tomahawk
12-14-2011, 12:39 PM
“F--kin awesome, my first LEH, I don’t believe it!!” my son Brock yelled over the phone. And when we hung up from that call it started 6 months of planning to ensure that a bull was going to be in the cross hairs come his draw date.
Between myself, my brother Garth and good friend Rod we have a combined total of 11 bison trips between us and each of us brings varying experiences and knowledge of the area and bison from these hunts to our team. However, one thing that you have no control over is the snow conditions. This in itself becomes the single greatest challenge for most hunters.
Rod and I left Nanaimo on the 5:15 am ferry, we picked up Brock from his flight from work camp and carried on to the Pink Mountain area and spent the night, -31 degrees. The next morning came early on our 3rd day of travel, the sleds would not start in the -31 degree temp and it took us 5 hrs to get them running and off loaded from the truck.
Finally we were on our way with fully loaded skimmers into our remote camp deep in the valley. There was no extra time that afternoon to do anything other then make ourselves comfortable and warm, and fill our belly’s; we were exhausted and off to bed by 8 pm.
As the light started to creep over the mountains the sleds moved slowly along the valley floor. We had planned our camp to be at the edge of what we expected to be Bison Heaven and did not want to drive past any of the big beasts in the morning darkness. We encountered evidence of Bison track quickly but they were a day or so old. As we slowly rounded and crested a corner and there it was, Bison Heaven!
They were spread out with 2 good shooter bulls (3-4 yrs old and prime eatin) and a couple that were too big (here in called Burger Bulls cause that’s all they were). Brock knew what he wanted and that was a good bull for looks and mostly for eating. Off in the background as we observed the first herd we noticed yet another herd making its way towards us. This herd was much larger and had several burger bulls and shooter bulls in it. We formulated a plan for a stalk.
As we climbed out of a small ravine we saw yet another herd at the timbers edge that was joining the other 3 herds. In total now there was easily more then 100 bison before us and more likely closer to 140.
It was great to be so close to the Bison but also we now had an extra 139 or so ears, eyes and noses to alert them to us and foil our stalk for the one shooter bull we were after. It was decided that their behaviour was such that they were not going anywhere soon, so we all agreed this was a once in a life time chance to get in the midst of this massive herd.
Off we went again, back tracking on our path for a bit till we had cover enough to circle around down wind and make our way up into the timber where we could make good time moving and be well hidden and still down wind. After more then a 2 hr stalk we were well hidden, slightly above and within 100 yds of a sea of Bison.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj230/tomahawktom/SAM_0030AVI_snapshot_0014_20111208_232401.jpg
As we listened to an amazing display of dominance with loud bellows from the Burger Bulls, out from behind the right side of a mound appeared a shooter bull, then another and another. The third bull rounding the mound was the one Brock liked. The bull walked non stop to within 80 yds of us. As he finally turned quartering broadside to us, Brock put 180 grains into his chest and well you can see what happens for yourself:
WARNING.......this is a video with some Coarse Language and an animals death, discrection should be used!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdi5EoDv2z8&feature=player_detailpage
Before dark that day we had the meat skinned and back at camp. Now it was party time!! The next morning we quartered him and put on the home made Bison bags for keeping him clean on the ride out and had a relaxing fun day of doing what we pleased. The next morning we took the meat out first to the truck and then our gear.
My son, The happy hunter..
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj230/tomahawktom/SAM_0032.jpg
The gang...
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj230/tomahawktom/SAM_0043-1.jpg
Getting the carcass into a workable position with sleds...
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj230/tomahawktom/SAM_0048.jpg
Tips/hints and things to think about:
1) Be prepared with the proper transportation for the snow and ground conditions.
2) Weather can be extreme!
3) Get as much knowledge from those who have been there before as you can!
4) Unless you’re on the first couple hunts of each year, don’t expect the bison to be in the Valley bottom waiting to get shot, they are not that dumb!
5) Be prepared to hunt way back away from the Sikanni River Outfitters as in the later hunts they are usually pushed a fair ways out.
6) Trimble and Marion Lake area’s always, and I mean always have herds on them. If you don’t see them, look harder they are there somewhere!
7) Trimble Lake trail is easy access, Marion Lake trail means crossing the river which requires adventurous individuals as well as common sense and safety first reasoning.
