The Best Is Yet To Come

[Phil]

This has been one of my most fun and most extensive seasons yet. It started in the spring looking for a spring bear, continued mid August moose hunting and was rounded off from September to nearly the end of November hunting deer.


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/cub_2.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16424&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/cub_1.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16423&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


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http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Blonde_bear_and_me.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16416&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Blonde_Bear.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16415&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)



http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Scabes_bear_1.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16425&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Homestead.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16419&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


The deer season began for me in the youth season with a few young fellas. Later I began scouting and hunting four points in the any buck season and hunting the later four point season. The best part is that I've got time to hunt another region before the season is over so I won't be done until the snow's too deep.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Old_cabin_1.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16417&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Train.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16434&size=big&cat=500)



http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Old_cabin_in_trees.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16418&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)



The following is a season summary to this point and hopefully more pictures and stories of upcoming hunts to follow.


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1481_2_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=15124&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)



Moose hunting in August was unbelievable and the memories will carry me through the winter. This was one of the most scenic hunting trips I've been on yet.


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/IMG_1492_2_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=15118&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


During this time I have been able to include my kids in a few hunts. My daughter turned ten this summer and was eager to try her hand hunting grouse. The first morning out over Thanksgiving she shot her first two birds. One of which she spotted on her own and stalked within shooting range without any help from me. A good clean kill it was, despite having to give it the whirly bird helicopter spin by the head that she had seen me do so many times before. It was a proud moment that excited me for her hunting future. We went on to shoot eight more grouse over that weekend. She is hooked for life.


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Maddie_1.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16413&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


I helped another young hunter take his second deer ever and first of the season during the any buck opening. It was truly a thrill hunting with him and watching someone else make a shot. Taking someone to your favorite spot is hard, guiding them to places you know there are deer hanging out and that one might hold the buck you are looking for is really tough. On this particular hunt I knew where a few young bucks were hanging about. I had seen five bucks, all two and three points, on my previous trip and intended on returning.


We arrived at my spot as the sun was coming over the hills. As we crested the road I immediately spotted a two point for my young partner to take. His shot rang out over the valley while I spotted with my binos. It was a clean miss and the buck trotted off. I assured him we would find another one.


The next afternoon as we crept out into a fresh cut we did just that. A nice two point was sniffing a doe right out in the middle of the cut. It seemed early for the rut but this guy was heavily swollen in the neck and very interested in the doe he was pursuing. A single shot from his rifle left the buck staggering and ready to drop. A second shot to anchor him finished the deed. It was as good or better than making the shot myself. Being able to view the whole kill through my binos was outstanding. My young partner was excited as all get out, as was I. To top it off he made a great hunting partner, he was eager, helpful and willing to learn what little have to teach. We will hunt together again in the near future I am sure .
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Cam.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16432&size=big&cat=500)



Come mid November I was ready to put some serious effort in to my own buck. I had my area picked out and had been on several early trips scouting and learning the lay of land. On my first day out I found two bucks, one of which looked to have some impressive size. During a day of hide and seek I managed to get a shot off at him of which I missed. I thought for sure it was a solid hit and spent the rest of the day looking for proof but found none. I later determined that due to the steep angle and distance of the downhill shot without correcting, I made a clean miss.


During that time my good friend Dave took a nice buck. I heard the shots fired and was pleasantly surprised with a nice four point on the front of his quad while on the way back to camp.


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/muley4.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16255&size=big&cat=500)
A good start to the hunting trip for sure. I managed another sighting of my buck but no clean shot presented itself. After eight days out in cold weather, hiking up, down and across the hillsides I was good and tired and ready for a few solid nights sleep in my own bed without the multiple nightly interruptions from my brother's horrendous snoring. He sounded like a set of mud terrain tires spinning on wet rock.



After a week's rest at home, a few days contemplating going out again and some helpful encouragement from my wife I found myself tracking the same bucks all over again. This time I enjoyed the company of Ben, my eight year old son.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Ben_at_camp.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16429&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)

[Phil]

Fresh snow had fallen and new tracks could be found in all the same places as the previous weeks. We were unable to reach some of the higher bucks that I knew were hanging around so we focussed on the buck that I had seen on my previous trip as he was mid mountain and more easily accessible.


