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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: DHR on May 28, 2010, 10:40:00 AM
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Hello all,
I just got back from my second trip to kauai in the last 6 months and just wanted to tell you a little about it. The first trip was a honeymoon for me and my wife, and I got to do a little hunting too. Well on that trip I got the bug and just had to make it back there. We're now expecting my new hunting partner (ha ha), so I figured it was a perfect time for a little solo trip before things get busy, so..... I blasted over to Kauai for six days of hunting along the kalalau trail.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5150009.jpg)
Here's me at the trailhead with rental car, loaded pack, and bow ready to go find some goats. The hunting proved difficult on this trip, with good opportunities hard to come by, but I took game, met great people, and enjoyed myself immensely, so read on.
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Cool start to a story!
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(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5210098.jpg)
It was dry on the trail, in fact I got almost no precip during the week I was there. This was much different than what I expected, and in stark contrast to my last trip. While this made for very comfortable conditions, I think it made the hunting tougher. The goats seemed to be dispersed, and were hanging out on the high ridges rather than the lower more accesible areas.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5190074.jpg)
This picture of the kalalau valley gives you an idea of what the terrain is like. Those slopes are carpeted in dense chest high thorny vegetation, so be ready to get torn up. Pretty spectacular though eh?
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The state issues 3 day archery only permits to hunt the napali coast state park, so my itinerary was to hike in and hunt for three days, come out and renew my permit, then go in for another three. I knew my hike in on the first day would take me through some likely areas, and I had hopes of getting into goats on my way in, but on this particular day they weren't there. It was great hike though.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5150010.jpg)
here is a huge mango tree at about mile six on the trail. No fruit this time of year, but from what I hear during august and september the pigs can't stay away.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5150018.jpg)
This is some boar sign that I found near camp that evening. This is probably old hat to you fellas who get to hunt pigs all the time, but for me it was pretty cool to see.
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Great pics! Cant wait to see more.
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(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5160025.jpg)
The next day I was on the trail early and located several groups of goats, but my stalks came to nothing in the swirling winds, reminding me that these goats and their survival instincts demand respect. Any unexpected human scent, or a glimpse of a person where they didn't expect to see one (which is anywhere off the trail), would mean instant goat exodus. so that evening when this young nanny lagged behind the group I didn't hesitate.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5160034.jpg)
I was after all relying on fresh goat meat to keep starvation at bay.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5160035.jpg)
Yummy...
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Awesome story and pics, keep it coming :thumbsup:
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What a trip. Thanks for the pics.
That fresh Goat is making My mouth water. :bigsmyl:
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Excellent adventure and pics. Congrats! Those goat shish kabobs look delicious.
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Whoa!! How very cool! Awesome pictures too! I remember being there once for 5 days but when I left there I wasn't headed back home to my honey. In fact I had met my wife there and when our time was up she went back home and I went back to the army's version of Disney World at the time..lol
Your pictures took me back in time and I can almost smell the meat roasting over your fire. Thank you!
God bless,Mudd
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Man o man do i hope to get there some day. As ya know we were planning on our honeymoon there until we both recieved word that we are out of a job.
We are planning on the same date ( july 20) for 10 days.
Keep those pics coming DHR :) Bill
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Things began to look up the next day as some of the previous days scouting and exploration paid off. I caught this girl filtering through a stand of trees on her way to the ridge top after the nights feed.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5170045.jpg)
Shortly after this i shot another goat, a young billy, from this same ridge, but gravity exerted it's uncompromising effect and took the goat to an unrecoverable position on the rocks below.
I loaded up the meat from my nanny and went down the trail in search of euther more goats, or some new friends to cook goat meat with. I encountered the latter first, so a feast and siesta ensued.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5170050.jpg)
Oh yes and just a reminder, be carefull when skinning goats. Luckily my wife's a nurse and packed me a good first aid kit!
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5170049.jpg)
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The next day I needed to march out so I could report my first three days hunting activity, and renew my permit for the next three. I took a few moments with my coffee that morning to record some of the memories.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5160032.jpg)
Then I was on the trail, albeit going in the wrong direction. I admit it was tough to tear myself away from the hunting grounds after I was just getting in the groove. I left my camp set up so I could travel light. man was that great.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5180053.jpg)
Thanks everyone for reading this far. I've got to take a break for now, but there are still three hunting days to go, so stay tuned.
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man that looks sweet :thumbsup:
:campfire:
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Very cool!
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Thanks for taking us along!
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tell me what kind of bow you shot for those goats
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Excellent read. Spent two weeks on Kauai back in 79 or 80, on maneuvers with the USMC. Didn't get to hunt goats while I was there, but have fond memories of the place.
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Hurry back. Great story and great pictures.
