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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Talondale on July 19, 2007, 10:57:00 AM
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It seems a couple of people are interested in doing a weekend float-in trip in a wilderness area. So I'm posting this to see who'd like to sign up and to hash out details.
Here are my proposals:
Date: Oct 19-21
Location: James River Face Wilderness Area
Here's a map of the proposed camp area. (Green Dot on shoreline, GPS coordinates are in header)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/WildernessCampSite.jpg)
There is a boat launch/parking area at the confluence of the two rivers (James and Maury). The road opposite the river is 130/501. There is another boat takeout/parking area just downriver so we'd have vehicles at put in and takeout location. This area is in Map 13. AT GWNF Pedlar District for those who have AT maps. I haven't scouted that exact spot yet but from the opposite side of the river it is a nice area with several drainages that converge there. This would allow each person to hunt their own drainage area or stay riverside. An alternate camp area could be Matts Creek shelter, about 2.6 miles up the trail. This has a picnic table, fire ring, and three sided shelter. (Note: it is illegal to have loaded weapons with 125 yards of the AT trail so we couldn't target practice at the shelter) If we have more hunters than boats, or someone doesn't like the idea of boating, there is a foot bridge across the river for hikers. I may do a scout trip there in August. I have hunted other parts of the wilderness area and it is moderately mature hardwoods with pines interspersed and lots of mountain laurel thickets, especially near the ridgetops. I haven't seen a lot of deer but plenty of good sign and if you do see a buck it's a good chance it's a nice mature one. There's also the potential for bear.
So who's interested?
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Here's a sat. photo of the area, you can see the drainages better.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/WildernessCampSitePhoto.jpg)
I should also note I have yet to run into another hunter here, but I have seen some sign of them, mostly turkey or squirrel. Also some of these creeks may have some native brook populations if that interests you.
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Ive floated that stretch many times
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sounds like a cool trip, we do that here in Ark as well, sounds like similar terrain and game as here.. should be a good hunt even if ya dont see a critter!
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I may be up for it, I will have to check my schedule. I have a 16' Mad River that will hold plenty of gear.
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those kinda trips are always heaps of fun!!!
be carefull if you hear any dueling banjo's! :biglaugh:
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I may be up for this one as well. Sounds like a good trip!
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ttt, i might be able to talk my dad into it
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Alright everybody, don't let this one fizzle out. It looks like Talondale has a prime spot picked out for hunting and logistics. I am already committed elsewhere for that weekend but I am looking forward to your stories and pics. I hope you have some behind the scenes planning going, only a few months to go. You may even need to get in an early September scouting trip with some fishing rods in the canoe......
TTT
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sounds like a "deliverance" movie setting . :scared:
:goldtooth: :biglaugh:
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Me and my son are in!
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Cool, I was just going to bump this thread back up today. I was thinking about a float/fish/scout trip next weekend. Anyone interested? Forester, what weekends work for you? This date isn't set in stone but I'm planning it around a couple of other hunting trips so I have a little wiggle room. No one has committed but always89. I was thinking I wanted to do it before danger of hypothermia from falling in the river. :biglaugh:
Anyway, so far the only positive has been always89 and son, and me.
with some possibles:
UK Bowman
Blkdog
atlatlzoom
VA Bowbender
BigRon are you interested in this one?
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I am scheduled to work that weekend so I will pass on this one. Best of Luck to you guys.
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Ron,
Keep an eye on this thread. The date may change.
Always89, PM sent.
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I will keep an eye on it as well, but I don't want to influence the date choice. I am pretty well booked up for fall weekends already, not all out of town but enough activity to keep me tied to the home place. If I can make the float hunt it will be a last minute change that frees me up to crash your party. :) I will keep my fingers crossed but I can't make any promises.
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are the dates still set for 19-21? i just might be able to swing this one. i have a canoe and all my camping gear.
come on Duane you know you want to join in on this one. if not what does the next week look like for Rough Mountain? we have that trip set for the 22 through 27th. i would just tack on a few days at the beginning to do this float trip. man this sounds awesome.....
how many for sure do you have for this trip Chuck?
