Once again......

[LSUbengal]

Ovis, .......I guess the breakfast at Hilltop was the key.

The hunting at the top of the world was quite different, that is for sure. The Artic ocean is still there........started to throw a rock at Russia, but then remembered they are "the artist formally known as the USSR"......and felt like a caveman taking a step back in time as I ran along with 28 muskox at 30 yards.

A 45" moose on the far north tundra may have been the oddest sight of the trip, but having a buddy put a bow stalk on a grizz as we looked on had to be a highlight. Trumpeter swans and tons of Dall sheep remind you of your summer dreams as the reality of long grueling stalks across the tundra begin to numb your body, and the task at hand is all too present. The one thing that continually drives you is the knowledge that your trips to such places are surely limited, and anything less than all out is just unexceptable.

While the end result at this point has to be a successful hunt, with or without a filled tag,..........watching a stud bull go down after days of stalking is almost surreal. It is truely one of the few times I can honestly say I find myself speechless. I think this is where Moose Man inserts some wise crack

Anyway, I am exhausted.........just got back a few hours ago. There is a bed with my name on it. 3 days of travel both ways takes a toll.........but then, if it were easy, there wouldn't be much of a story, now would it.........

 

[Moosie]

Sounds like the 'Slayer made it home. "SPEACHLESS"... Don't give me that chit. You're mouth runs more then a Crack Whore Auctioneer Fess up the story and Pictures Beotch !!

 

[Ovis]

See, see...what did I tell you? Nothing like a big greasy omelet that hangs off the largest plate found in the state of Alaska, and then they pile them tater tots to the point they are pouring off the plate. Sounds like you had an awesome time.

Now do what Moosie said and post some pics with the story up!

 

[LSUbengal]

Ha ha.........yeah, kinda what I expected, Moosie.

Even with the greasy omlet and tots, I am just about to my ol' "school days playing weight" The journey out across the infinite tundra for my caribou amassed 19.3 miles according to the gps..........I was thinking more like 30 miles than 20

We were wanting to make this a bow hunt, so I didn't even pack a rifle. That decision made for some frustrating couple of days at the beginning.
Right out of the chute, our first morning of hunting, we put a stalk on about 20 bou close to camp. There were two shooter bulls.......one a good bull, the other a GREAT bull. I got to within 70 yards of the bull I wanted as they passed by, but elected to hold as it WAS just the first day, and they WERE heading straight into my buddy's path. He managed to keep from getting trampled, but they were on him so quick he couldn't get turned on the big boy quick enough. The shots were 80 yards and plus by the time he sent $40 worth of carbon after them. The bou seemed to laugh as they shucked our attempts aside and ambled out of sight across the horizon.

We learned, only after arriving, that we missed the migration by a few weeks. This changed everything. Instead of thousands of bou, we saw hundreds. Instead of moving into an ambush we would set, they were content to bed and graze in small groups with many eyes still and looking for approaching danger. Still, the futility was necessary to avoid a lull in the hunt, and to avoid loosing focuss. A rifle hunt could have ended the first day with some great bou, but this venture without some sort of migration or herd movement started looking grim by day 3 on the tundra.

So a plan was devised that night in camp to try and shake things up and make something happen. We set out in two groups with enough gear to stay out as long as necessary to give ourselves a real chance. One group veered northeast while we drifted southeast, thinking at mimimum we might push bou to each others' group. At about 4 miles out, the bou were getting thicker, but always keeping that safe distance of 3 to 5 hundred yards. We did our best to appear non-threatening (which is exactly what we had been up to this point). We kept moving west and starting hitting these huge frozen lakes that measured a couple of miles across in some instances. They were scattered throughout the horizon. We were also noticing the bou numbers rapidly growing although they still were mostly stationary in small groups of 20 or less.

On one lake I saw an opportunity. Unlike most of the other lakes, this one had a high cut bank about 3 feet tall. We seized the chance to use it for cover as we stalked forward as we kept glassing. This was the first time we had any real cover.

By this time I had glassed a couple of dozen bulls I would have arrowed given the chance, but stalks in the open with no cover proved ineffective. This one bull I had spotted a mile or two backed was now moving toward the lake with his five cows. When I first sighted him a mile back, my buddy suggested we ignore him and move on up to try and find some we could have a chance on rather than push these away as seemed to continually be the case.

We now had three shooters in sight, so some careful glassing was the next order of business. To me, they all looked good, but something about the bull approaching from our back seemed to stand out.

I leaned on Ray's opinion as he has many more bou hunts under his belt. One good look and his reaction said it all. "My God! That is your shooter, no question!"

He was at about 300 yards and closing at an amble. His cows were trying to hurry him, but he would have none of it. His waggle was menacing,........I couldn't look at him long without my heart pounding out of my chest. The bloody velvet hanging from his massive rack appeared goolish. I somehow knew he had me right where he wanted me.....advantage caribou

It looked as though all I had to do was hold position and in about 10 minutes they would walk right over us. But as I got "THAT" feeling, you know the one........."how can I screw this up"......yeah that one, the bou started to veer right. Their course would take them out of bow range to about 300 yards. Panic was quickly setting in! Another blown stalk........such a great bull........would there be another chance at such a great animal?.......my thoughts were clouded but my judgement was not. I knew I had to take action as they were now 250 yards out and angling away.

