My 2012 hunting season

[mark]

Ive been receiving lots of PM's, as well seen posts asking about my past hunting success. Now that a little house cleaning has taken place :), I guess its time I post up.
As usual, I did a ton of hunting, had some amazing experiences, hiked countless miles, and ended up with a full freezer!
This thread is gonna take some time, as I have a pile of great photos to share.
Ill try to post the hunts and pics as they occurred in my season.

The Stone Sheep.....

A late august trip to the far north, found us doing a 24 hour drive, towing my boat, followed by a 6 hour boat ride through forest fires where smoke was so thick we had shirts tied over our faces just to breath, and at times so thick, I couldnt even see.
A little farther up river we were happy to some scenery such as this....

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_sheep_hunt_049_Small_.jpg
&
After our amazing boat trip, followed a full 12 hour hike, in the rain, all up hill, with packs loaded for 12 days. Have to say, probably the longest, hardest 1 day hike Ive ever done!

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_sheep_hunt_040_Small_.jpg
&
Upon reaching the highcountry, we encountered every type of weather one could imagine, more than half of which was rain.
We hiked long and hard nearly every day, and saw lots of sheep.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_sheep_hunt_017_Small_.jpg
When the sun did poke out I managed to take some great pics.
I took a pic of this cute lil guy at 5 yards!

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_sheep_hunt_030_Small_.jpg
&

[TIKA 300]

Sweet,can't wait !!!

[mark]

I saw plenty of sheep almost every day, but as a shed hunter and a sheep hunter, this may be one of my Fayvz!

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_sheep_hunt_022_Small_.jpg
&
I saw a total of nearly 50 different rams during my time in the hills, and this was the only positively legal ram I had a chance at. I watched him through the spotter for 20 minutes at 320 yards, aged him at 9 years old, but made the tough decision to pass on him. It would be my only opportunity of that trip.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_sheep_hunt_013_Small_.jpg

[knightcc]

Oh ya!! I have been looking forward to this thread!!!

[Bc Deer Hunter]

Beuty scenery!! That is a very cool pic of the moose antler and band of sheep :) Keep it coming Mark!!

[rocksteady]

When did you fit in messing with trail cams :)

[mark]

The alpine muley quest.....

September 09 found us on our way to out to the mountains, only minutes before loosing cell service, we get the call that our neighborhood is on fire..... upon which we returned to home. Thankfully our firefighters kicked ass and got that under control, which put us back on track, just a day late.
We hiked our asses to the top of mountain, with plans to stay a few days....
We set up camp and hunkered down for the night.
On this trip I brought my dog, as these mountains are heavily grizz infested.
It got crazy cold overnight, my dog kept going nuts all night, hence we didnt sleep much.
We awoke to 4" of snow, approx -10, and huge grizz tracks within 50 yards of our tent.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_alpine_006_Small_.jpg
Yes folks, this is sept 11 in the south of BC
My partner wasnt really prepared for the weather we encountered, couple that with the fact we saw no deer sign in the fresh snow, we pulled the plug on this quest early, but got some great photos!

Watching each others back in grizz country!
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_alpine_005_Small_.jpg

[Islandeer]

When did you fit in messing with trail cams :)

LOL to that!!

[islander7mm]

Great photo's but that last one is awesome. That must have been a tough call to pass that ram. Beauty cape on that one. I love these post season writeups.

[Islandeer]

Cool vista.

[mark]

The elk....
As usual, we did lots of t-cam work...Once again we got lots of awesome pics of lots of elk, a few legal bulls..
Anyone that followed my last years elk thread may remember this pic.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2011_t-cam_004_Small_1.jpg
&
Well, I was very pleased to see he made it through last years hunt, and returned to the same mountain, a little bigger!

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_fall_t-cam_060_Small_.jpg
Note the crook in his right eyeguard, as well the huge scar on his face in the above pics!

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_fall_t-cam_134_Small_.jpg
A note here....there are 4 of us who hunt this particular area, someone is almost always working this mountain throughout the season. Most of us have seen nearly every elk that our cams have shown us, but none of us have laid eyes on this bull in 2 years. Sometimes we miss him at a cam by as little as 40 minutes???
Goes to show how smart and weary they can be!!!

Hunting pressure seemed to be down this year, and elk action was great nearly every time out, my buddy was the first to down a bull in our group.
3 of us boned and packed this bull out, and I can say it redefined my definition of the term "BLOWDOWN" even my dog was struggling and crying at times!

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_elk_pics_009_Small_.jpg
I can honestly say that only the sound of an elk bugle, heard by a elk nut, could lure any human to this place!

Knowing the big guy was still out there, I hunted real hard, and called in many smaller bulls. I had a very, very close call on a big 7 pointer, which took me on a 4 hour wild chase over a mile or so, swapping hundreds of bugles, mostly inside of 1-2 hundred yards. I had crosshairs on the lungs several times before I could count points, then counted points several times but never again saw hair.....
As the weeks ticked on, the white of the bottom of my freezer began to haunt me, this bull also gave me a 3 hour bugle filled, memorable hunt over a mile of rough country, so when the opp finally came, i took it!