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I might be interested in coming up from Alabama. I have a canoe, love to camp. What is the price of an out of state deer tag? You mentioned bear, will they be in season? how much is bear a taq?
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I may have to go on this one. Its not that far from me and it sounds like alot of fun. The only thing is i don't have a canoe...
I can work with about any date you decide on if you decide to go. :campfire: :archer: :coffee:
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Larry we have plenty of canoes.
SRTA if you will go to the VDGIF website you can find all the info you will need.
here is the link to the VDGIF:
http://www.dgif.state.va.us/hunting/regulations/licensefees.asp#nonresident
if i remember right the cost of a non-res license for the entire hunting season is about $183. this would include 6 deer tags, 1 black bear tag and 3 turkey tags. bear will be in season starting on the 13th of October. you can also get a 3 day license which would save you $40.
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Wow, this thread came back to life quickly. As far as the date, we are still looking at the 19-21 which will fit in well with your hunt being the weekend before Rob. Those who have definitly said they are going are: Always89 (Jerry) and his son and Bob Walker (don't know about Bobby yet). Bob said he has a 17' boat we can load up as long as the water is navigateable. I plan on doing a scouting/fishing trip in a couple of weeks to find a definite camp area and get an idea for stand locations. I'd do it this weekend but we are scheduled for a new baby arrival in two days so I have to be helpful around the house for the next couple of weeks before running off to play. I'm thinking about going the afternoon of the 16th, weather permitting, if anyone will be in the area and wants to tag along and do some smallmouth fishing and look around. This is going to be primitive camping and we will need to bring bear bags, as it's a popular bear hunting area (dog running, though no dog running is allowed during this time) so I assume there's a few bears in there. I haven't seen any sign of bear yet but it is ideal bear country. Bear and turkey will be legal to take with archery tackle at that time. Bear restrictions from VDGIF website.
One per license year, at least 100 pounds live weight or 75 pounds dressed weight (all internal organs removed). Females with cubs may not be harvested.
As far as gear: as we get firmed up commitments we can probably divide up responsibility for gear so that we aren't carrying in a lot of redundant stuff. If anyone has water filtering systems that would be really helpful as we will either have to pack in our own water or filter what is available, or both. We seem to have plenty of boats available so don't let that hinder you from coming. Hopefully the weather will be cool enough by then that we can just hang any game taken without worrying about icing down the meat. I'm meeting with the local game biologist and I'll try to pump him for some info about the area as well. I'll also clarify if a National Forest stamp will be required for there, I think it is so those from out of town or locals who don't have one that will be an additional $4.
Those who are definitely thinking about going please PM and let me know what camping gear, boat, you have and if you'll have free space to carry someone else. Thanks.
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Love to go if it changed to the following weekend or if you go again!
Steve
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i might be able to make this one.sounds like a lot of fun.
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Maybe... :pray:
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I will be a maybe as well. To early to say right now but I would love to make one or both of these VA trips. Hope new guys are okay...
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Chuck i am 99.9% sure i will be there. i just need to make some arrangements for my youngest son and i'm set.
PM sent regarding the scouting trip.....
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No promises but sounds interesting. The brook trout are spawning that time of year and get thick in small areas and aggressive. Dinner would not be a problem. How much is a liscense and how far are you off of 77. I'm always up for a little road trip. I know how hunting can be in the mountains, but there are more big ones than people think. Usually die of old age. I'm keeping my eye on this thread.
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License costs are on the link Paleface posted up above. For trout you would need just a freshwater license since any brook trout would be natural and not need a trout stamp. I think we would be about an 1:45 from where 77 meets 81. My buddy makes it to my house from Atlanta in about 7 hours (I won't say whether he follows all speed laws or not) and this place is about 20 minutes past me. You'd take 81 to Natural Bridge (exit 178) and it's just a few miles to the boat ramp upstream. For Mapquest use Glasgow, VA as your destination.
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Talondale, how far up 42 is it from 460 near Blacksburg.
