Pre Season Scouting Trip Report

[under H2O hunter]

Took my first scouting trip this season to one of my areas. Took my son, girlfriend, and a new hunting buddy name Alan up and we hiked for two days. Neither my girlfriend or Alan have ever been elk hunting before so this trip was kind of an evaluation to see where they are at and what they can handle. So my son and I took them on a death march. We started the trip off by getting to our starting spot at around 9pm and setting up camp and heading to bed. My son was in his bivy sack under the truck, Alan decided to sleep across the seats of the truck, and my girlfriend and I decided to set up my tent. Around 2:30am the coyotes decided to wake everyone up when they started howling about 100 yards away. Around 7:30am we loaded up the backpacks which weighted in at 46 pounds for mine, 40lbs for my sons, 28lbs for my girlfriend, and Alans was 38lbs. We spotted a nice 3x3 buck 150 yards from the truck. We set out and hiked 5 or 6 miles up and around the mountain through the aspen trees setting several trail cameras along the way on some wallos and honey holes. We stopped for a Mountain house lunch around 1 then continued up the mountain till we finally stopped at 5:30pm when we got up to 10K feet. After setting up camp I set up my spotting scope and was able to find a bear climbing a tree a mile away. In the morning we left our camping spot around 7:40am. At 8am two different elk decided to sing out and let us know that the rut is right around the corner. We also spotted a monster buck skylining himself along the ridge as we climbed over the mountain and started our descent back down the opposite side through some heavy timber into a canyon I have named "Hells Canyon". This would be a true test of everyones drive and heart. When your body is taxed and every muscle is screaming at you, you get to find out where your breaking point is. I was really surprised that my girlfriend was a true warrior. She has been dealing with some ankle and foot issues this past month and was able to grit and grind out the last few miles of our hike while dealing with the pain of her foot. But what choice do you have when you're deep down in the nastiest of places? Quitting is not an option in this kind of place. We set up a few trail cameras on some wallo's and open areas then straight lined it for the truck by dropping all the way to the bottom of the canyon and following the river for a couple miles then humping our packs up and over another ridge through some heavy fern grows all on pretty empty stomachs because we decided to skip lunch and get some pizza and beer back in town. I can tell you that pizza and beer tastes amazing after a long two days of hiking and roughing it. Here are some pictures from our trip.

[Elkonthebrain]

Awesome.... Thanks for sharing.

[Lefty]

Nicw

I enjoy seeing others pics

[elk-n-walleye]

Love the picture of the boulder field. Brings back good memories of hiking with my dad and brothers!

[Gselkhunter]

Looks like a fun place. I know how much fun a sore ankle can be. Is she ready to go back for another go? Did you get her hooked? Are you ready James?

[under H2O hunter]

Looks like a fun place. I know how much fun a sore ankle can be. Is she ready to go back for another go? Did you get her hooked? Are you ready James?

It a gorgeous place. One that regardless weather you kill or you don't you just seem to have a great time. She absolutely is looking forward to going back. She and I have a great strategy for our season. She has decided to spend the whole season with me and is looking forward to our video and getting lots of cool footage. She and I are both sore but we are on track with our training, and looking forward to the season getting here as quick as possible. I am still working on a few things. I think I have a phone call or two to make this season but I have a few tricks of my own that I am looking forward to throwing at them... I was so wishing I had my reed with me this weekend.. I was gonna run some things I been thinking about on them. But I'll give em a hall pass till next month.

[WapitiTalk1]

Good for you James. Nothing like the high country with friends, family, and a significant other! Beautifull pics.. Thanks for sharing.

[Gselkhunter]

Looks like a fun place. I know how much fun a sore ankle can be. Is she ready to go back for another go? Did you get her hooked? Are you ready James?

It a gorgeous place. One that regardless weather you kill or you don't you just seem to have a great time. She absolutely is looking forward to going back. She and I have a great strategy for our season. She has decided to spend the whole season with me and is looking forward to our video and getting lots of cool footage. She and I are both sore but we are on track with our training, and looking forward to the season getting here as quick as possible. I am still working on a few things. I think I have a phone call or two to make this season but I have a few tricks of my own that I am looking forward to throwing at them... I was so wishing I had my reed with me this weekend.. I was gonna run some things I been thinking about on them. But I'll give em a hall pass till next month.

James you need help call me. Trav[WRO] and I have been working on a project.

[Duck-Slayer]

Great pics.....
Matt