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Evanguy's first successful big game hunt-Goat-2022
I'm not sure why all the pics aren't working, if you click the link they do open though
I didn't post this on here when it first happened as I posted it on another forum and figured most of you guy were on it, but I take it from the response from me talking about it there are people that didn't see and would like too. I posted a very short version of it on CGN "mountain hunting thread" too
We left Gambier island and on the way up north we took our time and made a few stops after leaving Williams Lake after spending the first night, we went into Stewart for the second night and then into Telegraph creek on the 3rd night to take off from there driving to Iskut in the morning.
All 3 places we stayed were great, but the second 2 nights were nicer, in Stewart we stayed at the Ripley creek inn and in Telegraph creek we stayed at Stikine Valley inn. It was owned by natives and they were a great host, and ended up talking to them for quite a while about our “fishing trip” in Mt Edziza park.
The flight into the lake was great, I really don’t like heights at all, but it wasn’t too bad. It was about 20 minutes to get in. When we landed the pilot commented how thick the bush looked so we drove around a bit looking for some thinner areas, we ended up just stopping on a beach and made camp there.
The day we landed we just set up camp, did some fishing and just hung out, planned for the next day we would hike up above the tree line just to see how long it would take and how hard it was. We packed a small day pack in the morning and started to hike up, it was 3 hours and we were above the trees glassing. That is when I saw my first ever mountain goat. Good sign, there were goats there. So, we headed back down to camp for the night.
When we got back down Brooklyn(my 11 year old daughter) had some blisters on her feet, so the next two days were camp/fishing days. We planned for Sunday morning we would hike back up and stay above the trees for 4 nights.
Friday we fished and explored the edges of the lake, found an old camp site, the was the first sign of humans we had saw, we made Shabbat dinner and went to bed and then on Saturday were fishing/hanging out in the shade and a float plane landed on the lake, we see 2 people get out, so we walk over to them, turns out if a father and son heading out on a sheep hunt. After some back and forth talking we had established they knew of a trail that took us up above the tree line and we were welcome to hike it with them. They were very nice and meeting them added to the trip. We had already planned to hike up on Sunday anyway. So, this was great a trail
Well Sunday morning we are up and packing at 630am to be ready to hike around 730-8 we head off down the lake to get to the trail head. I’m thinking if no trail was 3 hours it may only be an hour or two hike to the top. Turns out by the time we got up there it had taken 8 hours and was starting to rain. Brooklyn, me and the 2 people we just met needed water and were done hiking for the day so we all setup camp near a little creek. In the morning we parted ways (more of them later)
We hiked all over the place up there and couldn’t find any goats or sheep, we could see 6 goats from our tent but there were on the other side of the massive valley we couldn’t cross, the other side happened to be the first place we went above the tree line on the first day. The path had looped us over and on the other side of that valley, so lots of awesome looking goat and sheep country but no goats or sheep. We did find an old goat skull and 5x 4LBS bags of salt that were vac sealed and placed on a large rock. We did 2 days of hiking and covered about 25 kms, still could only see goats on the other side of the valley, the 3rd morning up there the wind was blowing so bad I was sure my tent was going to break. So, I woke Brooklyn up at 6am to hike off that windy mountain and back to the lake. We took 3.5 hours to hike down. When we got there the lake was windy too so we made camp in the bushes a bit to block the wind. That went well. We put up a tarp too in case it rained, of the 11 days we were there it rained for 3 hours on the 7th night. Past that it was sunny with a few clouds some days. We watched goats over in Mt Edziza park for a while Wednesday after noon after hiking down, I have a pic of a herd of them numbering 15 walking over the ridge and into the valley behind, it's about 5 kms away so the were blurry dots in the pic but we watched them for an hour and they all walked over and disappeared on the horizon.
We stayed down at the lake the rest of the day Wednesday, just fished, and hung out. Same on Thursday. Brooklyn had some blisters to heal. But we had planned to go up 1 more time before we flew out of there. That was going to be a day trip on Friday.
Friday morning came around and we were up at 8am with a day bag packed, we brought everything we would need if we got a goat. We were making it happen, it was day 10 and the plane was picking us up the next morning. We broke the tree line in 2.5 hours as we did, I could see 6 goats on a ridge and 2 nannies with 2 kids on another farther one. So that’s 10 goats within 5 minutes of getting above the trees. I could feel It was the day.
We saw a goat down on the valley floor crossing to our side, we watched it for a bit and figured it was a Billy, it looked good. So, we headed back behind the bank we were on and ran over to cut it off so we could be waiting for it to pass. We got into position; I had assumed it would be passing by in a few minutes. Then I just look over and probably 20 yards away there is something white staring at me I say “Brooklyn don’t move, stay still” she freezes I grab my camera and take a few pics, then I realize omg why not get my rifle. It moved faster than I had though and it was already past us.