Unbelievably on our first morning a doe blazed past our camp 200 meters out in the bush. Feeling certain we hadn't spooked her I instructed Ben to keep his eyes peeled for a buck on her trail. I lost interest after 3 or 4 minutes and began to turn away when Ben says," Dad, here comes the buck". I looked over to see a buck trotting past with his head down. The rack looked small so I dismissed it as "not my buck". In a moment of second thought I grabbed my gun and off we went in search of the two deer. The doe was spotted quickly and seconds later the buck is as well but hiding his rack well behind the low branches while looking back at the two of us. The buck saw me get to my knees as I carefully inspected him through my binos and attempted to peer under the branches. He had already had enough and promptly left while displaying his impressive antlers. This was the buck I chased a week ago. The hunt was on.


We traversed the mountainside following tracks to no avail. We went high up hill trying to cut across tracks and zigzagged our way back down. We did eventually come across them but we both grew tired and I knew we were losing light. Eventually we hit the road with 90 min of light remaining in the day. A 20 min walk along the main road revealed the buck's final direction in to the thickest bush across a creek to which we were too tired to venture. Back at camp we rested momentarily before breaking some new ground on the ATV. I remembered where my brother had seen several does from the previous trip. There were also a few distinct buck tracks coming out of the ravine below the road that crossed over into an older cut block that I had previously seen. Knowing this I decided it was worth while to explore a new spot.



Within minutes we approached this new location all the while peering up and down in to the cut blocks. As if out of nowhere there was a big body and a white face standing there looking back at us. "Doe", I said as I couldn't see any bone on it's head. Binos up," nope, it's a buck!". I see four points but not sure if I want to shoot it or not. I have been determined to do better than last season's buck. Off the quad and gun out, kneeling on one knee I look again through the scope. My boy says, "can you shoot it dad?" I look back at him, he had his hands over his ears already and is waiting with anticipation. "Yup" I say. Nothing for me to think about at this point. It is far more important to me that his first day out this season with me is a success. Beating last year's buck is now a moot point as he has worked hard over the last two days and never made one complaint about being tired. KRACK KABOOM!!! "Did ya get him Dad?". "Sure did", I say, while looking intensely into the cut block through my scope for any residual movement from our buck or other deer. " My ears feel funny", Ben tells me. "It'll pass in a few minutes Ben, lets go check him out". One shot through the bread basket and the buck crumpled. The bullet passed through diagonally, taking out one lung and the heart, passing clean through the ribs. I approached first, feeling a little disappointed and shocked to see one side had only three points. A little uneasy too I'll admit, that I may have miss counted. That all passed as I looked down hill to see Ben scrambling up behind me using his hands to give an extra pull up the hill . In my hurry to to check the buck out I marched up the hill so fast that his little legs had no chance to keep up. He was so excited about the whole event that he was completely in awe when he got there. " He's huge", he said. " Look at his antlers Dad, they are so big. Can I put them in my room?". We took pictures, then the gutting and then the drag down. Ben was a champ, he held back a leg and identified organs as they came out. Later he instinctively grabbed the left beam and I the right as we made the drag out. The best eight year old hunting partner I have had to date.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Ben_d_deer_2.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16427&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Ben_s_deer_1.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16426&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)



http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/Me_and_Ben_and_deer.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=16428&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


Some of my most memorable moments of the hunt were the things we said between us. " Ben, Find me a buck". "I will dad". "Ben, keep your eyes peeled". "My eyes are peeled dad". After Ben spotted a lone doe on his own he said," I told you my eyes are peeled!". "Can we take a picture of the guts Dad?". "Nope". " What's your favorite part of this hunting trip Ben?". Watching a movie in the camper, hiking, the food we ate in the camper, seeing deer and pooping in woods". I laughed like hell at the last one. It's not hard to be your kids hero if crapping in the woods makes his top five list. This will be a trip that I will never forget and try hard to duplicate.


As I reflect on the season so far I remind myself that I hunt by choice to feed my family first. Secondly It is a tool that I use to instill values and appreciation of life in all aspects in my family. Trophies are great and I hope to get a few more although they can not be eaten and mostly fuel one's ego of which I am guilty. Third, hunting is a sport that provides and demands excersize and a healthy lifestyle. Last of all but not least, hunting is a means of developing and testing relationships with friends and family. It tests relationships of all kinds. With my kids well on their way to picking up a rifle the best is yet to come.

[kebes]

Great post. Your son won't forget that trip.

[Ovis17]

I really enjoyed this great post. Love the fact that your daughter is into it too. Gives me some hope (2 girls:tongue:). He wont forget that trip any time soon, I assure you!

[hotload]

Lotsa work for a great story, lotsa work for the great pictures, and obviously a ton of work into raising a great kid. I think your kinda proud, Good Work, Great Memories.

[BCBear]

Great thread and good to relive some of the stellar moments of 2009 such as the double header and the cervids. I know Ben's a happy kid now and wants to be 10 tomorrow no doubt.

[Leaseman]

Great read Phil.... thanks for reminding me of some of the memories I have shared with my son!

Mike

[hunter1947]

Thanks for the pic and the story of your years hunt ,it don't get any better then that http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif.

[cuervosail]

Wonderful tale. You should submit it to a magazine. If I had kids, I'd want them to be just like yours.

[Sitkaspruce]

Phil

Great post and pictures.

Your post is what it is all about; hunting, family, teaching and most importantly, having fun.

Thanks for sharing your time with your family with us!!

Cheers

SS

[leadpillproductions]

going to be tough to beat that year congrads

[Doe]

Awesome post....the best is yet to come for you 2.

[stroh72]

Best post in weeks. Definately should be in a magazine. Thanks for sharing.

[ydouask]

Excellent post, so pleased to read and see folks who have their values and priorities straight. Your children couldn't have a better up-bringing. I've often heard it said that kids don't come with an instruction manual... I think you've got one in the works.

Oh yeah, congrats on the game too !

[Phil]

Thanks all, for the great response.

[Tikka270wsm]

Looks like you had a great season Phil. Not only did you harvest some nice animals but got to include your family and help a young hunter get a buck. Way to go man! Thanks for sharing.

[Steeleco]

Great season for sure, but it's always better when shared with family and friends. Already can't wait for next spring I'll bet??

[Phil]

You got that right Dave. I have plans to explore a few spots that I have only scratched the surface of during this past season. One of my goals for next spring is to get familiar with areas that are much closer to home but still remote enough that we'll be hunting in solitude.

[koothunter]

Excellent Post! I have a 5 month old baby girl and I look forward to creating memories like this.

[curt]

thats is awesome thats how life long bonds are created!! good on you i'm very impressed. you have proved you are definately the "man" to that little fellow as it should be!!!

[yamadirt 426]

thanks for the good read.

[Freshtracks]

Just loved this read .... Congrats Phil on one heck of a trip. And I'm sure you'll agree .. a trophy hunt in it's own sense that could never be replaced by a rack. Just ponder the many more trips to come ... even when grampa tells around the campfire, how dad loved to crap in the woods. :wink:

[beeker]

good story. congratulations on a successful season

[sawmill]

Good on Ya!Looks like you had a magical season!It`s great to have the kids involved.:mrgreen:

[ELKOHOLICBC]

Congrats Phil on an awesome season full of memories you'll never forget. I still remember the first deer my dad shot with me and the first one i shot with him. Thats what hunting is all about the memories, stories and involving the youth. Now I get to enjoy this allwith my son. Looking forward to doing a trip with my dad and my son.
GREAT POST and STORY

[Elkhound]

great post Phil. The pics of the land with the old buildings remind me of the chezacut area. Miss hunting there.

[Phil]

Thanks again guys. Isn't it funny how after you get home from a trip and begin to decompress all of the events of the last outing that you begin to wish you were still there or on another trip some place else? I just finished drying my gear out and washing what needed to be cleaned and I already want to go again. I am an addict.

[Nooker77]

Great stuff...thanx for the story...cant wait for my 5 year old to turn ten!! Still havent closed the deal with him but we go out alot!! Cheers!!:biggrin:

[Marcus.wheeler]

I think i may know one of those young fellas you took out for youth season! Great pictures and stories Was.

[cariboobill]

Great post and what good stories. Moments like this will last forever. Great hunting trips for sure.

Cheers

CB

[Steeleco]

I am an addict.

As are we all, we don't have much use for AA, we have HBC :mrgreen::mrgreen:

[Mik]

Sounds and looks like you had a great season/year. Great story, especially the last part. I really enjoyed the part with your son. I too went out with my 10 yr old daughter and it sure made me smile while reading your post. Kids are full of questions and there is no dull momment. Congrats to all.

[Phil]

As are we all, we don't have much use for AA, we have HBC :mrgreen::mrgreen:


I think HBC may actually make it a lot worse....but then again, I'm not complaining.:wink:

[Phil]

Kids are full of questions and there is no dull momment. Congrats to all.

Your right about that. Having your kid with you adds another dimension of challenges to the hunt that make a successful hunt even sweeter.

[stitch]

As are we all, we don't have much use for AA, we have HBC :mrgreen::mrgreen:

God grant me the ...opps ...sorry wrong 12 step program!

[Phil]

I just read My son Ben the thread starter for the first time and all of your posts to this thread. He couldn't believe his pics were on the net and thought that HBC was "cool". He asked when we're going back.:-D