows on September 09, 2024, 06:36:29 AM
I don't use Facebook, but I was hoping it was you. Still rooting for that beauty with deep forks and good mass! :tup:Well good news is after 8 days of searching I finally found him! No play though so now the long week of work waiting for another chance.
Gonna be a loooong week!
Post by: jstone on September 09, 2024, 07:01:28 AM
Weather cooling
Post by: Jpmiller on September 09, 2024, 08:35:43 AM
I don't use Facebook, but I was hoping it was you. Still rooting for that beauty with deep forks and good mass! :tup:Well good news is after 8 days of searching I finally found him! No play though so now the long week of work waiting for another chance.
Gonna be a loooong week!
That might be worse than heat and bugs! Good luck
Post by: LDennis24 on September 16, 2024, 10:59:48 AM
Post by: Caseyd on September 16, 2024, 11:41:31 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 16, 2024, 12:20:00 PM
We're waiting...me too :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 16, 2024, 12:22:34 PM
Post by: Doublelunger on September 16, 2024, 01:11:13 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on September 16, 2024, 01:26:31 PM
Post by: Klickitatsteelie on September 16, 2024, 08:04:21 PM
Post by: Mr Mykiss on September 18, 2024, 10:50:47 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 19, 2024, 10:54:31 AM
You can do it mate!!! :tup: :tup: :tup:WOAH!!!!! Our brother from down unda posting on huntwa!?!?!?! Must have ran out of shrimp to throw on the barbi?!
Post by: bearpaw on September 19, 2024, 11:13:31 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 19, 2024, 11:54:51 AM
Good luck on your next run, I'm rooting for a big one! :tup:Thanks Dale. I need all the rooting I can get :chuckle: Sunday was day 41 in the unit and I'm no closer to a dead buck than I was on day 1 at this point. Pretty much need this smart old boy to make a really dumb move. Based on the fact he's still alive is proof he's never made a dumb move in his life so the odds aren't exactly in my favor :chuckle:
Post by: bearpaw on September 19, 2024, 12:47:25 PM
Good luck on your next run, I'm rooting for a big one! :tup:Thanks Dale. I need all the rooting I can get :chuckle: Sunday was day 41 in the unit and I'm no closer to a dead buck than I was on day 1 at this point. Pretty much need this smart old boy to make a really dumb move. Based on the fact he's still alive is proof he's never made a dumb move in his life so the odds aren't exactly in my favor :chuckle:
Even if unsuccessful you will know you put in an extreme effort, and if you could somehow get a photo of your target buck, even a long range photo of that buck for the wall, it would be something to look back on to remember the hunt and the buck forever.
Post by: O. Nerka on September 19, 2024, 01:34:08 PM
He's made plenty of dumb moves but has just been lucky enough that someone wasn't sitting on top of him when he did it. I hope you are there the next time he screws up!Good luck on your next run, I'm rooting for a big one! :tup:Thanks Dale. I need all the rooting I can get :chuckle: Sunday was day 41 in the unit and I'm no closer to a dead buck than I was on day 1 at this point. Pretty much need this smart old boy to make a really dumb move. Based on the fact he's still alive is proof he's never made a dumb move in his life so the odds aren't exactly in my favor :chuckle:
Post by: Mtnwalker on September 19, 2024, 01:39:21 PM
He's made plenty of dumb moves but has just been lucky enough that someone wasn't sitting on top of him when he did it. I hope you are there the next time he screws up!Good luck on your next run, I'm rooting for a big one! :tup:Thanks Dale. I need all the rooting I can get :chuckle: Sunday was day 41 in the unit and I'm no closer to a dead buck than I was on day 1 at this point. Pretty much need this smart old boy to make a really dumb move. Based on the fact he's still alive is proof he's never made a dumb move in his life so the odds aren't exactly in my favor :chuckle:
:yeah: :yeah:
Post by: b23 on September 19, 2024, 02:02:15 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on September 19, 2024, 03:42:51 PM
Post by: boneaddict on September 19, 2024, 03:48:57 PM
Post by: snit on September 19, 2024, 04:47:56 PM
Best of luck..."endeavor to persevere"!
Post by: bigmacc on September 20, 2024, 03:18:01 PM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on September 22, 2024, 07:58:40 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on September 22, 2024, 08:43:53 AM
Post by: Buzz2401 on September 26, 2024, 06:39:27 AM
Post by: ASHQUACK on September 26, 2024, 07:58:43 AM
Got a pic from a friend last night of a masher taken from the desert Hopefully we get a update soon.
Hoping it's Karl's!
I keep checking this to see his buck of a lifetime.
Post by: muleyslayer on September 26, 2024, 08:03:20 AM
Post by: LDennis24 on September 26, 2024, 08:46:42 AM
Post by: buglebuster on September 26, 2024, 10:33:21 AM
Got a pic from a friend last night of a masher taken from the desert Hopefully we get a update soon.
Doubt it was Karl :chuckle: :dunno: ;)
Post by: Limhangerslayer on September 26, 2024, 12:09:01 PM
saw Karl’s buck, solid 2x3 with cheaters. I’d probably off shot it at the end too!😂Got a pic from a friend last night of a masher taken from the desert Hopefully we get a update soon.
Doubt it was Karl :chuckle: :dunno: ;)
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 26, 2024, 12:17:26 PM
Post by: hunter399 on September 26, 2024, 12:20:30 PM
I think the cats out of the bag now but I appreciate everyone who kept it quiet for a few days so I could get life squared away. Still meat cutting so I'll get a post up with pics soon. It's more a tale of friendship and generosity than it is of a deer.Heck ya congrats.