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Larry,
I'm guessing an hour and 30 minutes would get you from Blacksburg to the boat ramp. It would be best to go 460/81. If you head into the country up 42 from Newport you will be on backroads after New Castle and would be closer to two hours before you arrived. And you would have to cross/get onto 81 near the end anyway.
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Duane are you going to make it for any of this trips in Virginia? missed you at Dixie last weekend. man it was hot. Jeff Harper was there but the rest of the C'Ville gang didn't make it. Bo was away in the mountains doing some house cleaning at the Cabin.
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Larry,
It's about 60 miles from where 460 hits 81 to the Natural Bridge exit. You're near Pearsburg so I'd guess about 1:45 to 2:00.
Here's a live map link to the area:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=37.599884~-79.433942&style=r&lvl=14&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&sp=Point.q84mdz8cc9c0_Glasgow%2C%20Rockbridge%2C%20Virginia%2C%20United%20Stat es___~Point.q807f08cddc7_Camp___&encType=1 (http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=37.599884~-79.433942&style=r&lvl=14&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&sp=Point.q84mdz8cc9c0_Glasgow%2C%20Rockbridge%2C%20Virginia%2C%20United%20States___~Point.q807f08cddc7_Camp___&encType=1)
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Hey, thats not to bad. I'm going, i'm goina get my license next week, so i should be ready to go. I'm goina pack light if were only goina be there 3-days. I've always wanted to do this, but i've dragged my feet about it for 19yrs. so this will be my first float trip. I'm looking forward to it, and i hope JDC goes as well. :campfire: :archer:
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Get some rest Talondale...T -9 and counting....
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paleFace - I would really like to make this weekend float but I will be in NY with family obligations....I am looking at he calendar for the others but I am scheduled to work as of now. Changing up will be tough as it gets into the fall season.
Sorry about Dixie too, I was booked every day with local activities.
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I'm from Winder, GA and if anyone is interested from this area let me know. Thanks for the info, sounds like a trip of a lifetime to me!
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Duane make sure you try and keep a few days open the week of the 21 through 28. looks like several hunts are on the board for that week. i think i heard you mention something about not feeling well that week and that you needed to take a few days off to rest. :jumper:
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I got the new hunting regs today.
NON resident to hunt state wide is 86.00
NON archery 31.00
National Forest Stamp 4.00
NON resident Bear, Deer, Turkey. 66.00
I think thats all you need, but you may want to check for yourself. 187.00
:thumbsup: :campfire:
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Larry you are correct.... that's it... not bad considering you can hunt from October 6 through January 5th. all but Sundays. you get i think 6 deer tags, 1 black bear and 3 turkey's plus all the small game you could want to shoot. i think the 3 day license will only save you $42..
sure wish i could hunt elk for that price.
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I should have bought my life time license a few years ago! Then i'd be set. I live right on the WV-VA line now, and my farm property joins VA.
When i was a cop i lived over there for about 11yrs. Oh'well. If nothing changes i'm going on both the VA hunts. I'm geting my licence next week for VA and NC. Boy i may have bit of more than i can chew.LOL. My wife hasn't said anything negative yet, and i don't think she will, she's a good one. Anyway i do hope to meet a few good people who hunt with a real bow and tell lies around the camp fire.LOL. I think my back will hold out! If it don't, i'll improvise-adapt-and overcome! :thumbsup: :campfire: :archer: :coffee:
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Talked to the Game Biologists yesterday and he said mast surveys show a low acorn production this year, especially white oaks, with better yields at higher elevations. He suggested finding a good white oak and sit over it. He said we shouldn't have too much problem with bears but hanging our food should be a good idea. We should set up our "kitchen" area seperate from our "sleeping" area and no snacks or trash in the tents. They've had a couple of cases this year of bear going in tents but food or trash was involved. Pretty obvious precautions. They seemed a little non-plussed about info for that area. I guess they don't get many people hunting that area. That's the impression I got from the game warden too. They said numbers should be low but a good chance at seeing bucks with some age on them.
