SS's adventures 2015

[Sitkaspruce]

I t has been a very busy spring/summer this year, not as much time get out and do some scouting and checking cams/

I have 7 out this year and so far....it has been slim pickings for bucks and bulls. I will update the trail cams later, once I go through all the picts/videos. One positive was all the moose and elk calves seen, lots of cows had calves right up to a week ago, Also lots and lots of twin fawns, especially whitetails and was nice to see quite a few calves and fawns survive the winter.

A few of the guess that did show up

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/2015%20Game%20Camera/EK000291_zpsnazteean.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/2015%20Game%20Camera/EK000291_zpsnazteean.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/2015%20Game%20Camera/EK000770_zpsnvvatoij.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/2015%20Game%20Camera/EK000770_zpsnvvatoij.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/2015%20Game%20Camera/EK000700_zpsziyq8wlh.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/2015%20Game%20Camera/EK000700_zpsziyq8wlh.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/2015%20Game%20Camera/EK000522_zpsmuqwlaht.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/2015%20Game%20Camera/EK000522_zpsmuqwlaht.jpg.html)

This is the guy I would like to run into

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/2014%20game%20camera/PICT0127_zpsd7eebde2.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/2014%20game%20camera/PICT0127_zpsd7eebde2.jpg.html)

For the first time, I headed out to chase moose in August. Weird getting up really early and not going fishing.....anyways, it was a no go for moose in the early season. Saw a couple cows and calves, but no bulls. Not sure if I am sold on that August moose hunt.

More coming

Cheers

SS

[Salty]

Woah.. tank alert! Thanks for the thread Ken will be watching this as usual ;)

10-4 on the August moose hunt my first this year too and far from a gimme. Fresh sign most days but couldn't find one in the sign to save my soul. Light at 9:30pm, hot with clouds of yellow jackets around all day?? Yep, weird.

Awesome to hear of all the fawns and calves you're seeing this year :cool:

[Sitkaspruce]

So Sept rolls around and so does elk season. Been shooting the bow and really looking forward to the season. The first week was slow and quiet, a few calls the first few days of the month, then nothing. I was busy most weekends, but managing to get out a few mornings or evenings. The usual spots were not showing any sign of active elk, so I decided to try something different; hang a tree stand way back in one of my licks off the beaten path. Got the stand up and ever thing settled in and sat and called, sat and was quiet, sat and called and was quiet......but to no avail. After 4 times in the stand and nothing interested was showing up, I had to try something else. So I went back to what works for me.

Yesterday was going to be my last kick at the cat for elk this year. Moose camp next week, two weeks in Oct with family, then off to Mexico and then it is deer season. On Friday night the wife asked if I was going to head out as they were calling for warmer temps and high winds; 50 k gusting to 70k. Can't kill and elk sitting on the couch.....

As I was loading the truck, I decided to grab the gun and I am not the best shot with a bow and the wind will not help me. It was frosty and just a slight breeze when I hit the elk spot. I decided to change tact as well and walk a grown up cut line instead of the usual trails that cross the land. An hour in and about 150y down the cut line, I came across this

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMG_20150926_072140_zpsbylr6uco.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMG_20150926_072140_zpsbylr6uco.jpg.html)

30m along the cut was another, so maybe the elk would now become second fiddle, as there was an active bull moose working the area. So I switched from cow elk to cow moose bawls and started sneaking along the trail, calling and waiting. In the next hour and 100m I came across three more rut pits, but no answers, although the wind was now blowing pretty good and leaves were coming down like snow. Around 9 and about 500m down the trail, I switched back to cow elk chirps. After standing and listening and took a few steps when I saw movement out of the corner of my eye; a tan shape was ghosting through the aspens at about a 45 deg. angle to me. I could not see what it was, but since cow/calves and 3 pt bulls were open, I brought the gun up and waited. When it came into a small opening I chirped and it stopped, showing me an ear, eye and lung area. A quick look showed me branched antlers and the crosshairs dropped down and a shot broke the silence. The elk immediately turned 180 and stood there, did a couple slight staggers then locked up. I had no shot as it was to thick to hit anything vital. The he started walking like nothing was wrong. When he hit the next small opening he stopped, showing me his head neck; again a shot broke the silence and the bull dropped. I stood still and waited; my dog was excited and knew what was up. About 20 sec later, a few more elk appeared and vanished as quick as they showed up. I waited 5 min and slowly walked over.....

