Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: wapiti792 on September 06, 2011, 12:08:00 PM
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I just got home from a 4 day blitz of the Laramie Peaks area of WY with my wife. She told me about 6 months ago that she wanted to go, to see what I see...to experience all that I love. All I can say is that I outkicked my coverage when I married her. She doesn't hunt but understands my need to be in wild places. In Mudd's signature...how cool is that? Way cool.
I also had the pleasure of meeting two other Tradgangers there and left one with a bloody arrow and an animal down...but that is a story that needs to be told by the shooter.I am not he :)
Day one after a fun flight, crappy car rental and normal travel woes found us in one of my favorite haunts. A place where I killed my first mulie a few years back. Long story short, we found a perfect cow elk for a stalk and the wind caught us. My wife was right on my shoulder the whole stalk and thought it was cool to have an elk barking at us. I thought it was like being kicked in the gut...so different us two :knothead:
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt033.jpg)
*My stalkable cow...BUSTED!
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/elkhunt015.jpg)
*My old haunt...perfect mulie country
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MORE! ;)
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:campfire: :coffee:
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Keep it coming Mike :)
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After eating REALLY well at our hosts' cabin and getting a good nights rest my bride wanted to sleep in. I couldn't blame her as the miles we logged the day before were a bit much for flattlanders. She relented after seeing me start to prepare my gear for the day. Soon she was dressed with war paint on, ready to climb. I went to one of my many lookouts on the BLM to see if I could find a mulie that I stalked last year in the same bowl. After almost bailing and trying another look, I found him. Game on!
I marked an older looking tree to the spot where he was circling with his smaller friend to bed. I didn't wait for them to bed like I should have...
I had to dodge several mulie does in the 3/4 miles I had to cover to the big buck. They were everywhere! I even wished several times for a doe tag. Some of the shots were ridiculously close :)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt025.jpg)
I found my tree, looking like a giant banzi tree in the middle of the sage flat. I knew the deer were close, both the 180 legend and his smaller 140ish buddy.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/elkhunt021.jpg)
We were moving at a snails pace, and I had an idea where they were. I was right and wrong. Right place, wrong moment to not have an arrow nocked. I had wanted to climb into a little rocky/shady spot to get my final approach. As I stepped down off the little rock ledge at my feet at a mere 12 yards was the smaller buck bedded with the giant broadside at 18 yards still on his feet. I made my oversized frame as small as possible and reached for an arrow while givin' a wild-eyed look to my wife to show my horror. The little buck stood blocking my view of my buck. I passed on the smaller buck and like the paranoid grey demons that they are, both bounded off into the thick sage and junipers. All my wife could do was smile...all I could do is think of the stomach acid medicine I had in my duffle at camp. I had to lay there in the shade of that great pine and curse myself, the wind, the bow...whatever. I knew it was a great encounter and I am smiling writing this. We had several more days to find them again!
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We found some great elk sign and decided it was time for a species change after that arse-kickin'. We climbed into another part of the BLM and started glassing, and glassing, and glassing...for hours. We found some elk in a far off drainage and decided to make a play for that area the next day. Still fun just seeing all the different critters. I have no idea what this guy is doing at this elevation but with some lion scat around, he's risking it. My mate saw her first antelope in the oddest of places.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/elkhunt032.jpg)
All in all a good place to spend the afternoon. I love this place.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/elkhunt010.jpg)
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(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt018.jpg)
Back at the cabin...sporting our Hardcore Archery hoodies and having a cocktail to celebrate/remember our blown stalk. It was getting a little cool in WY. The elk were starting to bugle, and it was getting right.
We made a plan to try and get into some elk. I couldn't stop thinking of that giant mulie, but relented on my quest to try and find some walking protein. Uh...we found some :)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/elkhunt011.jpg)
Lots of them... we bumped a fat little bull going up. Then I put a stalk on a cow that I just couldn't cut off. Then we stumbled on the mother-load.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt037.jpg)
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:campfire:
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We dogged them for a BIT...meaning about a mile. They finally bedded in some really thick drainages. We elected to wait them out, have a sandwhich, and just chill. We had the wind and when the thermals changed we'd drop some elevation and get into them again (we hoped).