Odds and sods for you numbers guys...
Bases.....15"
Length....17"
Width.....24.5"
Days hunting....3.5 hrs
Between myself, my brother Garth and good friend Rod we have a combined total of 11 bison trips between us and each of us brings varying experiences and knowledge of the area and bison from these hunts to our team. However, one thing that you have no control over is the snow conditions. This in itself becomes the single greatest challenge for most hunters.
Rod and I left Nanaimo on the 5:15 am ferry, we picked up Brock from his flight from work camp and carried on to the Pink Mountain area and spent the night, -31 degrees. The next morning came early on our 3rd day of travel, the sleds would not start in the -31 degree temp and it took us 5 hrs to get them running and off loaded from the truck.
Finally we were on our way with fully loaded skimmers into our remote camp deep in the valley. There was no extra time that afternoon to do anything other then make ourselves comfortable and warm, and fill our belly’s; we were exhausted and off to bed by 8 pm.
As the light started to creep over the mountains the sleds moved slowly along the valley floor. We had planned our camp to be at the edge of what we expected to be Bison Heaven and did not want to drive past any of the big beasts in the morning darkness. We encountered evidence of Bison track quickly but they were a day or so old. As we slowly rounded and crested a corner and there it was, Bison Heaven!
They were spread out with 2 good shooter bulls (3-4 yrs old and prime eatin) and a couple that were too big (here in called Burger Bulls cause that’s all they were). Brock knew what he wanted and that was a good bull for looks and mostly for eating. Off in the background as we observed the first herd we noticed yet another herd making its way towards us. This herd was much larger and had several burger bulls and shooter bulls in it. We formulated a plan for a stalk.
As we climbed out of a small ravine we saw yet another herd at the timbers edge that was joining the other 3 herds. In total now there was easily more then 100 bison before us and more likely closer to 140.
It was great to be so close to the Bison but also we now had an extra 139 or so ears, eyes and noses to alert them to us and foil our stalk for the one shooter bull we were after. It was decided that their behaviour was such that they were not going anywhere soon, so we all agreed this was a once in a life time chance to get in the midst of this massive herd.
Off we went again, back tracking on our path for a bit till we had cover enough to circle around down wind and make our way up into the timber where we could make good time moving and be well hidden and still down wind. After more then a 2 hr stalk we were well hidden, slightly above and within 100 yds of a sea of Bison.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj230/tomahawktom/SAM_0030AVI_snapshot_0014_20111208_232401.jpg
As we listened to an amazing display of dominance with loud bellows from the Burger Bulls, out from behind the right side of a mound appeared a shooter bull, then another and another. The third bull rounding the mound was the one Brock liked. The bull walked non stop to within 80 yds of us. As he finally turned quartering broadside to us, Brock put 180 grains into his chest and well you can see what happens for yourself:
WARNING.......this is a video with some Coarse Language and an animals death, discrection should be used!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdi5EoDv2z8&feature=player_detailpage
Before dark that day we had the meat skinned and back at camp. Now it was party time!! The next morning we quartered him and put on the home made Bison bags for keeping him clean on the ride out and had a relaxing fun day of doing what we pleased. The next morning we took the meat out first to the truck and then our gear.
My son, The happy hunter..
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj230/tomahawktom/SAM_0032.jpg
The gang...
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj230/tomahawktom/SAM_0043-1.jpg
Getting the carcass into a workable position with sleds...
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj230/tomahawktom/SAM_0048.jpg
Tips/hints and things to think about:
1) Be prepared with the proper transportation for the snow and ground conditions.
2) Weather can be extreme!
3) Get as much knowledge from those who have been there before as you can!
4) Unless you’re on the first couple hunts of each year, don’t expect the bison to be in the Valley bottom waiting to get shot, they are not that dumb!
5) Be prepared to hunt way back away from the Sikanni River Outfitters as in the later hunts they are usually pushed a fair ways out.
6) Trimble and Marion Lake area’s always, and I mean always have herds on them. If you don’t see them, look harder they are there somewhere!
7) Trimble Lake trail is easy access, Marion Lake trail means crossing the river which requires adventurous individuals as well as common sense and safety first reasoning.
Odds and sods for you numbers guys...
Bases.....15"
Length....17"
Width.....24.5"
Days hunting....3.5 hrs