Alpine Blacktail Hunt (almost)

[Tarp Man]

Well after a well earned sleep at home, here follows the story of Lapadat's and my blacktail alpine hunt.

Part one

We left Friday morning for our pre-scouted alpine basecamp, planning to hike in and spend the weekend glassing alpine slopes for seldom seen, yet often hunted alpine blacktail bucks. Our hike in took us 3 hours, and led us into some of the most beautiful country that the Valley has to offer. We hiked through meadows of mountain heather and ankle-height blueberry bushes. Lapadat even spotted a nice black bear feeding his way up to a nearby peak. If he was in an easier accessed location, this thread would include his demise. Today, he feeds on towards another winter's sleep.

Once reaching our basecamp location, we set up and have a sweet cup of noodle soup prior to the rains and wind arriving. This ultimate blacktail hunting weather was swiftly followed by dense fog and bone chilling cold. We are hardy blacktail hunters! We love this! And what do alpine blacktail hunters do when it rains and blows cold fog? We hike up to a ridge to glass and wait for visibility greater than 100m! (Yes, that is what we did.) After scaling a ridiculously steep rock slide, we sat for an hour or so in the driving rain, trying to see anything, let alone a shooter blacktail buck. With rain running down our backs and soaking wet feet, we head back down to camp for a hot dinner and dry clothes. Note to backpaking hunters... Backpacker's Pantry deserts are awesome... I highly recommend the Dark chocolate cheesecake.

[Tarp Man]

Part Two

After surviving a windswept and gusting rain sleep, (well tarped of course!... what you think they call me tarp man for nothing?) we woke to a nice dusting of snow. Perfect! Now we can track them right? Wrong! With dense fog still packed around us and more snow coming down, we hastily ate our oatmeal breakfast and tried to not think about cold, wet boots soaking through fresh socks. In an attempt to be prepared in case the weather changed, we loaded up our packs with enough food, water and the stove to last the day and headed back up to the nearby ridge to see what we could see. What we saw was snow, rocks and I am pretty sure I heard some goats laughing at us out there. With no change in the weather in the future we decided to head back to camp and pack up. On the way down there were a few cut blocks we scouted and were sure would hold some nice bucks. It was amazingly beautiful, hiking down through alpine meadows of heather covered in snow. Despite the scenery, no bucks were foolish enough to be out there moving around. We reached the first cut block, but the dense fog and snow was not conducive to glassing. Again we waited for an hour, but nothing changed.

[Tarp Man]

Part Three

After hiking down through the fogged in cut-block, we took a break to snack and plan our hike/hunt out. At this point the weather broke, and the clouds retreated another 100m up the mountain. This gave us a nice view of the first cut block. We glassed this block for a good hour, with not a single sign of life, until I finally spotted some strange shaped branches. Second, look to confirm and then the frantic whispering began. "I've got a buck"... words to strike warmth to the very core of your sleet-chlilled bones. Hell must have frozen over, cause it is a rare day I spot any animal before Lapadat, let alone a sub alpine buck. We glass him for a good hour deciding who and where the shot will be taken. We agree that Lapadat would cover him from our position while I snuck up the trail to a closer shooting position for me to take the shot.

With Lapadat on the radio informing me of the buck's every movement, I snuck my way up the trail to point at which I felt comfortable to take the shot. After 30 minutes of painstaking progress, I closed the distance to approximately 300m. I set up for the shot, but the buck stands up and looks like he might wander off. We agreed Lapadat would shoot if this happened, but he showed great patience and generosity, allowing the buck to settle again and me to realize that I needed to be even closer.

This was a big step for me, as I was able to recognize my limit and stuck to it, even when faced with the potential to lose a shooting opportunity. I knew Lapadat and his Sako were deathly with a solid range from where he was, but being a new shooter I needed that extra safety margin. So I slide my way into the clearing, down the bank from the trail, grumbling at every stone and stick that I dislodged or cracked. Once I reached a solid shooting position, I steadied my nerves, held solid on the top of the buck's back, then slowly squeezed the trigger. BOOOOOM!

[Untouchable]

and then....?????

[stanway]

The suspense is killing me! Did you get it or not?

[Tarp Man]

Part Four

After reaquiring the buck in my scope, I see him jump and stagger to the tree line 30m from his bed. I knew I hit him well, but I could see the steep and deep gully he was heading for. By radio, Lapadat and I kept watch, but he seemed to go down just out of sight.