I hunkered below the lake's edge and ran as fast as I could about 300 yards up ahead.........glassed and saw them closing fast and veering to a parralel course that would keep them 250 yards away as they walked by. Between the panic and fear and all the swirling thoughts in my head I crawled upon the tundra and belly-crawled at Olympic type speed, peeking up every 40 yards or so. Each time I did I could see my chance fading as I only had mere minutes before they were even with me. At 100 yards I really felt it was too late.....but the bull slowed........just enough........I needed another 30 yards.......had to get there. In my haste and panic, I had managed to find myself in a gray area distance wise.......realizing I had left my pack and rangefinder back on the lake where my partner watched on.

The distance seemed great, my confidence was low, the animal seemed in control..........as I thought to myself, could he really be mine? I can't remember being this excited about harvesting an animal in a very long time. The Dall sheep hunt a few years back comes to mind, but this was different somehow.

I suddenly was sure I heard bou hoofs approaching from behind, but then realized it was the throbbing in my ears from my blood pressure and heart pounding. That happened twice before I conviced myself of it.

With all my doubts and blood pressure out of control, I took a few seconds to catch my breath.......rose to my knees and prepared for the shot........at a distance I thought was a little long, but makeable. Full draw was not easy with my recent elbow reconstrution, but managable. Thankfully my hold time needed to be only minimal. I closed my eyes and........NO, JUST JOKING! I locked on,.....raised a little to compensate the greater distance, and sent carbon and steel across the tundra with all the planning , hopes, and dreams of one hunter's last year riding with it. As soon as the shot was gone, I wished for it back, thinking I rushed it. But before another thought could be processed, I watched the great bull take a hard hit and quickliy hit the tundra. It seemed like a dream. I expected a second shot would be necessary, but there would be no need. The shot was high, just under the spine and he crumpled in a mass as the reality of what just happened began to sink in. I was truely speechless and immediately looked to the sky and thanked God to just be alive and having such an opportunity. The taking of such an animal is a humbling experience.....at least for me. I waited for Ray to come over and we watched on as the 'ol bull's girls waited for him to catch up.........but he wouldn't be going with them on this day, they would have to continue on with out him. He was peaceful and we gazed upon him with honor and dignity.........even in death, he was still a king.

As we stood before the big bull, in all his glory, it started sinking in that there would be no ground shrinkage, and he had good mass, doulble shovels and plenty of trash on top.

For a first caribou hunt and my first bou, I got more than I expected. I know some here have probably killed bigger, but for me, it was more about a proving ground of sorts........a test of measure. This was my first big hunt since two injurys followed by surgerys that left me very disabled. A fall from 30 feet left me with 10 broken bones and a completely shattered elbow that had to be replaced with a titanium one. Almost a year of rehab later, I needed to prove to myself I hadn't lost a step. The pack out of my bou and the one Ray got later that day took us more than 20 miles across rough terrain.........and nothing ever felt so good! We had no assitance from guides or flight services and just like my Dall sheep, it was a do-it-yourself al the way with my brother and his buddy. I do give them the credit because I know it would not have been possible without them. Having already harvested many bou, they always put me in the best positions to be sucessful........something that is not lost on me.

We finished the week with 3 carribou for five hunters, but could have filled all tags as a couple of guys chose to eat tags rather than harvest lessor bulls. In hunting bou for many years, the whole group agreed that this was the best bull they had taken in that area......something I could not easily comprehend. They ALL looked good as they traversed the tundra with such grace and ease. I would have been happy with less........but am VERY proud of my good fortune.

The scenery was remakable, the experience priceless, and the trophy is one that will let me be happy to change my target species for next year,........Alaskan bull moose!.....the planning has already begun!

The hunt was great, telling it made me smile remembering.........
Thanks,
DS

 

[MarvB]

Damn my heart was thump'n reading that! Great post DS and looking forward to the pics...that there is earnin' one!!

 

[LSUbengal]

Thanks Marv.........the pix will come in a bit. My buddy Ray was the photog on this one and he should be sending them anytime now. The horns and cape are still in Alaska being mounted. I have a handful of pix taken at camp after the kill that shows the rack, but I don't have a pix site to host photos at this time. I'll figure something out.......

 

[Calif. Hunter]

Great job, Mark, and a fantastic job in telling the story!

 

[SPOTTED OWL]

Slayer:

Congrats on a great hunt, and also a good story as usual. Looking forward to the pics!

 

[Moosie]

"SPEACHLESS"... Don't give me that chit. You're mouth runs more then a Crack Whore Auctioneer

And once again, Moosie was right

Sounds like some story book my boy is writing. Nice... very nice. Can't wait to see the pictures. but next time bring the gun for backup !!