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt014.jpg)
*Wife sporting her KUIU...she has better gear than me :readit:
A about 6 pm we heard our first bugle and got into position. Coarse the first animal I could have killed was a bull. With no bull tag the raghorn five got real close, his picture made, and a bit of a scowl from me. Dang elk.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt028.jpg)
We worked around him into a bedded herd of 25 elk. One herd bull, 3 spikes, and 21 cows. We set up shop as close as possible and watched the show. The ball was in their court...I just hoped one of the cows closed the last 30 yards to the end of my range.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt036.jpg)
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Well after waiting around for the elk to move we thought we had it made when another orbit bull topped the hill with 26 other cows. He basically herded them all to the waiting 6 by 7 who promptly took them over and ran his butt back up the hill. It was some sight to see. A herd bull with 47 cows, all within 50 yards, cow talk and bugles like you can't believe. We had a marginal wind as the thermals changed but decided moving was worse than waiting. Here's our hero and the lady of the day:
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt029.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/elkhunt028.jpg)
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Finally the orbit bull from before came slipping back in and tried to put a cow in my range. This pic of her was just before he showed back up. She was 40 or so here, out of my range. When he came in she got into the red-zone quickly.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt035.jpg)
For me though, it was bad. Just as she got to me the herd bull charged him, scattering the cows and putting one scared raghorn 5 into our laps! He spooked, whirled, and barked. The other elk got nervous and fed away. It was some sight seeing them go, and for not the little shoving match between testosterone laden bulls, we'd have a dead elk. As it was we got the show of a lifetime and a newly whooped 5 by 4 at 5 yards. One last look at the boss as he fed away:
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt034.jpg)
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Thank you Mike for sharing with us who live vicaroiously thru your hunts ! Did I spell that right ? Been a lifelong dream of mine to spend a few weeks out west hunting Elk. Keep it coming my friend ! :campfire:
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Time to get a bull tag for the area Mike!! For the record your wife looks better in the hoodie too :thumbsup:
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Great stuff ....you're a lucky man in more ways than one with a woman like that!
Congrats...in many areas
><>
Glenn
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The last day came and the morning was as bit as crazy as the first, second and third. We spotted our mulie bucks right out of the gate. We hung back and followed slowly behind them until we had a good wind and a bedding location. After almost losing them my shadow spotted a white rump in the rocks above. Luckily they didn't see us and the stalk was on.
We were able to close the distance to 60, then it was me alone. We didn't want to risk too much noise in those rocks. I kicked my boots off and made my way to about 35 yards from both bucks. As I looked for my final move a puff of wind touched my ear and the game was up. No mulie buck for me this year...but what a dang hunt. A four-day blitz of my favorite mountain.
The final climb of the day was to find more protein...we got on another small band of cows and I thought we were golden. I cow called and was answered by a cow with a very small calf. I asked my wife about the cow and got the thumbs down. Had it been a whole herd with a little calf recruitment, and I would have shot. The cow spooked and ran off from the calf. I cow called and the little calf walked up to us at 3 feet. That ended our hunt...we counted coup on the calf at 3 feet. I tried to touch it just to see but 6 inches away from his rump and the gig was up. No pics of that as my wife was crying and smiling at the same time and simply didn't take a pic. I love those animals and those mountains and can't wait to next year. I believe a very wise man once wrote "Possibilties are all a bowhunter wants." Boy did we have them. Thanks for reading my friends.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt007.jpg)
*My rig: Talltines longbow
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt039-1.jpg)
*Me and my shadow
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt019.jpg)
*Another Tradganger with a story to tell you when he returns from Cowboy Country
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Awesome, Thanks for bringing us along!! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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Good story and great pics! :thumbsup:
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Those mulies and cow elk won't have to worry about my yeti carcuss stalking them for a couple of years. I am doing a mountain goat hunt next year but this pic will be with me for a long time. Me, my bow and the sage.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt017-1.jpg)
Finally, here is a bird that will blow a stalk. Don't know what it is or why it made me jump like a scalded 'yote. Somebody help me. I thought I was being bitten by a rattler!
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt038.jpg)
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Thanks for sharing Mike :bigsmyl:
Almost as good as being there.
Well o.k. it's not.
But it does make a guy want to be there.
AS Igor said.....Your a lucky man.
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Folks photobucket is doing some strange things with my pics. Thanks for the thoughts and yep...I married up :goldtooth:
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How cool is this? .....Way!!... I'm saying...
Awesome story and pictures.
Thank you for taking us along.
You are truly a blessed man!
God bless,Mudd
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Thanks for bringing us along on the trip!...great stuff
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Thank-you and your wife for sharing your hunt,great story and pics.
Leland
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Fantastic! A dream trip for sure.
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:thumbsup: :campfire:
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That "other hunter" sure looks like my PA buddy, Peckerwood!
But my eyes ain't what they were...
This will get interesting.
Mike, you're a blessed man in many ways. Sharing that with a non-hunting wife with enough spunk to keep up: Priceless!