HATCHCHASER, the one fish biologist I talked to said the original survey he did of the area didn't have any natural brook trout but the conditions were favorable for brookies. He gave me the name and number of another biologist who had done a more recent survey and he thought he had found some brooks. I'm waiting for a call back from him.
Just a FYI my local SAMs club and another I've been in had dry bags for sale for $20 bucks (two bags, one backpack size one smaller size) if you are looking for something to store stuff in for the boat ride. I'm thinking about just using a cooler taped shut.
This is getting close now. Post if you are definitely coming and if you have a boat and what gear you have or need. Anyone have a water filter system? Tents? etc.
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Chuck i have everything i need for camping. i will check my water purifier to see if it still works. i have not used it since an elk hunt in 2000. i also have a canoe.
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How many boats, and how much gear can we haul?
I bought a small 4-man tent today i'd like ta bring with me. Plus a back pack and sleeping bag. I don't want to crowd the boat too much. How far from the creek are we goina camp?
Just thought i'd ask...
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How much we can haul depends on how many boats we have. I'm going to be scouting out a camp area next weekend (hopefully)but figured we'd camp along the river near one of the creeks. Topography may not allow that but I'll have a better idea next Saturday. I'd like to think minimum impact, (sorry KOA comment sounded snarky, was meant to be funny) so I'm thinking tents, and small camp/hiking stoves, backpacking style gear. We will have the luxury of bringing a few more items than we would if we were packing it all in. I'm going to try to get everything to fit two coolers, one for gear and a smaller one for food. I have a flatboat and Bob said he has a boat as well if the water runs high enough the whole way. Always89 said he can rent a boat.
Tonight is supposed to be down in the 40's. It's getting close to that time!
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HATCHCHASER, just got the word that there are no native brook trout in that area. Some nearby, on the opposite side of the range but not in that immediate area. Sorry.
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Ok. I just got back from scouting the area, or I should say the river access. Pictures will be forthcoming along with commentary. To start off, here is a picture of our objective. This is where we'll beach and set up camp.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/Objective.jpg)
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I didn't get as many pics as I was hoping. I took 3 pairs of batteries but despite what my tester said I don't think any of them were fully charged. Poor planning, I know but I was hoping Rob was going to be able to make this scout trip and he'd take some incredible pics. But we couldn't match up our schedules so you're stuck with my poor pics.
Ok, to begin with here's a pic of the Maury River right before it joins the James, which is where we will be putting in.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/Maury.jpg)
Here's a pic of what the northern boundary of the wilderness area looks like, the James and Maury are meeting just beyond the corn field.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/northernborder.jpg)
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I should have figured something was wrong right away. My sister and I put in at the public boat ramp but within a few moments we came to an impasse. We had to get out of the boat and carry it over rocks. I discovered that with the water level being several feet low due to the dry weather, my boat is not going to work. The whole trip was characterized with bouncing off rocks, running aground on submerged rocks, and porteging around rapids. The canoes and kayaks we saw seemed to have no problems but my wide flat boat just wasn't able to maneuver through the narrow channels. I'm going to have to find myself a canoe for this weekend.
Here is what it looked like when we finally got onto the James.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/Startingout.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/OntheRiver.jpg)
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It took about 45 minutes for us to get to area I had picked for a campsite.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/Beach.jpg)
Here's what it looked like on the other shore.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/Acrossfromcamp.jpg)
We beached the boat and I went into look around in the woods.
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looking good Chuck! can't wait to stomp around in these woods.....
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OK Chuck, you are absolutely killing me!
And I just found out last night that my travel plans for that weekend may change. How late can a guy get in on this adventure? I could crash the party in an unobtrusive way and be independent in terms of food and gear. I may only be dreaming here so I can't make promises.
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Duane you know you are welcome any time... if you can make it will you be able to roll on Thursday morning? if you are going to be a little later you may be able to catch up with Ed as he has class that day and will probably no get away until later in the afternoon.
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Where is Ed in class?
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Friday morning Rob. Yeah Duane, nothings firmed up yet. I don't even have a definite list of attendees yet. Sorry for the delay, but I was beat last night and was on the water much later than I expected and had family time to make up.
