This years hunting started on Nov. 05 even though the 2014 bow season opened on the 1st. Work and other obligations seemed to have left me a very narrow window to hunt in this season.
I had intended to go into an area that held good elk numbers and also held a mineral lick that I like to hunt. I got a later start than I preferred so I decided to check out another area that I had seen good whitetail movement in this August.
It was a beautiful morning which would turn hot later but right now it just felt good to be out on the mountain. Have you ever noticed how when you get away from all the stresses of every day work and spend your first morning with your bow in your hand, pack on your back and the wind in your face that all seems right with your world once again? It was good to smell the pines, really hear the rustle of the wind in the birch and aspen leaves and once again feel the earth breath. I could feel this feeling of contentment slowly creeping over me and all was right with my world again.
I had worked into a small draw that funnels the deer up from a feeding area to some ledges that are fairly thick and used for bedding on. There was a well used trail angling above me with a massive root ball from a blown over pine tree about 15 yards from the trail that would make a great natural blind so I hunkered down with my Bear recurve and enjoyed the morning.
I had just got situated when along comes a doe with twins in tow. Those two little ones were still in full spots and running all over the place playing. It was a pleasure just to watch them and they seemed in no great hurry to follow mom up the trail. One of them came sliding right up to the root ball and I could have reached out and touched him but hay, that would have ended their fun and I was enjoying this to much to interfere with their game. They hung around for several minutes before deciding to continue up the trail to follow mom.
I had been sitting there for some time as the morning heated up and the wind currents had changed. It was about 8:00 and I was thinking of heading down when off to my right and down the trail I seen a deer coming. It was a spike buck and legal to take but he was going to get a pass as I had enjoyed the morning just watching the day come alive. Suddenly I noticed two more bucks behind him, one was a small three point and the last one in line was a young four point. I had to give my head a shake to remind myself what I was doing out there.
I new that if I wanted an opportunity to take the back buck, I would have to shoot him before the spike hit my scent stream. The spike came opposite to me on the trail then it was the three point. I put tension on the string and hoped the four point would give me the shot before the spike winded me. Finally the four point was positioned on the trail for a shot and the spike still hadn't hit my scent trail.
Everything went into auto mod, I don't remember my release and those 60# limbs drive that 520 grain arrow faster than my eye could follow at 15 yards. There was a loud crack and the deer was taken off his feet and rolled down the hill to my right. I had spined him and it required a second arrow to dispatch him.
Although extremely happy to have gotten him I was pretty shaken up by having to use the second arrow to finish him.
I didn't take a lot of pictures as it was getting hot and I wanted to get him dressed and off the mountain.
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/stocker56/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0084_zpsf2c67482.jpg) (http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/stocker56/media/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0084_zpsf2c67482.jpg.html)
Now this is where the lost pictures come in, as some of you know my trade hunting journey started in the fall of 2012 with the hanging up of my rifles and the sale of my 4 compond bows.
I was blessed with the opportunity to take a magnificent bull elk and post the story here.
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/stocker56/ba39c072.jpg) (http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/stocker56/media/ba39c072.jpg.html)
Now later that year I went on our annual mule deer hunt and harvested a great mule deer but did not post the story as I couldn't find or remember (senior moment) where the pictures were.
When I down loaded the pics from this years white tail there all the pictures were from the 2012 mule deer hunt. I'm not sure if it is right to post the story and pictures of a hunt that happened two years ago but if so I'll let you decide if you are interested.
I'll post the picture of the start of that hunt only at this time.
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/stocker56/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0023_zps44fd4bd0.jpg) (http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/stocker56/media/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0023_zps44fd4bd0.jpg.html)
Bring 'em on! You can't start a yarn like that here and not finish it!
Bisch
agreed. keep it coming!
Most of my stories are old.
Let's here em. :campfire:
Nice animals! Congratulations!
Post it! I wanna hear it!
:campfire:
Yes absolutely. Lets here this tale.
:campfire: :coffee:
WOW -- how very cool! cant wait for more -
:campfire:
:campfire:
Sorry, no pass allowed now! :archer:
Congrats on two gorgeous animals!! Bring on the story
No better place or time for a good hunt thread! Bring it. Great animals!
:campfire:
:archer:
Well we need to set the stage a little. Every year for the last several years I have been able to take off a week in Nov. and go after mulies in the high country. My partner for these hunts is a young man of strong character with unwavering beliefs. I have tried countless times to get him to put down his smoke pole and pick up the stick and string but to no avail. He tried a wheeled contraption for a short period but that is as close as I could get him. Dwayne is tough, young and smart, all of the things I lack and is a bear for packing so I tend to overlook his non trad faults at camp.
For the fall hunt of 2012 I had decided to go trad only which included my take-down bear recurve shooting trad lite arrows tipped with 175 gr woodsmans. Dwayne had commented that he intended to help reduce the wolf problem we had experienced in the last few seasons and he wouldn't mind a hand with that. I told him I was more than willing to stick a quill in any wolf that happened along. My partner made some disparaging comment about senile seniors and their thoughts of grandeur and of course I smiled, nodded my head and agreed with him.
So with these thoughts and comments behind us we were off on a beautiful day and a 3 hour hike into our hunting area.
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About the time I was trying to fake a heart attach to get my partner to tote my pack our camp came into view. Still standing and very welcoming.
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/stocker56/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0033_zps0dd17eea.jpg) (http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/stocker56/media/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0033_zps0dd17eea.jpg.html)
These are a few pics of the country we had traveled through to reach camp.
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/stocker56/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0031_zps176f505d.jpg) (http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/stocker56/media/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0031_zps176f505d.jpg.html)
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/stocker56/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0032_zpsa74aba45.jpg) (http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/stocker56/media/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0032_zpsa74aba45.jpg.html)
It was good to be back to our prefab cabin that is made in 4x4 foot panels and can be built or dismantled within half a day. Even though it measures only 8 feet by 8 feet we keep very comfortable.
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/stocker56/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0035_zpseac80aae.jpg) (http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/stocker56/media/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0035_zpseac80aae.jpg.html)
Our kitchen facilities are outside and covered by a tarp to keep us out of the weather.
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/stocker56/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0034_zpsb3f8a810.jpg) (http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/stocker56/media/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0034_zpsb3f8a810.jpg.html)
I was ready for a good meal and a rest after our pack in and tomorrow would take care of its self.
In for the rest!
Bisch
Wow! That's beautiful country! Looking forward to the rest of the story! :thumbsup:
Bernie
:campfire:
We hunted hard for the next few days and were disappointed in the lack of fresh sign we had located. Because of having to get close and personal for an opportunity to take a mulie I had made several natural blinds along what use to be well used travel corridors.
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/stocker56/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0038_zps0b0ea110.jpg) (http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/stocker56/media/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0038_zps0b0ea110.jpg.html)
I had hunted these hard spending long hours trying to ambush a buck looking for does
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The trouble was I wasn't seeing much for does either. Frustration was setting in and maybe I needed to take a fresh look at how I was approaching hunting mulies with a bow. I decided to mull this over back at camp and have myself a hot lunch instead of cold granola bars and water. I also treated myself to a cigar with my after lunch coffee and decided to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at camp. Do a little camp cleanup and make a large supper for my partner and myself.
Taking time to just enjoy a pleasurable moment of sitting in the sun at camp.
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/stocker56/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0039_zpsb161f1fd.jpg) (http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/stocker56/media/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0039_zpsb161f1fd.jpg.html)
On the morning of the second last day we were there we awoke to cold temps and a steady snow falling. What a great day to be alive and hunting in the mountains.
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I decided to give the blind hunting a rest, give my legs a stretch and hunt some ridges at the back end of our valley. There was an old skid trail that skirted around the back side of our valley and it would allow me to get to the back without traveling through it. After hitting the end of the skid trail I worked my way up to the top of the ridge through an old burn.
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/stocker56/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0044_zps9b453001.jpg) (http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/stocker56/media/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0044_zps9b453001.jpg.html)
The ridge I was on would let me overlook the back end of our valley and with the fresh snow it would be easy to see any deer moving through the 4 to 6 foot seedlings planted there.
(http://i1251.photobucket.com/albums/hh547/stocker56/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0046_zpseeeb7cf4.jpg) (http://s1251.photobucket.com/user/stocker56/media/Deer%20Hunting%202012/IMG_0046_zpseeeb7cf4.jpg.html)
I had just got my pack off and and my coffee out when I looked to my far left and spotted a deer meandering through the bottom. A quick look through my binos confirmed it was a buck with heavy horns and a big body. In the past I had seen bucks checking and scenting for doe sign as they cross the valley and head for some bedding ridges trying to locate a doe in heat. I knew of an entrance trail that they seemed to prefer as the wind would take any scent from the ridges and allow the buck to scent check a large area without having to search all through it.