After some excited congratulations, we head into the clearing to begin the hard work. It took about 20 minutes to fight our way through the undergrowth to reach his position, and I found him at the very lip of the gully. Bring on the grins! After picture time, we bone him out, and begin the brutal trip back. It took an hour to hike back to the shooting position, due to the terrain and weight of the meat. At the butcher's today, he weighed the meat at 88lbs, plus another 20lbs for the head, plus 5lbs for the packer frame. You do the math.

This began the toughest hike out I have done in a long time. 5 1/2 hours manandling a game cart with 140lbs of personal gear with another 110lbs of deer is no cake walk. Once you add in at least 50 cross ditches on the trail out, you get an idea of why it took so long.

This is as good a place as any to say thanks to Lapadat. He found the origional alpine location, which was only sacrificed due to weather. He covered my back (and the deer) while I struggled to get to a shooting location I ethically could make with my limited experience. He then packed that beast of a pack 75% of the way out of the cut block. Once loaded he took the heaviest and roughest end of that cursed game cart. For 5 1/2 hours. That is true hunting partnership. I could not have done this trip without him, so while I spotted the buck first (just a little bit of gloating!) He bore the lion's share of work. A truer hunting buddy you will never find. Words just don't do it justice. Thanks again, Lapadat.

[stanway]

Nice job! Excellent story...I'm tired just reading it. Looking forward to the pictures.

[Tarp Man]

Part Five

Now for the technical details.
I spotted him with my Bushnell Legend 10x40 binos. I am shooting a Tikka T3 Hunter in 30/06 and a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40 scope. The Rainguard feature on both optics worked quite well, as it basically rained, sleeted or snowed the entire trip. I used a factory loaded Federal Fusion 165gr bullet, which entered just behind the left shoulder, passed through the left lung and heart, stopping just under the hide at the front of the right shoulder. Lapadat recovered the bullet during our skinning session. I will weigh it this week once I find a scale small enough. The shot was made from a down hill angle of approximately 30 degrees, at a distance of 250m. This is by far the longest shot I have taken at an animal, and let me tell you it was worth risking the lost animal by repositioning to a range I knew I could shoot with confidence.

In the end the trip did not go as planned, but I would not trade these trips for all the tea in China. Beautiful but fleeting scenery, bar-none the best hunting buddy a guy could ever dream of finding, and another 3 point blacktail buck. What more could a blacktail hunter ask for?

[Untouchable]

Great story and great pics, congrats on a very successful hunt!

[lapadat]

Not sure what keeps bringing me back into the alpine, but for whatever reason I can't stay away for too long. \

Camp location - day one. The nicest weather of the weekend.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/AlpineBThuntpart2_033.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=6107&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=847)

Morning of day 2. You never know what you'll see in the alpine in Sept.
Tarpman and I were thinking this would be a good picture for MEC's Fall 2008 catalog. What do you think??????

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/AlpineBThuntpart2_064.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=6108&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=847)

Still hunting on our way to better weather.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/AlpineBThunt_004.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=6109&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=847)

[lapadat]

Forgot to include our morning exercise....in futility. We climbed towards our intended ridge only to get rocked by blowing snow/rain with very poor visibility. I felt like a late season goat hunter.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/AlpineBThuntpart2_060.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=6110&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=847)

It's true, I nearly always spot game first. Not this time....this fella was bedded, chewing lunch at 2:00pm at 327 yards (ranged). Good spotting I'd say. My spotter is set to 15X in this pic and you can just make out antler tines.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/AlpineBThunt_006.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=6111&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=847)

[lapadat]

A healthy high-country 3pt BT on the ground.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/AlpineBThunt_037.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=6114&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=847)

Another shot. You can see the remnants of his summer coat.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/AlpineBThunt_012.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=6112&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=847)

Now the work begins.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/AlpineBThuntpart2_086.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=6117&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=847)

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/AlpineBThuntpart2_084.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=6116&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=847)

[lapadat]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/AlpineBThuntpart2_094.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=6119&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=847)

We discussed in great length and with very little profanity :) how game carts are A) Better than nothing and B) Designed for grain-fed farmland whitetails NOT mountain bucks

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/AlpineBThuntpart2_096.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=6118&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=847)

[Jimbo]

Congrats to you both for toughing it out!! Beauty of a BT and well earned !