As he lay

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1145_zps9zifoeg7.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1145_zps9zifoeg7.jpg.html)

The dog came over to check him out, so I made her sit. She does not like her picture being taken.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMG_20150926_084713_zpstbab3qlr.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMG_20150926_084713_zpstbab3qlr.jpg.html)

A unique bull with a solid 5 on one side and a damaged 2 pt on the other. Bull would not have grown much more than that as his pedicle was damaged.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1153_zps4lmteyln.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1153_zps4lmteyln.jpg.html)

TBC

Cheers

SS

[Salty]

Nice! .

[Sitkaspruce]

Crappy field picts as I forgot my mini tripod.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1149_zpsczw1dpu6.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1149_zpsczw1dpu6.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1151_zps0tfkasr5.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1151_zps0tfkasr5.jpg.html)

Sent a text to the geriatric posse for help and got started on getting the bull ready for a trip out of the bush.

Using the gutless method, I had the bull ready by the time the boys showed up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1159_zpspjmxugor.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1159_zpspjmxugor.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1157_zpsqyxxczpl.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1157_zpsqyxxczpl.jpg.html)

It was about a 1.5 km pack out, so they brought the game cart. It was a Sasquatch game cart and since I have never used a game cart before, I was a little skeptical......after cutting a few blow down out of the way, we were at the elk.

That game cart was the cats ass for this work. We loaded the whole elk, minus the 50 lbs. of trim I packed out, on that damn cart. I was sold!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Sitkaspruce/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1158_zpsblfxcsln.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Sitkaspruce/media/Hunt%20fish%202015/IMGP1158_zpsblfxcsln.jpg.html)

We got home and the elk quarters hung by 4. Great day and fun times!!!

And the best thing, I was home in time for the DU dinner and the wife was happy!!!

Now onto moose camp!!!

Cheers

SS

[adriaticum]

Very nice SS!

[epicZERO74]

Very nice! Congrats!

[Ourea]

Great posts SS... as always.
And yes, that pedestal was f*ked long term.

Love character on any animal over the norm.
Would be a very interesting Euro.

Congrats.

[srupp]

Well done Ken...brilliant..the photos were exceptional.
Congrads Bro.
Steven

Still like your hunting partner

[Rattler]

Nice work Ken! Think I'm going to invest in a game cart myself...

Thanks for sharing and looking forward to reading your moose adventures.

[ruger#1]

Nice pics and story. That cart looks good. You could also carry firewood with it.

[Wrayzer]

Right on! Nice work SS. Unique bull

[todbartell]

right on congrats! good luck moose hunting

[ElliotMoose]

Nice!! That one bull on your cam looks like a beaut. Thanks for posting

[rab89]

looks great! I've never seen a game cart, looks like a great tool to keep in the truck. I might build one of those!

congrats on a great animal!

[rocksteady]

Good Job Sitka...

Very unique rack, that's for sure...

[Seeker]

Great job SS. I enjoy your threads, keep em coming. Good luck in the rest of your season.

[HarryToolips]

Way to go, very unique bull elk, congrats!

[Angus]

Great job Ken! And a nice recap of the day as well.

Cheers,
Terry

[MB_Boy]

Nice job Ken!

[coach]

Great start to the season, SS! Congrats on a very unique bull. Best wishes for the remainder of the season. I look forward to following along!

[nazarow]

Cool bull. Thanks for sharing the story.

[Xenomorph]

Echoing the chart comments, it's the cat's meow, awesome bull too, I'd do a euro, that damaged pedicle deserves a mount :))

[codcheek]

Congrats SS.........guess who?