Not sure where I came up with ruffed, but I think it is a sooty (blue) after looking into it more. I don't know if I was up high enough for ptarmigan. But hard to be definitive with the photos I have. Thanks for the info!
Yeah, the possibility of staying somewhere comfortable was cool. I chose to camp, mostly because I like camping. I wish I had more time to check out more of the unit, because that east side is really cool. Maybe I'll save up for another 9 years and hunt it again...
I specifically didn't get a bear tag because I didn't want to get distracted! The grouse was just cool to see, but I also didn't have an upland game validation.
TLDR: I went hunting in the Eastern Sierras this year. It was beautiful and I shot a small buck. One of my favorite hunting trips ever. Lots of pictures
This year, after 10 years of accumulating points, I was able to draw an Eastern Sierras Mule Deer tag here in California. While hunting in...