We're (my fiance' Amy and I) headed to Idaho Friday to spend over a week in the back country of Idaho spot and stalking black bears with Jim and Holly Akenson.
This is probably one of the coolest hunts I've been on as we are driving to Cascade Idaho then flying into the ranch, then mule packing 5 miles to camp. We will likley see elk, mule deer, wolves sheep and bear on the trip.
I hope to do a kind of hunt along as we will have internet at the ranch.
The real intent beyond hunting bears is spending time with our friends Jim and Holly, we have talked about this for a couple years and decided this year to do it.
Amy is shooting a 50# Ragim Recurve and 580 grain GT's with Bear Razorheads and is hoping to take her first big game animal, a bear with her bow.
That being said tomorrow the adventure begins we're driving to Omaha spending the night with her sister, driving on to Denver to have dinner at the P&Y Banquet then spending the night in Boise with Larry and Belinda Fischer before heading into the back country on Monday.
Holly emailed earlier this week to tell us that there were a 100 elk and deer on the airstrip and that the wolves were around hazing them as well. We can't wait to see Idaho's back country.
here is a link to the ranch where we will be staying
http://www.cnrhome.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=41858
Wish us luck,
We'll be waiting. Happy hunting.
Good Luck Greg, sounds like a nice adventure.
You are just a bear huntin' fool...
Don't be stingy with the pictures :thumbsup:
Good luck Greg!! I know you and Amy have been looking forward to this trip. I am looking forward to the updates. Stay safe and shoot straight.
Good luck. Hap
Sounds like an awesome trip!!! Make sure to take lots of pictures to share with us here.
Good luck Greg. Sounds like great fun. I hope Amy gets her bear. Tell Jim I said hi.
Jack
Wow! Greg that sounds cool, keep us posted
Greg, That sounds awesome! I had the pleasure of sitting in on Holly's photography session at the PBS Banquet. The photos of the ranch and wild life were amazing. I'll be sitting on the edge of my chair watching this hunt unfold. Good luck to you & Amy...Doc
Wow, Good luck Greg!
Take lots'a pix bud :thumbsup:
Godspeed!
I'm jealous. Good luck, and lots of pics please
Hi Greg,
Im with you in spirit buddy.I know you two will love every second of it. Go get that bear Amy.I cant wait to hear from you upon return.Enjoy and hunt hard. The boys say hello.
best always,
Ron
Thanks all, we'll be heading out soon first stop Omaha funny thing our hotel across the road from Cabela's.......8^)
Good luck Greg. :thumbsup:
Heading through Illinois we were flagged and followed by a white Pick Up that gave us a thumbs up..because we have numerous stickers in the backwindow and my "longbow" license plate. We just thought he was another Trad hunter...come to find out...he was Gene Wensel's neighbor..SMALL WORLD!!!
Good luck on the hunt, sounds like a lot of fun!
Greg, sounds like you've got a full itinerary. Will be looking forward to your trip updates. Good luck! :thumbsup:
Sounds like your in for a great time ! Best of luck to you two Michiganders ! :thumbsup: :campfire: :archer:
Hope you find a BIG ONE!
Shoot straight, Shinken
Date line Denver Colorado, 6:45am right now, getting ready to make the run into Idaho today, the Pope & Young Banquet dinner was fun and got to see a lot of old friends and made some new ones. Got a couple real cool pictures of Amy and a mounted polar bear and a 1000+# Brownie We're meeting JIm Akenson and Larry Fischer in about 15 minutes to hit the road.
Awesome Greg!! Glad to hear the trip is going well so far!
Today is day 2 the weather has been less than cooperative, however we are seeing lots of game, sheep, elk and mulies. Wolves made a kill yesterday morning across the river and howled for about 15 minutes. The elk that were across the vally on the face looked in that direction and were nervous. Other than that it is absolutly gorgouse here. Waiting for a break in the weather.
Sounds awesome Greg. We're all on the edge of our seats waiting for some pictures!
Sounds fun pop. I cant wait to see pics
Heres hoping he is bigger than Kenny II, knock `em dead.
Thanks guys, we'll be hunting tomorrow and heading out of the back country on Tuesday.
I wish I had bears down to report but unfortunatly we do not. The weather here has been a real hindrence to good hunting. The green up at elevation is a couple weeks behind and it has rained all but 1 and 2 half days which is not normal for this time of year.
Enough of that now, we have had an absolute blast here. I have seen hundreds of elk and deer, as well as bighorn sheep and wolves.
Friday morning Jim and I called in a wolf that came bounding in behind us and I was able to catch him on camera. We found two cougar kills yesterday. The first was a young elk and that was taken over by wolves and the second was a 6 year old yew Bighorn with a lamb which I took the head from and will be getting it pinned and certified on Tuesday.
I.m going to post some pic's the first is Jim calling and the wolf.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x293/stykbowhunter61/IdahoWednersday051.jpg)
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The Taylor Ranch from above
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x293/stykbowhunter61/IdahoTrip135.jpg)
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Wow Greg that is awesome!! Looks like you guys are having a great time!! Good luck today and have a safe trip home.
Well we are waiting for the weather to clear so we can fly out, we were on hold all day waiting for clear flying but to no avail. So we made pizza and drank wine waiting for the apple crisp that Amy put together. The home made pizza Holly made was awesome.
We only saw one bear a cinnamon that Amy had at 35 yards, that Jim called in I heard him and tried to get below him to no avail, that was it, but the experience of hunting this wilderness out of Jim and Holly's home at the Taylor Ranch was no disappointment. We saw hundreds of elk and deer, 20 bighorns including a nice 3/4 curl ram, saw wolves, wolf kills, lion kills and scenery that if you never leave the trail a person can never comprehend.
We hunted in the land of the Sheep Eater Indians. We visited the pictographs, saw what could only be a rocket, (see the picture) and we walked in the ruins of their camps. It has been an irreplaceable experience.
We will miss this virtually unspoiled area of America and can't wait to visit Jim, Holly and Keah again soon.
the Trail up to goat basin
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x293/stykbowhunter61/IdahoFridayandsaturday063.jpg)
The Rocket ship pictograph
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x293/stykbowhunter61/IdahoSaturdaythroughTuesday129.jpg)
Amy and I above Soldier Bar
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Our Bush Taxi
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