 

[Tom]

Bcat (he's out ???) but DS and Moosie and some others, that's old times back again. What's it called? The Gathering II or you picking a new name?

I hope that titanium works good for a long time! Tell the doc. you want the lock out model? Maybe they'll invent it soon, if they haven't yet?

 

[A-con]

Dang brother, that’s a hell of a story. Congratulations!

 

[LSUbengal]

Thanks Dan.........and I can bet that coveted deer tag your holding will be a smokin' story as well.........wish I could go with you. We have shared camp a bunch of years,......almost doesn't seem right, does it?

Thanks for the kudos Brian and Rick.........if anything, the comentary did little justice to the hunt.........words fall way short, that is for sure.

Tom..........I'll stick to anything you remember me saying in the past........as for the Gathering II.......I missed it.........I had divorced BS Cat by that time.
But say what you want about that MFer..........he was about that toughest SOB I have ever met. A guy I used to pack in for elk once challenged BCat to meet him for a fight.........but he always made sure he did it by phone from a safe distance in Laramie. I have no doubt BCat would have stomped his litte ass in the ground. My only regret is that ol' Bcat and I aren't bullchitn' over a fresh brew and laughin' about ol' times right now. He's not much on public relations and he lives in a different time warp.........but the guy was/is real.......you have to appreciate that. I haven't heard from or talked to him in years.........but I still like him. He would give you the shirt off of his back.........right before he cussed your ass out! Anyway, if there is a slam in your post, be more clear..........or better yet, post a tame sheep pic or something.......I never really know your angle.

Moosie..........ah, never mind.........

 

[BuzzH]

Hey DS,

Is that right?

Funny you mention Bcat...just yesterday I walked right into his new business there in Encampment and introduced myself when I was on my way home from deer hunting. First time I'd ever met or talked to him...phone or otherwise. Even more curious is the fact that my ass aint kicked? But, that really isnt that surprising.

He and Debbie just opened a new bar/grill there in Encampment that opened Aug. 3rd...call it the KATHOUSE...pretty funny story behind it actually. Matter of fact, I had lunch with both of them in their new place. Its really a nice place, built it from the ground up and have a tasteful amount of taxidermy displayed, etc. Nothing over-the-top like you'd expect out of Bcat.

Just a little friendly advice...if you ever plan on having a beer with Bcat again...I'd make sure your elbow is fully healed and be sure to pack a flash light and some iron...you'll need all that.

 

[LSUbengal]

Good move Buzz.......better to suck in to him than challenge him. I never could see how you'd have a chance when you barely see past his tit.......but hey,what ever rocks your boat.

Glad to hear about Bcat landing on his feet. Last I heard he was in logging or mining or something. I think he should do real well in his new venture. He is a good people person. A bar and grill should be right up his alley........if Debbie can keep him from drinking up the profit. Hell, as good as that MF is, he'd offer everybody in the house drinks on the house. If he's anything, he has a good heart..........more than I can say for some.......

 

[BuzzH]

DS,

I wasnt sure what Doug would do when I walked in...in particular after all the wild stories I'd heard second hand about him. I could tell Doug had nothing but respect for me for walking into HIS establishment alone and introducing myself. Had nothing to do with childish challenges or who could see past who's tit.

I didnt ask for specific details, but there is some bad blood between you and Doug thats probably better left alone.

Not sure why you're being a dickhead toward me, last I heard from you was when I took my black heart over to your house in Ft. Collins to fix the leak in your roof. By the way, I'm sure the check you sent got lost in the mail.

 

[LSUbengal]

I'm sure me being a home builder and you being a forest service grunt, I need you to fix my roof As for any check in the mail............not sure where your going unless you mean the diiference you would owe me for the remodel of you kitchen at cost or the extra gas I spent trucking horses 1500 miles to pack your ass in below yellowstone........oh, maybe your referring to the time my son and I took off to put you on elk in the wilderness above Encampment even though we had no tag ourselves..........no, I really don't think I owe you.

 

[BuzzH]

You cant lie your way out of everything...but you sure try...for that I'll give you full credit.

 

[LSUbengal]

I know more than you think I do, I can assure you. You and I will have our time one day for sure.

Until then, I won't play the "gotta have the last word" game with you.
That was not the reason I posted this thread nor the reason the others replied to it. So why don't you take it somewhere it might be appreciated..........

 

[BuzzH]

DS,

The stuff between you and Bcat is yours to deal with. I didnt tear down your camp or run you off the road.

Apparently you must think I had something to do with the tangle between you and Doug...not true.

 

[Moosie]

Ds...... Nice Story.

Buzz, Good to Hear Doug is doing well.

Past is past, Lets talk hunting boyz. Remember, I'm the Tough SOB on the Net and Greeny once told me about my Cyber Muscles.... Ain't afriad to use it on Either of ya

Both of you I regard as good people and friends, I have met both of you and although both different, Both of you are great people.... I hope both of you feel the same towrads me, I know the prior conversation is Over... right ?

Still waiting for pictures, congrats again !!!