Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Machias on October 23, 2013, 08:24:00 PM

Title: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on October 23, 2013, 08:24:00 PM
I CANNOT wait for 1 Nov to roll around.  I will be heading from N Virginia to SE Missouri.  Going to take my 16 foot cataraft and float the Eleven Point River.  I'm going to float about a mile from the put in which will put me on the edge of the Irish Wilderness, 16,227 acres of hardwoods with no wheeled traffic allowed, no ATVs and no bikes, only horseback or foot access.  The nearest road is around 8 miles away.  I'll be solo hunting until the 23 of Nov.  Then float about 7 miles to the take out.  Can't wait.  4 deer and 2 turkey tags for $41!  I'm also going to hunt the opening week of the rifle season with my longbow.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: wazu02 on October 23, 2013, 08:31:00 PM
Sounds like a great hunt. Have fun and be safe. K
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: on October 23, 2013, 08:40:00 PM
Good luck!

Bisch
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on October 23, 2013, 08:41:00 PM
Thanks guys!!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: tracker1 on October 23, 2013, 08:47:00 PM
Good luck Fred, your hunt sounds like a great adventure.  Have fun take a lot of pictures so you can share with us.  Be safe.

Burton
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: VictoryHunter on October 23, 2013, 08:53:00 PM
Sounds like a blast! I will be doing that myself next week in Tennessee. Happy hunting!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: on October 23, 2013, 09:21:00 PM
now , that sounds like a HOOT!    :thumbsup:
    GOOD LUCK!  cant wait to see some pics of this great adventure....
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: bearsfeet on October 23, 2013, 09:21:00 PM
That sounds like a fun hunt!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Dave Lay on October 23, 2013, 09:33:00 PM
Heck of a cool deal. The 11 point is spring fed isn't it?  So you will have plenty of water. I love to do that as well but alot of our streams are to low to float this time of year . Weather should be cool enough to help with getting meat out. Good luck  it sounds like a awesome trip $41.00 ? How'd you do that ? Our Mo . Non res tags are WAY more than that...   Sweet deal
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on October 23, 2013, 09:41:00 PM
Yep spring fed, bonus is a blue ribbon trout river as well with outstanding smallmouth fishing.  I also like the fact there is no buildings along the river and never will be.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Fattony77 on October 24, 2013, 02:59:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by wazu02:
Sounds like a great hunt. Have fun and be safe. K
x2!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Missouri Bowman on October 24, 2013, 04:53:00 AM
Good luck some really nice area down that way.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: JMG on October 24, 2013, 05:55:00 AM
The best of luck!!! I'm looking forward to the pictures!!   :campfire:
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Matty on October 24, 2013, 07:09:00 AM
Oh man that sounds like a blast. I have always had some kinda weird fantasy about getting in a kayak or canoe with my bow and floating a river. I don't know why. I think those pics that guys post with a deer in their boat is the coolest thing. Good luck!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: bruinman on October 24, 2013, 07:40:00 AM
Sounds like a great trip. Good luck!!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: 9 Shocks on October 24, 2013, 07:49:00 AM
tons of deer in those woods. some rugged terrain too!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: JazsDad on October 24, 2013, 09:48:00 AM
Post pics, have always wanted to do a float trip.. just haven't found the time.  Planned a few for the ADKs, just never came to fruition.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Burnsie on October 24, 2013, 09:56:00 AM
Fred,
Are those tag prices for non-resident?
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on October 24, 2013, 10:16:00 AM
Nope those are Resident prices.  Missouri does an AWESOME thing for Disabled Vets.  If you are a 60%, service connected, disabled vet you can purchase tags at resident prices.   Also if you carry your VA letter you can hunt small game and fish with no license.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: huntnmuleys on October 24, 2013, 10:17:00 AM
I had no idea Missouri offered anything like that.  im jealous!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: TJK68 on October 24, 2013, 10:40:00 AM
That sounds like a great trip. Be safe and have fun.
Tom
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: gringol on October 24, 2013, 10:47:00 AM
That sounds like a sweet hunt.  Good luck.