Post by: JakeLand on September 26, 2024, 12:21:19 PM
Post by: elkrack on September 26, 2024, 12:40:59 PM
Post by: bearhunter99 on September 26, 2024, 01:04:34 PM
Cmon Karl we’ve been following along for a long time now we need story and pics !!! Either good mass or tiny arms
I am going with tiny arms :chuckle: :chuckle:
Congrats Karl - Can't wait for pics and story.
Post by: HikerHunter on September 26, 2024, 01:33:40 PM
Post by: nwwanderer on September 26, 2024, 02:03:58 PM
Post by: ASHQUACK on September 26, 2024, 02:43:15 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on September 26, 2024, 03:15:49 PM
Nice work man looking forward to the pics and story.
Post by: Fish4Fun on September 26, 2024, 03:16:04 PM
Post by: frazierw on September 26, 2024, 03:27:04 PM
Post by: Sandberm on September 26, 2024, 03:29:24 PM
Sounds like you had the best hunt possible,... a nice animal plus being able to share it with a new friend.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 26, 2024, 04:02:51 PM
Post by: 2MANY on September 26, 2024, 04:04:54 PM
Post by: Dan-o on September 26, 2024, 04:12:31 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on September 26, 2024, 04:24:04 PM
And considering that unit is one of the most scenic and enjoyable hunting experiences around...ride it out... :rolleyes: :chuckle:
Post by: b23 on September 26, 2024, 04:56:19 PM
Take your time, let them guess!!!!
:yeah:
And It'll certainly be worth the wait!
Post by: 2MANY on September 26, 2024, 05:09:59 PM
Post by: addicted1 on September 26, 2024, 05:26:27 PM
Post by: jackelope on September 26, 2024, 06:42:43 PM
Well at least you know it’ll be a good eater.
Pretty much veal.
Post by: buglebuster on September 26, 2024, 06:48:20 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on September 26, 2024, 06:51:01 PM
Well at least you know it’ll be a good eater.
Pretty much veal.
🤣 Wow just wow.
Post by: Rainier10 on September 26, 2024, 06:51:57 PM
Cmon Karl we’ve been following along for a long time now we need story and pics !!! Either good mass or tiny armsThere is actually a bit of truth to all of that. :chuckle:
Post by: NOCK NOCK on September 26, 2024, 06:55:49 PM
I didn't know it was an either sex tag.
Karl or the deer?
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Way to get it done dude! That looks to be worth all the bug bites and sweat.
Post by: Gentrys on September 26, 2024, 07:06:04 PM
Post by: blindluck on September 26, 2024, 07:40:10 PM
Post by: lewy on September 26, 2024, 07:47:40 PM
Post by: rtspring on September 26, 2024, 07:58:34 PM
It really isn’t that big. Just a little better than your average two point.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 26, 2024, 08:25:31 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 26, 2024, 08:27:23 PM
Post by: HntnFsh on September 26, 2024, 08:27:55 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on September 26, 2024, 08:30:14 PM
Post by: adamR on September 26, 2024, 08:32:01 PM
195 1/8". 42 5/8" of mass. Way under judged him.That's an understatement; I knew you were being way too conservative. Congrats again man!
Post by: Mfowl on September 26, 2024, 08:32:38 PM
Post by: HntnFsh on September 26, 2024, 08:34:23 PM
Post by: bankwalker on September 26, 2024, 08:36:39 PM
Post by: lewy on September 26, 2024, 08:37:16 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 26, 2024, 08:41:36 PM
Was this buck an unexpected find or was it the one you were targeting. Seems like the one you mentioned targeting was significantly smaller.target buck. I had him at 184ish. I was absolutely spot on as far as lengths go but my eyecrometer isnt calibrated for that kind of mass. A really heavy buck is 38". Almost 43 is just absurd. I also didn't account for his body and head size. His head is an inch wider than any of my mature bucks. So I was off on his spread credit. Conservatively I've parted out and packed 250+ deer in my life. I've NEVER encountered one this size. Just an absolute unit of a buck.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 26, 2024, 08:43:33 PM
What a buck!!! And we all thought Desert was a ghost town these daysfor big bucks it pretty much is. Even after killing this deer, I won't put in for it again. Lots of unique bucks but not much for size. Next biggest was 20" smaller.
Post by: Fish4Fun on September 26, 2024, 08:46:48 PM
Could see him ever evening from the dining room window with a spotting scope.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 26, 2024, 08:47:41 PM
Just curious if this was the same buck I was telling you about that I watched everyday last winter. I think I told you we had him guessed at 195+Negative. A good long ways from you.
Could see him ever evening from the dining room window with a spotting scope.
Post by: bearhunter99 on September 26, 2024, 08:48:00 PM
All kidding aside that is a masher, especially with stick and string! Congrats man what a gorgeous buck!
Post by: carpsniperg2 on September 26, 2024, 08:48:20 PM
Post by: mp.hunter on September 26, 2024, 08:51:19 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Fish4Fun on September 26, 2024, 08:51:54 PM
Just curious if this was the same buck I was telling you about that I watched everyday last winter. I think I told you we had him guessed at 195+Negative. A good long ways from you.
Could see him ever evening from the dining room window with a spotting scope.
