Stress relief meat hunt

[swampthing]

Work stress was at a high. I had been unable to go on my usual august moose/elk hunt because of work. The freezer was looking slim and I needed a hunt. I had a chilcotin doe draw going bad in my pack so I called my boss and was able to take a couple late notice days off with a weekend.
I couldnt help but smile as I neared my hunting area. I stopped for a quick glass and quickly spotted deer and sheep.




http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/gang2013026_zpsbce33a73.jpg

[swampthing]

I continued on and got a comfy wall tent camp set up
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/bth_gang2013003_zps96e586d1.jpg

[swampthing]

I had a couple hours of daylight left so I headed out for a road hunt up a timbered ridge.I had brought 2 rifles on this trip and chose to prop up my marlin sbl guide gun in the seat next to me. I was a half hour up the road when I spotted a small buck and 3 does moving off through the timber. I backed the truck up 300 yards and quietly slipped into the timber to intercept them. Within minutes I had the peep site on the 2 point. I couldnt see the does until the buck moved off. As the does followed the buck I took aim on the smallest/tastiest looking one and touched off a shot as she passed through an opening in the trees. She staggered a few yards and collapsed. I felt bad for the little deer for a minute but that quickly passed. I had brought no meat on this trip with plans of having to shoot my meat. Tonite I would have tenderloin. I normally bone out my meat but as I was enjoying myself and wanted to get back to hunting I opened her up, which would be quicker. Within 40 minutes I had her hanging in a tree next to the road with the hide peeled back. I hung a piece of flagging around her so I could easily spot her on my way back to pick her up.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/bth_gang2013004_zps7b329a88.jpg

[nature girl]

This sounds like it may be a good story.

[swampthing]

15 minutes up the road I spotted another small buck 100 yards off in the timber. Using no tact at all I hopped out of the truck and dropped to a sitting position, taking aim. I grinned as I dropped the hammer on an empty chamber. I needed a little more adventure than that before I wanted to take another deer. Before I could get back in my truck another truck drove up with 2 young hunters in it. They threw the old saying at me "had any luck". I said "yes, I got 2". They looked confused as they glanced into the back of my truck, seeing nothing. I got back to camp shortly after dark with a few more doe sightings under my belt. A belly full of venison, rum and a bedtime hunting storey provided the setting for a good sleep.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/bth_gang2013027_zps99eaed97.jpg

[swampthing]

The next moring found me headlamping out of camp an hour before daylight, headed for the open country. First light found me propped up against an old fir tree with a commanding view of miles of country. It was -4C with a beautiful chilcotin sunrise in the making. It was a great day to be a deer hunter. I spotted does spread out across the countryside and continued on for a distant ridge I always wanted to hunt.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/bth_gang2013007_zps330ecb10.jpg

[swampthing]

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/gang2013008_zps8be16042.jpg

[swampthing]

8 hours and 15 km later I hobbled back into camp. I had seen about 35 deer including 2 small bucks. I had the 257 weatherby ultralight point at one of the small bucks but the work to carry him back was a bit much for the reward. It was a great day of the adventure I was looking for. I couldnt help but smile as I did my camp chores.
Late afternoon found me heading out for a leisurely road hunt with my guide gun once again riding shotgun. Only 500 yards up the timbered ridge I spotted a buck. A quick squint through the steiners showed a one antlered deer . I couldnt make out points but he looked decent so I decided to take him. By the time I was out of the truck and had a 350 grain cast bullet chambered he was stotting off. I swung with him and touched one off. He disappeared. "On the ground" I thought to myself. As I approached he once again stotted off from his unseen location. Once again I missed the one horned 4 point . A quick search turned up no signs of a hit. My confidence in my big marlin was shaken so I cased it up and replaced it next to me with my weatherby. Just before dark I found a small ridge to go for a walk on. I was almost back to my truck when I spotted several deer moving off 100 yards away. The bare eye showed a buck worthy of a bullet. I had to take an offhand shot as he walked through an opening. He took off running showing no signs of a hit. I cursed my piss poor shooting ability that evening. I only followed 100 yards before I saw him bedded in obvious distress. A second 100 grain ttsx finished him. Adrenalin was high as I walked up to a fat 3 point. A perfect meat buck!
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/gang2013015_zpsad8aa7a5.jpg

[swampthing]

I sat for awhile and reflected on my day. The buck was only a short drag to the road but was too heavy for me to lift. I remembered the pulley in my drybox and managed the buck into my truck, whole. I wanted to take him back to camp to bone out by a warm fire.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/gang2013020_zpse9d65728.jpg

[Wrj]

That's a good few days right there!!! Congrats

[swampthing]

It was 9pm before I had him in pieces and had finished another venison campfire supper. I felt no stress whatsoever as poured heavily from a bottle, enjoying the widerness and my warm fire.

[The Dawg]

Wicked day Bob! Wish I could have been there!

[Above the Treeline]

Great write up and pics! Congrats and thanks!

[BimmerBob]

Nice story and pics, congrats and thanks for sharing your hunting success with us!

[Caveman]

Nice job Bob. Saving the other tag for region 3 I'm guessing ;)

[Rackem]

Neat story, congratulations!

[smeegle]

is this region 5-14 you were hunting? looks a lot like the area i just got back from!

[swampthing]

Nice job Bob. Saving the other tag for region 3 I'm guessing ;)

Will be in loops the 3rd week of November for the trophy hunt.

[Hillbros_96]

Sounds like a Great de-stressor!!!

[kennyj]

Great story and photos. Nice deer too.
kenny

[nature girl]

Bob, that sounded like a great way to loose some stress. Get some meat for the table and just being out in the great outdoors. Way to go.

[ElectricDyck]

Yeah nice weekend for sure!

[EvanG]

good to see a few young rams. love that country

[Gateholio]

Great story. Gotta love a nice simple meat hunt that is just downright enjoyable :)

[dougan]

Awsome story way to go

[Deeboe]

Bob, your stories always keep me on the edge of my seat lol.... Looks like a worthwhile trip. I'll be making a solid attempt to join you guys in November, even for just a few days. I've got a 3-13 doe tag for November that I plan on filling. I'm in the same boat--empty freezer...

[Philcott]

I also find a few days away for a hunt to be a good stress reliever. Looks like a couple deer and some fine rum did the trick for you.

I love the Cariboo in the fall.

[smoothbor]

good work brother i sure miss hunting those hills up there with you used to have a lot of fun back in the day with all the guys maybe next year we can get together again and pound the hills again i think it would be a great hunt for the kids. i look forward to tipping a nfew back in kamloops its not far off now, sounds like its gonna be a busy camp again lol see you then bob

[ElliotMoose]

Right on, sounds like an awesome adventure! Good eats too!