[JMac]

Lap and Tarp Man! Nicely done once again! Highcountry blacktail hunting is tough yet very rewarding. Good job to you both.

[Elkhound]

great deer guys......awesome

[Hilgy]

Well done boys. Well writen story Tarpman it was just like being there with you. Thanks


Hilgy

[dana]

That's Awesome!!!! Well done guys. That's highcountry hunting at it's best. Yes, even that nasty weather. Welcome to Sept above treeline. Way to get r done despite the adverse conditions. Congrats to the both of you!!!

[beeker]

Congrats to both of you and thanks for the great read!

[gameslayer]

Nice Job, It was a good read you even had me shivering reading it. Way to get her done.

[Wildman]

That is a big Blacktail! Good job. Where were you, on the mainland?

[lapadat]

This is a mainland buck, well within respected BT range.

[oscar makonka]

Nice story....Things would go a lot easier if you put some large bicycle wheels on the cart.

[~T-BONE~]

Great spotting there Johnathan.. that is a great looking buck. I imagine you guys are eager to get out again ehh....? I think we are going to trip over one anothers path here one day. :wink:

[BCBairdo]

Totally sweet guys....I knew you'd eventually find a nice buck up there if you kept putting the time in.

[Phil]

That was a hard earned buck and a beauty at that! Congratulations to the two of you.

[gearjunkierob]

Great job, you two! I was shivering a bit while I read your post because I know how damn cold that fog/wind/sleet combo can be up on the ridgetops. Kind of seems torturous sitting up there for hours on end waiting for a small break in the weather just so you can break out the binos/spotters! Glad your trip paid off for you guys; and Tarpman, isn't it nice to see wildlife first for once! I'm always jealous when I go out with my very experienced hunting friend and he ALWAYS sees wildlife first. Way to go! Good eyes and nice buck!

[BlacktailStalker]

Congrats Tarpman, nice buck.
Thats awesome. Time spent under less than ideal conditions and look at the end result ?
Thats a better than average blacktail too, not many guys get out, or should I say, even bother for a blacktail bivy hunt.
Good read, hits close to home. Wont be long before the snow flurries fly on a more regular basis and the deer start moving more.
Which slope was he bedded on ?

[newhunterette]

one word only

AMAZING

[youngbuck]

Great story and that's one big BT.

One question: Is it legal to use radios for such activities. I was under the impression that radios were only to be used for emergency purposes. I know alot of people and myself use them to locate thier hunting partners but I was warned that if a CO sees that you have radio that you explain to him/her that it is for emergency purposes only.

comments?

[Gateholio]

Great story and that's one big BT.

One question: Is it legal to use radios for such activities. I was under the impression that radios were only to be used for emergency purposes. I know alot of people and myself use them to locate thier hunting partners but I was warned that if a CO sees that you have radio that you explain to him/her that it is for emergency purposes only.

comments?

It's legal..

Great story, guys!

[Wildman]

It's legal..

Great story, guys!

I use one sometimes.....its always in my pack anyway.

[CHilko21]

Great story, and that's a beauty deer. It's nice to see your hard work and perserverance paying off. Congrats

[BCrams]

Super story guys. I have the same pack cart and have used it nearly every year to pack out an animal!

[lapadat]

T BONE, I'm still suprised we haven't bumped each other in the mountains yet.

We need to get out soon. I still want to hike into that spot we talked about scouting this past winter.

I'll be in touch.

[Will]

Great Story ! Great Buck !
Congrats :cool:

[CooperSscat]

Super BT find up in the sub-alpine! Good work!

[pmj]

lapadat and Tarp Man, Great story, great pictures, great buck. Here is a toast to a couple of first class hunters. Congratulations. May be you could do another post on the gear you guys use to keep warm in those really tough weather conditions.

[BIGHUNTERFISH]

Great job guys,you really worked hard for that buck and deserve him,that buck has the big mulie ears so I would'nt think he is true blacktail but he is not a true mulie either maybe one of those ? :wink:

[Tarp Man]

WHOA! BHF those are fighting words around here! You can rest assured that there was a true blacktail tail on the buck. The location of the buck was WELL inside blacktail territory. Were there mule deer genetics in there somewhere? Of course it is possible, but we were far enough away from the boundary to be confident in calling this deer a blacktail.

[paraschost]

nice bt buck. great story

[lapadat]

Yes, blacktails do have big ears, yes, they do have similiar antlers....they are a sub-species after all.