The edge of the beach had plenty of tall weeds and trees, perfect deer country (and ticks and snakes)with sandy soul. As I eased back into the woods I struck a trail, a human trail. Let me just set the record for you guys considering this trip. If you're looking for an Alaskan wilderness experience void of the touch of man, this isn't it, at least not on the river edge. It was apparent this area had been used often as a nature break for boaters and I even found some fire sites. Turns out that just below this beach is one of the more popular rapids for the area, Balcony Falls. So a lot of boaters lunch here I would guess. Also, across the river is a train track and up the mountain is VA 130/501. Not to turn anyone off, I think if you hike off the river's edge it will be as wild as you want but I didn't want someone to have false expectations of total isolation and be disappointed. Anyway, I followed the trail to the north. As I walked I noticed the ground was strewn with acorns, white oak I believe, and hickory nuts. I heard them falling as I looked around. With all these nuts Mr. Bushytail wasn't far away. I could hear him skittering around in the upper branches. The area looked like a likely place for several adventurous bowmen to repose for a few days. My surmise was reinforced by my discovery of an old fire site. I continued along the trail and it led to a dry creek bed, Big Cove Branch.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/Drycreekbed.jpg)
I followed the bed and found pools of water between the rocks.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/Creekpool.jpg)
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The creek bed led to a small cliff face with a pool below. All that remained of a springtime waterfall was several lines of trickling water keeping the moss alive. Several small fish darted in the waters below. A young poplar growing next to the pool had movement along the edge of the lower bark. An eye peeked around the curve of the tree and then a shadow moved up the trunk. I had a flu flu arrow on my string. I knew if I missed my arrow would burst on the limestone face behind the tree. Remembering a trick mentioned on a thread here I kissed the back of my hand. Apparently the squirrel had read the same thread, or one similar, because he was having none of it and scampered up the tree and leaped to safety beyond the lip of the cliff face. Being boxed in on three sides I retraced my steps and decided to parallel the ridge heading south. The terrain raised fairly gently, for this area, and looked like it offered some good stalking opportunities.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/Woodedarea.jpg)
I regretted the coloring sky knowing I didn't have time to explore more if I was going to get off the river before dark. As I headed back to the river I found evidence that I wasn't the first to think of this opportunity.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/Notthefirst.jpg)
It is a brave or foolhearty soul that would use that bit of homemade danger. The ground was littered with deer tracks and the vegetation showed signs of heavy overbrowsing. I spotted what may be an early mock scrape or turkey scratching with a hoof print in it. Definite possibilities were everywhere.
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Here are a couple of shots looking back towards the beach to give you an idea of the rise of the land in this area.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/Topography.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/Beachhill.jpg)
We now faced the Balcony falls.
(http://www.americanwhitewater.org/photos/archive/medium/1759.jpg)
This is a class II/III rapid and as I said the water was low leaving only one valid channel. We chose the better part of valour and decide to carry around rather than risk a spill. I think this may even be fun in a canoe but upending is a definite possibility if you get sideways or lodged on a submerged rock. After this the rocks were frequent and required constant adjusting of our position and direction of travel. While we were busy avoiding rocks, within several hundred yards of the beach we were just on, a mature bald eagle flew out of the trees and went along the river in front of us before alighting on a tree on the side of a steep mountain in front of us. Things were too fluid (pun intended) for me to get a picture opportunity so we just enjoyed his majesty and paddled. Further on I saw two river otters, my first time seeing otters ever. They kept ahead of us and would pop their heads out of the river to check our progress. Eventually we made the flat water section of this journey. It is about two miles of still water before the dam and our takeout point. Count on some paddling here. The moon, approaching fullness peaked above a ridge.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/Moonlight.jpg)
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This was a five mile journey and took us about 5 hours, including about 30 minutes to look around at our intended campsite. A couple of my impressions:
We should meet Friday Oct 19, about 10 AM at the Glasgow public boat launch. This will give those traveling time to get there without having to leave at some unreasonable time. Those who are coming from further than 4 hours will probably stay at a nearby hotel. Here\\'s some hotels for those coming east or west. (http://www.riverfacts.com/details/13480.html#hotels) Travelers from the south may want to consider The Wattsull Inn, in Buchanan. (http://www.wattstullinn.net/) It's a cheap nice hotel with some nice views about 25 minutes from the put-in point. Or if you want something a little out of the ordinary you could try The Railcar Inn (http://www.buchananrailcarinn.com/) . It will also give us time to set up camp and explore for the evening hunt.