I decided I had nothing to lose, grabbed my pack and bailed off the ridge to try and beat the buck to the area I thought he might be headed to. I slipped and slid my way to the bottom not really concerned with the noise I was making as there was a lot of country between me and that buck. Once I got to the bottom I positioned myself on the upwind side of where I hope the buck would come from and tried to catch my breath and slow my heart rate. I had just put an arrow on the string when I caught movement off to my left coming through the 4 to 6 foot seedlings. This was going to happen fast and close. I got an impression of a big body with horns ghosting toward me and got ready to shoot. At 10 yards he stopped directly below me and lifted his head to scent check the wind. I remember coming to full draw, telling myself to hold, pick a spot and the release happened on its own. There was a sound of an arrow sticking flesh, a scrambling of hooves then silence except for the wind. I had to sit down as I was shaking so hard from the after reaction I near dropped my bow. I was going to give him some time by sitting there and having a cigar but I couldn't get the dam thing lit as I was shaking so hard.
I gave myself a little time to settle down and then went to the place he was standing. I expected to see blood sprayed on the snow and my arrow but all I saw was the skid marks where he took off down hill. I couldn't wait, I felt heart sick and needed to know what happened. I noticed that after his first jump his tracks looked funny in the snow and by his third jump blood was spraying on top of the snow. In hind site I wish I had taken out my camera and had documented the tracking. He made it down the hill with a broken shoulder about 100 yards before piling up in the snow.
I just stood there for a long time thanking God for the opportunity to live a life where I'm able to do the things I do, hunt the way I wish to and have the friends and family he has blessed me with. Oh yea and I finally got that cigar lit! :goldtooth:
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Looks like a bruiser for sure, good story and beautiful country-you're a lucky man indeed.
Looks like a bruiser for sure, good story and beautiful country-you're a lucky man indeed.
Those antlers are fat all the way to the tip! great story - thanks for taking us along
Great story....thanks for sharing!
Congrats :thumbsup:
Awesome story!
Don't wait so long next time! :laughing: :laughing:
Bisch
NICE!!! Great animals, story, pics, country and camp! Could you expound on the camp? That looks way comfy.
Cool thread. Thanks. Did you see any wolves?
Yeah agreed, great story and BC is amazing. I was there quit a few years ago fishing the Frazier River. Amazing country!
Thanks gentlemen, it' always a pleasure to share a hunt or story with my trad brothers.
Hey Tad, the cabin came about from necessity. In 2008 that back valley had been selectively logged and a road closure was imposed from Sept 01 to June 30 to all vehicle traffic for the reason of hunting or support there of. This left the months of July and August that you could use vehicle access to support a hunting camp. To build a permanent cabin you must have a mineral claim or a trap line in the area and apply for a permit to do so. All hunting camps must be able to be tore down and removed.
That first year we built just a raised platform to put our tent on while we had vehicle access. That first Nov. we went in there was a cold record snowfall start to winter and we only lasted 3 days with the snow continually flattening our tent. We probably would have called it quits at that time except for the number of monster mulies we encountered, one of which went home with us.
They say that necessity is the mother of invention and that phrase describes the idea that Dwayne,my mulie hunting partner, came up with. We needed a more permanent structure yet one that could be dismantled when the time came.
He prefabbed 2 foot by 4 foot sections with plywood on both sides of a 2x4 frame with insulation in the middle. We then put it all together at Dwayne's house to make sure everything fit. During the months of July and Aug. of that year we hauled the prefabbed pieces up to our camp site and erected our new camp on the existing platform. The structure is put together with bolts and deck screws and the fiberglass roof has proved its worth.
Now you might say we are riding on the fine line of what is allowed for a camp but I know that the CO'S (Conservation Officers) are not concerned about well kept, bear proof camps. I know this as the only visitor we have had back there is one of the local CO's who had hiked in and was hunting himself.
Although this has been a great place to hunt through the years we will probable be taking everything apart and removing it. Why you ask leave such a great area, well it can be summed up in one word. WOLVES. They have so decimated the animals back in that valley that we cut nothing but wolf sign in 2013 and seen no deer or elk. We didn't even bother to go in there this year as it has been left empty of game. I use to enjoy the sound of the wolves at night and didn't mind sharing with them. My opinion has changed and I will miss not going back there to hunt any time soon.
Congratulations...and that was a great story!
love the story...congrates...
a lot of us in the north west know how you feel...hope you find a new place before the wolves do.
Hey Craig, Thanks for the reply. I'm always amazed when I hear stories like this, I wish you good luck in finding another spot.
It's never late for a great hunting tale. Thanks for sharing it!
Craig That was an amazing story and a beautiful buck. I recently moved from Alberta to B.C. After seeing your post i am excitedly looking forward to hunting B.C next September. How far north is your camp ?
Craig,
Thanks for sharing your stories and pictures with us, I thoroughly enjoyed them!
Wow! Great story, great pictures, and great animals! Wow!