The tell-tale business end.......


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/AlpineBThunt_029.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=6136&size=big&cat=500)

[Th0r]

Great story.Well deserved BT.You are both very lucky to have such a good hunting relationship.Well done. Just don't name your mnt brokeback!
Just Jokin.

[mapguy]

must of been fun

[Tarp Man]

Mapguy, it was horribly hard and pushed us both to the brink. But we both are trying to figure out how soon to go back on a trip like that! We truly are addicted. Yeah, and there is no way that mountain is getting a "hollywood" name. Stupid movie makers.

[Tarp Man]

So a few pages ago someone asked what sort of equipment we used to stay warm... Well after reading that post about MEC, maybe it is poetic justice that both Lapadat and I were wearing mainly MEC brand gear for the majority of the hunt! Rain gear, fleece jackets, tent, and most of the supplies were bought there (except sleeping bags). As you can see, the wet weather can make a sweet alpine hunt morph into a fight for survival (for the hunters!). Layering is the basic principle that most everyone uses. Too hot? Take a layer off. Too cold? Put another layer on. It is easier to regulate your body temp and prevent excessive sweating (which can leave you chilled when you stop exercising).

Both Lapadat and I use merino wool socks. Find a brand you like and stick with it. I personally don't use a liner sock as they make my feet sweat even more, and my feet slide around in my boots. And as Lapadat will quickly bear witness to, who needs bear spray when you have my toxic waste-smelling feet in camp?

We both use a type of hiking pant that is pretty durable. No cotton or jeans here. They simply don't insulate well or dry out without assistance. I think I remember Big Whiteys uses the North Face ones, and Lapadat uses ones from Marmot. I use ones from MEC, made of Schoeller material. A bit stretchy and very durable. Very highly recommended for late season hiking/hunting that is not below zero. I also recommend a fleece long john pant. Not too bulky, but more form fitted, to allow free movement under pants.

Quick dry or fleece shirts are also what we prefer for this type of thing. I know Lapadat used one on Saturday evening for the hike out that had dried out from Friday's hike in (even in that moist weather). Polypro or quick dry stuff tends to smell really rank from B.O. after using, but there is new stuff on the market with silver threaded into it. Silver has anti-bacterial properties that minimize the smelliness. I have a couple pairs of socks like this and it is true.

As you may have noticed by now, I am a bit of a gear head, and a bargain hunter at that. I need little provocation to discuss gear and its relative merits or drawbacks. Hopefully this helps, and thanks for all the comments. I am pretty proud of myself and cannot help but feel the gratitude for the hunting opportunities Lapadat has included me in.

[Tarp Man]

A couple things I forgot to add. I found waterproof rolltop stuff sacks at Canadian Tire for relatively cheap. $10 for a 13L size? They are light weight and with the roll top they compress really well. It also keeps the contents dry. I plan to buy a couple different sizes, as it helps the organization in my pack.

The other thing we used to keep warm was calories and lots of them. We both brought a basic backpacker's menu of carbs and protein, but during extreme exertion, the body burns the stored calories first, then moves to the fat. If you don't regularly fuel up in small portions, your body sends out a hormone that stimulates the conservation of fat reserves, cause it thinks if you are going to be working for a while, you will need these fat stores to fuel you long term. If you snack regularly on fatty foods (healthy though) such as trail mix, it will burn fat and provide you with a steady source of energy with no drop in performance (caused by lack of fuel). We both brought full fat cheese (no "light" stuff in these situations), smoked sausage, and lots of energy bars (Snickers are a perenial favorite, or Eatmore - the poor man's power bar)

Finally, hydration is the key. Lack of fluids = lack of performance. If you allow yourself to lose 3% of your body fluid, your performance drops by 30%. We both use hydration bladders (i.e. Camelbak's or whatever) to keep water readily available. The one time I did not do this was my first and (hopefully) last experience with mild hypothermia due to exhaustion and dehydration. Drink frequently and in small amounts to prevent cramping.

We all know the outdoors is a wild and dangerous place. It is also one of the few places left in life where you can truly feel alive! If you are thinking about doing some hike in hunts, start small by planning some mid summer scouting trips to practice and tweak gear and packing. When you build up to these trips and plan effectively, you can take what nature throws at you and walk away smiling (although it is usally with a bit of stiffness!)