The month before was spent looking over maps and finishing plans for where exactly opening day would be spent. This was an early season hunt and the hardest part would be some of the competition from other hunters. We only saw one other hunter on the way in during the scouting trip but saw a pack train on the way out. This was discouraging in one way but encouraging in another that bad areas don't usually get hunted. The country held deer, we knew it, but apparently many others did as well.
Preparation came and went, and it was time for the real pack in. Rifles sighted in, packs ready, counting ounces, going over the list, making sure everything functions perfectly. All the little things that are necessary before boots can even touch the ground. This in and of itself can be a daunting process, but helps take the mind off of the the wait for the hunt.
The little traveled road we had come in on a month before seemed to have a camp at just about every possible corner. My heart sank knowing that the pressure on the deer would soon force them into the holes that were much harder to find and chances would be tougher to come by. So goes hunting.
As we left what felt like a parking lot the day before the opener our spirits had sank quite a bit. It shouldn't have surprised us though, with modern technology and the availability of maps that it is quite a bit easier to find a good spot than it was 20 years ago.
When we left the relatively flat river bottom to our planned spot the weather turned for the worst and the typical evening shower that so often hits the high country came. This forced us to stop and put on the rain gear and it was time to fill up the extra water bladders. This extra water would get us through the evening and the final ascent up the last 1000 feet in elevation.
The start of that ascent brough the surprise that we had not only found a group of other hunters, but also stumbled on some deer they intended to put a stalk on in the morning. One of the deer was easily one of the biggest spotted the entire trip. We never saw that deer again.
This ascent proved to be the toughest part of our hike and being soaked did not help in the least. This section of real estate cliffs out in every area but one. The only saddle in the entire area proved to be where we crested the hill and would even make camp.
My partner had started to feel sick on the way up, and it was likely due to dehydration. Camp, a mountain house, warm sleeping bag some heat from the stove were a welcome relief for him. I on the other hand was ready to look over the area and see what I could from our vantage point.
Much to my surpise, 300 yards below camp was a buck that met my standards. I couldn't believe that I had been able to find one that easily, in an area that we couldn't see any other people camped. Travis soon left the comforts of camp to look at the buck with me and see what had me so excited.
After about a half hour of looking over a few more bucks that had made their presence known, we both decided that it was time for bed. I spread my pad and sleeping bag out thinking it was pretty pointless considering how little sleeping would actually be done. The reality was that I was pretty tired and it was time to get some rest, and I would have to leave the buck where he bedded down until the morning anyway.
Preparation came and went, and it was time for the real pack in. Rifles sighted in, packs ready, counting ounces, going over the list, making sure everything functions perfectly. All the little things that are necessary before boots can even touch the ground. This in and of itself can be a daunting process, but helps take the mind off of the the wait for the hunt.
The little traveled road we had come in on a month before seemed to have a camp at just about every possible corner. My heart sank knowing that the pressure on the deer would soon force them into the holes that were much harder to find and chances would be tougher to come by. So goes hunting.
As we left what felt like a parking lot the day before the opener our spirits had sank quite a bit. It shouldn't have surprised us though, with modern technology and the availability of maps that it is quite a bit easier to find a good spot than it was 20 years ago.
When we left the relatively flat river bottom to our planned spot the weather turned for the worst and the typical evening shower that so often hits the high country came. This forced us to stop and put on the rain gear and it was time to fill up the extra water bladders. This extra water would get us through the evening and the final ascent up the last 1000 feet in elevation.
The start of that ascent brough the surprise that we had not only found a group of other hunters, but also stumbled on some deer they intended to put a stalk on in the morning. One of the deer was easily one of the biggest spotted the entire trip. We never saw that deer again.
This ascent proved to be the toughest part of our hike and being soaked did not help in the least. This section of real estate cliffs out in every area but one. The only saddle in the entire area proved to be where we crested the hill and would even make camp.
My partner had started to feel sick on the way up, and it was likely due to dehydration. Camp, a mountain house, warm sleeping bag some heat from the stove were a welcome relief for him. I on the other hand was ready to look over the area and see what I could from our vantage point.
Much to my surpise, 300 yards below camp was a buck that met my standards. I couldn't believe that I had been able to find one that easily, in an area that we couldn't see any other people camped. Travis soon left the comforts of camp to look at the buck with me and see what had me so excited.
After about a half hour of looking over a few more bucks that had made their presence known, we both decided that it was time for bed. I spread my pad and sleeping bag out thinking it was pretty pointless considering how little sleeping would actually be done. The reality was that I was pretty tired and it was time to get some rest, and I would have to leave the buck where he bedded down until the morning anyway.
No comments:
Post a Comment