Thanks for sharing...
This hunt is on my list.
Ooh and congrats on the expected new hunter.
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Great story and pics, thanks for sharing... :thumbsup:
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...any pork on the coals?
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Great hunt so far, looking forward to the rest!
Some great shot placement as well!
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Sweet trip, we just got back from Oahu, and the pics bring back great memories
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:thumbsup: :campfire:
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Ok guys, thanks for reading, I'll try to get some more pics up here.
stevemfwills-I hunted with a 60", 60# palmer double carbon, the arrows were gt 7595's with a variety of 2-blade heads
Snag, Yes I do seem to remember eating something that tasted better than goat, lol.
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Wednesday morning found me glad to wake up in my hammock again, and with the necessary permit on hand I was eager to back after the goats. I thought I had a foolproof plan for where to ambush them that morning, but long story short it didn't work out, so I continued down the trail in search of targets of opportunity. I found them in a beautiful grassy meadow well below the trail. I closed in as best I could, but eventually ran out of cover, so I got low behind a bush and waited. For once the wind didn't give me away, and I managed to deliver on this billy.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5190063.jpg)
not huge by any means but it had been a great little hunt and I was thrilled.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5190062.jpg)
another pic
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I've been wondering how your trip went Pirate Dan! Excellent, arrrgggghhhh!!!!!
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(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5190066.jpg)
So I loaded up the meat from y billy and headed down the trail, determined to hike through to the kalalau valley at trails end.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5190068.jpg)
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5190077.jpg)
The place is just amazing and I could explore it for a loooong time without getting bored. Oh and I forgot to mention, as I was waiting out that last billy I was able to watch spinner dolphins leaping just offshore, it was wild.
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I encountered one more pair of goats on my hike in to kalalau. It was to be my only gimme opportunity of the trip, and you guessed it I blew it. Oh well easy come, easy go. I continued on to kalalau.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5190073.jpg)
This sign is at the entrance to the Kalalau valley, and essentially says to respect the place and preserve it for future generations. From what I understand The kalalau valley was the most densely inhabited place on kauai in historic times, home to some 5,000 people. Their stone terraces are still very much in evidence. Now kalalau is home to an indeterminate number of hippies.
I explored up the valleys main stream and was soon greeted by two naked young ladies. I crossed the stream to inquire whether they'd like any goat meat, which they certainly did, so i spent the afternoon with them cooking goat meat and telling and hearing stories. It was kind of a surreal afternoon, no pictures of that though.
As the afternoon waned I found myself eager to get back to my camp at hanakoa, after all goats were'nt the only game along the trail and I knew where I wanted to be come dusk.
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Cool trip! Great pics looks like a lot of fun! Congrats!
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The pig activity seemed to be pretty low key on this trip. Without fruit on the ground I just don't think they were doing a whole lot. Still I'd see fresh rooting everyday, so I spent my evenings trying to find pigs. Up to this point in the trip I'd caught just a glimpse of one racing away from me, so when this little dude fed into range the thought of holding off didn't even cross my mind.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5200084.jpg)
Small as he was it still meant alot to me to get him. I've got kind of a thing for pig hunting, probably because living in washington I don't get to do it much. One interesting thing though, I have never killed such a tick infested critter.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5200091.jpg)
I must say though, that young pig cooked up on the coals and seasoned with a home made spice blend from our garden here at home was one of the best things I've ever tasted. Along with a big pot of rice it made a perfect meal for myself and two new friends I made on the trail.
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Thank you for bringing me a long. Very cool. :thumbsup: :notworthy:
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Oh man, bow... mango... goat... pig... sweet neckid ladies... I remember Kauai. I just don't remember why I left. :banghead:
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Well-done!
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Nice shot on the porker! Boy, I bet that did taste good. Why is it that game always taste better out in the wilds? Of course, the sea breezes probably helped! ;)
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Nice Dan , looks like a great trip once again, we need to go down and bug Velton into a pig hunt.
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What a trip, thanks for sharing!!
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I agree juan, leaving kauai is the hardest part.
Ted, we definately need to do that, did you ever get in touch with him? I'll work on him from this end and be in touch.
So, to wrap this up, one of the guys I shared that pig with was a young hawaiin bowhunter, a couple years younger than myself. We hunted most of the next couple days together,unsuccesfully as luck would have it, but it was great nonetheless. Alex had been coming to the napali coast since he was a little boy and he knew it really well. In addition to showing me some great spots i wouldn't have found on my own he also taught me alot about the local plants and birds and the regions old polynesian lore. Really this was one of the highlights of the trip.
(http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab306/1sharp2blade/P5200094.jpg)
I really like the light in this picture. This was taken just after this mob of goats busted Alex and I after a long open country stalk. So close, but sometimes all you can do is reach for the camera.
