A young bucks amazing northern adventure for carabou

[Walkingwithbous]

Well here goes my first post to hbc, I have sweeped the site the past year and my interest in the north grew and grew,the more I read of sheep and carabou. I'm 20 years old and being laid off from a drilling rig I took advantage of the opportunity to drive to the border of the Yukon by myself and begin my 5 week solo hunting journey.. If you mountain hunters care to hear the story of a virgin northern hunter breaking the seal here we go. (PS how do you share pictures on here)

[Walkingwithbous]

Well to start off a little history about myself, I grew up hunting whitetail with my old man and that was about it. Mountain hunting was all but TV shows and stories too me. That is until I got a job as a green hunting guide in the kootnays, where I fell in love with mountain goats and elk. My inner fire for mountain hunting was hot from here on out. Being a guide I spent top dollar on equipment, full sitka line up, Zeiss lazer range finding binos, mystery ranch pack and the rest.

[MB_Boy]

Looking foward. Uploading pics to Photobucket.com is the easiest and then copy the IMG code and paste into the text box where you are typing.

[Walkingwithbous]

Alright I'll be doing so shortly then!

[Walkingwithbous]

I had zero knowledge of the north about 3 weeks before my adventure initially began..so I visited a guiding buddy in the koots and his dad gave me coordinates to a trail.... Next was study every single sheep and carabou thread I could find. I guided mountain goats and do not find them particularly difficult to chase, the others I had never seen before..

[Whonnock Boy]

To post pics on HBC:

1- sign up for a free account at www.photobucket.com (http://www.photobucket.com/)
2- upload your pics to your album on photobucket
3- click on the pic you want to post on hbc
4- copy and paste the IMG code (bottom of 4 choices) into your thread on HBC
5- thank the Coach

[Walkingwithbous]

I brought enough food with me to stay 20 days in the back country

[Walkingwithbous]

So when I left my house my pack weighed in at 80 pounds without water.. With no training and a spontaneous GOS season ahead of me, my 150pound body was in for a real treat this season...

[Walkingwithbous]

http://rs666.pbsrc.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012784961426_zps4fxulqd4.jpeg?w=480&h=480&fit=clip here's the first carabou I'd ever seen in person by muncho lake

[Walkingwithbous]

Also a big beautiful grizz who stood 15 yards beside me for a half hour. http://rs666.pbsrc.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012786241426_zpsgdcgb8vi.jpeg?w=480&h=480&fit=clip

[MB_Boy]

Psssst....use the IMG code...4th one down on the right side of the screen on Photobucket. ;)

IMG will have that grizzly looking like this in your thread.


http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012786241426_zpsgdcgb8vi.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012786241426_zpsgdcgb8vi.jpeg.html)

[Walkingwithbous]

3 days of driving later and I was at the GPS coordinates for my off the highway adventure http://rs666.pbsrc.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012787366426_zps6bijqsfj.jpeg?w=480&h=480&fit=clip

[Walkingwithbous]

Sorry folks on my phone learning how to post photos properly:sad:

[Dash]

Great photos! Can't wait to hear the rest.

[Good Old Outdoors]

Great caribou and congrats!

[swampthing]

Spontaneous hunts are fun. When work gives me a break last minute Im off!! Solo hunts are very fulfilling. Doing things exactly how you want when you want is nice. Great bou you got.

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

ya keep it going . you have peaked my interest ..

[Walkingwithbous]

alright finally home from work so I have a labtop to do this properly... http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012787366426_zps6bijqsfj.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012787366426_zps6bijqsfj.jpeg.html) I hiked 8 hours up from the highway on a very muddy wet trail

[Walkingwithbous]

Here is my first glimpse of gods country... I was speechless and in heaven... little did I realize I had a group of sheep eyeing me up from the top left...newbie mistake! http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012788446426_zpsnca3z2sb.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012788446426_zpsnca3z2sb.jpeg.html)

[Walkingwithbous]

now I'm around day three and feel like I'm doing something wrong because I haven't seen any animals yet? I glass constantly like others do on a sheep hunt... now this picture here is where the sheep were laying watching me climb up the drainage. Well can't cry over spilt milk right! id never actually seen a sheep before so had a bit of trouble spotting them amoung the rocks.. http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012789581426_zpsvxoiyip6.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012789581426_zpsvxoiyip6.jpeg.html)

[Pinewood]

Great thread so far.