The nonres fees are pretty reasonable too.  I feel a hunt in MO coming on...
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: sam barrett on October 24, 2013, 01:36:00 PM
Sounds awesome! I'm jealous. lol.  Be safe and have fun.  Be sure to update us when you get back and take lots of pics!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on October 24, 2013, 02:34:00 PM
Will do on both accounts!   :)   I will take and share alot of photos!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: macbow on October 24, 2013, 02:45:00 PM
Looking forward to hearing your story.
That is a long stretch good hunting.
Thanks for your service.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: wooddamon1 on October 24, 2013, 03:41:00 PM
Sounds awesome, good luck and stay safe! Better drag some tubes with coolers behind ya just in case...wow 4 deer and 2 turkeys, that's too cool.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: macbow on October 24, 2013, 03:56:00 PM
Currently Mo. Has a liberal deer season and limits.
Regular archery tag 2 deer 2 turkey's. One buck before rifle season and one after or two does,anytime.

In the northern 2/3 of state extra doe tags $7 each.

Rifle season Mid November. Can archery hunt with gun tag.
One buck or doe. Extra,doe tags available.

Bow season sept. 15 to start of gun Nov. 16 for about 9 days.
Then various seasons and archery till Jan 15.
With all that due to ailments have only hunted one evening.
Not giving up yet.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on October 24, 2013, 06:38:00 PM
I hunted 35 years ago all around Warsaw, killed my first gobbler when they were filling up Truman Lake, it was awesome back then!!  Love the Warsaw area.   :)
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on October 24, 2013, 06:46:00 PM
This is my cataraft, it's a 16 foot Aire Jaguarundi.  It can haul 1100 pounds.  I took it down the Lower Gauley River in West Virginia a couple of weeks ago.  That river has 70 rapids over 14 miles, several Class IV and 4 Class V rapids.  Pure FUN!!  I'll take some photos once I get it all loaded down with gear.  These photos are at the top of Koontz Flume Rapid, a Class V rapid.


 (http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_002310.JPG)

 (http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_002418.JPG)

 (http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_002617.JPG)

 (http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_00278.JPG)

 (http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_002813.JPG)

 (http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_00297.JPG)

 (http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_00309.JPG)

 (http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_00346.JPG)
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on October 24, 2013, 06:47:00 PM
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_00356.JPG)

(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_003614.JPG)

(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_003714.JPG)

(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_003813.JPG)

(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/IMG_004112.JPG)
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: sam barrett on October 24, 2013, 06:59:00 PM
Looks awesome!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: macbow on October 24, 2013, 08:13:00 PM
Be interesting to see how it looks loaded for an extended stay.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: OBXarcher on October 25, 2013, 04:38:00 AM
Sounds like fun. Make sure to take lots of pics.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on November 21, 2013, 06:42:00 AM
I'm back, bummed, pretty disappointing trip and very few photos to share since the Eleven Point River decided it wanted to hang onto my camera.  I got a few photos from my smart phone but the quality is not all that good.  I had a couple of nice photos of the raft all loaded but they were on my camera.   :(   No deer taken, no deer shot at, no deer in bow range.  Actually only seen two does in 10 days of hunting and one 4 point while floating the river.  Really pretty days and cold nights.  I just did not find any indication the rut was starting, hardly much sign of deer. 4 trail cameras out and never got a photo of a deer, whihc really shocked me.  No turkey sign.  I did catch alot of nice rainbows and could have taken home a cooler full of squirrels.  Very pretty river, but in several places it was more creek like and my raft was way too big.  The float out was 2.5 hours empty and turned into a nightmare 6 hour float out loaded.  I had to drag it accross several shoals and even one shallow and long shoal I had to partially unload, carry downstream and then repack just to get through the shoal.  I'll have to find a different river for this type of trip in the future.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on November 21, 2013, 06:47:00 AM
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/995547_10201128931281401_1149219340_n.jpg)

All the comforts of home, but they forgot the roof!   :)

(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/995888_10201128918681086_915083637_n.jpg)

(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/946047_10201128855279501_664614275_n.jpg)

(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/1450961_10201128893680461_1631671809_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on November 21, 2013, 06:48:00 AM
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/1394377_10201128905320752_60158520_n.jpg)

Check out this tree growing around this rock, very cool looking!