Great I will be looking for the big guy again here by the house. But, never know if this was him or not, I know he looks very close.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 26, 2024, 08:56:32 PM
sent you a onx pin jim. I'm positive it's two different bucks.Just curious if this was the same buck I was telling you about that I watched everyday last winter. I think I told you we had him guessed at 195+Negative. A good long ways from you.
Could see him ever evening from the dining room window with a spotting scope.
Great I will be looking for the big guy again here by the house. But, never know if this was him or not, I know he looks very close.
Post by: HntnFsh on September 26, 2024, 08:57:55 PM
Was this buck an unexpected find or was it the one you were targeting. Seems like the one you mentioned targeting was significantly smaller.target buck. I had him at 184ish. I was absolutely spot on as far as lengths go but my eyecrometer isnt calibrated for that kind of mass. A really heavy buck is 38". Almost 43 is just absurd. I also didn't account for his body and head size. His head is an inch wider than any of my mature bucks. So I was off on his spread credit. Conservatively I've parted out and packed 250+ deer in my life. I've NEVER encountered one this size. Just an absolute unit of a buck.
What a pleasant surprise huh! Congrats again!
Post by: dvolmer on September 26, 2024, 08:58:16 PM
Post by: Dan-o on September 26, 2024, 08:59:39 PM
No story yet. Finished meat and had to get my muzzy squared away for elk tomorrow since I haven't shot all summer due to scouting. 29 days of scouting and 15 days of hunting. Pretty over that mosquito infested sweat box :chuckle:
That's the pic I was hoping would show up.
It's just awesome.
Post by: mr.ktm95 on September 26, 2024, 09:06:07 PM
Post by: full choke on September 26, 2024, 09:13:59 PM
Congratulations on a well earned trophy! :tup:
Post by: Fish4Fun on September 26, 2024, 09:25:41 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on September 26, 2024, 09:26:15 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on September 26, 2024, 09:26:55 PM
No story yet. Finished meat and had to get my muzzy squared away for elk tomorrow since I haven't shot all summer due to scouting. 29 days of scouting and 15 days of hunting. Pretty over that mosquito infested sweat box :chuckle:I knew you were really an elk guy. :dunno:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 26, 2024, 09:30:47 PM
Daaaaamn nice buck! So was it the one you were after or a different buck?yep it was my target buck. Found him Aug 2nd. Saw him for a few seconds Aug 16th. Then not again till day 8 of my first week of hunting on Sept 8th. Next sighting was day 12, Sept 20th. Killed him the evening of the 23rd.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 26, 2024, 09:31:45 PM
I regretted typing that the moment I hit post :chuckle:No story yet. Finished meat and had to get my muzzy squared away for elk tomorrow since I haven't shot all summer due to scouting. 29 days of scouting and 15 days of hunting. Pretty over that mosquito infested sweat box :chuckle:I knew you were really an elk guy. :dunno:
Post by: Rainier10 on September 26, 2024, 09:33:47 PM
:chuckle:I regretted typing that the moment I hit post :chuckle:No story yet. Finished meat and had to get my muzzy squared away for elk tomorrow since I haven't shot all summer due to scouting. 29 days of scouting and 15 days of hunting. Pretty over that mosquito infested sweat box :chuckle:I knew you were really an elk guy. :dunno:
Post by: Skillet on September 26, 2024, 09:37:05 PM
Post by: Big6bull on September 26, 2024, 09:42:25 PM
Post by: Cylvertip on September 27, 2024, 12:04:48 AM
Post by: boneaddict on September 27, 2024, 03:36:07 AM
Post by: zwickeyman on September 27, 2024, 03:59:50 AM
Post by: Kurt_S on September 27, 2024, 04:09:19 AM
Post by: nwwanderer on September 27, 2024, 05:19:12 AM
Post by: huntnnw on September 27, 2024, 05:22:32 AM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on September 27, 2024, 05:31:10 AM
Post by: crabcreekhunter on September 27, 2024, 05:42:34 AM
Post by: NOCK NOCK on September 27, 2024, 05:51:59 AM
Post by: raydog on September 27, 2024, 06:00:36 AM
Post by: Doublelunger on September 27, 2024, 06:04:39 AM
Post by: Buckhunter28 on September 27, 2024, 06:06:50 AM
Post by: andersonjk4 on September 27, 2024, 06:21:18 AM
Post by: Ridgerunner on September 27, 2024, 06:30:55 AM
I just don't understand all the sharing of the negatives of the desert experience unless you are trying to increase your future draw odds. Everyone knows its a slam dunk hunt for big deer. LOL.
Post by: Jpmiller on September 27, 2024, 07:02:48 AM
Worth the heat and the bugs I suppose?
Post by: mburrows on September 27, 2024, 07:21:34 AM
Post by: bigdub257 on September 27, 2024, 07:27:40 AM
Post by: LDennis24 on September 27, 2024, 07:43:10 AM
Post by: Falcon on September 27, 2024, 07:44:44 AM
I remember reading your dall sheep story and was thinking that will never be topped. This feat is definitely in the same caliber. Huge congrats on a day after day relentless pursuit. You have earned this buck to the highest degree :tup:
Post by: jjhunter on September 27, 2024, 07:53:38 AM
Freaking stud!
