Sea to Sky Blacktail

[Gateholio]

Got a blacktail today. I'll post the story and more pics later on. FOr now, I will just pst this picture, since it shows off both the deer and my boyish good looks.:mrgreen:



http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/proguide66/DSC02223.jpg


Okay, since you have been so patient, here is the story.

Proguide66 and I worked out a plan last night. We were going to try an area that we had never got a buck in, but it had always looked promising. We were going to head out on different lines and meet up at the end of this long ridge. We did this, but saw zero, so headed back to the trucks.

Since it didn't look very good, we decided to blow this day off. I had some fence to finish building and he was going to go check a trail camera. We vowed to do better next time! I drove off in my truck.

A short time later, PG66 called me on my cell phone. "I've just cut the trail of a buck with some does, get over here, lets check it out"

I sped back and found him on a steep cliff. He had followed the tracks and got a quick look at the buck.
"You don't want to shoot him?"
"I almost did, but I am holding out!" :mrgreen:

So we set off up this rocky cliff area with lots of benches and trees and all that good stuff. The wind was driving us crazy, it was swirling everywhere, we didn't know exactly where the deer had gone, didn't know how spooked they were when PG66 came up on them. We spent the next 90 minutes alternately following rigth on thier tracks or looping around, trying to use the wind to our advantage. At one point I saw our breath drifting left whiel 20 yards away the lichen on a tree was blowing to the right!:???:

FInally we got to the top of one bench and we both were like "okay, this looks good, we are on" I was thinking to myself "This has been an awesome, exciting stalk, this is the best." We both had big grins on our faces, I wanted to giggle it was so much fun.:mrgreen:

We crept through this little hidden hideaway and saw the tracks go over the top and down. We figured they were close, so cautiously peered over the top.

We looked for few minutes, then we glimpsed a doe walking out of some trees, heading right. She was only visible for a moment, but we knew the buck would follow her at one point, so I got ready. Finally, we saw another doe,and then the buck in the trees. He started heading to the small opening between two trees, and PG66 was frantically trying to get his video camera ready.

The buck stepped out and I had a view of his head, neck and the front of his shoulders. I placed the crosshairs where I could see him, the top of his shoulder.

I whispered " I got him"

Frantic whisper "DON'T SHOOT YET!!"

"ok"

"DON'T SHOOT YET! You still on him?"

"I got him"

"DON'T SHOOT YET"

"He is getting reeeeeeeeady to gooooo":tongue:

"DON'T EFFING SHOOT YET!!!....OKAY, ready!"

"BAM"
:-D

He bolted tot he right, I caught a couple of quick glimpses of him, he was on three legs, and ran UPHILL!:confused: Weird. Anyway, I was confident of the shot, and we could see great splashes of blood, so we weren't' too concerned.

We both looked at each other and started laughing, it had been a fantastic, somewhat tense stalk, culminating with a bit of humour with the bloody camera.:tongue:

We went down to where he was standing and I ranged back to where I shot from. 58 yards. Good thing I had my .300 WSM!!:-D

We followed the blood trail, and when I say blood, I mean it. Neither of us had ever seen this much blood, it looked as if someone had taken buckets of red paint and liberally splashed the snow. We caught up to the buck after a minute and he was dead as a doornail, with huge blood patches everywhere.

The 150gr TTSX had entered the top of his right shoulder and exited through the bottom of the left brisket area, only taking out one lung and one shoulder, (due to the step angle) which accounted for the 50 yard run. However, the other lung was disintegrated, and there was a huge exit hole, which accounted for the blood:-D Amazingly, the Barnes bullet did indeed expand!! :)

We took some trophy pics and we were both still on a real high, the stalk had been that much fun, and we got the shot on video!.:-D

God Bless good friends and cellular phones! :)

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/proguide66/DSC02227.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/proguide66/DSC02232.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/proguide66/DSC02233.jpg

[guest]

Nice BT Gate Man.

Typical compact BT rack, some of those guys up your way do get the Biggin body though, congrats to you.

CT

[killman]

I think you posted the wrong pic, there is some strange thing with your deer

[killman]

Just kidding congrats! Nice BT.

[bsa30-06]

Thats a nice a nice buck, congrats.

[springpin]

Nice buck. Congrats.

[nano]

Congrats!!

