struck out after 2 weeks in the peace

[Darksith]

We went up up north for the first time ever hunting Aug 25, the plan was to go into the mountains along the nevis creek trail and hunt elk and moose. Well turns out the trail head is 2-3h ride through some nasty winching mudholes just to get to the mountain base. Seemed a lot closer than that to me from the maps and google earth. Anyway being with my dad and his brother who aren't experienced on quads and are a little too old to get beaten up twice a day on the quads just to get to the spot we decided to go to plan B. We packed up camp after 3 days of hunting a beauty swamp that had the moose, but no bulls (I assumed that they all got shot close to opening day), and headed off to another spot my buddy told me about. Crying Girl prairie was our new home for the next 10 days. What a beauty campsite, nice trail ride, lots of fun, but again no animals. It was simply too hot for the elk, we had a serious lack of knowledge as we had never been up that way hunting before. I did spot 1 moose across the river from way up high on one of my hikes, but I couldn't make out points so I decided that crossing the river would simply be too much of a risk with no guarantee that the moose was a shooter. Also we didn't take into account that we were there during a long weekend, the place turned into a zoo, but wouldn't of mattered anyway. I hiked and hiked and hiked looking for fresh elk sigh. I found 1 spot where a bull had rubbed a bit, and piled up all the moss, but that was about it for fresh sign. Even the guide that was operating right there said they weren't harvesting anything either, and that it was simply too windy and too warm. In the end though we had a great time, I love getting out with my dad and unlces, and we got to see some new country. Hopefully next time I can get a bit more intel (and actually act on it) on where to go, rather than intel on where I think it looks good via google earth. Another lesson to be learned is pick 1 species and go for it, I didn't realize how badly the moose get shot out up there in the first week of GOS bulls in Aug. We were a little to late for the moose, and a bit early for the elk I guess.

Anyone else ever hunt around crying girl?

Im relatively new to the elk hunting, would that rub/moss pile up spot be something that I should have sat on hoping the bull would return?

Our camp and a few other random pics
http://i53.tinypic.com/211mmf9.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/2udz05x.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/2mmxrbo.jpg

[emerson]

Now I don't feel so bad about striking out so much close to home. Too bad about no animals, at least you got to spend some quality bush time.

[srupp]

Great photos, nice camp...some of my most sucessful hunts ended with no game coming home...but enjoyable and sucessful non the less..

the seasons just begun...
Steven

[Jetboat]

Looks like you guys had a good time anyway and thats what counts :) I had a relate come up north last week & we only saw two bulls (moose) in this heat. Had one opportunity at a good 45"+ bull but we couldn't get our poop in a group and he managed to give us the slip, lol.

[835]

That second pic demonstrates why you should never wear blue geans hunting :) That was what they used to wear in the OLD days!

Great pics! There is nothing really wrong with striking out in a new area. Exploring is why we do what we do, and next season you know more then the last!

[nature girl]

I wouldnt say you were struck out. You probably learned some new things, had some good laughs and the best of all you were off from work for 2 weeks.

[dhog]

It really comes down to the hunt itself as long as you enjoyed it, you learnt some new area that you can use on future hunts. Cryibg Girl Praire and Christina falls are great country and yes there is game there its a timeing thing good luck for the rest of the season

[sneg]

Good experience,thanks for sharing. Most important you had good time .

[Jagermeister]

The camraderie shared with your dad and your uncle is priceless. You will have that memory forever etched in your mind because it was never overshadowed by an animal. The next time you are out with them, you may be fortunate to bag some game and that memory will be different. Savour the time, it was well spent. http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.pnghttp://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.png
Great pictures, especially the camp photo.