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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: talltines on September 03, 2011, 09:43:00 PM
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My adventure began on Aug 18 when I left the St. Louis airport and met up with my hunting partner Dave in Minneapolis. From there we were bound for Fairbanks and beyond. A couple days later the supercubs finally touched down on a distant ridgetop 120 miles from civilization. As the planes drifted away we finished staking down the tipi which good 'ol SteveO was nice enough to lend us. Once camp was made water was the next order of business. Of course, it was quite a walk to any decent seep on the side of the mountain. We finally found some water and watched caribou make their way to us in the fading light. A quick meal of Mountain House was enjoyed and it was time for lights out.
The first few days were spent learning the countryside and trying to figure out if the caribou had any specific travel routes that we may be able to set up on. Unfortunately, the terrain was extremely open and getting anywhere near bow range was proving to be very difficult. By the third day, we were beginning to doubt that any chance of a close shot opprotunity would present itself. Early in the evening around camp we spotted a small group of caribou pass below our tent moving to the west. I decided to try and move in on them but again fell short of being able get within range due to the lack of cover. As I was walking back to camp, I looked to my left into the valley the bou had just come from. That was the second group of bou that had come through that valley that day. There was really no discernable trail that they were using to set up on. I decided that I might as well take a closer look and see if there was some place that I might be able to set up in in case another group moved through. I ended up finding a nice rocky area that had a little bit of countour that gave me a place to hide.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Wessel/3ac797bd.jpg)
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THIS ONE WILL BE GOOD
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:campfire: :coffee: Let's hear more!
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Patiently waiting.
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I had only been sitting for a few minutes when I looked up and saw a group of caribou crest a ridge nearly a mile away. Nearly all of them were nice bulls with what looked to be the largest one in the back. It's amazing how fast caribou can cover ground as it seemed like only moments later and they were in the valley below me. The hillside I was on was very wide. It seemed as if they could go anywhere but with each step they grew closer and seemed to be a string right to my location. I tried to position my body so that I could shoot to both my right or left if needed. I was beginning to feel really good about my odds, but strongly questioned whether I had enough cover to fool a couple dozen eyes as they neared. I crouched down and hugged the hillside the best I could. My bow tip rested on the ground just slightly canted with an arrow nocked and tension on the string. I could hear the clicking and breathing as the bulls neared and began passing by. They were somewhere around 35 yards and moving steadily by. No shot opportunities were presented but I watched the back of the group where the large bull remained. For some reason though, he chose a different path. One that was closer than all the other bou. He was the last to pass by and just as he neared my hiding place he stopped. His eyes looked intently at me. He remained still for only a few seconds and then looked forward again to rejoin his group of bulls making their way up hill.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Wessel/3697c4a0.jpg)
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Oh, what could it be? Some TALL Tines for Mr. TallTines?
Never any doubt in my mind...
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I remember the bull taking two steps when I hit my anchor and the let string go. At the shot he turned and ran down the hill while the other bulls went up. The bull disappeared from view as he crested the next ridge. I met up with Dave and we decided to slowly sneak over and look into the small valley where he went. It only took a couple seconds to spot him bedded in the bottom. I knew at the shot I had hit farther back than I wanted. The arrow had entered about 8 inches behind the leg and 1/3 of the way up. It exited slightly forward of the entry due to the slight quartering away angle.
We were watching from about 200 yards away when the wind suddenly changed and the bull got up. He made his way uphill away from us on the next ridge. He bedded immediately. The light was fading fast and it was time to make a decision. Trying to move in on him might work, but if it didn't and he was still alive I could have easily ran him for miles. A few more minutes passed and I glassed him again. This time all I could see was his antlers. His head was laying on it's side and all I could see was the inside of his right antler, angled towards us. I decided we should get back to camp and make the recovery in the morning.
No, I didn't sleep that night.....
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Hey, that tipi should be worth a steak or two...
:goldtooth:
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:campfire:
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The next morning we were out early. Really early. We hiked up high to look down where the caribou had bedded. We had saw 4 grizz in the valley below where the bou was in the previvous days. A sow with 2 cubs and a lone boar. When we glassed down where the bou had bedded, he was gone. We searched and searched for about 3 hours, even gridding the draws in the valley bottom that were choked with brush. I didn't like it, but felt like I had to look in there just in case. Fortunately there was no bear sign nor any bou at the bottom. By this point I was wearing down. I knew the shot was very lethal and nothing was adding up. I told Dave I was going to hike up to where I thought the bull should have died and look down in case he had backtracked. I had only moved about 50 yards up the hill when I spotted antlers sticking up, at the same angle they were the night before. I yelled to Dave that I had found him. He hadn't moved an inch from the night before. We then realized that when we were looking from above we couldn't see him because of all the dips and packets in the hillside. He was laying in a low spot and couldn't be seen from above. After the handshakes and pics, we dug our heels in for the work. By 3 pm I was washing my hands and knives. The meat was hung from rocks and shaded with a tarp. The head was caped out and left to cool in the shade and the antlers were admired over a warm cup of tea. I can't thank Dave enough for all his help. I certainly hope that I can return the favor one day.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Wessel/257bf0bc.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Wessel/c1155870.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Wessel/5a4b65c7.jpg)
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OH man we posted at the same time, pure awesome :)
:thumbsup:
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Sweet! Great caribou and pictures!
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Now we are on the edge just waiting to hear whats next.I bet the Bou in the morning recovered.Great story man lets hear more.
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Originally posted by Steve O:
Hey, that tipi should be worth a steak or two...
:goldtooth:
I like your style Steve.
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Beautiful bull Brian congrats.
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Beauty Oh to be young again enjoy it now while ya still can it comes fast as the years pass.Great pictures for a life time.
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Uh, I have another question. I shot that bow in bear camp in May and it didn't have any checkering on it. I like the looks of that!
Great animal BW. Good hard work pays off. :thumbsup:
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Congrats on a fine bull :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
And you build a beautiful bow Brian
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Congrats on the shot and recovery. :clapper:
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Awesome! Congratulations!
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Congratulations. Great story and pics. Thanks for sharing with us. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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NICE!!! What an adventure!
Congratulations
Glenn
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Nice bull Brian! What a great adventure - Alaska is an incredible place.
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Very Nice !!
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Cool beans
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Fantastic! Congratulations!
Martin
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I think this is another example of whether it's caribou or whitetails the structure of the terrain often dictates their movements. Good job buddy! Has anyone noticed Brian always comes through in both his bow building and his bowhunting? I'm proud to call him a great personal friend. Congratulations! The other BW
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wow! :clapper:
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Well done!
Beautifull Caribou and a beautiful bow you took him with :)
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Congrats! Sounds like some rough conditions. Glad that your hard work payed off.
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Great job and thanks for sharing the great photos
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(http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx116/Dirtybird_bucket/P1030365.jpg) (http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx116/Dirtybird_bucket/P1030368.jpg) (http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx116/Dirtybird_bucket/P1030379.jpg)
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(http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx116/Dirtybird_bucket/P1030384.jpg)
This is one of my favorite pictures of the trip. Mr. Tall Tines admiring some Tall Tines. Alaska is a very vast and beautiful place that I feel very fortunate to experience. I hope to make it back someday soon. Going on a trip like this you learn a lot about yourself and if your lucky enough to be with someone like Brian you learn even more. Thanks SteveO for the tent and helping us make weight.
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Holy Smokes. Great bull, story, resolve and pictures. Truly a trophy!
Thanks!!!!!!!
Brad
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Great Bou Brian. Thank you for the help again today. Im heading into the bush tomorrow, TallTines in hand
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Many congtulations on an awesome adventure and trophy. If there is anyone who puts the bow building and hunting together better than you I have yet to know them. AWESOME
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Way to go sir! Awesome animal! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Nice, very nice! Breathtaking scenery, too. :thumbsup:
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Great story and pic's. Nice bull! Congrats!
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You suck! :D And I mean this in the nicest of ways! :thumbsup:
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Awesome hunt...congratulations! :coffee: :coffee:
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That was a great story and pics! Congrats on a great bull!
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Congratulations Brian, Nice bull. I pray someday I will make it back to Alaska for some bow hunting. Alaska is so Big and Beautiful. :thumbsup:
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:thumbsup: :campfire:
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Beautiful. Incredible. Well done.
Boy, from those pics, to say there wasn't much cover seems an understatement. That is OPEN ground.
What a trip! Thanks for sharing.
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Great trip and pics,congrats and thanks for the story
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great time !!!!
one question please / what about your Tipi Tent ?
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Wow! That's all just too amazing!!
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What a bowhunting adventure. Congrats on the hunt and the caribou! Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!
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What a great bull! Congrats Brian! :thumbsup:
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Blistering cool dude!! Huge! Thanks for the story & pix. Congrats.
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Great story and pics.Thanks for sharing and congrats on a great bull.
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Great job brother!!! I live in AK and am very excited to get back next year for some hunting and fishing.
Your pics and story were awesome.
Who did you fly out with?
Jason
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Outstanding Brian, what a trip...beautiful pics.
God Bless, Pierre
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Wow...congrats, beautiful 'Boo, beautiful scenery, and WAY BEAUTIFUL BOW.. :thumbsup: ..love it.
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That is truly an outstanding animal.Great job,and again congratulations to a fine young talented bowyer,and bowhunter who i'm lucky to call a friend.Way to go TALL TINES!!!!
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Congratulations, thanks for sharing a good story and a awesome scenery:)
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Good as it gets Brian!
Mike
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Very cool Brian, congratulations.
Chuck
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Here's another view from camp up on top of where Brian and I stayed. The pilot said we were at about 4500ft elevation from camp with a great view. (http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx116/Dirtybird_bucket/P1030357.jpg)
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After the last of the meat was off the mountain side it was time for Brian to get the cape and antlers. Words can't express the beauty of Alaska unless you experience it for yourself. It was a pleasure spending time in Alaska mountains. I hope everyone has enjoyed the pics. (http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx116/Dirtybird_bucket/P1030388.jpg)
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What an adventure! Great pics, got any more? Can't look at too many Alaska photos!