[Brew]

super buck Gate. Still trying to get mine. Can't wait for the story. Thanks for posting the picture first instead of teasing us with the story and pics to come like everyone else.

[TIKA 300]

Nice buck Gatehouse,was wondering the other day when you were gonna show your face with pemby buck.....:mrgreen:

[5 spike]

awesome man thats a nice looking buck. congrats gatehouse.

[dougan]

Gate i dont know how you do it but if you could bottle it and sell it i tell ya!!!hell of a buck congrats!!!

[Jelvis]

Real good lookin animal, lol, a two and a half year old, now if you can cook---
steaks and tenderloins -- saw tayed and fried onions and mushrooms -- potatoe wedges mmm yah
Jel-- nice looking ridge your on -- excellent photo -- self timer eh ? lol good shooting and hunting

[PGK]

:D :D Yeah buddy! Nice buck!

[BlacktailStalker]

Sweet buck! I figured it was you or pg66 when I saw the title.
Those coastals are awesome.

[seanps]

Nice work!

[todbartell]

good work, son

[Kody94]

WTG Gates! Congrats! http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.gifhttp://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

[twoSevenO]

well done ... he's a beauty ... the deer i mean! :D

[One Shot]

Congrats, nice buck.

[stanway]

Way to go Clarke. Nice Blacktail!

[BCrams]

Nice blacktail Gate! I'll bet that awsome scent worked like a charm!

[rifleman]

nice buck . he sure has some character. I like the color of his antlers

[humble hunter]

nice blacktail gatehouse!!! Was he rutted out? It does not seem like the rut has started here but It should have.

[Fisher-Dude]

Nice blacktail Gate! I'll bet that awsome scent worked like a charm!

LMAO! :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Nice buck Clarke!

[Prowler]

Awesome Buck GH. I cant wait to finaly connect on one of those things!!
I mean, that, I CANT WAIT ANY MORE !!!:mrgreen:

[Elkhound]

beauty...I tried to get one myself today...no luck. Just a ton of snow

[Johnnybear]

That's a really nice BT buck Gates. Love the snow too. It's starting to creep down a little lower here on our puny Island mountains:-D.

[Shooter]

Beauty buck congrats . What caliber is that gun your sporting in the pic? Sure seemed to drop him good enough. You must hand load...lol

[Gateholio]

nice blacktail gatehouse!!! Was he rutted out? It does not seem like the rut has started here but It should have.

He is a little stinky, not too much. I think the days of real action are just beginning...

[TheDuckinator]

Nice sized BT, their to smart for me lol

[BIGHUNTERFISH]

Very nice.I just made some deer goulasch yummy.:-D

[todbartell]

Mattingly! I told you to shave those sideburns! You're off the team!

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/object/72/72/n2213595036_36955.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHv3aDa8n_A

[Ambush]

Is that deer really even dead!!?? He looks a little whipped out, but sure not dead.:???:

But whatever is going on there, congratulations on being the obvious winner!

[Brambles]

congrats on another great blacktail Gate, nice job

[Kody94]

Mattingly! I told you to shave those sideburns! You're off the team!

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/object/72/72/n2213595036_36955.jpg



*****. Gates does look "well groomed".

ps: Loved that episode. Glad I'm not the only one that uses obscure Simpson's references.

[proguide66]

I WANT ONE TOO ! :cry:

[Tikka270wsm]

Very nice Blacktail! Looking forward to the story.

[harbinger]

I WANT ONE TOO ! :cry:


X2


Way to go Clarke!

[hunter1947]

Clarke thats a dandy BTD the two of you got there ,its team work like this that pays off at the end.
Story well told and a dandy BTD to go along with the story ,congrats to the two of you http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon6.gif http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif.

[ELKOHOLICBC]

Congrats Gate on an awesome Blacktail. Love the story, thats what its all about. In the end you don't remember the kill for the flavour but you remember it for the experience.

[Gateholio]

You are so right about teamwork. From sharing information, trail camera pictures, deer sightings, location of tracks, working together when hunting and planning, you can greatly increase your opportunities by using good teamwork.

Sometimes the puzzle you have been trying to figure out can be solved by one piece of info your partner has, and when hunting blacktails, you need all the pieces you can get!:mrgreen:

[Blainer]

Great story!
Great pictures!
Great buck!
Good on ya and look forward to the video.