[Walkingwithbous]

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012789576426_zpshlkz46hd.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012789576426_zpshlkz46hd.jpeg.html) here is where I make camp for day 4. Holy smokes was it ever windy!!! rain and hurricane winds all night long! I filled my tent with rocks as to avoid losing it... had to sleep with ear plugs at this point, the grizz would have snuck up on me either way now if he wanted too

[Walkingwithbous]

pay attention to the peak in the far right of that last image... there was a little white dot in my spotting scope that evening....WAIT WHAT an actual live animal? Yes! a goat! that's how I was feeling... the constant weather changes and being alone and only finding old tracks was beginning to weigh on my newbie head already, but I had a goat tag aswell which now I was determined I would fill.

[Walkingwithbous]

heres the pathway the elusive sheep took to escape the lonely hunter on his climb to camp... http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012789586426_zps8gnpbf6i.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012789586426_zps8gnpbf6i.jpeg.html)

[Walkingwithbous]

so from here I decided to take the couple mile hike across to where I had spotted the goat.. which was absolutely miserable. A huge ravine overgrown with little tightly knit scrub trees gave me quite a few scratches on my rifle and a hell of a lot of swearing... but I make it through! finally grassy slopes once again! Here is when discover my first of many ptarmigan friends. They sure are weird birds..

[Walkingwithbous]

finally I reach the adjacent hill from my goat mountain, and Spotted a nice billy high on the cliffs on the left of the peak. I came up over a snow covered landing and kind of ignored the old caribou tracks I was walking in.. lots of them...but that didn't matter or mean anything at the time. Goats were in eyesight so they became the hitlist.

[Walkingwithbous]

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012789596426_zpsgzmieaik.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012789596426_zpsgzmieaik.jpeg.html)
heres the picture from the last paragraph..

[Walkingwithbous]

I cross the drainage and beautiful lake down below camp and find an unnerving amount of grizzly sign 300 yards from camp... so by mid morning I dropped my pack and headed up the cliffs with only my binos, gps and my trusty Kimber Mountain ascent in 30-06 (What I believe to be the most practical cartridge and rifle ever made) I stalked the first goat up too 60 yards...She was huge! certain she was 11inches .. but SHE that was the issue. We played peek a boo for over an hour among the rocks until she was fed up with my games and walked around the cliffs. Wish I had good pictures but I was lost in the moment. So from here I went to where my billy was...a very nerve wracking cliff separated us. Now being a young buck with no old wise hunter to guide me on what is or is not a good idea, I felt invincible. so I took a deep breath and began my 90 degree climb across the rock wall. my goat lay on a ledge above a shale slide.

[Walkingwithbous]

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012789616426_zpso7ed3sgu.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012789616426_zpso7ed3sgu.jpeg.html) here is a picture of my decent to the goat. I was almost feeling nauseous because it got much steeper than this below.. I had my camera put away for the rest for safety reasons, one slip and I was gone, with no contact to the outside world. I came to a ledge and wondered where my goat lay. I was literally laying down over the edge when I spotted him sleeping directly below me! only 40 yards on the range finder and he didn't even hear me sliding down the cliffs. Here's where disappointment soaked in. From across the valley the ledge looked doable to pack him down, but as I discovered on my unnerving decent was that my goat lay on a ledge above a 300 yard free fall. I lay there with my rifle clenched in my hands...me completely upside down over the cliff, I figured I could take him right in the spine? I was right above him after all, hell I could have pushed a big rock over and surely got him. But my words of my father echoed in my head "if you are unsure don't shoot, Confidence is key to a clean kill" I didn't come this far to have A) the goat tumble and be lost or B) me tumble and have my adventures cut short before they began. I dropped some gravel beside him and he looked up. I waved goodbye to my chance for the day. Back to camp a 4 hour hike in the night

[ydouask]

So, there I was thinking ...he can do it ! :shock:

[ydouask]

:oops: Oops ! Guess I should mention that I once got a helicopter ride out of a spot like that. Shooting the Goat was the easy part which I realized after a bad fall. Good to see that you used better judgment than this first time Goat hunter did Thirty-three years ago !

[Walkingwithbous]

Yikes, yes it seems when goat hunting things can go from fun to life and death very quickly. Its easier to get up than it is to get down after all.

