My Idaho hunt is complete!
AGCHAWK
10/11/08 4:57pm
Well all, after two hard days of hunting, my tag is filled. He is not the bruiser I was lookin' for it but I can assure you, it was not from lack of trying....FYI: I am VERY happy with this buck and he will eat VERY WELL!
Here's the story:
My leave started the day before the hunt and I spent all night the night before getting my gear together, checking my list two and three times, and constantly checking to make sure I had my tag with me...LOL.
About midday on Thursday my brother and I headed for the river breaks to set up camp and do a little lookin' around. We arrived at our desired spot around 2 in the afternoon, quickly set up camp, and started some evening scouting. Almost immediately I found a 4 point shed and then about 50 yards further up the first draw we spotted a nice 3 point Muley feeding. Since it was already late and also since we started seeing good sign almost immediately we decided to back out, get some coffee brewing, and hit the tent early in preps for the morning.
Arising at 0500 in the morning, we had a quick cup of coffee, grabbed our gear, and headed into the higher hills after my buck. Our trip took a quick detour as we spotted a great lookin' 6X6 bull elk and around 20 cows in a draw above us. We sat down and enjoyed the site through the spotting scope for about 1/2 hour before heading out again.
Almost immediately we started seeing deer. In the first draw we bumped 6 doe and one small forky and watched them bound over the next ridge before moving on. Throughout the morning we saw numerous 2 and 3 points along with countless does and fawns but nothing worth taking down on the first day.
Around noon we decided to take a break and catch a few Zs (Old age is really catching up!). We caught a quick hours nap and then headed out for more draws further down river. About 2 hours before sundown we jumped the biggest buck of the trip but unfortunately he was up and over the top of the mountain before I could zero in on him. After giggling about it like a couple school kids we continued on our way, slowly decreasing in elevation toward our camp. The last buck we saw that first day was sitting on an open hillside about a mile from camp. Although he was a very nice 4x4 we decided to let him pass and would check that area again tomorrow.
The next morning we got up a bit earlier, made some coffee, and discussed what we would do. Since my brother had to be back Sunday evening and I wanted to save some of my leave to spend time with the wife and kids we decided that if we came across a shooter I would take him down and we'd head home. Well, wouldn't you know it, we hadn't walked more than 200 yards from camp when the buck I took stood up and presented a perfect broadside shot at about 75 yards. I looked at my brother, he gave me that "take him" look, and one well placed shot later and he was down.
The drag was easy (MUCH easier than if we had taken something in the high country), we loaded up the truck, and headed back to town.
Agian, the buck isn't the biggest...and wasn't the biggest we saw this weekend. However, I am tickled pink about him, I'll have a freezer full of meat shortly, and I can relax and enjoy some free time.
ENJOY!
Here's the story:
My leave started the day before the hunt and I spent all night the night before getting my gear together, checking my list two and three times, and constantly checking to make sure I had my tag with me...LOL.
About midday on Thursday my brother and I headed for the river breaks to set up camp and do a little lookin' around. We arrived at our desired spot around 2 in the afternoon, quickly set up camp, and started some evening scouting. Almost immediately I found a 4 point shed and then about 50 yards further up the first draw we spotted a nice 3 point Muley feeding. Since it was already late and also since we started seeing good sign almost immediately we decided to back out, get some coffee brewing, and hit the tent early in preps for the morning.
Arising at 0500 in the morning, we had a quick cup of coffee, grabbed our gear, and headed into the higher hills after my buck. Our trip took a quick detour as we spotted a great lookin' 6X6 bull elk and around 20 cows in a draw above us. We sat down and enjoyed the site through the spotting scope for about 1/2 hour before heading out again.
Almost immediately we started seeing deer. In the first draw we bumped 6 doe and one small forky and watched them bound over the next ridge before moving on. Throughout the morning we saw numerous 2 and 3 points along with countless does and fawns but nothing worth taking down on the first day.
Around noon we decided to take a break and catch a few Zs (Old age is really catching up!). We caught a quick hours nap and then headed out for more draws further down river. About 2 hours before sundown we jumped the biggest buck of the trip but unfortunately he was up and over the top of the mountain before I could zero in on him. After giggling about it like a couple school kids we continued on our way, slowly decreasing in elevation toward our camp. The last buck we saw that first day was sitting on an open hillside about a mile from camp. Although he was a very nice 4x4 we decided to let him pass and would check that area again tomorrow.
The next morning we got up a bit earlier, made some coffee, and discussed what we would do. Since my brother had to be back Sunday evening and I wanted to save some of my leave to spend time with the wife and kids we decided that if we came across a shooter I would take him down and we'd head home. Well, wouldn't you know it, we hadn't walked more than 200 yards from camp when the buck I took stood up and presented a perfect broadside shot at about 75 yards. I looked at my brother, he gave me that "take him" look, and one well placed shot later and he was down.
The drag was easy (MUCH easier than if we had taken something in the high country), we loaded up the truck, and headed back to town.
Agian, the buck isn't the biggest...and wasn't the biggest we saw this weekend. However, I am tickled pink about him, I'll have a freezer full of meat shortly, and I can relax and enjoy some free time.
ENJOY!
9,354
Looks like it all came together for ya. Congrats to you and your Bro on another successful hunt. Thanks for sharing and the photos.
Although I could have went back out again later this week, I really wanted to fill the tag while my brother was with me so it worked out great. He's been my hunting partner since we were kids and he took time off of work, missed his wife's birthday, and did a lot of work on this hunt and I would have hated for him to go home without seeing the hunt come to a successful conclussion.
Below are a couple more pics. The first one is the nice gouge I put into the side of my new truck (For those of you that do not know, my wife totalled my other truck while I was deployed). The only access road into that region was one of the worse I have ever driven and I managed to hook a large rock that tore up my tube-step and gouged the passenger side door.
The second pic is one lucky young man in the only other hunting camp in that valley. We passed thier camp on the way out and stopped to chat with em for a while. This kid was pretty stoked about his buck...and for good reason!
Is it me or did you purchase a new camera? Nice pics! 10sign:
Glad you got into some Idaho mulies! That is a fine deer with some character to boot.
Thanks for the story.
GPWDeer
Nate
Idaho does not have a preference point system and I was drawn on my first try for this unit. However, only 10% of all controlled hunt tags go to non-resident applicants. Therefore, unless you are an Idaho resident, your chances of drawing are less than for a resident. (For the record, I am not an Idaho resident and I have absolutely no issues with this policy)
As for trying to find a good buck (4X4 or better in most cases), you can do it in areas that are not CH units. However, just like in any other state, you have to know what you are doing and where to go. Again, just like Utah and any other western state, you need to get away from areas that have easy road access or easy ATV access.
Southern Idaho/SE Idaho hold you best areas in which to find a decent buck IMO.
Thanks for the compliment hound_hunter and good luck!
I live in southern Idaho so if anyone ever needs some advice on some good spots to try just give me a shout. I do not believe that these are "closely guarded secrets" like a lot of guys do. We all start somewhere. I was fortunate enough to have a couple old timers show me the ropes when i started hunting muley's 11 years ago and firmly believe that as a dying breed i have a responsibility to share the traditions with as many as i can.
Shoot straight and good luck,
Matt
Glad to hear that I am not the only one that feels that way. I love helpin' others out...especially when they actually drop something. I think I get as excited when someone else fills thier tag as when I do.