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_elk_pics_014_Small_.jpg
Not a monster, but a very memorable hunt, in a beautiful place, and dam he is tasty!

[mark]

As always, I buy a moose tag, this usually ensures that you wont see a legal bull in the south of BC. Well on a solo trip through region 3 enroute for calis (ya Im getting to that) I saw this guy 100 yards from a major logging road, oct. 15 (opening day)

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/fraser_2012_005_Small_.jpg
I watched this moose for 15 minutes, despite the fuzzy pic he was clearly legal.
By myself, just before dark, a long ways from home, a freezer full of elk, and a sheep tag ticking to a close, I passed this tasty dummy..... a first for me!

[mark]

Cali time.
If I, both have a sheep tag, and tag out on elk early, I like to head back to sheep country to hunt calis.
I should note that 4 hunting partners all jammed out on this trip at the last minute, (they all could of had that moose), so I went solo for the last 5 days of sheep season.
I hiked longer, harder, and further than I ever have in the past.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/fraser_2012_015_Small_.jpg
&
Sheep or no sheep, it sure takes one to some amazing places!

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/fraser_2012_013_Small_.jpg
and some amazing scenery!
Of course, time and effort always pays, and I did find sheep!

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/fraser_2012_010_Small_.jpg
&
I saw far less sheep than I have in previous years with half the effort....

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/fraser_2012_012_Small_.jpg
&

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/fraser_2012_017_Small_.jpg

As usual, this hunt was little more than a photo safari, had the opp to take about 5 mulie bucks in my travels, met some great guys during this hunt, but came home empty handed as predicted. lol

[mark]

Muley time again...
My cams didnt get any good pics of any decent bucks this year, nor was shed hunting very productive in the past year.
I still hunted and hiked my balls off, maybe more than ever this year for mule deer!
I heard many hunters moaning that theres no deer left, yada, yada, etc....
I on the other hand saw more bucks than I have in many years.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_whitey_003_Small_.jpg
took this pic at 40 yards

I took the following pic at 200 yards, following this, this buck bedded and layed there all day. I figure he was 4" past the ears on both sides (about 28" wide)

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/wide_3_pt_003_Small_.jpg
Ive been running out of excuses to shoot deer lately, after last years 30+ incher, and a freezer full of elk etc. so i set my standards very high and stuck to them this year!

The late season had little snow in my usual spots, and thus few deer, I did some serious exploring in new places, and wow, did i find deer!

I took a buddy to an area, and he harvested this fine buck!


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Daves_2012_buck_015_Small_.jpg
An absolute monster bodied buck, the biggest ive ever seen in all my life!!! He made a very far shot, his .300 mag passed through the hind quarter traveled the length of the body, through the heart, and into the shoulder. (300 yard shot)
So after about 15 lbs of meat loss due to shot, we boned out and packed out 126 lbs of meat!
The rack was Very tall and heavy...42" of mass! With weak forks all around it still taped at 170"
All my other muley buddies tagged bucks in the 160-170 range also, but I dont have the pics handy.

I pushed on hard for the rest of the season, spent many days solo at 6000' in knee deep snow into December.
By the end of season, I had seen over 80 muley bucks, 27 of them 4 points or better, but none that got me excited, so I ended my muley season with an uncut tag!

[Wrayzer]

Nice pictures and animals, any insight on some techniques you used to bring the elk in? I'm sure there must be some good info for how you were able to keep that bull going for over 100 calls.
The area you hunt them, was there a strategic plan for that spot from lots of sign or was it a gut feeling and setting a cam?
We have a place in mind, looks like the same terrain. Itching to get in there this Spring.

[Bc Deer Hunter]

Nice pictures and animals, any insight on some techniques you used to bring the elk in? I'm sure there must be some good info for how you were able to keep that bull going for over 100 calls.
The area you hunt them, was there a strategic plan for that spot from lots of sign or was it a gut feeling and setting a cam?
We have a place in mind, looks like the same terrain. Itching to get in there this Spring.
Im also interested in your calling!! What a great season so far :) Edit: Congrats to all your friends!! Really shows how much discipline is required to hunt trophy mule deer :) Always next season for the big mule's!

[mark]

Whities...

Not a huge story to tell here, I dont put much passion into these buggars!
There was a very nice 5x5 that I got pics of, as well had him in my scope twice, but never got that shot.
I also had t-cam pics of this guy but erased them one day in the feild.
in the last hour of the last day of season, I cought this guy doing 90 for cover.
I had too many frustrating calls on these rats this past year, so I starting shooting.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2012_whitey_006_Small_.jpg
I must say they taste good!
And thats all folks, hope you enjoyed!

[Jelvis]

mark did yah win the LOTTO or are yah single now? lol just joking, the beard looks great on yah.

[coach]

Heroic effort, Mark! Congrats on a successful season.