[proguide66]

here's a photo I snapped at him before we went after him...got some footage of him to!:-D
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/proguide66/DSC02214.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/proguide66/DSC02234.jpg

[BiG Boar]

Awsome BT GH WTG!

[huntcoop]

Nicely done boys, that is an awesome BT.

[d6dan]

Very nice Blacktail GH. Great story and pics. You have to like team work, when It all comes together:-D..Congrats

[budismyhorse]

looks like a good one Gatehouse! great story and pics are well done.....just make sure the steaks aren't!

[SHACK]

Sweet buck Gate, PG66 was probably twitching hard to pass on that one! ;)

[Gateholio]

Sweet buck Gate, PG66 was probably twitching hard to pass on that one! ;)

He's really picky. And besides, he owed me one.:mrgreen::wink:

[pupper]

Wow good job Gatehouse! That buck almost looks like the browning buck.
BTW that picture does show off your boyish good looks. Better than the pink tutu.

[rollingrock]

Good job on the buck! I think my bucks are rutting their brains out at his moment too. What's the weight on the hook? I bet this one is around 250 before dressed.

[bruin]

Beauty congrats

[jrjonesy]

Great buck! Sounds like it was a awesome hunt and stalk. Pretty cool when it all comes together.

[todbartell]

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/proguide66/DSC02234.jpg


I bet this one is around 250 before dressed.

naw, with that coat and pants, probably pushing 390

PS, should I bring my snowshoes?

[Gateholio]

naw, with that coat and pants, probably pushing 390

PS, should I bring my snowshoes?

You little swine. The coat is big, making my svelte figure look more portly than it really is.:twisted: :-D

Bring snowshoes if you want, but you probably won't be able to use them.

[todbartell]

You little swine. The coat is big, making my svelte figure look more portly than it really is.:twisted: :-D

this tight fitting tutu calls bullshit

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o205/todbartell/gatehouse.jpg

[Fisher-Dude]

I bet Tubby ate a hind quarter before he got it out to the truck.

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/proguide66/DSC02234.jpg

[Salty]

Nice buck. I think I know where the newest greatest big buck meca is. Clearwater is old news. Hail the new BC buck meca!

[Fixit]

man! your right in my back yard and i still cant figure out where you are!!!

upload the video???

[Th0r]

Lovely job Clarke. This is getting to be an annual event for you. All the time you put in shows in the reward. Great job and leave some up there for me for friggen sakes!:tongue:

[BlacktailStalker]

here's a photo I snapped at him before we went after him...got some footage of him to!:-D
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/proguide66/DSC02214.jpg

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq155/proguide66/DSC02234.jpg


That timber in the first shot makes me horny, big buck material.

[proguide66]

That timber in the first shot makes me horny, big buck material.
No shit!..take note of what he's standing on.....rock..steep....rock rock rock..steep steep steep......I couldnt believe the route he took up a rock face!!!....thought we were chasing sheep...if it werent for the snow , I would never had guessed a deer would have gone up some of that shit!!!

[cainer]

Atta boys-way to keep that BT population in check. That one could win the PWA contest!

[hatrack]

You two guys sure get some nice bucks and hunt some nice country. Congrats!

[Manglinmike]

nice blackie forsure Gate,I have only hunted them a few times but seeing these nov pics makes me want to go out and hit the ridges again

[Shooter]

Man that's a beaut. Are we gonna get to see the footage also??;)

[Jelvis]

Awesome hunt, great pic's too, that buck is in good shape.
Love the area habitat but lots a climbing need good knees and back for that.
Jel -- great pic's

[Deadshot]

Great buck, Gatehouse!
Creepy thread though, with the "I wanted to giggle it was so much fun" or "that timber in the first shot makes me horny".
As far as the tutu goes, "to each his own!"
I'm down with the boyish good looks though!!:wink:

[twoSevenO]

Wait wait wait .... so you're saying you saw him, then proceeded to stalk up to a blacktail just like that, in squeaky, loud snow????

You must be wearing lots of scent-lok??

LOL :D :D :D

[hunter11]

Great story and one hell of a bt to me. Sure pays off to take that second look. Cheers.