[Walkingwithbous]

So the next day I "claim" as a write off. My body is aching and tired and I hiked back late and got little sleep dreaming of my goat that was never meant to be. But as hunting trips go..the unexpected arrives when your not ready for it that's for sure. ( I will cut off for a second and explain my hunting dreams.. Since I was a young boy hunting with my dad I always wanted to go for 4 big game animals more than any other. My big 4 were The majestic Red Stag, a big Bull Elk, a monarch moose and , my favorite animal the Nomadic Carabou bull...) little did I realize on my "day off" mother nature had set out a gift for me to go after...

[srupp]

Well done..keep it going....
Steven

[Walkingwithbous]

So there I lay in my underwear in my tent unzipped enjoying the sunrise while reading "Into the wild" (if you haven't read it you probably should) My camp was surrounded in brush so I figured nothing could sneak up on me here (grizz). I lay there lost in my book which was right infront of my face. I was turning the page when I was interrupted.. not by sound or sight but a hair raising feeling. Was my grizzly coming to flatten me? ( my fear being alone in the back country with grizz was conquered on this hunt). I dropped my book and as I did a big furry face entered the door of my tent!!! me and the creature both spooked something aweful!

[Walkingwithbous]

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012791196426_zpslb5978we.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012791196426_zpslb5978we.jpeg.html) My first sight of an animal of my dreams wasn't quite as romantic as I imagined... instead it came to be as a young caribou bull poked his head into my tent as I flipped %^&* in my underwear thinking a grizz had just got to me!!! a second later I was grinning ear to ear as my friend took off grunting back to his ladies 10 yards behind my tent. This was hilarious as I'm sure your picturing. The 3 wandering bou danced around my tent for 15 minutes as if my tent was right on top of something they buried? why wouldn't they take off? The bull was young and there was clearly no others in sight? perhaps they should have just ran the other way so i could continue to be lazy and eat chocolate bars? No there was a bigger idea behind it all. I finally realized why they were so disturbed.. My tent was smack dab in the middle of their migration trail! I had been foolish and ignored the old tracks from the beginning, those bou were either stupid or stubborn because no other route would do.

[charlie_horse]

Awesome thread and awesome hunt!

[ditch donkey]

props to you for doing this solo bud. this is a good read for my drive home

[Walkingwithbous]

Now I forgot to mention I smashed my tripod on my goat expedition in a fall. So my spotting scope was difficult to say the least at this point. But a new bit of life filled my bones and I started scanning the horizon. My eyes now seen the faint migration trail of the caribou so that's where I focused my eyes. At first I glanced past it, then once more and something didn't add up. there was no big trees by the lake, that stump is far too big, why only branches on one side..? HOLY #$% that's a bull! the bull I dreamed of everynight that year!. He was off the edge of the small trees in a creek bed below the lake heading uphill, he was heading into what I called the fish bowl. The C shaped basin had only one escape route.. I couldn't believe my luck. Only a mile away lie my prize. But wait! He needs 5 points.. frick my tripods broken, So I lay my spotting scope on my pack and went 60Xs and there was my 5th point!!! my heart now beating an insane amount I stopped myself and focused. Never before had I gone into this state, tunnel vision I emptied my pack only brought 2 knives my rifle extra nosler 150grain partitions, binos, and a light sitka get up. I forgot my rain gear and gaters at camp. Well I started off running and I mean running! This was MY bou, sent for me! no way would this set up fail.. Don't ask me how I didn't break my leg running down that brushy 80 degree slope, but I didn't stop until I reached the rock ledges below the lake http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012789616426_zpso7ed3sgu.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012789616426_zpso7ed3sgu.jpeg.html) (I first spotted him in the far left corner of this picture where you see the creek and trees)

[Foxtail]

Type faster lol. Great read!

[Walkingwithbous]

Now I caught my breath in a big rockpile and dropped all my gear aside from my rifle and my ziess victory range finder binos. My body felt numb, it was raining now. I crept over the hill and a patchy wall of juniper (I think that's the type of tree?) blocked my vision of where he might be. so on my hands and knees was acceptable he shouldn't see me. I was sure glad that my sitka pants had foam knee pads because that northern shale ground is like broken glass. I crept slowly closer to the trees I figured he was just beyond..

