Bison Hunt 2008

[Mik]

My hunting partners kid, Tim (13 yrs. old), got his Core, Hunter #, filled in his LEH for Bison, first time & Drew the tag. Yeehawww!
Planning this trip was a little tricky. It was the Nov. 5-19 draw and his dad was not sure if he was going to make it(work related). So the trip was to be my 13 yr old daughter, Tim and myself. Anyways as it turns out, my daughter could not make it:-(, but Tim and his dad did:smile: (which is the way it should be).
We left on the 12 Nov. and were setting up camp in the snow the next afternoon;
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/Kozynest/PinkMountainNov12-18011.jpg

We talked to 2 parties that evening and both were leaving empty handed.:sad:.
Next morning we headed out to explore the country and have a good look around. It was -20 outside and we were bundled up. Hit some nice areas and trails but never did see anything as the snow was coming down on and off all day;
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/Kozynest/PinkMountainNov12-18025.jpg

Fri Nov. 14 day 2, off we go again, lots of elk and a few sheep;
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/Kozynest/PinkMountainNov12-18077.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/Kozynest/PinkMountainNov12-18083.jpg
It was a great day, we hunted hard but saw no Bison.

Day 3, Sat; We went even further down the trail and as we only had quads we were limited to so far off the main path. Again, counted 50 elk and 7 sheep. I'm not a Sheep hunter, but they sure were dark in color.

Day 4, Sun; feeling a little down we decide to go hunt mile 153 with the truck ( to those of you that know the area- thats where all the well heads are), we met up with a large group from the lower mainland that said they have been up there a week and haven't seen a thing. They were gearing up to go cross the river on there quads/sleds, hopefully they got something as we never saw them again.
We hit every possible trail/road that day and never saw a thing, not even a deer. We did however find some nice dry firewood.

Day 5 Mon; Still snowing, minus 25 outside this morning and we decide to trailer the quads to yet another road, further up north from our base camp;
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/Kozynest/PinkMountainNov12-18092.jpg
We are off to an early start 7AM, and were' plowin' snow with the quads, trying to follow the trail. 4 hrs later we find the river that we need to cross, we decide to start a fire and warm up as we are all wet, hungry and very cold. We keep haeding up the trail and now we figure its getting late and we have to start heading back. Group decision, lets keep going for another hour and thank God we did. The country starts opening up and a few clicks later we are upon a herd of Bison. The country was kinda hilly so the Bison did not even know we were there. We got off the quads and started our stalk. We moved in to within 200 yards, it was snowing very hard and was quite foggy, which worked to our advantage. Tim lined up and then a BANG followed by a WHOLLUP! and we knew it was an awesome shot. The herd took off and we could see the cow that was hit was struglling thru the snow, and a few minutes later it dropped. YYEEEHAWWWW!;
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/Kozynest/PinkMountainNov12-18114.jpg

The proud Hunter, and now the work begins, we could'nt even brush the snow off long enough for photos;
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/Kozynest/PinkMountainNov12-18117.jpg

The Gang;
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/Kozynest/PinkMountainNov12-18120.jpg

All happy on the trail;
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/Kozynest/PinkMountainNov12-18129.jpg

The ride out, thru creeks and rivers and having to retie a few times;
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/Kozynest/PinkMountainNov12-18133.jpg

Meanwhile back at base camp the snow kept piling up;
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/Kozynest/PinkMountainNov12-18148.jpg


http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/Kozynest/PinkMountainNov12-18152.jpg
We decided to pack up that same evening as the snow was not letting up. We were in about 18" of snow and we had a few steep hills ahead of us. It was about 7:30 Pm by the time we made it back to camp and the packing started. We loaded the trailer and truck and hit the road at 11PM.

Even with chains, we had to unload the trailer on "that steep hill" and it was still a struggle to make it up. But we made it out and hit Ft. St. John at 3AM.