Taking a spill is a possibility. More likely on the trip out than on the way in. It's a fairly simple section of river a lot of beginners run, but they aren't running it with a boatload of gear. Pack accordingly. I plan on making some pvc containers like Terry made for the LDR bow for my bow and arrows. It will protect from being crushed if someone looses balance and floats if the canoe gets swamped.
Please have some sort of protective floatation device. I use a ski vest. It's the law and just plain smart. If anyone has a rescue/throw rope that would be great.
River shoes or old sneakers are a good idea, they WILL get wet and I don't know what the temp is going to be so wool socks may be a good idea. I have neoprene surf boots and they work well.
Weather is going to be an important factor. The river is low right now but a week of rain could make things unsafe. Rob and I have talked about it and we are thinking his hunting area is not far away and could be a possible alternate. Also there is a land entrance to the wilderness area on the south border and we are surrounded by National Forest. I'll leave that up to concensous if it becomes necessary.
I plan on leaving Sunday at a leisurely pace, maybe fishing for smallmouth on the way out.
I'll get on here later tomorrow and start posting a tenative list of gear I plan on packing.
We're four weeks out and we should start getting a list of committed people. So who's definitely in?
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TTT
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Looks great Chuck! I truley wish that I could make it...are you coming to Rob's Bath Co event?
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Adam, I'll be there Friday night and Saturday.
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Ok. I sent emails out to all who expressed an interest in this trip, or I thought expressed an intrest. :) Please check your mailboxes. If you didn't get an email, and are interested in making this trip, PM or email me and let me know. We only have 16 days left and we need to get some things arranged. Plenty of room for more.
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Here's my tenative list of what I'm bringing. I'll edit this as more things come to mind. Please post any suggestions/comments.
General Equipment:- Tent (2-man bivouac tent, but I can bring a 6 man if necessary)
- Tarp
- rope
- Backpack stove/fuel
- 1 mantle propane lantern/fuel
- cooking kit
- 5 gal collapsable water jug
- folding mattock (digging latrine and firepit etc)
- folding chair for around the fire
- matches/lighter
- small hatchet
- first aid kit
- life vest
- trash bags/bear bag
- Food/drink (details to be determined)
- folding gambrel and pulleys (gotta think positive)
- game bags
- coolers
- crock stick/file
- sleeping pad
- Sleeping bag
- folding saw
- traveling alarm clock
- ballpoint pen (for filling out game tags)
Personal- hunting clothes/camp clothes
- bow/arrows/quiver
- compass
- GPS
- Daypack
- Map
- hygiene items
- whistle
- 2-way Radios
- knives
- stool
- camera
- binocs
- batteries
- Headlamp/maglight
- cell phone
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Talondale - good list you have going there. I may swipe a copy for future reference.
I thought of a few items to list, just suggestions so ignore them if you like....a few are obvious/joking but you would be surprised at the things I have forgotten....
*Canoe
*Paddles (including an extra or two for the whole camp)
*Hunting license/fishing license
*Cell phone - as much as I hate the things, if you have reception and someone has a phone you can check the deer in and not worry about a check station upon departure (and for emergencies I guess).
*Water filter or tablets.
