Phil
11-10-2008, 11:13 PM
On Nov 7th Dave and I set out for a hunting trip. We had begun planning for this trip back in July and had anticipated coming home on the 11th. We ended up packing up camp a day early due to unforseen circumstances.
The weather was horrible and made for difficult hunting conditions at times. We encountered rain, rain and rain, snow, fog, wind and a few rays of sun. On top of this we were smoked out due to many surrounding slash piles being set a blaze while we were there.
Below are a few shots of camp with and without fog. The first pic also shows some remaining smoke on the cut accross the lake.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1115_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11233&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1141_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11238&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
Day one was dedicated to scouting out the area. We located deer sign and learned the roads, trails and adjoinin cut blocks. We began walking from base camp and later in the afternoon we ATVed further out. Although we saw relativley fresh sign we had yet to lay eyes on any four legged creatures. Dave and I both had picked spots for the evening hunt which did not pan out. Over dinner we determined a plan for the next morning. Things could only get better from this point on.
I headed to my area and began glassing tree lines. Nothing turned up for the first hour or so and then I spotted a buck chasing a doe inside the tree line. He looked straight at me and gave me a perfect broad side shot at 100 yards. I popped open the lens covers of my scope and saw nothing but a white abyss of fog and ice (lesson learned). I quickly wiped out the lenses and took aim. He had moved another 10 feet or so but still presented the same shot. The cross hairs landed on his shoulder and the gun went off. I watched him stagger slightly and head up into the tree line. I knew he was he hit good but was a little concerned that he did not drop right away. I waited a few minutes and slowly proceeded up into the tree line looking for blood or hair but nothing could be found. As I walked up the slope looking for a blood trail and glassing into the trees I spotted him on his haunches taking his last breaths. One more shot through the neck to end it and the work began. The Browning 325 WSM and 200 grain Winchester supremes do it again.
It always amazes me how things can turn around so quickly!
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1120_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11235&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1130_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11236&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
I'm not sure I could get this guy on to the front of my ATV again if I had to.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1136_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11237&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
I arrived back at camp before Dave and got an early lunch started so we could celebrate. Within and hour Dave rolls in with his ATV and HOLY SMOKES, he has a 4 point strapped on to his quad too. High fives and hand shakes all around and we celebrate with a few beers before hanging our deer.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1149_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11239&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
At this point we decide to go home a day early to get the meat to the butcher and spend some time with out families. Who could have anticipated circumstances like this? We could not have had a better time.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1154_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11240&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
Dave's deer hunt is a story which I'll let him tell.
The weather was horrible and made for difficult hunting conditions at times. We encountered rain, rain and rain, snow, fog, wind and a few rays of sun. On top of this we were smoked out due to many surrounding slash piles being set a blaze while we were there.
Below are a few shots of camp with and without fog. The first pic also shows some remaining smoke on the cut accross the lake.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1115_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11233&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1141_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11238&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
Day one was dedicated to scouting out the area. We located deer sign and learned the roads, trails and adjoinin cut blocks. We began walking from base camp and later in the afternoon we ATVed further out. Although we saw relativley fresh sign we had yet to lay eyes on any four legged creatures. Dave and I both had picked spots for the evening hunt which did not pan out. Over dinner we determined a plan for the next morning. Things could only get better from this point on.
I headed to my area and began glassing tree lines. Nothing turned up for the first hour or so and then I spotted a buck chasing a doe inside the tree line. He looked straight at me and gave me a perfect broad side shot at 100 yards. I popped open the lens covers of my scope and saw nothing but a white abyss of fog and ice (lesson learned). I quickly wiped out the lenses and took aim. He had moved another 10 feet or so but still presented the same shot. The cross hairs landed on his shoulder and the gun went off. I watched him stagger slightly and head up into the tree line. I knew he was he hit good but was a little concerned that he did not drop right away. I waited a few minutes and slowly proceeded up into the tree line looking for blood or hair but nothing could be found. As I walked up the slope looking for a blood trail and glassing into the trees I spotted him on his haunches taking his last breaths. One more shot through the neck to end it and the work began. The Browning 325 WSM and 200 grain Winchester supremes do it again.
It always amazes me how things can turn around so quickly!
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1120_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11235&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1130_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11236&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
I'm not sure I could get this guy on to the front of my ATV again if I had to.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1136_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11237&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
I arrived back at camp before Dave and got an early lunch started so we could celebrate. Within and hour Dave rolls in with his ATV and HOLY SMOKES, he has a 4 point strapped on to his quad too. High fives and hand shakes all around and we celebrate with a few beers before hanging our deer.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1149_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11239&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
At this point we decide to go home a day early to get the meat to the butcher and spend some time with out families. Who could have anticipated circumstances like this? We could not have had a better time.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1154_1_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=11240&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
Dave's deer hunt is a story which I'll let him tell.