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Great story and pics. Sounds like a great time. Thanks for sharing your hunt with us.
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Really enjoyed the journey, Thanks!
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Very Cool. No offense but your wife is almost as good looking as mine!
You are a blessed man!
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Mike, Very nice tread. Glad you could take your wife along. Makes a great hunt. Sounds like you all had a great time.
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Thanks again gents! Yes Doc that'd be he...good hunter, good dude, good shot. Will share another campfire with he and Dave someday...perhaps with a BULL tag in my pocket :jumper:
Bill and Dave will be out on Thursday. I left them last with blood on their hands. I think they like my elk hunting spot. Hoping a finders fee includes some elk backstrap!
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Wow, you sure married up Mike! :p That is so cool that your wife will come along to share the experiences. Those are sure some memories that will stick with you both :thumbsup:
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Great story with great pics, thanks for sharing them!
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Mike,
What an awesome hunt. I have to say it is one of the best write ups I have seen on an internet hunting forum, you defintely have a gift!!! And yup, you definitely did marry up! :bigsmyl:
Hope you kill that big buck back home!
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Thank You. Great Story. Great hunt. :notworthy:
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Boy that was a good motor starter! I'll be right down the road from there....leaving Saturday. Wish I could get my wife to go. Good stuff!
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Great story and photos, Mike. Thanks!
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Hey Mike, great story, thanks for sharing. Its really cool your wife went along with you.
That bird looks like a common Nighthawk or a Common Poorwill. Really cool birds. Hard to tell by the picture.
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great share...thanks!
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Thanks again my friends. Jack, thanks for the info. I just know on my 2nd run at those mulies I stepped near one. They shake and squauk like a rattlesnake and have perfect camo.
Here's another pic of my hunting partner. She hung in better than some of the male hunting partners I have taken with me in the past :)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r296/wapiti792/muliehunt015.jpg)
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What the heck is this thread doing on the page two! :archer2:
Tracy
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Mike another wonderfully written story with pix to support...awesome!
Looks like your wife is a fan of her KUIU...very cool!
Get a picture of her up on the "in the field" section of the KUIU site bud...
Time for "The Boogieman" :pray:
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Thanks for taking us with you!
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Ahhh Curt, you read my mind. "The Boogieman" has moved to a little bedding area next to a corn field I can hunt. Everyone around has seen him so I gotta be real lucky.
Woke up thinking about that giant mulie this am. So close to killing him :banghead: Someday, someday...
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Hey Mike, great hunt and story! We never have to kill to have had a really good hunt!
I am still in in camp in southwest CO. The elk hunting here is pretty tough as I am in an over the counter unit. I was lucky and was able to kill a cow yesterday morning though. Have had a few UBI members here and expect a couple more next week.
Good luck with the whitetails next month. We will be home about Oct. 23rd. My wife is having a hip replacement in Phoenix, AZ on Oct. 10th.
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Bill congrats my friend! A cow anywhere is a trophy and a cow on Public-OTC is even better. Way to go :notworthy:
Tell your wife Get Well from the Davenports. AZ is a good place to get new titanium. Better watch it, she'll be walking your legs off a month later. We will catch a cheeseburger at the 'Lil Red Barn soon pal.
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WOW! Good Stuff Mike...Great Story, Great Pictures, Thanks!
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Super story and pics Mike. I really enjoyed reading. Looks like a awesome piece of country and sounds like you had some great chances and saw some awesome mother nature in action. Sweet hunt.
thx for sharing that.
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Thanks Randy et all...man if I could close the deal like you I'd be walking in tall cotton :) Congrats on that bull. What a heavy 5 pt in Grizz country on public ground too. WOW!!! :notworthy:
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Great pics and story, thanks for sharing.
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Great story Mike! I'm so glad your wife got to experience that with you.
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Thanks Mike! I just love when you share your stories here.....very apppreciated!
BTW...remind your wife that she's the lucky one (JJ...you did good buddy!)
Ryan
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Very nice! Thanks for sharing
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Great read.
Shame you never got a shot opportunity, but those close encounters are sometimes better than ending it with an arrow.
TFS
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Great stuff, Love the pics.
looks like you guys had a great hunt, thanks for sharing.
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Pro plus here Mike. Much appreciate the pix & story. To realize this great hunt with such a beautiful wife is special! Thanks.
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Mike
Glad you're back and had a good hunt. Not sure how I missed this until today though. Great pics Bud, but next time,, fewer Yeti shots, more pretty lady shots. ;)
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Fantastic outing. Hope she enjoyed it. If she wants to go back you will know.
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Great hunt, story and pics!!!
Thank you for the trip
:coffee: