Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: searchnfor on August 04, 2009, 10:42:17 PM

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Title: elk and bugs
Post by: searchnfor on August 04, 2009, 10:42:17 PM

 I went on a pack trip for the weekend to scout for elk. The black flies and horse flies are just terrible! Our horses had to do everthing they could to keep those dang big horses flies from carrying them away. Found this group of cows and calves both mornings grouped up keeping the flies off each other.

Title: Re: elk and bugs
Post by: vanhornhunter on August 04, 2009, 10:45:57 PM

Yeah they're thick right now! I was up scouting Sunday they were swarming. The Bald face hornets were out too!

Title: Re: elk and bugs
Post by: zackmioli on August 05, 2009, 08:44:37 AM

hate the biting flies and bees! so irritating! :bash:

Title: Re: elk and bugs
Post by: Crunchy on August 05, 2009, 08:50:10 AM

well i pray that we get very cool weather come opening early archery.  last year the bugs were miserable.

Title: Re: elk and bugs
Post by: boneaddict on August 05, 2009, 08:54:27 AM

They aren't bad yet, so probably will be fine. Bees are doing their best.  I heard rumors of another horse passing from West Nile here in Yakima.   :dunno:

Title: Re: elk and bugs
Post by: WAPITIHUNTER on August 05, 2009, 09:06:26 AM

Couple years back our group took a few stings while butchering up elk in the wilderness. The Yellowjackets were really bad. Last year the Mosquito's were worse. Worst any had ever seen anywhere.

Title: Re: elk and bugs
Post by: boneaddict on August 05, 2009, 09:13:05 AM

THe little chicks and I picked a couple gallons of hucks last night and I never saw a squeeter.  An occasional irrational pissed off bee though.  I've been avoiding shooting a bear as I really hate dealing withthe bees.

Title: Re: elk and bugs
Post by: WAPITIHUNTER on August 05, 2009, 09:17:29 AM

I can deal with the bee's but not the squeeter's. I sure hope they are not bad this year.

Mmmmm, Huckleberries. Couple gallons! WOW! Nice.

Title: Re: elk and bugs
Post by: boneaddict on August 05, 2009, 09:18:10 AM

I haven't got the purple out yet. LOL

Title: Re: elk and bugs
Post by: Buckmark on August 05, 2009, 09:28:26 AM

In the early season i only hunt the evening hunt, would rather stay up all night with lamps and lanterns butchering on elk or deer than battle the bugs during the day.
Look like i have a bad case of the uncontrolled muscles twitching and swatting at them in the daylight hours, I'm lucky ive never accidently stabbed myself  swatting at them
with a knife in my hands.

Title: Re: elk and bugs
Post by: WAPITIHUNTER on August 05, 2009, 09:31:42 AM

That's a good Idea waiting till after dark!

Title: Re: elk and bugs
Post by: Matt on August 05, 2009, 10:29:30 AM

I carry black pepper with me.  When I get to the animal I spread it around the carcass and it keeps everything away.  That's a little pre-season trick.  :chuckle: