Well, here is how our season has been going this year....a lot of "stuff" happening around here to affect our harvest, but we're making the most of it!
It starts off simple enough, with teaching the boys to make selfbows for themselves, and making myself a couple in the process as well. The pics can tell this story....it begins in January last winter....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/bowbuilds/bowclass1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/bowbuilds/bowclass3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/bowbuilds/bowclass4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/bowbuilds/bowclass6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/bowbuilds/bowclass11.jpg)
The boys....my sons Kory, Boone, and their friend Daniel, all made hunting weight osage selfbows to use this year.
I built a couple while teaching them, and picked out this vine-maple bow to hunt with.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/bowbuilds/vm2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/bowbuilds/vm4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/bowbuilds/vm10.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/bowbuilds/vm7.jpg)
Here is a pic of Kory shooting his bow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/bowbuilds/bowclass8.jpg)
Very nice! Great way to get through the hard winter.
I was talking to a friend in MT the other day. What's up with this Canadian wolf explosion? Is it really starting to impact areas of the state that bad? Heard they are hitting the deer population hard.
Looking Good so far Mark. I will check back for the rest!
After a summer of high water around here, then the passing of my father-in-law just before the season began, Kory and I set out to hunt some elk. We'd been chasing antelope as well, but had'nt had any luck yet.
The first couple days of bow season found us in our favorite elk haunts mornings and evenings, always with the chance for deer and whatever might be around.....
We spied a group of lopes getting ready to head into a hay field, and a plan formed.....
Kory made a mile-long stalk, up a tiny creekbed to ambush them after they entered the field. He learned a lesson from last years success in this same stalk.....and got ready to take two lopes in succession. The plan worked to perfection, as he took out the lead doe, and the buck as he brought up the rear. Nice way for a young man to "break in" his new selfbow!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/korysdoe3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/Korysdoe2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/korysbuck2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/korysbuck4.jpg)
That's really an accomplishment to take game with your home made equipment! Great pictures!
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
That was two 'lopes, in 20 seconds!
As we didn't have much time this year, and temps were very hot for september, we cut our hunt short for elk, to catch up on work we needed to get done. I'm still behind on stuff around here. Tim Roberts came up and hunted several days with me, and we chased elk around here, and got in a whitetail hunt or two, with Tim connecting on a fat MT doe! He also got in some selfbow "schooling".
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/timthebowbuilder2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/timthebowbuilder.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/niceeve.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/nicemorn3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/timsdoe.jpg)
:wavey:
This is a pic of a buck that Tim mmmmmissed....that I passed on several times early in the season. Besides the heat, wolves have indeed impacted the area around my home, which is just north of Yellowstone. The elk habits have changed....and even the whitetails in this area have been a bit harrassed. I'm not anti-wolf...it's kindof neat having them around, but they need to be hunted and hunted now.
I've always said that "these are the good ol' days", and they are. But I'm afraid, they are not quite as good as they once were....perhaps. Everythings relative. After what was a long hard winter, and wolves, and for whatever reason, bow season passed without any more tags filled around here. But some glorious days afield....I never get sick of the scenery here.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/b14.jpg)
You guys are gettin it done in Montana. Beautiful bows! Great photos - thanks!
General (gun) season began with fall in a full color explosion....a nice treat, as we've had early snows and cold the last two years, and I have missed the colors.
I started opening day hiking out to a new stand I'd put up, not with a lot of hope, really, just wanting to get out and enjoy the day. I'd just got settled in, when this dude and his wife and dog hiked right into my area, yelling and screaming......I just waved to them, and they came over, all apologies! Turns out he was a local pro-photog guy, and perhaps feeling bad about ruining my hunt, he appeals to my vanity with the old "can I take your pic" routine, for the Big Timber Pioneer (somewhat local paper) for the cover shot?" Of course being an advocate for the promotion of "true" bowhunting, I agree. The next three pics are taken by him...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/untitled2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/untitled3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/untitled.jpg)
In the end, my "mug" was out-scooped for Dennis Quaids, with news of him selling his ranch and leaving our fine area. Oh well....
Here's a few more pics of the area, taken from various stands, and hikes into them. What a place!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/pondpic2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/snowsquall2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/standview7.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/pondshot2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/southview.jpg)
Although deer seem quite scarce this year, as November rolled into it's second week, buck activity, as usual, picked up. Still not having filled a tag, and after missing a big buck last year, I needed to close the deal, for my own self-confidence and happy to fill the freezer some. Here's a couple bucks I let walk one night as they made their rounds.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/b1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/b4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/b10.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/b15.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/b18.jpg)
Ah! Really cool! Making self bows and killing Antelope by spot and stalk. What could be better?! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
That first buck was Tim's buck, but all busted up already.
The next night, I rattled after settling into my stand, and had a buck come in that I had decided would be a good buck to take this year, after I'd jumped him from his bed several times. He was pretty aggressive, and gave me a great show for 10 or 20 minutes, before walking into my best lane, stopping, looking away....I HATE when that happens and had to put a stop to it. The vine maple bow put one through the good stuff, and he's now history.
He did'nt go far, and never knew what hit him. This is our typical 3 year old here....and over the years I taken a bunch like him, but I'm sure glad to have him now.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/mb14.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/mb3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/mb11.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/mb9.jpg)
Well....thats all for now. I've been out trying to fill two doe tags I have for this area, and they are tough to find this year! I hope this week will be kind to me, so I can get out and get one more crack at elk in the snow before the season ends after Thanksgiving. Then I'll update.
Wow! This as to be the coolest thread that I ever read!! realy nice pictures, realy nice bows, realy nice country, realy nice animals!! You are a lucky man! Good luck on the rest of your season!
Cheers
Real awsome cool stuff. Love the bows. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :clapper:
I am way more than jealous Mark - some beautiful country you get to roam around in.
Great photos, and some fine trophies as well!
Mark you live on some beautiful country,it's great that you and your boys make your own bows must be really rewarding,congrats. :clapper: :clapper:
Man Montana is beautiful
Beautiful pics. Well done.
Congratulations on the hunt, the story and pics are great. I could see the snow on some of the mountains, it is falling in the mountains here and the storm coming in tonight will add 3-5 ft in some areas.
I understand the wolves are pushing the Elk into the farmlands, where they feel safer. You might get one down low this season. Good luck.
Great job Mark. I'm at our friends place in MT now. No shots so far. Rattled in a few small bucks, one shooter but he was too smart to get in range. Come on over!
Ahhh the good life. Thanks for the pics.
Great stuff and good luck on the rest of your season!
The most awesome stuff I've ever seen...unbelieveable.
Great Pics
Beautiful country and pictures! Thanks for taking us along! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
thanks :thumbsup:
Great pictures bud, Congrats on the harvest!
:campfire: :campfire:
Mark,
I always look forward to this thread...you live in some pretty country and have some great game to chase. Congrats on your success so far and good luck with the rest of the season.
Great story and pictures.
Way to go Mark. Very cool story and pictures.
Jack
Thanks for sharing Mark, I always look forward to your selfbow hunts, great photos too!
David
Great post Mark! The boys look good, they sure are growing up.
Good stuff, thanks for sharing!
Mark,congrats,to kill something with a self made wood bow is the highest of the accomplishment! :clapper: :clapper:
Thanks for sharing Mark, Good luck on your doe tags.
Good stuff, Mark. The area around Livingston is a little slice of Heaven.
Muy bien y gracias!
Wow! A stunning report and the photos are great. Thanks for sharing.
Some very cool pictures. I love the one with the river and Mountains with the fall colors.
Scott
A lucky man you are!! That is some beautiful country. Joe
Mark very nice pics. The boys looked too be enjoying the self bow build process. Kory did some fine shooting with his. Deer are pretty scarce in my area also, haven't filled a tag yet this year. Soon
Awesome thread, thanks for sharing!
Awsome! I have an osage stave at the house right now. I just need the knowledge to pull that bow out of the middle of it.
God Bless,
Nathan
I have another 9 years till retirement and them Lord willin I'll be out there with ya. I just hunted for 6 weeks give or take a morning or evening here or there and only saw one shooter.
Can't wait to leave this sorry a%# state.
Mark, thank you for having me up to hunt with you! It was a great time!
Nice Mark.........as always :thumbsup:
Amazing pictures and a great story. Thanks for making my morning.
Thanks all.....a little cold here this am. I decided to give the deer a rest, as I've been hitting it hard so far, and wind chill is well below zero today. It's supposed to warm a bit, and I'll give em a go tonite. We're getting close to the "lockdown" stage, so I'm hoping one of those big bucks corrals his gal over in my direction.
beautiful country you live in, good luck with your hunt and stay warm. thanks for sharing.
Great photo journey Mark - thanks and good luck filling the rest of those tags!
Very good. :archer2: :archer2:
Gosh Mark, you live in beautiful country. Some of those pictures are breathtaking !
Great pics! Congrats on you and your boys kills.
beautiful pictures .... certainly a majestic place you call home, congrats on the buck.
thats a great post,buid your own bows then harvest some great game..well done to all,,,cheers pat
Very cool thread. Thanks for sharing. Congrats to Kory for his success.
I really enjoy your yearly hunting posts and stories Mark! :thumbsup: Thanks for sharing! :archer: :archer2:
This was an incredible good thread :thumbsup: :archer:
great pics :)
Thanks for sharing :)
thats really grat. thanks for sharing YOUR SEASON!
Beautiful country and pics! Taking those beauties with a selfbow...absolutely priceless!!
wow very cool and Great Photos!
Thanks for the pics and stories, always enjoy it when you post.
Thanks for the pictures Mark!
I hope you all are doing well?
Awesome!!!!
Love that first treestand photo. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Thanks for sharing and I hope you get to fill those doe tags. Amazing talent.
Nice pics mark. I hunted whitetails in the riverbottom this morning and you are right it was COLD!!!!. You're wiser than I. The rancher asked me on the way out, "Was it worth it?" As I stood there shivering. :)
Beautiful bows... and congrats on some great harvests.
This thread was as expected.
Awesome!
Great pictures and stories.
Thanks for sharing and congrats to all on the animals taken.!
Beautiful country and a great story - thanks for sharing it with us!
WOW...thank you for all the pics...
I tell you...TRYING to fill a doe tag, is tough this year. All in all, I'm still having a great time getting out, with lots of bucks to "play" with. I'm still holding out hope for a doe. One week left here of the season. Here's a few pics of bucks I "counted coup" on, and some more of the changing seasons.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/coup1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/coup2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/view2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/coup9.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/scene2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/coup6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/coup7.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/coup5.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/scene1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/bk1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/bk3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/bk6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/bk7.jpg)
Great pictures Mark.
Really neat post. Great pictures and awesome bows. That is really cool that you all made your bows for this season. I am in awe of your talents.
Love the story and pics. Thanks.
Awesome read Mark. Thanks for all the pics too.
Cool read and lots of pictures!!! Things are pretty thin in this part of the state, I'm glad there is still a few whitetail left somewhere. I'm hoping to get my whitetail in ND. Thanks for the Post and good luck!!!
Beautiful, bows, animals and country!! Thanks for sharing.
fantastic pics and bows!!
Now I realize all our whitetail bucks went to Montana on vacation this year :-)
Great thead, one of the best I've read :-)
Cool stuff Mark. Love the background photos detailing the "process." The professional's photos weren't bad either. The third picture of his (the scenery)...wow, what beautiful country.
Love your story and pics. I've been out to Dillon the past two years antelope hunting and cannot wait to go back. Montana is absolutly beautiful and the people are great as well.
thanks for the post! its nice to see the mtns i dont get to see them as much as i would like to. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
This is a truly great thread,thanks for posting your adventures this season.
Just beautiful country.....I can't imagine seeing that many deer , let alone bucks, really neat stuff! Hope an old floppy eared nanny makes a mistake and walks in front of you!! :thumbsup: Best of Luck.....ron w
Thanks guys! Got some more pics to add tonite...or tommorrow. Keep checkin'.
QuoteOriginally posted by Mark Baker:
[qb] (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/scene2.jpg)
Great thread!! I recently have discovered I'm interested in trying to build my own self bow...the pic with the arrow on the rest has peaked my interest what do you use for a rest?
Mark thanks for that post. Great job you did it the hard way from start to finish. That is some beautiful country you are a lucky man. Thanks again and great job.
Awesome story and great pictures Mark!! You've inspired me! now I just need to figure out how to get the funds to buy Crow Hollow Ranch in Livingston!! :goldtooth: Anybody got a spare 5 mil layin around? :biglaugh: What a beautiful place!!
QuoteAnybody got a spare 5 mil layin around?
Sure John I'll go halfs with ya, If I could just remember where I buried that dang jar! :banghead:
Eric
Thanks for sharing!
Okay, so how did it end?
It was good to see you, Penny and Cory yesterday!!
Looks like a great season. Thanks for taking us along.
-Jay
:campfire:
Down to the last few days of the season, these last few days, and now, the general season is over. For us it ended on a high note...a great thanksgiving, although the wind hindered us the whole time. For those not familiar with the Livingston, MT area, we got some wind here, let me tell you! Winds this past week have been in the 40 to 50 mph range, constant, and gusting to 90 at times...that's no exageration either.
I have been hunting hard to fill an antlerless tag, to fill up the freezer, and it's been a hard year around here finding does. There just aren't many! One thing though, the does got bred fast, and the bucks were prowling again. Great news for Kory. Thanksgiving eve found us in a favorite stand, and Kory rattled in a nice buck, only to miss it when his upper limb hit the climbing ladder.
The next morn found him in the same stand, and he rattled in 7 bucks, and took this half-rack (busted) buck and made a great shot on it. His buddy, "Cheese", and don't ask me how he got his nickname, we've been "mentoring" some this year, and he was with Kory when he killed this buck.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/buds.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/kb3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/kb6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/kb9.jpg)
Awesome thread!
I finally got a break on the last morning when this young yearling walked into my shooting lane. He flunked the "stupid" test 3 times, and it was his undoing. First time was when I shot him and my arrow glanced around his ribs! In the pics you can clearly see the path of the blade as it shaved hair....I could hardly believe it, as I hit right where I was looking. Stupid just walked a few steps and began urinating.....hmmm. I pulled out another arrow from my new quiver that Tim built....doh! I grabbed a judo...stupid me! As I fumbled for another arrow, I clacked the shafts together, and the sound was clearly LOUD...but the deer did'nt move, just looked at me....stupid him! Finally he began to walk off, now broadside, and I was racing to get the arrow on my string. Thinking this may be my last opportunity for another year, I stopped him with a "blah" noise...something I never do, and stupid him, he stopped, allowing me one more shot. He was dead in less than 10 seconds it seemed.
I was glad to get him, as he is as big as a doe, and with the lack of does around, this young buck was perhaps a better prize anyway, and legal with an antlerless tag. So here he is, and then some other random pics from the year. Thanks again for looking, everyone!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/d1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/d4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/mtn1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/lucky.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/mtn4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/lastsunset3.jpg)
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Always, without a doubt, one of the threads I've come to look forward to every year! Always outstanding stories, always outstanding pictures!
Congratulations to the Fabulous Baker Boys :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
I like too!!
Very nice! Thank you sir! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Well done Mark!!
That's a great season Mark! Congratulations, and thanks for the fantastic thread once again this year :thumbsup:
thanks Mark for the post you sure live in an amazing place. congrats to Kory too
Great thread, lots of fun to read. Really neat what you did with self bows.
Good stuff. Congrats to you all.
Makin'bows and puttin' em to good use. Great job.
I sure do miss MT. I need to get back sometime.SOON.
CTT
Mark,
When I was a cop, I always said that if the crooks weren't stupid, we would seldom catch them. Looks like your little buck met that criteria, as well.
Way to end your season in the plus column.
Great job and a nice way to end the season. Thanks for sharing it.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Thanks for taking us along.
great job on the bows pic and critters!!
that was fun.
Great thread Mark. Since we spoke I missed a big 4x3, had a 5x5 at 4 yards no shot and stuck a tree trying to shoot a 4x4--all in an hours time! Did manage to get a blue grouse. But it was still great to be in MT again.
Great thread Mark! Love the photos!
Thanks again, everybody! Don....been meaning to call you and see how things went, and how the drive through the snow to Billings was?!!!
I'm kinda in a fog today....no hunting. I pulled one stand out, and walked the dog. Gotta get my head back in the "real world" game, I guess. Thanks for looking, folks.
Very nice!! Congrats, great pictures!
Thanks for sharing your season; love the pictures, beautiful country.
Mark, A great thread as always and one I look forward to reading! You truely have a gift for telling a story. Not only in words, but in pictures and music as well. :thumbsup: For me, you are one of my bowhunting hero's. Congrats to you and your kids on the harvests. I too had one of my hardest and most frustrating years of bowhunting, but after reading your thread I'm looking at it from a new perspective.
Thanks for the story~ :campfire:
Just an awesome thread. Enjoyed it all!
It does not get any better! :clapper:
Mark, Regarding my drive to Billings... I'm ready to be an Ice Road Trucker !
Thanks for sharing your hunting journal with us. It is great to have a hunting story here and there, but the "year-in-a-thread" story is great too.
Pictures are awesome.
Thanks again.
way to go mark!!! you make this stuff look easy.
justin
Excellent stuff, great bows, pics and a full freezer. Thanks for sharing.
Man I knew your selfbows were wimpy but come on, bouncing off a BB's hide :) I think "Stupid" had some sort of force field, huh? Your season stories force me to battle with one of the deadly sins. I am extremely blessed and envy no one but I come close when I see what you post. thanks for taking us along. Great thread. Congrats!
Thank you Mark! Your scenery rivals ours, but the whole primitive archery and family thing puts your thread in a different league. For that you are a lucky man. ~CB
Once again, thanks all....I know how blessed I am. John, you're right....after that shot "bounced" I was thinking wimpy too! The only thing I can figure is I was shooting a three blade, and it hit "just right", I guess, I dunno.
Shooting animals is what we are out there for, but passing this stuff on to my boys, and getting to share these past 10 years afield, as they grown to be men is more than I can put into words. Those of you who have done the same, know what I mean. I hope this can inspire some others to do the same with their kids...and spend every minute you can with them. My dad passed when I was 18, and I had to learn all this stuff largely on my own...but being able to share it with them has been my greatest sense of accomplishment.
Well said bud!!
I second that Big Ed