Huckleberry Bulls

[OutWest]

After going back and forth a bunch on whether to post this up or not I remembered why I'm on here. I love reading stories and looking at pictures from many members on here. I used to subscribe to the "nothing recent" attitude about posting and be much more secretive about where I hunted but I'm kind of passed that now.

I was planning on doing a longer write-up but I slapped some video of our WK Elk Trip together instead of making you guys listen to me go on and on. I will fill you in on a few details though.

After spending a few years taking Forestry at Selkirk in Castlegar, I got a spot fairly dialed in for elk in the WK. Our group spent some time in the summer scouting - hanging and checking cameras and putting some miles on the boots in preparation for September.

When the opener finally rolled around, the elk action was on. Myself and another from our group of 6 weren't able to get there until the afternoon of the 11th but we got filled in quickly on what was happening. This nice 7x7 we had on camera from a few weeks before had been missed clean inside 100 yards on opening morning. The shooter was a little bummed to say the least but the elk were bugling and hanging around so the mood was still positive.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=86dd31b877&view=att&th=140e1874b50f66a4&attid=0.1.2&disp=inline&safe=1&zw


To make a long story short, here's a few pictures of what happened over the course of a few days. We had our share of chances on several bulls and were close to connecting but you all know how that goes.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1399299_10151970175519847_1865221072_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1403594_10151970176134847_2002159398_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1399335_10151970179434847_1955901793_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/922414_10151970181599847_2139587394_o.jpg

Here's a rough video I slapped together. It's not the most polished but I think it will show what a great group of people I have to hunt with and call friends. Do yourself a favor and watch it in HD, it's a little grainy in 360p.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQlZEwXnrp8

[OutWest]

I should add that when I first arrived in the Kootenays, I was fortunate enough to get pointed in the right direction as to where to look for elk by a few guys on here. Not sure if they want their names posted up or not but I do owe them a big thanks for getting me started. Despite what many of the Kootenays guys think is right or wrong, I'm more than willing to point some guys in the right direction in the WK, just like I was. Pay it forward sort of thing.



After a couple trips to the WK, we decided to stick a little closer to home and try for Region 8 elk again. It didn't take long before we were into a herd with 2 legal bulls but I think that's best saved for another time.

[Clouddog]

Great story great pics. Congrats gentlemen!

[tinhorse]

Nice work putting in the time and effort pre season. Paid off big time. Those ones you missed this year will be back and ready for you next season. Nice job.

[coach]

Exceptional video, Nick! Congrats on a great season and thanks for sharing..

[Quesnel Kid]

Holy F#$K Ray he's huge. Hahah Classic. Gave me goose bumps. Nice work

[MB_Boy]

Awesome video AND bulls Nick! :mrgreen:

A great example of why 'home made' YouTube videos are better to watch than 90%+ of the stuff on WildTV. :cool:

[guywitha270]

Wow. That's all I can say.

[Whonnock Boy]

After going back and forth a bunch on whether to post this up or not I remembered why I'm on here. I love reading stories and looking at pictures from many members on here. I used to subscribe to the "nothing recent" attitude about posting and be much more secretive about where I hunted but I'm kind of passed that now.



Nice to see you've come around. :wink: Couple of beauty's there. Thanks for sharing.


After a couple trips to the WK, we decided to stick a little closer to home and try for Region 8 elk again. It didn't take long before we were into a herd with 2 legal bulls but I think that's best saved for another time.

Yeah, posting about Kootenay bulls is one thing, and posting about OK elk are quite another. It can be compared to the dilemma one faces when deciding whether to post about a spike fork harvest in the interior. :mrgreen:

[rides bike to work]

Very nice county your in there very nice bull very nice video

[Rackmastr]

Awesome stuff, congrats!

[325]

Excellent work! Nice bulls!

[Wrayzer]

Top notch Nick, awesome job.

The video was great, the way the #2 bull went down had a suspense factor with the shot and not being able to see the bull on cam but just hearing the commentary by you boys. Just fantastic.

[Whonnock Boy]

Just watched vid..... that was fantastic!

[kennyj]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing your elk season. Great bulls you guys took.
kenny

[Manglinmike]

wow that second bull is a cranker for sure and great video clip but when you post stuff on the web be carefull of the content,the cutting of the tag was a nice touch but it should never be cut after the fact I got I $hit for having blood on my hunting lic from the co ,turns out that I was supposed to cut the tag after the shot not after my hands got dirty.Im no 5 0 guy but I don't want to see anyone getting in crap for anything that can be avoided especially after all the hard work,anyway great elk and looking forward to the pics from next season

[CBH]

Congrats on the bulls and what appears to be ana amzing hunt with good buddies that you wont soon forget! I love the video and wish there were more like it. Thanks for taking the time to make it and post your story!

[Greg]

Nice bulls. Have to get ready for elk next year.