*Cast iron skillet and plenty o' butter
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Thats some pretty country there. Looking forward to seeing more pics and hearing the story of your hunt!!! Good luck! :thumbsup:
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Duane,
Cell phone is definitely a must, for the reasons you mentioned plus to keep my wife from worrying. (She's not as accustomed to adventures as I am) I may have to hike to a peak to use it though. Paleface has a filter (he has to get a new cartridge for it though). I'm also going to have to bum a canoe since the flatboat was such a hassle. I could use it if absolutely necessary but it was a lot of work. Licenses - check. Have my lifetime ( I wish they had a sportsman like GA that covered everything )
Roll Call:
- Blk Dog = no reply
- Hatchchaser = NAY
- Always89 (and son) = YES
- Paleface = (99.9% YES)
- Forester = NAY
- Larry247 = no reply
- BigRonHuntsAlot(and guest) = maybe
- UK Bowman = NAY
- VA Bowbender = NAY
- SRTA = NAY
- JDC = no reply
- atlatlzoom = no reply
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If anyones interested, I have a chunk of land in Appomattox, VA, about 1.5 hours east of the planned area, and will be there on Wednesday, the 17th. I have sleeping room for 4 more, hot water, wood to burn,and a couple of good spots to hunt! Best of all, its free! Might save a few dollars on hotel costs.
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Nice gesture, Jerry. What part of Appomatox is your property on? I have a buddy who just finished a house just north of Oakville (up 26).
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we are right on 644 east
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Alright guys we're down to the wire. I need to hear from any of the guys who haven't contacted me about going if you are definitely going. We have a fire ban in effect so campfires will be out. We have to use gas/liquid fuel stoves only. Looks like things are going to warm up some with chances of rain by the weekend.
Jerry PM sent.
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ttt
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At this point it is a Nay for me and my guest. Too many hunts and not enough Vacation Time. Hope you guys have a great time.
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Pack your rain gear and hope! As of Tuesday evening the weatherman is calling for a chance of rain Thursday afternoon and maybe again on Friday. While camping in the rain can be trying we sure do need it. And it could make your hunting a little quieter, those leaves in the pictures look mighty crunchy. Take an extra tarp and have a good time.
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Go to mapquest and enter:
[1636-1899] Blue Ridge Rd
Glasgow, VA 24555, US
as your destination to get directions to the launch site. We'll meet here at 10 AM Friday morning. Rob, Jerry please give me a call this evening.
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This sounds like a nice adventure, and it is not THAT far from me, but I have zero vacation time left. I hope this turns into an annual event cause one of these years I'll have some vacation time and a VA license. Can't wait for the photos and stories to show up here.....
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I haven't heard from anyone that's supposed to be going. At this point I'm not sure if this trip is going to happen. Thunderstorms on Friday make being on the river an iffy proposition as well.
Jeff, I'm not sure if this will be an annual event. I know next year I hope to hunt out west with my Father so my time off outside of that will be limited. There's also two other VA events that are trying to become annual events and not many people have that much time off. It could be something I do in the future though.
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I really hope this works for you Talondale. Be careful on the river if there is bad weather, but make the trip if you can. The wet leaves and passing weather fronts could make for a great hunt this time of year.
Will you go solo if it comes to that?
Good luck with all of it!
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Duane I'm not sure. I doubt it. The water was so low that I had to portage my boat a couple of times and that would be difficult alone. I could do it, but it would require a couple of trips each portage. Then there's the issue of being in a metal boat, on a river, during thunderstorms. 60% chance of boomers predicted and wunderground weather has them happening right when I'm supposed to be on the water. To be honest, half the fun was having other tradgangers along and it doesn't look like thats going to happen, either. If I can contact Always89 I'd just as soon use the time off closer to the rut, but haven't heard from him all week.
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Sounds pretty sensible Chuck. No need to take risks and no need to push a hunting trip if it won't be any fun. I'm sorry I couldn't make it happen on my end but wife and family first. However it turns out I hope it's for the best for everyone.
I'm off to New York City (get a rope) in an hour. Have a good weekend whatever you do!
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No thunder and no rain so far. (Correction, It started raining while I was posting this)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Archery/Wilderness/Threateningrain.jpg)
I opted not to go today. All the gang had to either pull out or I couldn't get in contact with them. I'll try this trip again someday.
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Sorry to hear this adventure didn't float. If you are up for company when you try again let me know.