[Walkingwithbous]

Here came the rain, soaking my clothes, But I was engulfed in a new feeling I had never felt before and couldn't compare it too anything else. I felt as if I had become a wolf, on all fours my only thought was my prey, I felt no water on my neck, I literally had tunnel vision! Coolest feeling ive ever had. back to the hunt.. So there I was and crept through the juniper. THERE HE IS, my first sight of this beautiful animal was from 400 yards away. He was feeding fairly quickly towards the backside of the mountain bowl. I have shot many pop cans at 400 yards but never an animal more than 200 yards ( my set up is a Kimber mountain ascent in 30-06 with a Swarovski z5 3.5-18-44 scope with ballistic turret and I have a chart on my rifle) Do I shoot or do I somehow get closer although the only route is wide open with only 4 inch grass for cover... what do you guys think I did???

[HarryToolips]

You got nads doin it solo, congrats and great pics!

[Walkingwithbous]

Well I had the eye of the wolf so a 400 yard shot would simply be too easy, Had about 100 chances to shoot him broad side at 400 - 200 yards but I had different things in mind. My dream animal would be slain eye to eye. I would give him the fairest chance. So here I took the risk and at a snails pace dragged my body across the muddy lakeshore tailing my bou. My body was plastered to the ground as to hide my shape as best I could.. it was wide open for a 1000 yards at this point, with just a few tiny hills. I watched him so patiently and when his head would turn I would shuffle like a navy seal on a black ops mission. When he faced my direction I laid my head down and waited for him to eat his way around. Over an hour and a half of this had passed and he was going faster than I could creep up on him. I mean try sneaking up on someone in a the middle of a foot ball field without being seen?

[Walkingwithbous]

He disappeared behind a single big boulder and I noticed a trail going over the mountain in the distance.. if he got to that trail and escaped it would be a failure. I took advantage of not being able to see him and hurried my way to the boulder he disappeared behind. My heart pumping and my face steaming, this was it. He would be behind this boulder and my trophy would be down!!!!

[Walkingwithbous]

I crept over the tiny hill and mentally was so ready for him, then.........GONE where the hell did he go!? I'm in a wide open landscape and he only went over the hill 5 minutes before!!! For a second I lay there devastated looking over an empty boulder field, I stood up to scan the horizon. In a split second I realized my mistake. My heart nearly exploded at this point. Excitement to disappointment to excitement might have killed a fellow with heart disease that's for sure..

[Walkingwithbous]

He was only 30 yards from me laying like a boulder chewing his regurgitated leaves and staring at me with complete mystery in his eyes. This is what I had come for. This moment where he and I locked eyes, Everything went slow motion, his breath steamed from his nose, he looked at me as if to say it was time. I lay down one last time and he took three majestic last jumps as if to show me how magnificent he really was. Boom. My monarchs reign was over. Quickly I put one more into his chest just to be sure. I stood there in silence for a long time. The animal I respected so highly was dead. The fastest death of any animal I have slain. I felt so pure as a hunter in that moment... I made the perfect stalk, the perfect shot, the perfect location!!! Honestly, that hunt changed my life and view on how to take an animal. It was a very mysterious afternoon, I did not feel alone out there, although I was 6 days into the back country on foot.

[Walkingwithbous]

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150828_165924_zpsevrmrsnu.jpg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150828_165924_zpsevrmrsnu.jpg.html) Here is the bullet I pulled out of the bou

[Seeker]

great thread! I am truly envious. Thanks for taking the time to share. It helps us get through this painfully boring time of year.

[Walkingwithbous]

my view as I walked up to him http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012791191426_zpsowv2ztor.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012791191426_zpsowv2ztor.jpeg.html)

[Walkingwithbous]

My Monarch of the Cassiars on his deathbed http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012791211426_zpsiweaw0sa.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012791211426_zpsiweaw0sa.jpeg.html)

[Walkingwithbous]

Can you tell I was in ecstasy ? http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012791236426_zpsrdpi1ocw.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012791236426_zpsrdpi1ocw.jpeg.html)

[Jerlynn]

Awesome! I can appreciate the first time hunt and you were much more successful than me!

Love the caribou.

[Walkingwithbous]

Thanks to all for reading, retelling the tail has brought back that awesome feeling. I might have to go stare at those antlers for a little while

[Walkingwithbous]

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012791226426_zpsdkheyxpw.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012791226426_zpsdkheyxpw.jpeg.html)

[375shooter]

That was quite the adventure. Breathtaking country. Congratulations. You did a good job!

