Semi-Live Whitetail trip. Somewhere in Idaho. -OR- how Mark learned to STHU and just enjoy the tag

[ShootsManyBullets]

Heading back in today. Burning the last of my 2025 PTO.

No whining or whinging. Last day kill standards apply. All in.

Good luck out there.
Your ID experience sounds like the last time I hunted there a few years ago. There are some nice folks stuck in a sea of b-holes. The sheer amount of trailers, horses, motorcycles and SxS type vehicles running amok was disappointing.

 

[44hunter45]

Was supposed to be dinner. Ended up being breakfast. Toughest grouse I’ve ever eaten. Fried in butter with a little
salt.

 

[44hunter45]

Way fewer people. I’ve been able to hike behind some locked gates with no ATV tracks. Haven’t seen anything but the grouse.

Typical dumb dusky. I stopped the truck and got out to take a leak. I was up high in the fog. Snow everywhere. Turned to get back in the truck and saw the bird. It sat there while I got out my shotgun and my hearing protection. BLAM!

Right after I broke out above the clouds.

 

[44hunter45]

Changed the thread title. I realized if I had said I was going camping in the high country for a while I would not have gotten worked up. No pressure just find a quiet place and enjoy it.

That changed everything for me.

Truck camped beside the road last night. Had late coffee in a camp chair with my rifle across my lap. I waved at all the trucks and UTVs.

Took a walk. Decided I need to think like a West Virginian and not an Idahoan.

I spent the morning backtracking two WT does I had seen last night. I found the scrape I wanted about 1/2 mile off the road.

I just got done refilling all my water supply. Then heading back to set up camp where the does were on the road.

From here out I will be in my climber on that scrape until it’s time to go home. Buck or no buck, I will relax and recharge. I turned off the work phone. I will have a job when I get back. If not I will go find another one.

 

[duckhunt]

Things can get frustrating some times. Atleast you're hunting and having fun.

 

[44hunter45]

New tactic. Different weapon. Not enough signal to post pictures. 20 feet up with my 45 Colt Super Blackhawk Hunter in Diamond DD rig.
It took about an hour of hand saw work to get this high. Comfy and warm for now.

I get bored easily (go figure). Walked some with the rifle and found some open spaces. I may be there at first light.

Sleeping in the truck tonight. And so to bed.