The next day it was time to hike out and get back on the airplane. I wasn't eager to leave but felt enriched in many ways by the experience, and I remain thankful to have had this opportunity to experience a little bit of "real life" on the kalalau trail.
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Great story!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Thanks for sharing.
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Awsome story!! Kauai is a great place. Thanks for sharing. :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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I only have one question. Did you tell your wife about platonic encounter with the two naked girls, lol?
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Yeah Steve, after some consideration the spirit of full disclosure did prevail and I told all. She didn't really mind, I think she was just glad I didn't fall off a cliff, or decide to stay there and not come back.
thanks for all the info, it was very helpfull!
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What a great hunt :) Thanks for the time you spent sharing it with us !!
What a beautiful place :notworthy:
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Great trip and story!! Thanks for sharing brother!!
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Wow! Way to go Dan. Great story and pictures. Thanks for taking me along...bill
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great story and pics! thanks!
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What a great setting for a hunt/explore and story of the same. Neat meeting up with a local bowhunter. REALLY neat meeting up with the ladies. Don't see that much here in Nova Scotia....
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Great adventure! Thanks for sharing.
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Great story! Thanks for taking us along.
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Great Trip Dan, that place just seems to pull you back doesn't it.... Thanks
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What a fabulous adventure!
Thank you for makin' the effort to share the journey!
Shoot straight, Shinken
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Man what a great story. I've wanted to do what you did for years now and it was great to be reminded again what it looks like from your trip. Congrats on a successful trip and good luck with your new addition coming-up.
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I lived in Hawaii for 3 years back in the early 90s and the laws back then did not allow hunting except for pig with a spear and turkey on the big island. I guess they got overrun by goats and pigs and changed the law.
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Thanks....this was an awesome journey!!
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Way, way cool!! Some folks have all the luck...lol I want to know whose choice it was to not take pictures of your friends?...lol especially since you are such a good photographer.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time and made some memories that will last a lifetime.
Thanks for sharing with us.
God bless,Mudd
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Great story, thanks for taking us along with you on your hunt. :thumbsup:
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Very Cool :thumbsup: :clapper:
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Thanks for the feedback guys, mudd- there's alot of folks I met on this trip that I'd love to have pictures of, I just get self conscious about asking to take pictures of other folks, but like you say the memories will be there.
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Originally posted by DHR:
Thanks for the feedback guys, mudd- there's alot of folks I met on this trip that I'd love to have pictures of, I just get self conscious about asking to take pictures of other folks, but like you say the memories will be there.
:D I was just yanking you chain Daniel...lol When I read "that days" entry I thought.."Smart dude right there!" :notworthy: If you think about it, its really smart to have made that decision. :banghead: Why? Well its one thing to share all the details of your trip with the wife, its a totally different story if the wife is looking at the evidence :campfire: and pictures. Thank you very much!
God bless,Mudd :archer:
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Sounds like a great place to visit. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
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Dude! Great read and pics man! I've been wondering how your trip went!
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simply awesome, what r the rules and regulations on hunting hawaii?
Tommy
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TTT for NateDog.
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Not sure how I missed this one....must been all the auction stuff...
CONGRATS!!!!!...on such a COOL hunt along with the kills...uh...meals.
Thanks for sharing :campfire:
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Dan,I like your stories,thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for bringing me along. Great story story and pics!
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Sweet!!! Thanks......
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Thanks for sharing such a wonderful adventure.
The pics really are great and give an east coaster a sense for what it is like.
Thanks again and Congrats!!
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Very cool. I was just in Kauai in April. No hunting though as I was in relaxation mode. Great story. Thanks for taking the time to share with us.
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awesome! thanks for sharing your hunt with us. I have just got to get my self back to Kauai with my bow. Anyone want to put together a trip for 2011 let me know....
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DHR
That was a great story and Photos thank you.
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I've been putting off reading this one until I could take the time to savor and enjoy it all. What a great trip! Don't know if I will ever make it happen, but sure would love to do that someday. It has to be one of the most beautiful spots in the entire world!
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Neat stuff....... :thumbsup:
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Great pictures and story.
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Very Cool Dan
way to go Bro !
:thumbsup:
ill forward you some of the Australia trip.
take care
Andy
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Always enjoy reading your hunting posts. Nice hunt. Neat pictures. Thanks for sharing
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Great pictures, thanks for sharing. Looks like a ton of fun.
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Dan, great looking coffee cup you had there on page one! We could sure use a story for the PBS magazine, especially with your fantastic photo support.
I really need to get back to Hawaii...
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Man what an awesome experience. Thanks Dan.
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Awsome story!! Thanks for sharing.