[Walkingwithbous]

Now as I type this story I'm eating caribou cheddar filled smokies! and hell yeah they are awesome! don't mind the lack of buns i just got home from work tonight lol http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160114_210607_zpsslj8ogen.jpg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160114_210607_zpsslj8ogen.jpg.html)

[Walkingwithbous]

Now I just thought I'd throw this out there. I am planning on taking the entire hunting season off again this year. If anyone seriously would like to tackle some sheep I am looking for a partner. I grew up in a town of road hunters so solo is my only route for the time being.

[ryanb]

Great story, beautiful pictures, awesome caribou. Thanks for sharing... Love to see others' adventures.

[Walkingwithbous]

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012798411426_zpsbccmtc5q.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012798411426_zpsbccmtc5q.jpeg.html) also got my first pike this year! small but another species down ;) http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012795061426_zps9bfmikyd.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012795061426_zps9bfmikyd.jpeg.html)

[Walkingwithbous]

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012798431426_zpshznewgqf.jpeg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/received_10153012798431426_zpshznewgqf.jpeg.html)

[Walkingwithbous]

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/download_20150919_201402_zpsni6fmzk4.jpg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/download_20150919_201402_zpsni6fmzk4.jpg.html) http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/joseph_stephens1/Mobile%20Uploads/download_20150919_201358_zpsg4e6eum2.jpg (http://s666.photobucket.com/user/joseph_stephens1/media/Mobile%20Uploads/download_20150919_201358_zpsg4e6eum2.jpg.html)


I also took my first elk this year right after my caribou hunt! then my first sitka blacktail on haida gwaii! but those are tales for a different post haha

[Kopper]

Those falls on post 60 are sure familiar, not a secret by any means. Congrats on the bou and good on ya for doing that solo.

I also take the hunting season off, well the majority of it. Gotta enjoy that shit while you're young and before bills/commitments get too big!

[Buck]

Great adventure and many more to come.Congrats and thanks for sharing

[MB_Boy]

Nice caribou.

How was the pack out?? ;-)

[Backwoods]

Awesome pictures and adventure man!!! Thanx for sharing!! Congratz

[ace76]

Great story! some nice bulls , job well done bud!

[kennyj]

Congratulations on your first caribou! He's a beauty. Thanks for sharing your adventure. I really enjoyed your story and photos.
kenny

[bang flop]

Right on. Great write up! Beauty animals. Congrats doing all on your own as well.
Tell us about de-boning/caping your Bou and the pack out.

[SR80]

Great story, congrats. How was packing that caribou out solo!?!

[Walkingwithbous]

Alright too the pack out now... Probably the most difficult thing I have ever had to do! So the bou was down and I began to go to work, I started with caping him, and deboning the front quarters. The amount of meat was intimidating to say the least... Also to add to my trouble he was in full velvet and his antlers must have weighed 30 pounds all to themselves (or so I thought?)

[Walkingwithbous]

A few hours later it was mid afternoon and I had my pack loaded up to the brim with meat. If any of you have ever used a mystery ranch 7500 you know how big they are. Here's where misery kicked in. My pack weighed an insane amount and it took some special technique just to get to my feet. I forgot to mention I brought hiking poles ( bamboo ski poles from the 70s) not exactly ideal in the strength department. So once I got to my feet I was weasing and grunting already. now I fleshed the skull and all but left the velvet on, it looked awesome (at the beginning of the packout any ways) so from here camp was straight up hill. Probably the worst hill in my existence. Every inch was covered in 8" high brush and junipers. I tripped and fell, and yelled and swore and asked God why he hated me oh so much. It was insanely difficult to get to the top of this mountain to camp

[Walkingwithbous]

So I couldn't tell you how long it took me to get to camp, but I was only taking 10 to 15 yard stretches before I'd collapse. Finally I dropped my pack and rack outside my tent and fell asleep without eating or drinking. I woke up early to an eerie feeling and I kept hearing movement out side my tent. The sun was shining on this door so what ever it was would cast a shadow on the door... Well if you have ever heard a ptarmigans weird grunting and groaning you'd realize what it was. But I hadn't yet, I was on guard until the shadows of about 5 ptarmigan were about a foot from my tent, I enjoyed there company for awhile then got up. They were eating oatmeal I spilled a few days prior. Now back to reality I began to pack everything up. All extra food I cut open and fed the marmots who I'd been living with, the rest of my jerky I left for the bear that lived around camp. I had to tie all my belongings to the side of my pack... Upsetting my balance even more.

