8-14 Hunt

[Freshtracks]

Well I'm tired and semi played out.

Had a great trip :D ... with lots of laughs :eek:, lots of game sighted but unfortunately a bare meat pole, due partly by my decision making, another my son made. I wouldn't have it any other way though. I'm proud of my hunting partners.;)

Pics and stories tomorrow.

[BCHunter]

can't wait for the pics...

[rageous]

stop teasing us...come on....can't wait any longer, aaaaahhhhh....:biggrin: :biggrin:

[Freshtracks]

Well I got it a wee-bit out of my system.

The first trip of the season was great. Lets start:

This was all new territory for myself ... so with a little provided info we set out about 4:00 pm Friday. While glassing a slash, my oldest son spotted some movement 80 yds away and my youngest confirmed it to be a bear. Now whitetail was our main target or a 4x4 mulie, so after reviewing this plump pepperoni on 4 legs and thinking how warm it was that afternoon, I'm pondering to pass and let him continue his dining. As he moved off to what looked like another road, we circled for a final closer look.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/253100_0001-med.JPG

The closer (30 yds.) look was tempting and he was acting so stupid but I decided to let him go on his way ... we then hadn't gone 50 yards up this road when BUCK(s) My oldest scrambles into action while I look at not 1 but 3 bucks in disbelief.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/253100_0006-med.JPG

I was waiting for this bad boy to give us a side look:

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/253100_0008-med.JPG

I'm thinking what a 4 point. Meanwhile my son fumbles while trying to load. Should have seen his eyes it was priceless. I can see a bad case of buck fever coming on hot and heavy. Much to our surprise when he finally showed us a side view he was the biggest 2 point you'll ever see. I was floored ... 16" + tines on a 24"+ wide rack. So that made it 3 2 pointers.
Boy if it was only Oct. ... oh well the start of a great weekend. There was plenty of chatter on the way back to the cabin and that night.

The next morning found us in position, awaiting daybreak ... hoping a whitetail buck would show up. As light approached I spot a deer and lord it's a nice fat 2 point. He's still feeding in the farmers field working his way along the fence line. An antisipated jump and 50 yards and my son will have his first buck. We wait ... I motion to work along the game trail if he loses sight of the buck ... who now, is still staying inside the fence but moving away. My son slips out. About 20 minutes goes by as my youngest son and I watch the game of cat and mouse. Rifle up/down ... sneak along ...repeat again. My youngest then nudges me ... off to my right a whitetail doe stares intently at us ... damn busted. We hold still, but she knows something isn't right ... after a few stomps, it's tail up and out of there. Shortly after I look over to see my son heading back. He said the buck had just cleared the fence when something alerted him and back he went. Maybe the doe? So close ... he said he could taste it.

We seen more whitetail does but not another buck, a cow moose, a flock of turkeys and much to our surprise (what we think is) the same bear Sunday morning. I again passed as we were circling into position to get a better look at a group of whitetail. He passed within 20yds. ... gave us a quick glance and carried on ... I thought of Kirby and his bow. My youngest was in awe to say the least. I couldn't have scripted it better.

So althought there weren't tags cut, I wouldn't trade how this trip turned out for anything. A great weekend spent with my 2 best pals. We'll be back.

Cow moose ... pic is poor ... plus I'm learning.

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1442/4/41/2/6/68/0/68060241408_0_ALB.jpg
(http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1442/4/41/2/6/68/0/68060241408_0_ALB.jpg)

[Freshtracks]

For info purposes

I missed the Hope/P lane :oops: and ended up on the Coq. ... went with it anyway as I tossed around the thought the Coq/Merrit/Kelowna/ then Hwy 33 down might be quicker and/or more relaxing drive. Return km check via Rock Cr./ Hope/P confirmed this route a few km's longer. A gas check next time would be required to justify a $10 toll.

On the advise of a buddy we decided to check out the Double E Ranch and for the cheap accomd's ($15/person a night). This made for a quick setup base camp (had brought the gear to be in the bush) and put us hunting right away. Those looking for a great warm base camp later in the season keep this one noted. They are located at roughly 20 km up the Christian Valley Rd. Some pics to show what you pay for.

Cabins exterior and interior:

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1442/4/41/2/46/83/0/83460241408_0_ALB.jpg

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1442/4/41/2/3/54/0/54030241408_0_ALB.jpg

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1442/4/41/81/69/61/0/61698141408_0_ALB.jpg



And there was also good fishing to be had.





(http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1442/4/41/12/25/34/0/34251241408_0_ALB.jpg)

[ruger#1]

hey fresh i cannot get to see the pictures it keeps saying forbidden

[Freshtracks]

Ok hopefully fixed ... let me know if the pics for both posts are viewable.

[Marc]

Here is the other two pics.

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1442/4/41/91/89/64/0/64899141408_0_ALB.jpg

http://images.kodakgallery.com/photos1442/4/41/12/25/34/0/34251241408_0_ALB.jpg

[ruger#1]

still no pics of the cabins marc or freshtracks.

[Marc]

look further up in the post.

[palmer]

Freshtracks...sounds like a great trip..spent the last two days in rock ck..saw some small bucks. We saw Elk on both days...First day saw seven and six point, but not on the land we were able to hunt..next day we bugled in a nice 5 point at about 30 ft and later called in two spikes..maybe next week...we did see three small whitetail bucks and a few small mulies..