Post by: wraithen on January 01, 2012, 09:03:44 PM
I drove down a dead end and got to walking. I followed an old rock road about a mile until I saw a clearing downhill. (By the way, did they have to set up trenches and dirt piles and stumps and logs every 20 feet on the road for the entire road?) I started walking down towards the clearing and saw the first of two live animals. I was stepping near a felled tree and thought I saw a mouse. Then the mouse amazed me by flitting a few feet further from me. I don't think I've ever seen a bird that small before! So I assess the clearing and make a bad decision. Instead of setting up along the length of the clearing I set up at one end. I walked through the marshiness and set up the decoy and foxpro and start in with kain's mix again. I hear things popping behind me but I later discovered this to be trees hitting each other due to the wind. I try to mix it up and throw in some lightening jack. After that I throw in some pup cries. Nothing, nada, zilch! On to stand 3!
I drive back towards where I had walked in a closed road up a steep hill. I parked at the barricade and get dressed up again. I got a camo beanie on over a camo full face mask, camo gloves, and AGO pants and jacket. I even camoed my gun yesterday. So I walk up this road. I hate this road. It's steep. Once I get to the top I decide to walk past the first clearing. On the way I see fresh (had to be within 10 hours) bobcat tracks that kind of meander and then cross the road. I walk all the way to the end of the road. It's also the end of the clearing and the wind is picking up. I decide I'm going to walk in and set up with a big brushpile behind me. I started walking in and realized there isn't really ground, but ferns and some dirt on brush piles on felled trees. I realize this by feeling my hip get muddy when I sink into what I can only assume is some kind of den. Cursing in my head I walk back out as going any further is asking to break a leg. I walk back around the road and in anger chuck out the foxpro and start nutty nuthatch followed by lightening jack followed by pups in distress. Not a peep. The wind was gusting and I didn't really expect anything to come out anyway. I only made the stand because there's enough "I did everything wrong and they still came" stories that I figured if I did the work I may as well try it.
So to recap that's now 11 stands. I've seen 2 eagles, a few crows, a squirrel, and some really tiny bird. But if anyone wants to go to a horrible spot where there definitely was a bobcat just let me know.
How close will coyotes cut it near cougars? I ask because I'm sure theres a bunch of cougar in the area due to the elk poo every 20 feet and the fact that a few people hunt them in the same area.
Post by: lokidog on January 01, 2012, 11:04:53 PM
Keep up the attempted good work. :)
Post by: wraithen on January 01, 2012, 11:13:01 PM
Post by: Raul Duke on January 02, 2012, 06:14:55 AM
So to recap that's now 11 stands.
Hang in there WRAITHEN, I know first hand how fustraiting it can be. I had a 68 stand, cold streak. Before I conectted on what is now my 2nd yote. I never counted how many stands it took to get my 1st one on Oct 30th. The second one didnt come in untill Dec 17th.
Have fun with it, but don't let it bother you too much. Once you connect, your only going to want to do it again, and again.
Post by: wraithen on January 02, 2012, 08:14:19 AM