[Ruger4]

Hey great job , neat story , excellent photos

Rob

[goatdancer]

Did it snow like that all the way to FSJ? Would have been a slice driving at night in that.

[Mik]

Did it snow like that all the way to FSJ? Would have been a slice driving at night in that.
It snowed all the way from FSJ to Prince George and the roads were very icy.
We left 9AM from FSJ so we travelled during the day. heres some neat info: While crossing that steel bridge at FSJ we got a flat and didn't even know/feel it. After the tire went flat, the steel rim perfectly flattened out to approx. 14" wide. The only reason we stopped was to re-tie the tarp so the meat wouln't get dirty- you can imagine our suprise!

[ElectricDyck]

Sounds like a great trip congrats on the success. Good job Tim! :smile: What was Tim shooting for my curiousity.

[rifleman]

thats cool. good story & great pics. meat for the winter.

[Johnnybear]

That's awesome. Great hunt you guys. Neat story and great pic's. They sure are big animals.

[gerrygoat]

Congrats to Tim and his hunting partners what a great start to big game hunting. Way to go sticking it out in tough conditions

[NaStY]

You have definitely had some great hunts this year. Congrats to all involved.

[M.Dean]

That is a hunt to Cherish! You guys stuck it out, which is very hard to do in the cold and snow and came home with a Buffalo! Congrats to Tim and you guys for a great story and incredible photo's! Good job guys!

[Mulies]

Way to tough it out on what well be great long time memories for all of you. I have been lucky enough to be along with a couple of young hunters when they have taken there first animal and it has been a very special time for all of us.

[kennyj]

Great story and photos.Congratulations on a great hunt.Thanks for sharing.
kenny

[BEARSLAYER]

Now that is a great looking hunt .congrats all round.I would love to take my two sons on a hunt like that.

[TRIPALM]

nice pics looks really FUN!!!!

[Sunny]

good story and what a great hunt thank you for sharing

[Will]

Congrats to him !

Great Pics too! :smile:

[guest]

Great to hear a good story like this, and fantastic to see a new young successful hunter too, congrats to all.
CT

[bridger]

great story and pics. have had trouble on that hill myself

[hunter1947]

Well done on the bison hunt ,very nice pic as for the wright up ,congrats.

[MOWITCH SLAYER]

Cool hunt ! Was wondering what it dressed , what caliber Tim used and how the meat tastes

[BiG Boar]

Awsome hunts man, you have had a few good ones this year! Sweet! I am very envious.

[d6dan]

Now thats what I call a perfect ending to a Great hunt! Just getting a tag is tough enough let alone a bison..Well done!!!

[whitetailsheds]

Quite the fall to remember, thanks for sharing Mik!

[dana]

Again, simply awesome seeing kids out hunting like that! And to think he killed a Buff at such a young age. Looks like you had one hell of a great season this year. Congrats!

[greasysidedown]

Hey Mik, I'm still waiting for my steak!!

[tuchodi]

Congrates to the young fellow, great to see new hunters getting a chance to experience that great hunt. My Bison hunt was in -40 a few years ago and we were lucky to get a nice animal. Great pictures and storiy which brought back super memories so I had to dig out the old photo's again, Thanks

[Mik]

Sounds like a great trip congrats on the success. Good job Tim! :smile: What was Tim shooting for my curiousity.



A browning 308, thanks.

[Mik]

Cool hunt ! Was wondering what it dressed , what caliber Tim used and how the meat tastes

It was a medium sized cow, my guess around 4-500 lbs. The meat tastes excellent:smile:, very red in color and almost has a "sweet" taste. When you first gut it, it quite a suprise as the fat is a bright, yellow color.

[sneg]

congrats to young hunter and all in "support" group.well done.

[cwocarsten]

Great hunting story with pics. If you ever get a Bison tag again go up the valley just on the other side of your elk picture. There are lots there because they put salt blocks about 2k up that valley.