[guest]

Great Thread and Photos Mark as per usual ....

congrats

CT

[rocksteady]

the beard looks great on yah.[/QUOTE

Really Jelly? That sounds so "Not right"....

[BillyBull]

Very nice year, thanks for sharing your season with us all... the pictures and comments were great and I really like how you had the dogs back while he's scouting for you.

[Rattler]

Congrats on a great season. Awesome pics Mark and thanks for sharing.

[one-shot-wonder]

Wow from start to finish impressive pics.....thanks for taking us along! Must not have been hunting region 8 with that many buck sightings, thanks for the confirmation there are plenty of 4 points still stotting around........In all how many days afield?

[hotshot]

Roughly how many days did you hunt this season? I'd like to see that many animals per season, great job and great pics

[deer nut]

Nice elk and photos! I woulda shot that deer! :) How many days were you afield?

[kennyj]

Great season as usual Mark. Lots of awesome memories and a full freezer.
kenny

[Blainer]

Always enjoy your threads.
Thanks for the journey!

[EGLPNT]

Congrats on a great season, loved the pictures! :-D

[dana]

Looks like another great season Mark. Thanks for letting us have a look.

[Jack Russell]

That sounds like a solid hunting season. Thanks for the pictures and good going on seeing so many good muley bucks.

[bruin]

Looks like a great season. Lots of time in the bush is key! Some great trail cam pics o the elk, man I wish I lived in that country, you've got it right!

[TIKA 300]

Thanks for taking us along,great pics and stories as per usual !!!
Love the pic of your dog covering your back....... :cool:

[Caveman]

Was wondering when you were going to get around to posting. Another epic season over a good chunk of our beautiful province Bud. i really wish i could have joined you on the river.

[Sitkaspruce]

Thanks for bringing us along on your fall adventures.

Do you have a small pack for the dog?? How is he in the bush??

Cheers

SS

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Some great pics, Mark.....and a good cross section of what this province has to offer!!

Good stuff!

SSS

[frenchbar]

yup ..great pics !..TFS your season Mark .

[mark]

Nice pictures and animals, any insight on some techniques you used to bring the elk in? I'm sure there must be some good info for how you were able to keep that bull going for over 100 calls.
The area you hunt them, was there a strategic plan for that spot from lots of sign or was it a gut feeling and setting a cam?
We have a place in mind, looks like the same terrain. Itching to get in there this Spring.

Of course I have a strategic plan, I do my homework!
You want to know how I elk hunt? I want to know what the hell you mean by this?
"underlying messages always go unseen. " LMAO


mark did yah win the LOTTO or are yah single now? lol just joking, the beard looks great on yah.

Jel, no big budget hunts there my friend!
Single, yes, although I tend to do less ungulate hunting when Im single as my balls tend to lead me astray! :)


Wow from start to finish impressive pics.....thanks for taking us along! Must not have been hunting region 8 with that many buck sightings, thanks for the confirmation there are plenty of 4 points still stotting around........In all how many days afield?

I hunted deer in 4 different regions, saw bucks in all of them, by far the most in reg. 3. in an area Ive never hunted before!!! Pays to explore, and Ive just brushed the tip of an iceberg so to speak, pretty sure I know where my next big buck is coming from!


Nice elk and photos! I woulda shot that deer! :) How many days were you afield?

Those bucks were young, with lots of growing time left in them, a far cry from the biggest bucks I saw!
As for days in the feild??? not sure, but lots and lots!


Thanks for bringing us along on your fall adventures.

Do you have a small pack for the dog?? How is he in the bush??

Cheers

SS

My dog has matured incredibly well, he's awesome in the bush, he stays close when Im hiking, and of course on a leash if Im hunting anything other than bears :-D. I had a doggy pack for him and used it for alpine adventures. I found it would get snagged up alot in the bush and the POS thing started to fall apart on us. Id like to get him another one and bring him on a sheep hunt someday.

[d6dan]

Great season Mark. Always enjoy your posts and pictures..:-D

[ARC]

Looks like a great year, thanks for posting.

[argyle1]

wow Mark--awsome hunting partner--I've had a couple chesapeake hunting partners--can't be beat

[WKCotts]

Nice work Mark! Thanx for sharing.

[hunter1947]

All your hard work paid off for you Mark the pictures and story are as good as you can get it out there in the wild doing what you love to do ,,some fantastic looking animals in them pictures you posted up for us members to see ,,a big congrats to you on a fantastic 2012 hunting season..

O ya thanks for sharing all with us HBC members ,,looking forward to you hunting stories and pictures of game animals you get in this up coming season as for your 2013 shed hunt..

[MOUNTAIN MAN - TOYOTA/ATV]

Great hunting year for you Mark. I liked the big elk. Good work!

[Hillbros_96]

Thanks for the share. Definitely shows what doing your homework can do for your success.

[BiG Boar]

Great season! Thanks for the re-cap. Inspires me to get into shape one of these days so I can cover ground like the serious guys do.