Weekend pics from Kelowna area

[coach]

On Easter Monday, I took the family for a little hiking, target shooting, animal spotting and geocacheing on the west side of Okanagan Lake. Here's a few pics from out outing:

The day started with a band of sheep near the bottom of Bear Main. I managed to scramble up the bank and got within 10 yards of them:

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1880.jpg

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1877.jpg

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1875.jpg

[REMINGTON JIM]

Nice pics ! that was a big day gettin all that done in one day ! LOL Cheers RJ

[coach]

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1876.jpg

A little further up the road, we spotted a small group of mule deer. This one decided to pose for a picture:

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1886.jpg

[coach]

While I scouted for animals, Tracy and the kids found a couple of geocaches. I'll be honest, a gps treasure hunt isn't my favorite activity - but the kids love it and it keeps them occupied for hours. They learn to use the gps and we get to spend time in the great outdoors. I highly recommend trying it. I believe we're well in excess of 100 caches in the last year and we've seen some great country.

We headed a little higher in elevation and found a great spot on a dead end (snowed in) road, set up a target, a table and the kids did a little plinking:

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1912.jpg

Here's a picture of my (almost) 10 year old stepson shooting the .22. He's very keen on hunting this year.

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1904.jpg

His first couple shots weren't too bad..

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1898.jpg

[Philcott]

Very nice to see the family out and about.

[coach]

A little while later, our search for another cache brought us to pretty cool spot high above the city. I'm sure several HBC members have been here before - but it was the first time for me:

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/Snapbucket/3444F4A0.jpg

[boxhitch]

Nice shotz
Any turkey pics ?

[coach]

Nice shotz
Any turkey pics ?

No turkeys that I'm aware of on that side of the lake. I'll be heading south of town next week to find them though.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

No turkeys that I'm aware of on that side of the lake. I'll be heading south of town next week to find them though.

There are a "few" on the westside but very few at this point.

Nice pics! ...any ticks? Picked up one on Monday.

SSS

[coach]

The road was a little snowed in above the tower - but we managed to get within 300 meters of the cache when I pulled over and we started hiking up:

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1921.jpg

The family calls it geocacheing - I call it training them to hunt mule deer next fall!

There was a little bit of sign up there:

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1944.jpg

Do moose and deer shit together in the woods?

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1926.jpg

[coach]

There are a "few" on the westside but very few at this point.

Nice pics! ...any ticks? Picked up one on Monday.

SSS

Fortunately we didn't find any ticks. I figured we would - but seem to have been lucky.

[dave_fras]

nice pics!... and i know that antenna!... i got my very first 4 point up in that area.... about 10 years ago!..... ticks sure are gettin bad tho!... i had 3 on me yesterday!... and one crawlin on my bedroom wall the day before!...the gf wasnt impressed hahahaha... now ive gotta take my hiking stuff off in the garage hahaha

[coach]

More sign. Not sure what these plants are called - but deer love them. Especially later in the season. Good thing to keep in mind when scouting.

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1950.jpg

We got within 100 meters of the cache and realized all that was between us and our treasure was this little hill:

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1923.jpg

As much as everyone wanted to find the cache - we decided to leave it for it on another day.

On the way down, Kiana managed to fall on her face. Of course, I showed great sympathy and immediately assisted her... With my camera!!

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1940.jpg

[coach]

On the way back down we stopped to enjoy the view. Here's where we usually spend our family days in the winter:

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1915.jpg

And here's where we'll spend a lot of time this summer:

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy154/coach108/IMG_1957-1.jpg

[coach]

A pretty good day in the end. We spotted the group of sheep on the way up and about 25 mulw deer throughout the afternoon. Last year, I did a drive in a similar area and only spotted 12 deer. Clearly the population has doubled over the winter..:-D:-D

Although there was a ton of sign at the top of the hill, we had Chilko running everywhere and didn't spot any critters up there. Unfortunately, I didn't find any sheds either. I'm sure there would be some around though. Might be worth another look soon.

[dana]

Looks like a fun family adventure! :)

[MOUNTAIN MAN - TOYOTA/ATV]

Looks like you had a good day out with your family!

[Wrayzer]

Great photos Coach, looks like a great family day. Yup area looks pretty familiar, good winter range for the mulw deer, wouldnt have been surprised if you stumbled on some sheds.

[lovemywinchester]

Good times with the family Coach. You should edit the story and replace "geo cache" with "shed hunt". We know why you were really out there. The ticks are out of control this year, Im getting them on me every day I am out now.

[knockturnal]

A lot of the sheds up there might be picked up already. I know a lot of guys that shed hunt up there. That's my late season bow area. I've chased a ton of deer through there. I find it hard to shed hunt right now with the fishing on the lake starting to pick up. Good on ya getting the kids out there.

[matt420]

nice pics thanks for sharing, that hike to blue grouse mt is a nice one