Since the season started I have logged 23 miles on foot, rain or shine, climbing up and down mountain sides, in and out of the brush in search of a blacktail buck and have yet to find one I can take or should I say have time to take. I went out hunting the other morning before work and that was a bad idea, it was the one and only time that I had been graced with the presence of a shooter, he was a nice sized 3x3 and he just so happened to make an appearance when I was on my way out so I could make it to work on time. The thought crossed my mind that I could shoot him, hopefully get him dressed, hide him and make it to work on time and then come back out after work and get him but I chose against it, mainly because there is a nice sized cougar that roams around out there and because I was working an 11 hr day and it'd be well past dark when i could get back out to him, I'm kicking myself now for not doing it since I have yet to come across him again. This weekend I did come across 2 doe and a spike but nothing legal to shoot. The rut is right around the corner and I'm hoping it will be my saving grace. It is the only time that mature bucks act like idiots in pursuit of tail, but then again just like I said in a tweet conversation, what male of any species doesn't act like an idiot in pursuit of tail! Even though I haven't gotten my buck yet I have loved every second I spend out in the hills! Nothing better than being surrounded by beautiful scenery and listening to the sounds of nature all around me! Here's to hoping that within the next 11 days I can get my buck!
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Since I haven't had much excitement happen while I have been out hunting I thought I would post a pretty comical post my buddy Kevin put up about his experience in Elk camp this last week. I died laughing because it is so spot on to every experience Ive had at a hunting camp surrounded by a bunch of men! I totally want in on next years excursion!
Since I am quoting this all exactly from him I dont feel I should spell check him or edit his grammar LOL
In his own words, 2012 Cascade Elk Camp Experience went something like this:
After 24 years of bow hunting this year I was invited to an elk rifle camp for the cascade hunt. These are the observations and things I learned.
When Kenny says go left he is going right. Go Right and don’t listen to Kenny.
When you borrow Kennys gun. Shoot the SOB first to make sure its sighted in. (5 shots at a bull at 50 yards later)
Don’t invite a girl you have barely known to elk camp only to watch her make an ass of herself and get kicked out of camp.
When inviting the girl you don’t know make sure you have other sleeping arrangements, because at 6ft 2 and 200 pounds the front seat of a dodge truck isn’t that comfortable for 7 days.
Don’t set up a tent in a dry creek bed when a storm is coming.
Everyone in camp has medicinal cards.
14 men can go through 5 pounds of chili in less than 5 minutes.
Don’t serve 14 men 5 pounds of chili the night before the season.
8 men can pack out a 900 pound bull whole.
8 men can pack out the same bull whole while drinking a bottle of bourbon and bottle of jagr.
Don’t be the only sober one in camp its boring.
To Ed there is not such thing as enough beer.
When you and the only girl are sitting around the fire while she is refilling her medicinal card make sure you have a rifle next to you when the dumbest bull in the planet walks into camp stares at you and the potentially asks for some breakfast.
7 men will haul an outhouse 12 miles rather than build another one.
Don’t bring just two pairs of socks to elk camp.
If you bring two pairs of socks make sure when you have to do your thing in the woods you have mountain money because then your down to one pair of socks.
When your doing your business in the woods keep the rifle handy for the bull that ends up staring at you wondering why your pooping in his spot. (not easy to get a shot off while dropping trousers)
Don’t give the girl in camp that has more energy than a spider monkey red bull.
While sitting on a ridge top looking at the world stop and thank the man dad that taught you to do this and shed a tear for the things he taught you.
5 miles later cuss dad for teaching you to do these things.
Smile and look back at the loved ones you lost on that ridge and its ok to break down and cry. (love and miss you CC)
Man named them Elk because all the other 4 letter words were taken
8 men will find the ducks game on the radio when desperate.
A beer can and a used arrow make a great antenna to listen to the game.
Shooting a chipmunk skinning it putting a mini game bag on it and tying sticks to his head then hanging it next to the elk will get you many strange looks from other hunters.
Don’t eat chipmunk its not as tasty as you think.
When your hunting with 4 retired guys and your radio goes off that 3 elk are down break your radio and say you didn’t get the call to avoid packing all night in a storm.
Its well worth the 5 dollars to pay for a shower at the resort 20 miles down the highway.
The guys and girls that don’t want to spend the 5 dollars for the shower just give them the money and offer to drive them.
After 2 days of camp people smell. After 4 days people stink. On the 8th and final day nobody wants to get in the same care with the rest of the people.
After 9 days walking over 100 miles, shooting an unsighted gun, packing out other peoples animals. Smelling like a dead hog. Swearing you will never do it again because of the blood sweat and tears you went through.
Thank the people you spend the best 9 days of your life. Kenny, Ed, Tonya, John, Richard, Leroy, Nate, Brian, Ron, Leena, and the rest of the bunch. Then start planning for next year.