[115 or bust]

Way to go gate you two consistantly blow me away!!! I thought I'd been seeing some really nice bucks lately but you managed to put it back in perspective for me lol!

[Gateholio]

Wait wait wait .... so you're saying you saw him, then proceeded to stalk up to a blacktail just like that, in squeaky, loud snow????

You must be wearing lots of scent-lok??

LOL :D :D :D

We used the tube of deer scent that BCrams "volunteered" me to buy at silent auction at a WSSoBC AGM. I've used it to great effect over the last couple of years, I bet he is jealous he didn't pay the $18 for it! :mrgreen:

[Fisher-Dude]

We used the tube of deer scent that BCrams "volunteered" me to buy at silent auction at a WSSoBC AGM. I've used it to great effect over the last couple of years, I bet he is jealous he didn't pay the $18 for it! :mrgreen:

It must be good stuff. You still reek of it in March.

[wolverine]

Congrats. Very nice deer.

[SHACK]

PG66, did you realy owe him one.....or did you want to see him sweat like a stuck oinker pulling that buck back to the truck! We just call that sheep training you know Clarke!
Any way you look at it, nice buck man, I would be happy to put the hurt on one like that this year! Oh well I am off after BT's for Sun, Mon, and Tues so hopefully I can post up something with good bone. My little 3x3 from earlier this season does not hold a candle to that one!

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Better you eat that nice buck than those pesky wolves:wink:.

Nice buck! I love to see these HBC combos gettin' it done!!:)

SSS

[BCrams]

We used the tube of deer scent that BCrams "got" me to buy at silent auction at a WSSoBC AGM. I've used it to great effect over the last couple of years :mrgreen:

You're welcome Gate. Without my valuable help, you may not have had the success you've had :wink:

[115 or bust]

Lol you guys are going to have to start checking your phones for wiretaps / meeting furtitively in dark parking lots. Checking your trucks in the morning for gps's strapped to the undercarraige etc lol :P

[BigfishCanada]

Hey Gate, thast a beauty, best one ive seen you post ever? That to me looks like a trophy Blacktail???

Congrats!

[Gateholio]

Hey Gate, thast a beauty, best one ive seen you post ever? That to me looks like a trophy Blacktail???

Congrats!

Naw..it's a real nice blacktail, but 2007 was the best to date....


http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v158/111/96/526315515/n526315515_678879_4318.jpg

Although this one (2009) was the first time either one of us had got a BT shot on video. Come to think of it, it's the first time we've actually been standing next to each other when one of us shot something other than tequila!:tongue:

[Jelvis]

That 2007 buck is fantastic, one of the best blacktail ever, I hope you got a shoulder mount of that trophy buck, high rack, and it curls in nice.
Over the fireplace in the den -- awesome buck -- you know how to hunt --
Jel -- one of the nicest backtails ever

[Gateholio]

Jelvis, the buck curls in like crazy! ALmost touching!:wink:

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v158/111/96/526315515/n526315515_678877_3388.jpg

[Jelvis]

That is a beauty no doubt, he was really rubbing bark, ive never seen that much wood fibre on the bases of a rack like those. Huge neck
I hope you remember the date because that buck is total rut.
jel -- Prime condition --

[Stone Sheep Steve]

It must be good stuff. You still reek of it in March.


By the look of Gate's hair in that pic, he's using it as hair gel:wink:. "Jezzebelle's Hair Gel for Men".....:mrgreen:

SSS

[proguide66]

Umm...I " OWED YOU ONE" ???..pwa hahahahahahahahaha.......:tongue::tongue::tongue

Oh, you owed me one ;)

[Gateholio]

Oops...I hit edit instead of Quote.:icon_frow

Anyway... :tongue:

You owed me and you know it...

http://paudecanela.net/kiwivera/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/kiwi-clean-fd-lg.jpg

Need I say more?
:mrgreen::mrgreen::tongue:


Hee Hee....


But yes, it was very generous for PG66 to call me up and "hand me" this buck. It's great having friends that are more concerned with having lots of fun and overall success than just themselves. And it's also good to have a buddy that knows more than you do. Ha Ha ;)

Excitement and laughter is a big part of hunting, IMHO.:-D

[kennyj]

Congratulations guys! What a blast.Very exciting story and great buck.
kenny

[Gilmore]

.

http://paudecanela.net/kiwivera/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/kiwi-clean-fd-lg.jpg

Need I say more?


Nope!!! Oh Stelinda you may be paying and paying....and paying!!:mrgreen::mrgreen:

[Gateholio]

Nope!!! Oh Stelinda you may be paying and paying....and paying!!:mrgreen::mrgreen:


:tongue::tongue:


hee Hee:mrgreen:

[rocksteady]

Great buck and story Gate...Looking forward to the video !!!

[proguide66]

Oops...I hit edit instead of Quote.:icon_frow

Anyway... :tongue:

You owed me and you know it...

http://paudecanela.net/kiwivera/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/kiwi-clean-fd-lg.jpg

Need I say more?
:mrgreen::mrgreen::tongue:


Hee Hee....


But yes, it was very generous for PG66 to call me up and "hand me" this buck. It's great having friends that are more concerned with having lots of fun and overall success than just themselves. And it's also good to have a buddy that knows more than you do. Ha Ha ;)

Excitement and laughter is a big part of hunting, IMHO.:-D
hahaha.....shit , took you 2 yrs to 'square up' with me for the ' buck for a waitress ' deal:razz:..........now we might be in court for 2 years for you not taking her BACK !!!!:shock:

[Gilmore]

hahaha.....shit , took you 2 yrs to 'square up' with me for the ' buck for a waitress ' deal:razz:..........now we might be in court for 2 years for you not taking her BACK !!!!:shock:


Reap what you sow buddy, reap what you sow.:twisted::twisted:

[proguide66]

Reap what you sow buddy, reap what you sow.:twisted::twisted:

beers later you SPUD !......why are you on your ass inside instead of chasing deers??

[Gilmore]

Intraweb hunting today and taking care of my sick family so no beers tonight.

[venison4me]

man thats a nice looking buck.. gratz

[fozzy]

Great BT Gatehouse! Gotta love the tsx's :)

[Marc]

Hell of a deer Clark, now where is the video? I just went through 10 pages of post looking for a vid but none found.

[Gateholio]

Video to come soon, gotta wait for PG66 to post it, he is a bit preoccupied right now.:tongue:

[CooperSscat]

Super blacktail and stalk Gatehouse!

It'll be great to see how the video turns out!

Jeremy

[quadrakid]

My heroes, Clark Kent, Clark Griswold, Clark Gatehouse, very nice bt

[Freshtracks]

Another great looking buck Gate ... now fess up ... how long did proguide66 have it hog-tied up for? :tongue:

[Gateholio]

Another great looking buck Gate ... now fess up ... how long did proguide66 have it hog-tied up for? :tongue:

He *is* quick with a rope...:mrgreen:

I tell you one thing..When it comes to hunting, it pays off to surround yourself with good, fun, generous people that share the work and share the fun! I used to hunt with a bunch of different folks, but it's down to a handful now. I am not in a race with my partners to shoot something, I'm not miserable or greedy or resentful of others success, and I have no time for those that are.

If you are the miserable sort, you ain't gonna get phone calls like I did!:mrgreen:

[hunter1947]

He *is* quick with a rope...:mrgreen:

I tell you one thing..When it comes to hunting, it pays off to surround yourself with good, fun, generous people that share the work and share the fun! I used to hunt with a bunch of different folks, but it's down to a handful now. I am not in a race with my partners to shoot something, I'm not miserable or greedy or resentful of others success, and I have no time for those that are.

If you are the miserable sort, you ain't gonna get phone calls like I did!:mrgreen:

Its hard to find someone to hunt with that is willing to give up a decent big game animal that carries a good size rack on its head.

Clarke looks like you found a partner that will give for the other as for yourself ,as the years go on it will only get better for you and your partner meaning PG66.

[1/2 slam]

Wow! Thats a great buck Gate!

[CT.45]

Congrats on both your 'partnership' with PG66 and your beautiful buck!! :)

[Ruger.270]

Amazing deer, and talk about a great hunting partner to give you the scoop on a buck like that!

Gotta ask, how do you like that snow camo coat?? (I think it's the same one I just ordered from cabelas- waterproof canadian coverup) If indeed it is the same I can only hope to shoot a blackie half that size on the island!

[ydouask]

Great story and teamwork, congrats.