So as the goat backs out of view, I take to running with my rifle over the rock face to try and come down on it out of its sight. I get over the ridge and look left for it, I don't see it I look right and the goat is heading up a cliff face but stops to turn and look at me as soon as it stops, I lift my rifle and shoot as soon as the noise stops the Billy front legs lock up and he begins to roll. I’m so excited at this point, he was still moving and clearly alive. I was so worried about it running away when it stopped rolling, I shot it again, after removing the hide I could see both bullets went into the heart about 2” apart from each other. He just needed some time to bleed out a bit,
I yell to Brooklyn that I got one and he’s down. So, she comes running over the hill after a few minutes to see, then we realize all our gear was back where we first saw him so we hiked back to get it about 500m away as I needed my knife and game bags. Once we get down to him, I check to make sure he’s a Billy for %100 he was, I’ve never been so happy to see a set of nuts before haha
We get him all cleaned up and the meat, hide and head loaded in my bag to start the hike back down. We made it down the hill in 3 hours. All in all we had an 8-hour day from came to back to camp with a goat, then talking to the other hunters who camp back down without their sheep because one of their tents blew away with their sleeping gear. They informed us that they were flying out that night. So, then I message the pilot to see if he can send salt (as the bags of salt we found were a full day hike away) he inReaches back that he will bring a bag. When he gets there around 630pm he hands me a 44-pound bag of salt. Well, no worries about not having enough lol. We get the cape covered in salt and really rub it in.
That night Brooklyn and I just hung out and had a big campfire. We stayed up to 1am looking at the stars and recapping the hunt. On the morning of Saturday, the 20th we get all packed up for the pilot and then make a fire to cook some goat meat. As we are eating some the plane comes in, its 11am. We put out the fire and loaded the plane this time it was a different pilot, we had Brad fly us in and Shawn fly us out. He was awesome as was the first pilot. Once we got back to the car, we headed for Prince Gorge to stay the night then to Squamish to spend the next night and was home early Monday the 22nd
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
The whole trip spanned from Aug 7th to Aug 22. 10 nights in the bush and we caught more fish than I ever have before, fishing got boring due to how many we could catch. Over 100 a day all sized between 7-10” and a few that were 4-7” long. The biggest may have been 12” at most.
Nothing went wrong the whole trip, weather worked out perfectly every day of it, we slept well, had no issue with bears, fishing was awesome, we got ourselves a goat, spend lots of time together, and all in all it was my first fly in/out hunt, first time really above the tree line and mostly It was my first ever successful big game hunt, I also shot it with the first rifle I ever bought
Ohh and to top it off, this is missing from the story but when we first got there I sighted in a new rifle scope a Vortex diamondback 3-9x40 it was set at 2” high at 100 paces on my old Lee Enfield No1 made in 1911 sporterized by Parker Hale, I missed a shot on day 6 on a 4” maybe 5” Billy, (horns just longer than the ears), I missed by over 5 feet high and to the right. So, something was wrong. I took my scope and mount off the rifle and used it with the Iron sights. you will notice in the pics there is a scope on the rifle and then there isn't towards the end
This trip is huge in my life. It will remain a major part of it I’m sure
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Well this story isn't as great as my mountain goat story but it was still a good time.
It started raining in the morning so I wasn't doing much today and though I should go see if I can't find any mule deer bucks there are always tons of doe's around, I have access to a 330 acre property with about 50 acres of old fields. So Brooklyn and I set out in the rain looking for some deer in the fields, we are more into spot and stalk then still hunting. after being out for an hour or so see a nice sized tall racked 3x3 about 600 yards away. I was using my old sporter Lee Enfield 303 with irons sights on it (same rifle from the goat hunt) so I wanted the shot to be under 100 yards ideally.
We walked slowly through the field making our way over on the tree line over to about 200 yards away from where the deer was. When we get there we see 2 more doe's and a fawn but cant see the 3x3. we close the distance more and more thinking he may have just stepped into the woods. We get within 60 yards of the doe's and fawn and wait, as we watch these 3 deer for about 2 minutes and a little spike horn buck walks out at about 60 yards with the other deer. We waited maybe 5 more minutes and then we couldn't find the 3x3 so we figured let's get this little buck.
Just then I realize my rifle isn't loaded so as I load that as quietly as I can I don't end up using enough force to do it in one smooth motion so I'm fiddling with that and the little buck starts to walk away leaving the does and fawn. I get the rifle ready and aim at him waiting for a broadside shot but he just steadily walks away from me, so I make a little noise and he turns to see what's up. BANG, he jumps once and walks about 15' and lays down.