Post by: jowings22 on September 27, 2024, 08:12:34 AM
Post by: Buckhunter24 on September 27, 2024, 08:20:04 AM
Post by: Yakirack on September 27, 2024, 08:31:00 AM
Post by: C-Money on September 27, 2024, 08:34:47 AM
Post by: hunterednate on September 27, 2024, 08:39:55 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on September 27, 2024, 08:49:08 AM
Post by: OutHouse on September 27, 2024, 09:00:50 AM
Post by: yogi on September 27, 2024, 09:12:28 AM
Post by: redi on September 27, 2024, 09:52:05 AM
Post by: hunt6226 on September 27, 2024, 09:59:17 AM
Congratulations on a STUD Buck!!!
Post by: Encore 280 on September 27, 2024, 10:24:54 AM
Post by: knighttime25 on September 27, 2024, 12:02:27 PM
Post by: bigmacc on September 27, 2024, 03:01:21 PM
195 1/8". 42 5/8" of mass. Way under judged him.Love the “Pepsi Globe” in the background👍👍……….
Oh ya, nice buck.
😉😆GREAT buck sir, congratulations!
Post by: coachcw on September 27, 2024, 04:25:14 PM
Post by: high_hunter on September 27, 2024, 05:10:15 PM
hh
Post by: Gentrys on September 27, 2024, 06:15:29 PM
Post by: abhold87 on September 27, 2024, 06:26:46 PM
Post by: Ironhead on September 27, 2024, 06:27:01 PM
Post by: KNOPHISH on September 27, 2024, 06:27:41 PM
Post by: Caseyd on September 27, 2024, 07:03:51 PM
Was he getting bumped or just a ghost? Guess I can wait for the story :chuckle:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 27, 2024, 10:08:19 PM
I took that picture specifically for you sir! Ran to work to grab more ice and just had to grab a pepsi grip and grin for ol bigmacc :chuckle:195 1/8". 42 5/8" of mass. Way under judged him.Love the “Pepsi Globe” in the background👍👍……….
Oh ya, nice buck.
😉😆GREAT buck sir, congratulations!
Post by: PNWheckle on September 27, 2024, 10:48:50 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: shootem on September 27, 2024, 10:56:56 PM
Post by: b23 on September 28, 2024, 07:09:23 AM
195 1/8". 42 5/8" of mass. Way under judged him.Love the “Pepsi Globe” in the background👍👍……….
Should call this one the "Pepsi Challenge" buck. ;)
Post by: Caseyd on September 28, 2024, 12:20:18 PM
195 1/8". 42 5/8" of mass. Way under judged him.Love the “Pepsi Globe” in the background👍👍……….
Should call this one the "Pepsi Challenge" buck. ;)
Big Gulp
He’s got more girth then the can
Post by: greenhead_killer on September 28, 2024, 01:21:09 PM
Post by: b23 on September 28, 2024, 02:13:39 PM
195 1/8". 42 5/8" of mass. Way under judged him.Love the “Pepsi Globe” in the background👍👍……….
Should call this one the "Pepsi Challenge" buck. ;)
Big Gulp
He’s got more girth then the can
I was calling it the "Pepsi Challenge" because of the Karl/Pepsi relation, and, I think getting this done probably challenged Karl in about ever way imaginable.
Post by: jstone on September 28, 2024, 02:25:23 PM
Post by: WildBear on September 29, 2024, 04:49:47 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on September 29, 2024, 04:55:33 PM
But don't let him fool ya
He killed that buck day one and spent the next 15 days drinking Pepsi and eating Skittles working on his tan along the shores of the potholes... :chuckle:
Awesome job man. Well deserved...and earned... :tup:
Post by: 85yota on September 29, 2024, 07:56:20 PM
Post by: 206 on September 30, 2024, 07:56:04 AM
Post by: MADMAX on September 30, 2024, 08:09:33 AM
Impressive
Post by: Sneaky Squirrel on September 30, 2024, 08:43:53 AM
Post by: dilleytech on September 30, 2024, 09:09:10 AM
Post by: M_ray on September 30, 2024, 09:42:26 AM
Post by: bearpaw on September 30, 2024, 11:27:07 AM
Post by: LDennis24 on September 30, 2024, 12:57:37 PM
Post by: Caseyd on October 01, 2024, 09:59:07 AM
Post by: avidnwoutdoorsman on October 07, 2024, 03:42:07 PM
Congrats Karl. Heck of a buck!
Post by: Klickitatsteelie on October 07, 2024, 07:43:06 PM
Post by: Dan-o on October 07, 2024, 09:12:49 PM
:o
Post by: C-Money on October 08, 2024, 06:38:00 AM
Wait..... he killed an elk?
:o
Karl has good skills...
Post by: Ghost Hunter on October 08, 2024, 07:13:57 AM
Post by: Mtnwalker on October 08, 2024, 08:07:22 AM
Wait..... he killed an elk?
:o
Karl has good skills...
Post by: LDennis24 on October 08, 2024, 08:13:07 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on October 08, 2024, 09:20:50 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 08, 2024, 09:40:07 AM
Post by: 2MANY on October 08, 2024, 09:43:19 AM
Will you be riding a motorcycle in Idaho?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 08, 2024, 09:44:27 AM
only if my bubble suit shows up in time. Prime day sale and all
Will you be riding a motorcycle in Idaho?
