Stuck in tent

[cnelk]

Me and pike master are up for the closing bell
It was windy last night so it was an un eventful evening hunt
Got in a short circuit of calls this morning in the rain
It's been raining and snowing and windy all day
We got camo hanging from the ridge pole drying out
Naps have been frequent
Weather is supposed to clear tonight

More to come.....

[mtnmutt]

I also tried hunting in the wind last night. At least, I met some great hunters while driving out and saw a moose with 2 calves.

Watch the wind chill tomorrow. Its going to be a cold one in the early morning.

Good luck to you both.

I am almost kicking myself that I did not join you, but I have met some great hunters in my area and we seem to be the last holdouts to get it done.

A local hunter told me where the elk herd got pushed. I am going in a different route then him even though he didn't mind if I hunted down one trail he uses. He already got messed up by some youngsters that purposely hunted overtop him, so I did not want to do that. Lots of standup hunters that I have met on my last hunt. We are trying to help each other get into elk or deer. If I can't draw a satellite my way, I hope the hunters on the other side of the herd can get one.

[Mojostylee24]

Stay after it fellas! I had an emergency at work so my last trip got cut in half but Ill be up immediately after I make my escape in an hour or so! 2 days is plenty of time!


-Jim

[chiznitz]

Left work early yesterday to get some more time in....what a mistake that was. I could barely even hear my own bugling with the wind whipping the trees around. Just as we were headed up the side of the mountain to quit I saw a very elky looking log. I put range finder on it and just as I did it turned and had antlers!! We dropped down to the creek and crept up the side of the other side of the mountain and started calling. I honestly don't think he even heard us until we crept over the hill a little bit, I gave a bugle and he bugled back. With little daylight left I crept forward and boom there he goes, busted

Only going to get out Sunday yet, have to watch the kiddo all day tomorrow.

Good luck and keep at it!

[diggerson]

Went up for a half day hunt this morning, Didn't see or hear any elk. My boys have football games tomorrow thru midday, then back up for me for the final round. Not all was lost today, think I found a good trail and tree to put up a treestand. That'll be first on the agenda tomorrow afternoon, to get in there with my climber, and may just sit that for the evening hunt. Good spot that is accessible to drainages in all directions, so if I hear bugling coming from any of them, can pursue from there.

Good luck to all still out chasing 'em!

[bnsafe]

good luck guys, I may head up tomorrow an sit over my dead elk in hopes of my first bear, then drive home after. long drive for one hunt, but.....

[Swede]

It was the rainiest season ever for bow hunting in Eastern Oregon. Rain and lightning were frequent. I noticed elk feeding on mushrooms more this year than ever. It was fun watching elk out feeding at all times of the day, but they were gorging on those mushrooms and did not care to come by me for a drink of water. The winds were a special problem at times. The thunderstorms made the winds very erratic. If I got out on my stand I was soon busted, and if I stayed the elk were either out of range or downdrafts betrayed me.
It might have worked better to have brought along one of my portable blinds, but they were totally useless at home in my closet.

[cnelk]

Snow stopped
Still windy
Went out anyway but got blanked
It's gonna be a cold night
Tent heater will feel good
Having home made chicken noodle soup to warm the bones

Bnsafe
Nothing has touched my bull carcass in one week
The cow we got 3 weeks ago is gone, devoured

Another day coming tomorrow

[bnsafe]

wow, now I don't know if I should go or not. you think the cold put the bears to bed, I don't know anything about them

[cnelk]

Goodmorning
It's 20 degrees and the ground is covered with snow
The wind has died down

Coffee is truly the nectar of the gods

It's gonna be a good day

[switchback270]

good luck today! i really enjoy following your threads... can't wait for the updates

[Swede]

What does the elk hunting look like? Sometimes the inside of the tent and the coffee looks better than the hunting. Do you have to force yourself to get out?

[mtnmutt]

It was a beautiful 18 degree morning with 2 inches of snow where I went. Found one lone set of tracks and lost them through deadfall. Still trying to find the elk herd hold up between 2 gulches. It was a lovely walk through the snowy woods.

Tried just raking since the elk went silent.

I did not rough it like you diehards. I stayed in a hotel. I got sick last weekend on my back country deer hunt and realized that I can't get sick now because of an ear operation this coming Thursday morning. Poor planning on my part. Frankly, I am glad I opted for the hotel.

Good luck mountain men! You are far tougher than I.

[cnelk]

It's been a day.
Lots to tell but not on this damn iPhone
Back in tent now
We left a bull bugling at dark
Will return at predawn
Tomorrow is it!

[cnelk]

We are back.
Gear unloaded and put away...

Where did I leave off?
Oh yeah!

Saturday morning we left the comfort of the wall tent, heater and good coffee to go hunt hunt elk.
20 degrees and the ground covered in snow
Yes is wasnt a very difficult decision...

We made a 4+ mile loop thru some good areas only not to see an elk track in the snow
We saw moose and bear tracks tho.

We popped out on the road and started our trudge back to camp

Just a short distance from my last camp site, [ you remember, the one I set up my tent then went and shot a bull]
A bunch of cows and a nice 6x6 bulls came running thru the trees and about to cross the road!
We saw them about the same time they saw us 30yds away!

Pikemaster quickly knocked an arrow and I cow called.
The cows broke away and the bull squealed standing there

Pikemaster drew and dropped the string!

It wasnt meant to be, a rushed shot showed a bit of hair and no blood in the snow

What was that word again?

DANG IT!!!


Saturday evening found us making our way thru another area only to bring in a spike and hear some bugles at dark

Sunday morning - Last day - last morning

We picked up where we left off at the bugling bull.
We saw an elk slip away and we pressed to the bugling
Only to find a couple other guys bugling too.

We slipped in on them without them knowing we were there, they thought I was this bad ass bull [Chuckler tube ]
So we backed out knowing that there was a REAL elk behind us.

Within a couple minutes, we were close to him.
Pikemaster whispered 'THERE!'

It was the same 6x6 as Saturday morning, just 40 yds away.
He made a bolt, I stopped him with a cow call but no shot was offered to Pikemaster

DANG IT!!!

I made a few more bugles only to bring the other hunters in [ they came in with the wind WAY WRONG]
They were a bit pissed when I said.... ' I see you!'

We made our way back to the truck and that ended our archery season.

Its been a ride this year

Thanks for following along

It was fun

cnelk

[pikemaster]

It was a great weekend with good friends. I am still thinking about that shot but I guess he will be bigger next year. The exspression on that hunters face when he popped out of the clear cut just knowing there was a bull right there was hearing brad saying I see you like we were playing hide and seek was kinda priceless.

[BRazz]

Great hunt you guys! So close...!

I feel your pain with the wind and the cold.