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Joined: Aug 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 15,648 |
Well, was able to draw the tag we are able to draw every 3-4 years. Muzzleloader. They all seem like poverty tags now but I'm thankful for it. Always is a difficult hunt physically. You train for it but it still requires you to do things that you scream at, like this year. Every single glassing point no matter where you are is at least a 1k minimum gain, you stay there all day or gain another 1k. Each stalk you go on is worse. We had a full moon and 20-50 mph winds. Not good. Bur we grinded. We ended up glassing this giant curved basin and dependent on the conditions the bucks could be above treeline or in the aspens, historically. The glassing logistics are always bad as it's the 2 AM wakeup and hike and climb for 3 hours or the backpack in. Then it's water logistics which ain't good. They were still high luckily so at least we could plan. We couldn't find a buck over 3 years old after our normal haunts. Crap.... We relocated due to the wind and glassed a bit lower in aspen cover from on top of open scree slopes. This was due to terrain and conditions. It paid off. Glassed this guy up in a bit of clearing in the aspens cross canyon the night before. Zero play. It was blowing 40 mph winds. Not a big buck but good enough. Due to the hike we left all basics there for the next morning due to the weight savings. We built a rifle rest in the scree which was an hour construction project.. Our glassing point was 275 yards from the bottom but we had to gain 800 feet. Sporty. Glassed him up again this next AM. Killed him. Blowing more, like 40 with 60+ gusts. Was crazy. He was at 550 which is no issue with the weapon I had but the wind was epic. I closed to 220 which required me to drop again down 800 vertical feet, then climb another 400 to shoot up an avalanche chute which I could hardly rig a rest for due to slope. . He slid 100 more feet and got stuck in aspens. I had to rig him on trees to cut him up. Giant bodies buck loaded with fat. His body size hides his antler size well.... This day was rough as I cumulatively climbed 3500' and did more than 11 miles with between 20 - 90 pounds on top as I got him fully out by 10 PM.... ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/hzTw4F7.jpeg) ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/9dcAbm2.jpeg) ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/ogQaEB6.jpeg) ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/taFJw27.jpeg) ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/4rfT28r.jpeg) ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/a2G4LIo.jpeg)
- Greg
Success is found at the intersection of planning, hard work, and stubbornness.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Campfire Regular
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Awesome hunt and buck Greg. Thanks for posting.
Too close for irons, switching to scope...
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Posts: 20,249 Likes: 12 |
Awesome….good deal and great buck…
I went on a hell of grind the last two days for archery caribou. No clue how many miles I hiked though the elevation gain/loss wasn’t bad. I saw easily 1000 but couldn’t get closer than 113 yards from a bull. 0 degrees and all my water was frozen. Toes frozen. Getting up in the morning was COLD.
I loved it but it just wasn’t meant to be.
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Campfire Outfitter
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~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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thanks for the write up and wonderful pics...and congrats on a beautiful buck.
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Congrats Greg and thanks for sharing.
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Campfire Tracker
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Great buck! Worth the effort. Congratulations.
Wind in my hair, Sun on my face, I gazed at the wide open spaces, And I was at home.
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Nicely done Sir! Agree- the grind is usually worth it 
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~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
ISAIAH 41:10
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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2 Thumbs up, Greg !!
You earned that guy, Mate !
Paul.
"Kids who grow up hunting, fishing & trapping, do not mug little old Ladies"
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Campfire Tracker
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That scree makes my ankles hurt just looking at it.
Outstanding buck, and really cool looking country!
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Campfire Tracker
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mmm...mmm...mmm ! We're all going to your place for dinner!
Wearing Asolos?
Don't ask me about my military service or heroic acts...most of it is untrue.
Pronoun: Yes, SIR !
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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You haven’t lived until you pack out through a rock garden, multiple times. ![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/VkDxq7p4/IMG-0901.jpg) Cool hunt, GW! 🦫
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog
“Molon Labe”
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Absolutely epic, and man what a buck ! Congrats, you EARNED that one !
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Well, was able to draw the tag we are able to draw every 3-4 years. Muzzleloader..........
He was at 550 which is no issue with the weapon I had but the wind was epic.
] Great buck, congrats. And congrats on the hunt itself. Did I read that right, a muzzleloader hunt and 550 not an issue except for the wind? Care to share any details on bullet, load, etc?
A wise man is frequently humbled.
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Campfire Outfitter
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very nice buck ! congrats
LIFE NRA , we vote Red up here, Norseman
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