Post by: Dan-o on October 08, 2024, 09:57:10 AM
Sorry guys for the delay. Out of respect for some other locals and tag holders, I'll not be posting a story until after season. I've got a lot of pics and stuff to go along with the story and I don't want to possibly burn someone's spot. Plus it's way too long and boring as hell so I need to shorten it up and frankly I just don't have the time to sit down and edit it. Screwed up and shot an elk on Saturday so been cutting meat and cleaning up from that and now I'm in a mad dash to get life squared away before idaho. Then some kids tags and right into MT, then back to idaho to help a bud get his kid a whitetail. Busy time of year. Still haven't gotten any grouse in case anyone was wondering :chuckle: :'(
Good looking elk country.
Post by: kellama2001 on October 08, 2024, 11:17:13 AM
Post by: C-Money on October 08, 2024, 03:27:48 PM
Post by: Shawn Ryan on October 22, 2024, 06:14:56 PM
Post by: rosscrazyelk on October 24, 2024, 05:25:50 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on October 28, 2024, 07:41:05 PM
Karl, what a great hunt and buck. Don't shorten the story, we need all the details. Now, honestly, which is better eating: an old, gray 195" buck or that gorgeous bull elk?Definitely the 195" buck. Especially since he has been sitting on my dining room table as our center piece since September :chuckle: (that's not a joke, he's our center piece :chuckle:)
Post by: crabcreekhunter on October 28, 2024, 07:49:20 PM
Post by: Shawn Ryan on October 31, 2024, 09:59:34 AM
Karl, what a great hunt and buck. Don't shorten the story, we need all the details. Now, honestly, which is better eating: an old, gray 195" buck or that gorgeous bull elk?Definitely the 195" buck. Especially since he has been sitting on my dining room table as our center piece since September :chuckle: (that's not a joke, he's our center piece :chuckle:)
Pics, please, oh please. Your wife must be the absolute best--and we thought we were jealous over that buck!
Post by: Caseyd on December 15, 2024, 07:20:54 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 01:47:45 PM
This story is all I asked for for Christmas 🎅🏼@Caseyd I'll start tonight. Story is done, just need to take a bunch of screen shots of video and pics so I can post them. Kind of crazy how many of the bucks that I found this year were killed. Like all of them!
Post by: Klickitatsteelie on December 17, 2024, 06:06:32 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 06:23:45 PM
Desert archery was far from my first choice but I stopped putting in for the later stuff because the season dates always interfered with states like CO. I also wanted the early season dates so I could scout hard and tie up a buck and kill him early when he was still in his summer patterns. Hunting bucks on MY terms is always preferred over hoping for snow or rut and playing the luck game. It couldn't have been more different than how I planned it in my head.
After draw results came out I started this thread and was immediately humbled by all the folks that reached out to offer unit information and words of encouragement. I've always been on the opposite side of these interactions and I felt so blessed by all of you who were so willing to share what you knew about the ol 290.
Scouting began immediately after draws came out. The summer was just a grind. It was a summer of endless heat. I'd glass mornings and evenings then log the miles in the sand checking and moving cameras. First few nights I just crashed at the public access points I was closest to but after a few encounters with the local Moses Lake riffraff I had had my fill of sleeping with a glock across my chest. So I started just sleeping in the back seat of my truck in the Love's parking lot. Sleeping bag not required as it was typically 70°+ every night but it was the only place to escape the mosquitos. I had multiple offers from huntwa members to crash their houses but I didnt want to burden anyone with my very early mornings and very late evenings. So Love's it was. (Thank you Blindluck, fish4fun, Bob, and Dan for the offers).
I looked over all things public land this summer. Many areas I wrote off pretty quickly simply due to the fact they just weren't areas laid out for early season spot and stalk archery hunting. I saw A LOT of bucks this summer. There are a lot of unique deer in this area. Seemed like 50% of bucks had some sort of unique or abnormal points. Even the young deer seemed to have some sort of trash. Quite a few mature bucks but like everywhere, mature doesn't always equate to big. Big bucks were few and far between. There's just SO MANY places for them to hide out there.
Week after week I'd brave the heat and the absolutely unrelenting swarms of mosquitos. I cannot reiterate how bad the mosquitos were. The second you crack the truck door you are completely engulfed in them. Spray was the only thing that would keep them at bay, and lots of it!
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 06:25:27 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 06:26:11 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 06:28:48 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 06:44:02 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 06:46:08 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 06:47:35 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 06:49:59 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 06:51:29 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 06:52:59 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 06:55:50 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:05:06 PM
The following weekend I was right back in the area looking. No luck. That Sunday JonathanS met me at Love's to help me look and sure enough we caught him moving from that corn and out into the sage. I got 42 seconds of video of him and knew his left side was BIG. Very low light and tall sage however really washed out his right side and we just couldn't make out exactly what he was. After he was swallowed by the sage we beat feet for a completely different area where the next best buck I had found was living and sure enough we found him too! He's a really cool wider nontypical with 8pts on his right and 8pts on his left but young and just didn't have much for mass or tine length. It was the first really good look I'd gotten at him and decided he just wasn't gonna make the short list of shooters. We called him "Trashy".
After filming trashy for a while we again moved on. We drove past a guy standing by his truck glassing into an area where an absolutely perfect mid 160's 4x4 with eye guards was using consistently. That night when I got home I had a message on here from klickitatsteelie (Hunter) asking if that was me off of road "**********". We exchanged numbers and got to texting. Obviously he was my competition so I played my cards close to my chest at first. He told me about this big buck he was trying to figure out a location on. Someone had sent him a Pic of this big 4pt but he couldn't peg the location. He was generous enough to share the picture and sure enough, there's corn dog! Broad daylight in all his glory! My heart was racing. Another tag holder knew my buck existed and someone else out there had his location! I told Hunter that I knew the bucks location and that he was the one and only deer I had on my target list. His next words floored me....."well I'll stop looking. He's all yours. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you get him."