(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/1465302_10201128880120122_858570536_n.jpg)

(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/1460225_10201128882200174_2075769388_n.jpg)

(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/1459167_10201129004123222_1530948181_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on November 21, 2013, 06:49:00 AM
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/1453340_10201128895200499_1917637904_n.jpg)

(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/1451399_10201128917081046_1920339030_n.jpg)

(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/560107_10201128905600759_1189307493_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on November 21, 2013, 07:40:00 AM
sorry to hear of your troubles. sounds like you had a pretty good trip considering!

Nice pictures! Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: ron w on November 21, 2013, 08:50:00 AM
Neat stuff.....   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: John146 on November 21, 2013, 09:37:00 AM
Been wondering how your trip went. Was hoping for much better than you experienced. Only way to find out is to go and you sure did that. "A" for effort Machias!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: huntingarcher on November 21, 2013, 10:56:00 AM
Big A for effort,wish the hunting was better.The woods in the pics looked very deery to me.

That's a cool raft and looks to be a lot of fun.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on November 21, 2013, 11:35:00 AM
One thing I hope folks understand is I had a BLAST.  Only saw two other guys in 10 days and they were hiking the White's Creek Trail.  Very peaceful, very beautiful woods!!!  There are certainly deer there, just not the numbers I was hoping for and what was there was not moving much during the day.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: huntnmuleys on November 21, 2013, 11:43:00 AM
still sounds like a neat trip.   enjoyed the pics ya have!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: fujimo on November 21, 2013, 12:14:00 PM
wow.. still looks like a really neat area, and seems like you had a great time- barring the fact that you didnt see much activity.
i have been trying to set up wilderness float trips here for the last few years- just cant seem to find people who really want to go on one, or some that do, but just cant make it- maybe i should just head out solo... ala Machias!!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: randy grider on November 21, 2013, 12:42:00 PM
Pretty looking country, that would have to be a good trip just being in a wilderness devoid of human activity. Maybe next time a lighter boat, and a lighter load? Kayak, or canoe maybe? I have worked over the years on backpacker super light gear, and you have to sacrifice a little on comfort, but not too terribly bad. I think I would really enjoy that trip. I may have to look into MO nonresident fees.....
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: gringol on November 21, 2013, 01:26:00 PM
At least you got a pic of the john.   :)
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: sam barrett on November 21, 2013, 02:02:00 PM
So sorry to hear that your trip wasn't what you expected.  I was so excited to hear about this hunt. I remember you posting about it earlier.  It sounded like a great adventure.  I'm sure you still had fun though!  I didn't have a particularly great year hunting either...so at least you're in good company. haha
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: sam barrett on November 21, 2013, 02:05:00 PM
So sorry to hear that your trip wasn't what you expected.  I was so excited to hear about this hunt. I remember you posting about it earlier.  It sounded like a great adventure.  I'm sure you still had fun though!  I didn't have a particularly great year hunting either...so at least you're in good company. haha
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: sam barrett on November 21, 2013, 02:05:00 PM
Sorry for the double post.
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: macbow on November 21, 2013, 09:29:00 PM
Randy Mo. Non resident is $225 with additional doe tags available .
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Duncan on November 21, 2013, 11:01:00 PM
I'll bet next time the river will be higher and it will be a whole different thing. I've done quite a few of those kinds of hunts and one thing you can count on the river will always be different every time you go. At least now you know what this river is like in low conditions and next time you can adjust to it. When it is running high you might have a new set of challenges like controlling your boat of finding a dry campground!
Title: Re: Float Trip/Deer Hunt
Post by: Machias on November 22, 2013, 06:49:00 AM
Actually this river is almost all spring fed, some of the largest in the country.  It pretty much stays a constant level, unless of course you get a significant rain event and then it's usually blown out.  I'll have to either go by canoe and lighten the load or go in bare bones on the raft....but I'd have to see more deer than what I did to go back to that area.  I think I am going to join a buddy in west central MO on his lease next year.  Bigger deer on average and quite a few more.  Won't have the same adventure element but the hunting will generally be better.