[Walkingwithbous]

Remember me describing that awful ravine I crossed to get to this mountain? Well that separated me from the trail my only relatively easy access out. Around 12 in the afternoon I reached the big mountain bowl that had 2 options for me. A) cross the ravine which I struggled so much with before or B) follow a creek bed that my GPS said crosses my trail 4 miles down. Well my choice was simple.. I risked the unknown route. With my pack weighing more than my own body weight, I physically wasn't going to cross that ravine with a bou.

[Walkingwithbous]

It wasn't bad at first, the creek was only an inch deep. It was very steep getting down to it but the creek allowed me to avoid overgrown tangles. I was only moving about 20 yards at a time and taking breaks remember so this was a very long miserable process. Well my creek turned into a well running stream.. And alders crowded the edges. I was now fumbling around in knee high water with a carabou skull on my neck, and wide antlers catching everything in sight. I didn't fall hard until I reached a 6 foot waterfall. Without a pack I would have squeezed though the alders but I had to somehow go straight down. I grabbed a thick alder branch and used it to repell down the water fall. It snapped and I fell face first into the rocky Creek. Soaked now, complete misery, a bloody head? When I fell my carabou skull swung and smashed the back of my head. I lay in the freezing Creek dazed and once I came to I noticed an odd green shape infront of me. A huge carabou bull skelleton, wolves must have chased him over the water fall and broke his legs. It was amazing to see the entire skelleton laying in the waterfall. Back to my misery I crawled to dry-ish land and rung out my clothes. 2 more miles until I reached the trail but I made it!!

[250 sav]

good read, thanks

[Walkingwithbous]

From here I was bruised no energy left and it was getting dark soon. The trail had been so messed up by the outfitters horses, rain for a week aswell made for even worse going. At one section of muskeg forest I sunk up to my hips in a goey pit.... Scared and beyond pissed off I had to dig and wiggle until I was out. I began to fall alot by this point, I had no strength left. I checked my GPS and .5 of a mile left!!!! That .5 of a mile took me 3 hours... I began to hear a semi driving past and I tried to jog almost but fell face first into the ditch of the road. I crawled up to the pavement and passed out I imagine??? I woke up to a guy pulled over asking me if I was okay!. From here I dropped my pack and stumbled over to my truck which I drove into a willow thicket for security. It barely started, 8 days of sitting with the aftermarket security system blinking had drained my batteries. But it blew a big white cloud of smoke and I picked up my prize and quickly changed into long johns and a plaid jacket

[Walkingwithbous]

I drove late into the night to find a hotel, passing 2 towns that were full. Finally this weird Asian themed hotel had a room. Immediately I went in and started the bath and the water came out orange.... But it was warm and I slept in a bath that night. It was an amazing self journey. I learned so much not only about myself but hunting and respect for the land. Before the trip I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. But after I realized I just wanted to hunt till I die and everything else is just an add on. Anyone can do it. It just takes self determination, I was scared shitless about being mauled by a grizz, well on that trip I shared an apple with one only 15 yards away... Respect grew and fear shrunk. Now solo hunting is my #1 passion. Everything is up to me, my skill, my choices, my misery. I'd do that trip 100 times over even though I didn't really enjoy it till it was over. I tested my body and mind too there limits and that made me feel that much more accomplished

[Getbent]

Great write-up man and an awesome job on that fantastic bou...starting a great writing style as well reminiscent of someone who used to post great write ups as well (BB)
Looking forward to the elk and Haida Gwaii write ups.

[Eva_Hunts]

Awesome. May we cross paths packing across an unnamed valley.

[Foxtail]

Fantastic journey! Thanks for taking us along. I have carried some heavy packs before but I can't even imagine after loading your pack with the boo and clawing and scraping your way back to camp and coming to the realization the you have to also put your camp on your back and make your way back out. You are more of a man than most... Me for one lol

[Pangaea]

Wow. Just wow... What an awesome trip and a fantastic write-up! One of my favorite stories this past year. Your determination and excitement comes through so strong! Way to go! And PLEASE keep writing!

[.264winmag]

Great story bro, congrats and nice work. Solo mountain hunting is interesting to say the least;)

[ElliotMoose]

Fantastic read of an epic solo journey.. Thanks for posting. Keep doin what you love buddy! There really isn't anything quite like mountain hunting

[Smiley]

You need to consider writing a book. I would buy it. Stories of epic self-induced challenges tickle my interest!