Who says something like that when they have their own tag......and means it!?!?! Well Hunter does. We continue to talk through the next few weeks of scouting and quickly struck up a friendship. As opening day approached we decided we would camp together that first week and thank god we did, because it was a brutal hot week with daily temps over 95° and lows in the high 60's/low 70's. Having someone to share that misery with was a blessing. We were able to bounce ideas off of each other, recap the days events, and I'm positive we solved all the worlds problems that week.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:06:11 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:06:59 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:08:25 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:12:50 PM
Note: I did not take these two pictures. I still don't know who did but I figured since CD is dead it's not taboo to post :dunno: If not OK I'll gladly take them down, just PM me.
Post by: shootem on December 17, 2024, 07:14:10 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:22:23 PM
Next morning and evening I was glued to that glassing nob but he never made another appearance. Back at work Monday morning I begged my boss to take the following week off. He is a hunter and knows what kind of work I had put into this buck so he gave me the green light (thank you Bruce). Big chore for the week was tracking down the landowner to try and get permission to hunt the corn. Ryan was able to get me a contact but the land had sold. That contact put me in touch with the people leasing the ground that got me in contact with the actual landowner. I was granted permission so the game was on!
The next 5 days of work were pure hell but I made it to Friday and I was off! When I got to my glassing spot I found a ghost town. For the next 2.5 days all I saw were the same 3 doe's where previously there was a dozen bucks and another dozen doe's. The moon cast shadows all night and the deer were taking full advantage of it. Everything was nocturnal. I made the decision to save my vacation days and go back to work until that devil moon started to wain.
Once again my boss gave the ok to work a week then go back for the final 9 day stretch. When I got to my sandy glassing nest on Friday afternoon it was about 5:15p.m. I ditched my pack, got out my spotter and started my routine. Deer were active but no corndog. Saturday morning was the same. Saturday evening I decided to go spot for Hunter as he was trying to pin down a buck we called "mini dog". He was very similar to corndog in configuration, including the inline coming off his main beam. It was so close to being a perfect spotter/stalker setup but we just ran out of light before the buck made it to Hunter.
Sunday morning I was on my nob well before light and as daylight began to illuminate the landscape there he was! Cautiously feeding along. For just over an hour he was out and about but always on high alert. He was a smart old buck. He was never far from the corn and he always had the wind in his favor. Looking back at notes, the days he didn't show were days that coincided with wrong wind direction. That evening we had a good wind for me to get tight to the corn so with Hunter on the glass, I moved in. We weren't going to be able to spot and stalk this deer, or any fancy trickery. Just a good old fashioned ambush was my only option. Patience was going to kill this buck, not skill. About an hour into the sit the wind died to almost nothing and it began to swirl a bit. I knew if I bumped this buck he was gonna be in the wind for good so I played it safe and backed off till I knew I wasn't gonna wind him. Sure enough with the wind change, and only 5 min of shooting light, here he comes! Walked right past where I had been hiding. With no play I had to just admire him from a mere 140 yards away.
The following morning I had bad wind so glassed from a far. He was a no show. That evening Hunter went to find mini dog and with a really solid wind in my favor I got in tight again with the assumption I'd be staring at doe's and no Corndog. With 3hrs to kill before there was any possibility of seeing him I proceeded to uncomfortably sit and play solitare on my phone. It was almost dark and I was in the middle of a real hot hand when I caught movement from the corn edge. It was him and he was walking straight at me!!!! I slowly put away my phone, and slid my left hand down to my bow. As he got closer and closer I started to panick a bit. He's still coming and he's on a collision course..with me! If I lift to draw he's gonna bust me big time. 50 yards from me, he starts to turn to the west and slows to feed. I'm able to range and when his head is down I draw my bow. Sitting up on my knee's I settle in and send one his way. I hear the thwak and he lunges forward but immediately slows and stops again. It was dark enough that I lost the arrow in flight and unsure of the hit I range again and send another because 2 holes are better than one right!?! The second arrow hits but this time it breathed life into him and he takes off like a bolt of lightning! I drop my bow and start ranging him as he's heading into a big field and I know it's gonna be a chore to find him. He makes it about 250ish yards and falls on his face! Im left sitting in disbelief at what just transpired. For the last 2 months this buck was either a ghost and when he did make an appearance he was as cautious as any old buck I've ever hunted. Then one day he just decides to march out in the open without a care in the world!?!? It just didnt make sense. With darkness now fully engulfing the landscape I drop pins on where I shot from and where I think he is. Quiet as a mouse I back out and call Hunter for help. For almost 2hrs we grid for him with no luck. Long story short I over shot with my pin and we had been going in the wrong direction. We went back to the pin and start working back in the direction from which I shot from and within 30 yards of gridding Hunter all but stepped on him.
The relief I felt cannot be put into words. This buck was absolutely incredible to see on the ground. The sheer size of his head and body was like nothing I'd ever seen! Everything about him was just massive! One of the stipulations when the landowner granted me permission to hunt this land was no driving in (wouldn't have even if allowed) and no animal parts left behind. We momentarily tried to start dragging him towards the public sage but we couldn't even move him. So I reluctantly gutted him to make the drag easier. Well that still wasn't enough weight off so we removed the hind quarters. Made it about 100 yards before we remembered why neither of us drag animals. It sucks! So we finished boning him out and caping him then tied rope to the carcass and drug it behind us. By now it was 1 a.m. and we were both gassed. With meat on ice we hit the sack. 4:45 came early and we headed out one last time to try for Trashy with no luck. I headed back to the kill site with trash bags to retrieve the gut pile but the coyotes had taken care of most of it. I bagged what was left and made sure everything was as undisturbed as possible.
