Onward to the Elk Woods...Trip Report :)

[WapitiTalk1]

Finally, taking off tomorrow afternoon for a long weekend Roosey hunt here in WA. Hunting through Monday morning. We'll be packing into a wilderness area about 3ish miles and setting up camp. I'm so ready to get up close and personal with old stinky! RJ

[JohnFitzgerald]

Good luck Rory

[eltaco]

Good luck to you, buddy! Call me if you need a packout! I won't be able to make it in time, but I enjoy knowing others feel my pain... LOL!

[Freebird134]

Good luck man!!!! Looking forward to some pics!

[easeup]

good luck from me too, RJ.

[WapitiTalk1]

Thanks for the well wishes guys.. Just finished the final packing touches on my BW pack and it weighs a bit over 50 with hydration bladder 1/2 full (for the trip in). And this is for only four days I guess the extraneous stuff I put in it may have made it a bit heavy. Oh well, once I make the hike in and set up camp, all will be good. Will let you know how I do Monday evening. I'm taking out a friend on this adventure that hasn't done too much of this type of hunting. I'm really hoping I can get him a shot.. That's my goal. Looks like it's gonna be hot as hades through Saturday, then, cooling a bit on Sunday. Return Monday, work four days, then on to ID for the last two weeks of SEPT. Life is good right now .. RJ

[Swede]

Best wishes and good luck. Get a big one.

[foxvalley]

Good luck Phantom!

[slim9300]

Good luck Rory!

[Magic]

I wish you the best. I know that you will enjoy it.

[lovestobowhunt]

I wish your and your friend the best of luck.

Colette

[WapitiTalk1]

Back from my 4 day WA wilderness hunt. Obviously, Slim9300 didn't get my memo to send some of the elk from his area to mine talk about selfish . We got into a handfull of elk but they were not being vocal this early in the season as is often the case in the area I hunt. I did however, get to take a new guy into the elkwoods for four days. I think he enjoyed it. Changed camp areas twice with each change encompassing a tough hike out, a short drive, and another serious hike in with a bit over 50 lbs in our packs.. (builds character ...). Found some new secluded meadows and a couple of nice wallows. We took a handfull of pics and I'll post them up at some point over the next day or two. Oh, I did hear one bugle below me on a steep sidehill. I was 90% sure it was a hunter (primos or some kind of reed bugle) but if a hunter, this guy had busted in at least a mile and a half from a low access road through the nastiest lava outcrops and huckleberry fields you can imagine. But.... you never know so I moved towards the call, set up (was by myself this evening).. donned my facenet, nocked an arrow, loudly beat the crap out of some brush, and threw out a wailing locater. Within the next 60 seconds, I knew it was a hunter(s). Why? Because I received the same three note reed bugle back, followed by an attempt to do chuckles (yep.. reed bugle) followed by a series of unmistakeable....... wait for it..... Hoochie Mama squeaks... Crap, what was this guy doing my my hunting area? So I did what I had to do.. I let go the nastiest, loudest, lip bawl scream with grunts I could muster. Poor guy(s).. I saw them moving below me, half crouched over getting into a new position.. Here comes the reed notes back up at me with Hoochie squeaks... Enough is enough, I game them four or five turkey clucks and all went silent. I turned around and I assume they left. Hey.. at least I didn't call them all the way in RJ

[slim9300]

You will get them in ID Rory.

[flystrait]

The funny thing is you made the highlight of their hunt. They will be talking about that bull they heard all year long..

[WapitiTalk1]

Thought I'd share a few pics of my WA hunt for you guys (and Colette). Had a great time and experienced the loudest thunder and lightning storm I've ever been close to. Felt like the elk god himself had placed us in the middle of what turned out to be a pretty awesome, middle of the night, experience (gotta love the high country). The thunder actually felt like it shook our tents and the lightning strikes were almost blinding as we layed in our tents. The storm started a few fires a bit NE of us. Duke was a bit concerned but I assured him that if he was struck by lightning, I'd pack out what was left of him to his girlfriend if his remains would fit in my pack. This was a great tune up for my pending two week ID hunt. All in all, a very nice trip. RJ

I felt the urge to rub.. happens all the time. If I'm infringing on the bull who made this rub, he knows where to find me.

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The Eberlestock BW at a bit over 50+ lbs did well, really liking this pack.

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Found a flat place to camp on the last night. Got a great night's sleep but the sky's opened up and soaked the WA mountainside. The BA Lynx Pass 2 kept me dry and comfy.

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[ElkNut1]

Ha Ha, good stuff Rory!! Your hunt sounds successful to me so far, you're doing what you love to do!!! Plus you're sharing it with others, nice!!! Looking forward to more!

ElkNut1

[WapitiTalk1]

A few more from WA. Two more days till we head out for ID.. woo hoo!!

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[slim9300]

Great pics Rory.