[Budman]

Congrats on your successful hunt! Thanks for the pics and read, great story.

[Xenomorph]

To say it was an amazing story and a hunt of legend would be an understatement. Well done.

[Wrj]

Thread of the year so far! Just awesome!

[twunt]

thanks for sharing

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

Good thing your young !. lol. Some of us couldnt hack it . i know i wouldnt be able too . lol

[BiG Boar]

Great write-up man and an awesome job on that fantastic bou...starting a great writing style as well reminiscent of someone who used to post great write ups as well (BB)
Looking forward to the elk and Haida Gwaii write ups.

Great write up kid. You're gonna go far! Keep you eyes on the prize and keep writing. Its a awesome bunch of stories you'll have in the end. You may not appreciate them that much now, but 40 years from now, they'll be worth more than anything you could own. Well done, and great thread.

BTW I like your drag it on style ;)

[Walkingwithbous]

Great write up kid. You're gonna go far! Keep you eyes on the prize and keep writing. Its a awesome bunch of stories you'll have in the end. You may not appreciate them that much now, but 40 years from now, they'll be worth more than anything you could own. Well done, and great thread.

BTW I like your drag it on style ;)

Well you really got to milk out every detail if you want the story to be fufilling! That's what dragging it on is all about ;). I read some of your stories and it inspired me to spit this one out. -WWB

[SPILTZ]

Great bou, and phenomenal story!!!. One of the best I've read on this site. Inspiring.

[guest]

That's a great story, Good pics and one hell of an accomplishment solo. A full deboned Caribou, Cape, and rack wow!

congrats

[Daybreak]

Great hunting experience and story. Thanks for taking the time to put it in words for us to share. Congratulations.

[Sitkaspruce]

Awesome story, pictures and Caribou!!!

Thanks for reminding me of my trips for days gone by!!!

Thanks for sharing your incredible journey!!! This is what HBC is all about; hunting, pictures and telling stories!!!

Cheers

SS

[saskbooknut]

Give the lad a prize. Best story in quite a while. Thank you.

[604Stalker]

Awesome thanks for sharing the story with us.

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

So where did this all happen ? so easy huh . lol. also i would love to see photos of your full pack on the way out . im sure you got all the meat you could . Any idea how much you were packing with your MR . A gear list from you would great too . I need a Caribou bad . was that a draw area ? or just a 5 point .? sounds like it wasnt hard to run into one . And ya great story .

[Lucky 7]

go ahead and write a book about your adventures

[Walkingwithbous]

So where did this all happen ? so easy huh . lol. also i would love to see photos of your full pack on the way out . im sure you got all the meat you could . Any idea how much you were packing with your MR . A gear list from you would great too . I need a Caribou bad . was that a draw area ? or just a 5 point .? sounds like it wasnt hard to run into one . And ya great story .

It was in a GOS area for sheep,bou and goat. Like I mentioned Id never really heard much about the north 3 weeks prior to my expedition. Wish I had pictures of the pack loaded up! I was kind of in survival mode so I didn't take pictures on the way out. I will write up a gear list tonight and post it. My MR was loaded to the high heavens. With meat and all my gear I even burned my extra clothes and tossed the food jeeze had to have been close to 150 pounds. It was like piggy backing someone for miles although dead weight is much harder.

[GOLDEN TOP SNIPER]

ya for sure . you didnt have the energy to take some pics on the way out !. other things on your mind ~. ! . lol.

[LBM]

Well to start off a little history about myself, I grew up hunting whitetail with my old man and that was about it. Mountain hunting was all but TV shows and stories too me. That is until I got a job as a green hunting guide in the kootnays, where I fell in love with mountain goats and elk. My inner fire for mountain hunting was hot from here on out. Being a guide I spent top dollar on equipment, full sitka line up, Zeiss lazer range finding binos, mystery ranch pack and the rest.

Congrats on your caribou and great adventure, doing it solo can be a lot of work but a great way to do it.
Who did you guide for in the Kootenays.

[Walkingwithbous]

Total outdoor adventures in bull river for Vince cocollio. Not sure id get into the guiding game again.. Unless it was for a northern guide service. I would spend all my time up there if I could.

[Ambush]

A real hunting adventure story and it's got over 7,000 views in just a few days!!

There is hope for HBC after all! :grin:

Great adventure, great story and storytelling and a fantastic "bou to top it off. Congrats on all of it!!

[Walkingwithbous]

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. I'm considering putting together a real life hunting adventure book. Little did I realize my potential to be a good story teller. I was just sharing the story so it could be written down. I didn't expect such a reaction. Perhaps I should send it in to an outdoor magazine?

[HarryToolips]

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. I'm considering putting together a real life hunting adventure book. Little did I realize my potential to be a good story teller. I was just sharing the story so it could be written down. I didn't expect such a reaction. Perhaps I should send it in to an outdoor magazine?
Well until you submit it, you already got no for an answer, so you got nutin to lose:wink:

[Ltbullken]

Great story! Kudos on your hunt and success!

[Squamch]

Awesome read!

[nature girl]

That was a really good hunting story. I liked how you split it up and your eyes didn't get tired from reading a very long page. You are a great writer so keep on having great trips and post up your other hunts. And just loved the pictures. At your young age you are going to have a great hunting future.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Awesome stuff!! Don't know how I missed this the past few days?

Thanks for taking the time to share this story and your passion for hunting and the outdoors with us. That's what the site is all about!!

SSS

[Alfonz]

Good for you! Solo hunts are the ones that have some of the most vivid memories in my opinoin. You can just go, no one to flip coins with when you spot game, you can go at your own pace, and it is all you!
The sercret is to take the time for photos / video and to write some stuff down! 20 years from now you will be so happy you did take the time for those things.

Al

[Walkingwithbous]

I have video I took of a personal interview of myself seconds after the kill I figure I'll share on here actually. It was messy But when your at the happiest point in your life how can you not be. I'll upload and post a link this week... Cheers WWB

[Rattler]

What an awesome thread - great story and pictures! That was quite the feat to do solo... Congrats.

Thanks for taking the time to share.

[Getbent]

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. I'm considering putting together a real life hunting adventure book. Little did I realize my potential to be a good story teller. I was just sharing the story so it could be written down. I didn't expect such a reaction. Perhaps I should send it in to an outdoor magazine?
BC Outdoors is always looking for experiences from local people about areas in BC, what do you have to lose?

[Wood butcher]

Excellent read!!
Thanks for sharing.
Impressive!!

[SR80]

Take a look at the journal of mountain hunting for a good place to submit your story.

[mikethemilkman]

amazing story cool cool cool!!

[Brez]

Amazing adventure. Amazing story. Thanks for sharing

[Mtn Wonderer]

Great story of a great, successful trip, the solo northern mountain trips are the ones that show you just how much grit you really have.
Been there, freaking out in the tent at night waking up to fresh G bear tracks 15 yards away!!! But when you get up and look around where you are and
in a minute your alive and and its all worth it!!!! Couldn't in a better place or situation!!!!

[swampthing]

Great story of a great, successful trip, the solo northern mountain trips are the ones that show you just how much grit you really have.
Been there, freaking out in the tent at night waking up to fresh G bear tracks 15 yards away!!! But when you get up and look around where you are and
in a minute your alive and and its all worth it!!!! Couldn't in a better place or situation!!!!

You know it!!

[Fella]

Awesome story, thanks for sharing!

[Jim Prawn]

Awesome story congrats on a great hunt. Great season and great animals! Whole season off eh? You are doin' it up right! Getter done now while you're young. Too soon you'll be married up, mortgage, kids, be running a rig yourself so cant get the time off...... Very jealous! Good job!
JP

[blackwater moose]

great story, great hunt and you have got big balls to do a solo hunt like that( I have done solo's before). thank you for letting us live vicariously through you.

[scoot]

A most excellent write of your adventure. I assure you many of your readers, including myself, have read your story absolutely captivated trying to picture every detail as if they were there. Thank-you for sharing your awesome adventure!

scott

[hunter1947]

You had a very successful hunt in the 2015 year many of us dream about doing what you did on your hunts in 2015 it takes a lot of time and dedication
to do what you did on your solo hunt.

I really enjoyed your story as I walked through you reads that caraboo you took is one fine looking animal as for your first bull elk you took in 2015

You should become writer this adventure you shared is one of the best wright up that I have ever read on HBC ,,my thanks for sharing this hunt
pictures with me as for others on HBC..

Congrats to you on what you accomplished in last years hunt and welcome to the site ,,looking forwards to more of your stories and hunts,,H-47 :smile:..