OK trad hunt was a success!

[Claypipe]

Before you get the wrong idea I will tell you that none of us got a shot.  I got there on Wednesday afternoon, found a camping spot and did some scouting.  Thursday morning I was in the woods but I didn't see anything moving so I headed to camp for lunch.  Brian Blair aka BrianfromTulsa showed up midday and I helped him unload gear and we headed to the woods for the afternoon.  We found some sign but didn't see any deer moving that day.  That night while we were eating Brook McDonald aka xring2213 came in and set up his camp.  We all got in the woods and did our thing.  We saw some deer and had some fun.  Cameron Graham aka The Vanilla Gorilla came to camp on saturday and visited with us.  I didn't get a shot but I met 3 great people and learned a thing or two and that is why this hunt was a success.  I took a few pictures and I will get them up when I get a chance.  Hopefully Brian and Brook will be along soon to give there account.  

[BigCountryOK]

Sounds like a blast!  Wish I could have made it.

[goldflinger]

awesome guys, lets see some picks. Hopefully I can join you next time.

[BrianfromTulsa]

I'll start from the beginning.  Might be a little long winded but here goes....  

Last year was my first ever Rocky Mntn elk hunt.  I had such a great time, I swore that I would never miss another year chasing elk.  I contacted Doug Treat and made plans to attend the Colorado TradGang hunt this year.  Just before the Colorado tag drawing, my oldest daughter advised me that I was going to be a grandfather the last week of September....  so much for hunting elk.  After seeing the story posted by Doug Treat and Co. I really wish I could have made that one.  Nonetheless, here is a photo of what I refer to as my 2010 elk
 

[BrianfromTulsa]

Even with such a successful elk season under my belt, I still wanted to get together for a TradGang hunt as all the reports were pouring in to the message board so I decided to host my own.  Input from the board led me to pick James Collins WMA

 

I was eager, never having been there but knowing that the rut would be kicking off.  I had spoken to Claypipe on the phone and I knew that there would be at least two of us.  I arrived Thursday and it was game on.

Travis was already there and Brook arrived shortly after.  I had two new friends and we were hunting.  Here is a picture of Travis and the camp.

 

[BrianfromTulsa]

Turns out that Brook is quite an accomplished archer.  Both Brook and Travis had some beautiful bows which were passed around.  Brook had a new Tolke Whip which everyone of us was impressed with

 

The sky was clear and the weather was cool.  I won't lie, the wind was a little much for most of the hunt but Friday evening and all day Saturday were near perfect deer hunting conditions.  

As mentioned, we did not kill any deer on this trip but we all had encounters.  Travis watched a buck chase a doe around a meadow but was unable to manuever for a shot.  Brook rattled a buck in Saturday morning and was only yards away from the shot when the wind gave him away.  

I had a close encounter of my own when a mature doe was walking right to me.  At 15 yards, she was straight behind me and was going to pass within ten yards to my left.  Instead of remaining seated and letting her pass downwind for a perfect quartering away shot, I stupidly attempted to stand and turn which resulted in a lost opportunity.

There were deer killed while we were there.  A wheel bow shooter camped next to us took a beautiful buck Friday evening.  Richard, who was camped near us, took a yearling doe and a turkey in the same day with his Bob Lee recurve.

For those of you thinking of hunting this area.  The local biologist, Chris, lives in the house between the campground and the WMA office and is very helpful and willing to point you in the right direction.  He too is a Bob Lee shooter and quite a bowfisherman judging from the massive boat sitting behind his house.

[BrianfromTulsa]

I should have took more pictures but pretty typical for me.  The Vanilla Gorilla stopped by and visited for a while bumping my new friend total to three.  I can foresee the Oklahoma TradGang hunt happening again next year so leave some time open in early November, 2011.

I think the whole experience can be summed up with this image:

 

Doesn't get alot better than that.

[imhntn]

Sounds like you guys had a great time in the woods.  Glad it turned out so well.

[Mudd]

You guys have this traditional archery thing figured out for sure because a weekend like you all just experienced is major part of what it is all about.(IMHO)

Thanks for sharing!

God bless,Mudd

[bolong]

  Don't get no better than that!