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That is truely the stuff dreams are made of...congrats fellas...absolutely awesome!
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:clapper:
Well done sir !
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Thank You for taking us on this hunt. I love it when you guys share these stories, It's the only hunting I have done in the last three years and probably for a while as well. The photos add feeling and depth to the words that carry us along. I can only Thank all the Bards, minstrels, fablers and poets, Thank You All.
Butch L
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BW,
Bow, arrow, and broadhead specs?
Sun is coming up and I am heading out on the last bait run.
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Very very cool stuff. Congratulations and thanks for sharing with us!
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Alaska! Pure dream material!
Congrats :thumbsup: :notworthy:
F-Manny
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Great stuff! Congrats!
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Congrats!!! Great story and pictures!!!
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:) :) :)
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Great trip.
I guess the depressions that hid your bull from you, hid you from him initially! Great bull on open ground.
Congrats!
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Good story Brian and Dave, thanks for sharing the best.
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Thanks for taking us along. Well done.
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Nicely sweet! The smoke grey bou matches your bow.
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If the weather holds, My father leaves for Caribou camp today.
I cant say anything about your bows but Your pictures are truly Awing as is/was your hunt.
Congratulations guys.
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Congrats Brian!
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Congratulations on an awesome bull. Great pics and an amazing story. Thanks for sharing, TRW.
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Awesome gentlemen!!!
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That's a great adventure. Thanks for sharing and congrats Brian!!! todd
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Great Story, Nice Bull. !!
:thumbsup:
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Congrats Brian.
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Congrats! :thumbsup:
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:thumbsup: Congrats! Great hunt!
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Congrats Brian!
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Congrats and thanks for taking us there with your pics.
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Shades of Paul Schafer -------
Wonderful adventure !
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Way to go. Nice 'bou !
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Thanks for the story and pix Brian... and congrats on a great Bou! Somehow I'm not surprised you pulled it off. Did you feel really big trying to hide there?...Ryan
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Way to go, Congratulations to you both!!
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CONGRATS!! :notworthy: TD.
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Great trip and picts. congrats on a beauty of an animal and grand adventure!
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Brian.. you are quickly becoming a legend and already an inspiration for many.
Great excursion and much thanks to you and dirtybird for taking us along.
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Beautiful pics. Congrats on a great caribou. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us.
Mark
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CONGRATS!!!!!!!
And many thanks for sharing.... :campfire:
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Congratulations to BOTH of you guys!! What a success!
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Awe inspiring!!
Nathan
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beautiful bow, beautiful pics, and beautiful bull. great job!!!!!!!
I am moving to AK next week and hopefully there are many pics like that in my future :)
Fin
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That is great. Caribou is high on my list of animals I dream to hunt. Cool pics.
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Great pictures and great story, thanks Brian!
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Congrats, no place like Alaska
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Glad I didn't miss this post! Very nice pics and kill! :thumbsup:
That teepee looks at home there.
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congrats and some very good pics as well
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Nice!
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Very nice!
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NICE!! Great pics, awesome bull, hope I live long enough to do a hunt like that.
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Special hunt to be sure, CONGRATS and thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for all the comments guys and thanks again to Dave for all his help.
Funny thing is that less than a day after I got home my wife was talking about how she would love to have big AK bull moose mount.......can I get an Amen!!
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Amen. could i get a Amen for you building a great bow!!
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Amen on the quest for an AK moose. You're going to need a big spot on the wall! You've been taking some very fine animals.
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Thats too cool. Great pictures and hunt.
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"Amen!"
Brian...is there a thread on TG regarding the brownie you harvested which is depicted in your avitar?
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WOW! :thumbsup:
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Thanks ever so much for taking us along!
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Been there ...memories ..thanks
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Great story and pics, congrats.
Thanks
Tom
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Congrats on a beautiful animal! Great pics. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Thanks fellas, Alaska is full of great memories and I hope to make it back again someday.
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Amen! If my wife said that I'd be speechless. But happy!
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Very Cool, Great adventure Brian
Congrats on a great bull.
Some big country out there.
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WOW Congratulations! ANd Great Pictures!
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SteveO..I was shooting my 62" (long riser, med. limb) curve. 52#@28 with FMJ 400's tipped with Abowyer wapiti heads.
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Amen!!
Great hunt there Brian. Thats some accomplishment in that terrain. congrats to you both for gettin it done in AK.
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A great hunt up again
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Brings back some great memories.
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Spent 25 yrs in Alaska and I'm fond of the stories, and pictures of those like yourselves that have ventured out into it's vast wilderness. Great job and thanks, even a few months later, for the story and pictures.
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I would love to do a hunt like this one day!!
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:campfire:
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Awesome photos, bull, and story!
115 days and counting before Holchin and I head to Alaska for 'bou!
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Thanks for sharing your adventure, and congrats on a great caribou!
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Great story and an awesome trophy!