We stayed back and marked the area we were in and went for the Kubota side by side and dry clothes, it had stopped raining and we didn't have to walk though the field any more.
we got back to the deer and it was still where it was laying and for sure dead so we took these pics and started on field dressing it.
the bullet went in farther back then I had hoped, the deer was simi quartered away. The unlucky part is it went through the top of the stomach, the lucky part was the way the deer was standing. It went through its lungs too and into its other side's shoulder so it didn't go anywhere. You can see in the pic where the bullet entered.
so the meat inside the ribs is kind of gross due to the stomach opening up in the chest cavity and that made gutting it stink too lol. I washed it off with the hose and now it's hanging in my shed with the cavity held open with a stick. When the bullet went into the shoulder from the inside stomach stuff got in that meat, I washed it lots but it still looks different then the fresh meat. (I cut that spoiled meat out and followed the bullet path)
so that's my first ever deer, now I have 2 big game animals on my list. I think I want Mountain Sheep or Caribou for my 3rd
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e9d0b54d_h.jpg
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
I was looking at the bullet today and figured id post pics of it. it really came apart.
on the way in it broke 2 ribs, then passed through the stomach and 1 lung, then broke 3 more ribs as it went thought the other size of the rib cage and busted the shoulder bone into little fragments and stopped about an inch below on the hide of the opposite side I shot.
150gr Hornady .312" spire point traveling at 2500fps from about 50 yards.
it did weigh 150gr now it weights 80.2gr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...301265b6_h.jpg
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Thanks for the stories! Nice blacktail too! Congrats on raising her right.
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Very cool had seen the short version on another site, great to see your daughter out there experiencing the great outdoors.
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Now that was great ! Beautiful pictures ! Good to see your daughter out there with you !
Thanks for posting that up !
Arctic Lake
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Best write up on HBC. Well done Evanguy. Awesome trip for the both of you. :)
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
You’re on a role Evan!! I’m beyond stoked for you! To cool seeing you and your daughter learning the skills together, and doing so with the old gem of a rifle you’re using!! Hats off to you!! And a huge congrats!!
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Great storys!! Congratulations on your first animals.
kenny
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Fantastic write up and a great trip that the two of you will never forget. Congratulations on the deer and the goat along with a trophy memory that will last a lifetime.
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
That was fun. Memories forever. Well done
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Epic adventures you guys!! Connection to our environment, our food, our family values, that's raising kids right!! Paying homage to our countries battle rifle, the good ole 303 brit to boot! Wonderful write up, fabulous pictures, thank you!! I think that little lady may have earned herself some nice hiking boots for Christmas/birthday, or for just being dam tough!! Thanks again, Moosinaround
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Outstanding! Well done on all counts!
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Congratulations. Great story and beautiful photos.
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Congrats and awesome stories. Memories for a lifetime long after the meat is gone. I have the exact same rifle. My son has taken a couple deer with it.
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
epic adventures..
great write up
wonderfully documented photos..
tremendous father daughter bonding
steven
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
One of the best stories I’ve read on this site in a while. Super happy for you and your daughter getting to do that adventure together. Thanks for taking the time to share. Great photos and congrats on the goat.
I look forward to doing the same thing with my girls in a few years.
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Really nice, thanks for sharing!
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Awesome story and pictures, I hope to take my kids on an adventure like this someday. Is that tortilla Challah? Congrats.
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Great story, thank you for sharing.
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Thanks guys it was an unbelieve trip, words cant even describe it. I just moved to BC from NS a year and a half ago, Its because of a thread on CGN is why I'm even here with my wife and 4 kids. After seeing so many pics of mountain hunting there was no way I could live anywhere else, I had to go. Aug 14 2018 was when I realized I needed to be live here and on May 1 2021 I showed up with my family and stuff. so in less then 3 years I made it happen, I got a job here and quit my job of 16 years as a manual machinist and haven't looked back. moving here and that trip are high in my list of favorite things I've ever Done. still so excited about the trip, I got a photo book made with 200 of my favorite pics of the trip, I still look at it often.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
grantk
Awesome story and pictures, I hope to take my kids on an adventure like this someday. Is that tortilla Challah? Congrats.
haha yes it is!!!
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
And this is why Marc started the site. Fantastic journey. Thank you for taking the time to share with us!
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Hahah cool man first successful hunt a fly in.... and a Goat..... what a way to enter the Hunting world congrats buddy!
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Well done write up and pics, congrats on a awesome harvest on what sounds like a dream hunt, and with your daughter to boot, she will never forget that adventure...
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Great story and pics and good job on bringing your daughter along. I did a fly in last year with my family (kids were 5, 8 and 10) and it was hands down the best hunting experience I've ever had. Oh, and I left Nova Scotia for BC too.
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Re: Evanguy's first successful big game hunt
Great write-up!
Excellent pictures!!
And major KUDOS for bring your Young Gun up right!! https://www.tnof.ca/styles/default/x...s/Pozitive.gif
Impressive all round!
Congrats!
Cheers,
Nog