As much as I wanted to make my rounds to some of you Moses lake guys I was in need of ice and one more cooler so I made the call to just pop smoke and roll home.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:30:48 PM
Also the dreaded full moon and the boot dumping spot
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:32:07 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:34:27 PM
And of course the man of the hour, my brother from another mother, Hunter! He never lost faith that we would get this done. He sacrificed many key glassing sessions to help me when he still had his own tag burning a hole in his pocket. This buck is as much his as it is mine. I have no doubt in my mind that this buck would still be ravaging corn rows if it were not for the unwavering support of all these people. The hunt kinda sucked, but the outpouring of support from so many "strangers" made this one of my most treasured hunts. I'm truly humbled by my fellow hunters. My only hope is that one day I can return the favors.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:38:34 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:39:54 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:40:10 PM
Post by: jstone on December 17, 2024, 07:43:59 PM
Great story and pictures.That is a stud buck.!
Post by: jstone on December 17, 2024, 07:44:41 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:45:34 PM
Post by: Klickitatsteelie on December 17, 2024, 07:51:10 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 07:55:37 PM
Nicely said brother. That night will never be forgotten. By far the biggest deer I have ever seen and not just the horns, corndogs body was bigger than a lot of elk I have delt with and that’s no bs.Facts!
Spike elk backstrap next to Corn Dogs backstrap. Wasn't a small bodied spike either.
Post by: High Climber on December 17, 2024, 08:16:15 PM
His neck is giant, looks like a November neck what a tank!
Post by: fishngamereaper on December 17, 2024, 08:20:13 PM
Well done man... congrats again. :tup:
Does he taste like corn... 🤔
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 08:35:48 PM
Does my butt make my antlers look small.. :chuckle:He is definitely NOT gmo free :chuckle:
Well done man... congrats again. :tup:
Does he taste like corn... 🤔
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 17, 2024, 08:36:58 PM
Congrats you guys :tup:I can't even picture what he would look like all rutted up :dunno: 😍
His neck is giant, looks like a November neck what a tank!
Post by: Mfowl on December 17, 2024, 08:55:09 PM
Post by: elkrack on December 17, 2024, 10:30:53 PM
Post by: Dan-o on December 17, 2024, 11:21:49 PM
AMAZING.
Post by: Ironhead on December 18, 2024, 06:58:57 AM
Post by: Buckjunkie on December 18, 2024, 07:28:57 AM
Nice work…well deserved!
Post by: bigdub257 on December 18, 2024, 07:33:16 AM
Wondering if "Hunter" scored a nice deer also?
Post by: elkboy on December 18, 2024, 08:27:18 AM
Post by: C-Money on December 18, 2024, 11:02:51 AM
Post by: Klickitatsteelie on December 18, 2024, 12:03:47 PM
Post by: muleyslayer on December 18, 2024, 12:20:15 PM
Post by: nwwanderer on December 18, 2024, 02:56:24 PM
Post by: Skillet on December 18, 2024, 03:04:15 PM
Post by: Angry Perch on December 18, 2024, 03:38:56 PM
Post by: Caseyd on December 18, 2024, 03:41:23 PM
You guys think lil corn dog is same genetics?
Post by: blindluck on December 18, 2024, 03:51:06 PM
Post by: DeerSkin on December 18, 2024, 06:19:01 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 18, 2024, 06:36:03 PM
Did hunter end up shooting mini corndog?negative. Came close though. Mini dog actually ended up getting killed by a forum member during the Oct season. He's an awesome buck.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 18, 2024, 06:43:17 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 18, 2024, 06:55:29 PM
Great story, sure enjoyed following along. Gotta ask...all those bucks in the pics you shared, like Trashy, are dead? Tagged by other hunters? Would have liked to see what Trashy looked like next season...All dead. Killed by tag holders. Was really surprising to me. Trashy had the potential to possibly be that 230" nontypical we all dream about. Was killed damn near in that exact spot I filmed him.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 18, 2024, 07:02:57 PM
I’m so glad you put this whole hunt experience out for all of us to see it’s kinda like we were almost there. Awesome adventure and a hunt you will always remember. Any chance you weighed the boned out meat?unfortunately I did not. I never think about that stuff till way after the fact. Like when somebody asks :chuckle: I'll pull what's left out of the freezer and weigh it. First in first out method so we've been eating on him for a few months now. Made burger a few weeks ago but I grind everything from the entire season so no clue what's Corndog and what's not.
Post by: addicted1 on December 18, 2024, 11:32:41 PM
Post by: Caseyd on December 19, 2024, 12:09:10 AM
We always call the mini corn dogs “corn doggies”. It really seems like you named these deer after things you saw around the Luvs :chuckle:
:chuckle:
Post by: C-Money on December 19, 2024, 06:24:40 AM
Post by: pd on December 19, 2024, 11:11:33 AM
Congratulations, Karl.