[Brew]

Thanks for sharing. Great video and two great bulls. Way to go

[Ourea]

Good for you guys Nick.

.........tip of the hat to you and your gang.

[OutWest]

Thanks for the positive feedback everyone. For the shooters, it was a first bull for both of them. Pretty rewarding experience being part of that for both. Here's a few more pics from the trip.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/859240_10151970170739847_1965725453_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/581056_10151970173454847_694197519_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1403521_10151970175164847_438108124_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/602127_10151970187469847_1319508758_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1381357_10151970198064847_1576615120_n.jpg

[Rattler]

Congrats on some great West Kootenay bulls. Thanks for sharing, it is posts like this that make this site enjoyable...

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Awesome vid Nick!! Loved it!

Keep on posting. As you said, that's why we're on here!

SSS

[mrc]

Absolutely awesome video and pictures!! This site needs more of this, congrats to your group!

[Hammerhead]

One of the best videos I've seen in a while. Those are a couple of beauty bulls for a couple of firsts and may be hard to top on a second. Congrats to your crew sounds like some pre season work went into it. Well done. Enjoyed it.
HH

[SPILTZ]

As I sit here in camp waiting to go home in 4 days, this story and vid was exactly what i needed to see to get me jacked up to go home and hunt some island deer......(if the wifey lets me) lol. Anyways thanks for sharing and great outcome!

[WKCotts]

Decent bulls. Nice work on the video. Thanx for sharing

[300H&H]

After a couple trips to the WK, we decided to stick a little closer to home and try for Region 8 elk again. It didn't take long before we were into a herd with 2 legal bulls but I think that's best saved for another time.

YUR a big tease.

[Fincat]

Thanks for share that hunt! Great video as it got my heart pumping with all the calling going on and the bull coming in for the shot,great job.
I took a 7X7 this year in about the same way. I was bugling and 2 answered, the 7X7 showed up first so he was my trophy at about 75 yards.
Thanks again.

[Gilmore]

Great bulls, great video...congrats!!

[yama49]

Awesome bulls, thx for sharing the story..

[LYKTOHUNT]

I very much enjoyed that video and story, looks like a great bunch of guys, I have been on a couple of elk hunts way back in the day not successful but we were young and did not know anything but it was fun anyways. Great job you guys.

[Sitkaspruce]

Great to see you post this video and picts up, thanks for sharing.

It's posts like this that keep me coming back to spend my time on HBC, it's what it's supposed to be all about.....Hunting.

Congrats to you and your crew.

Cheers

SS

[ydouask]

Very well done Nick and Co. Makes me want to get back to getting ready for next Sept. Of course, as you have pointed out, finding where they are is most important.

[Fella]

Great story thanks for posting!

[glen8221]

Awesome Bulls guys. Hard work and determination came together. Thanks for sharing.

[BiG Boar]

Great post! Thanks for the inspiration.

[Mik]

i too have been kinda reluctant to post pics and stories, but im glad im not the only one that feels that way, having said that, Congrats on both counts. The video and pics were amazing, thanks for sharing.

[kootenayslam]

Great bulls and great writeup/video, thanks for sharing!

[kootenayelkslayer]

Great hunt! Way to make the most of what the West Koots has to offer. Congrats.

[Iron Sighted]

That is cool, I knew I recognized the guy who shot that second cranker bull. I sat next to Ryan in 1st year electrical school, he is a good guy, glad he got such a nice first bull!! Congrats Nick, to you and your crew on a very successful trip, good work!!

[cas-has-cars]

Now this is what keeps us going out there, Great Work Guys. Well Done!

[cas-has-cars]

Hi Nick Your Message Box is full or I would have sent this there.
I was lucky enough to draw a Cow Elk for Dec 1-31 hunt 4-8c. I've never hunted for elk in this region before and was wondering if you can send me in the right direction.
One of my concerns is access in Dec.
Are the forestry Roads well maintained enough to get us into the bush? Which Forestry Road would offer us the best Odds of success this time of the year.
Not looking for your secret spot just some direction and advise.
Thanks in advance for any help you might offer.
Maybe I can help you one day if you get a Bison Tag as I've been on 3 successful trips and can not wait till one of my partners or myself draw it again.
Looks like you have a great bunch of guys to go hunting with, good on you and Happy Hunting
cas-has-cars

[Brez]

terrific bulls and video. Congrats Nick (and your buddies) and thanks for posting

[vanillagator]

Beauty. Great coloring. and that rack...... do I hear head mount?

[OutWest]

Beauty. Great coloring. and that rack...... do I hear head mount?

He considered it but ended up doing a Euro. Guess we know who wears the pants around that house!

[hunter1947]

Its nice to see hunter the likes of yourselves do your home work well before the GOS this hunt tells all on when you do preseason scouting the reward can be rewarding pictures and story tells all you and your hunting party earned these two bull elk ,,two very big bull elk thanks for sharing pictures story and video,,congrats to you and the whole hunting group..