Post by: Klickitatsteelie on December 19, 2024, 12:13:48 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 19, 2024, 09:49:22 PM
I vote Klickitatsteelie (Hunter) for Man of the Year. His sacrifice truly inspired me.He definitely gets my vote!
Congratulations, Karl.
Post by: Dan-o on December 19, 2024, 10:55:02 PM
Deer like that don’t come around very often and when they do grow to that size and that age they are very very smart. If Karl and I would have competed for that buck what would have happened is we would have ended up pushing the envelope to hard and blowing him out for nether of us to have gotten. Karl went into the tag with a specific score of 190”+ and with that being the only buck of that caliber we had found and with all the time and work Karl put into finding him it was only right to let him have his opportunity at him. I was just glad to be a part of it.
Fantastic perspective
Someday I'd like to buy you a cheeseburger.
Post by: Cougeyes on December 20, 2024, 07:13:07 AM
Post by: hunterednate on December 20, 2024, 09:48:04 AM
Post by: OutHouse on December 20, 2024, 10:25:29 AM
Is that your biggest buck Karl?
If it isn't, he should post the bigger one too!! But gosh that thing is hard to beat. I will steal a line from JPmiller that if I'da ran into him with my bow, my arrow would end up in the next county from my shakes.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 20, 2024, 12:45:49 PM
He's for sure my biggest by a few inches. My next best was a CO buck that took me 6 days to re-find and get killed. I'm a procrastinator :chuckle:Is that your biggest buck Karl?
If it isn't, he should post the bigger one too!! But gosh that thing is hard to beat. I will steal a line from JPmiller that if I'da ran into him with my bow, my arrow would end up in the next county from my shakes.
Post by: boneaddict on December 20, 2024, 01:04:17 PM
Deer like that don’t come around very often and when they do grow to that size and that age they are very very smart. If Karl and I would have competed for that buck what would have happened is we would have ended up pushing the envelope to hard and blowing him out for nether of us to have gotten. Karl went into the tag with a specific score of 190”+ and with that being the only buck of that caliber we had found and with all the time and work Karl put into finding him it was only right to let him have his opportunity at him. I was just glad to be a part of it.
RESPECT!
Post by: b23 on December 20, 2024, 01:05:10 PM
My next best was a CO buck that took me 6 days to re-find and get killed. I'm a procrastinator :chuckle:Ok, now THAT was funny!! :tup:
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 20, 2024, 01:20:17 PM
:yeah: and I'm damn glad he had that mentality because head to head he'd whip me bad at a bowhunting competition :bdid: Klicks a far better bowhunter than I am.Deer like that don’t come around very often and when they do grow to that size and that age they are very very smart. If Karl and I would have competed for that buck what would have happened is we would have ended up pushing the envelope to hard and blowing him out for nether of us to have gotten. Karl went into the tag with a specific score of 190”+ and with that being the only buck of that caliber we had found and with all the time and work Karl put into finding him it was only right to let him have his opportunity at him. I was just glad to be a part of it.
RESPECT!
Post by: Shawn Ryan on December 20, 2024, 01:22:22 PM
I vote Klickitatsteelie (Hunter) for Man of the Year. His sacrifice truly inspired me.He definitely gets my vote!
Congratulations, Karl.
That was certainly a big sacrifice: Good for you Hunter. If anyone on this forum "deserves" a fellow hunter to sacrifice for them, I'd vote for you, Karl. You've contributed in your always affable manner to other members.
Great write up. You put in the work and suffered the mosquitoes, sand, and sun. That appears to be the Blanchard way. You do your family proud. I hope you hunt an even larger buck someday and grace us with another compelling story.
Post by: HikerHunter on December 20, 2024, 01:52:10 PM
Post by: DeerSkin on December 21, 2024, 10:14:06 AM
Karl, did you see the double main beam buck that got shot?Great story, sure enjoyed following along. Gotta ask...all those bucks in the pics you shared, like Trashy, are dead? Tagged by other hunters? Would have liked to see what Trashy looked like next season...All dead. Killed by tag holders. Was really surprising to me. Trashy had the potential to possibly be that 230" nontypical we all dream about. Was killed damn near in that exact spot I filmed him.
Post by: LDennis24 on December 21, 2024, 10:43:38 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 21, 2024, 12:25:40 PM
yes I did, but not a buck I was aware of. Just a good reminder that no matter how hard you look, you can never find them all.Karl, did you see the double main beam buck that got shot?Great story, sure enjoyed following along. Gotta ask...all those bucks in the pics you shared, like Trashy, are dead? Tagged by other hunters? Would have liked to see what Trashy looked like next season...All dead. Killed by tag holders. Was really surprising to me. Trashy had the potential to possibly be that 230" nontypical we all dream about. Was killed damn near in that exact spot I filmed him.
Post by: DeerSkin on December 21, 2024, 04:20:33 PM
Post by: dvolmer on December 21, 2024, 08:35:29 PM
Post by: actionshooter on December 21, 2024, 10:38:11 PM
Deer like that don’t come around very often and when they do grow to that size and that age they are very very smart. If Karl and I would have competed for that buck what would have happened is we would have ended up pushing the envelope to hard and blowing him out for nether of us to have gotten. Karl went into the tag with a specific score of 190”+ and with that being the only buck of that caliber we had found and with all the time and work Karl put into finding him it was only right to let him have his opportunity at him. I was just glad to be a part of it.
Wow... you are a solid dude.... an attitude like that is extremely hard to find....
Post by: fowl smacker on December 22, 2024, 06:27:55 AM