Passion, Pain and Sacrifice

I chose the above title because I believe it accurately portrays the necessary ingredients to achieve one�s goals. We all have different ambitions, mine just happens to be hunting and I would like to reach the end of my days not having any regrets of having hunted enough. I would also like to pass on to others the knowledge and skill about hunting and the outdoors��.which means I better do all the hunting and outdooring I can to better pass on any gleaned knowledge. Well, that�s my excuse and self justification anyway and it seems to be working so far.

With that said when the time came to jump at the opportunity of obtaining an �extra� elk tag I didn�t hesitate and was one of the lucky one�s grabbing a tag that sold out statewide in seconds. With a tag in my hand and the state a few dollars richer I was felling lucky. At the time I had no idea how much pain that piece of paper in my pocket would cause Silver Bullet and me.

Opening morning found the two of us sitting inside the wall tent stoking the wood stove with fresh fuel hoping to crack the bite of the cold morning chill. Hot coffee and sticky rolls provided warmth on the inside while the wood stove managed to heat our outsides. With our packs loaded and the two of us wearing our �game face� we set out onto the snow and rising dawn. The area we planned to hunt is a big bowl with several knife edge ridges running down towards the center. Soon after leaving the tent Silver Bullet and I split up to better cover more ground and set a time to check in with the radios. SB went left and I went right. As I broke out of the timber and entered big canyon country I knew I got the better of the deal, there were so many good looking draws I didn�t know which to choose. The closest ridge looked good due to its more timbered bottoms and its opposing hills were within shooting range if I were to see a spike elk. Within a couple hundred yards of breaking out of the timber and heading down the ridge I could clearly see a glowing yellow orb near the bottom of the opposite hill; the binos confirmed it as a bull even though it was obvious by its color. Elk do something strange to me, those that know will understand, when I see elk I have to get closer no matter the terrain��this time was no different. Off I went �to get closer�. I got to the end point closest to the elk and pulled off my pack turned on the radio and began glassing the bull and looking for others. It wasn�t long and it seemed elk were behind every tree and most were good size bulls. The radio crackled with SB�s voice �do you see that bull?� I replied �which one????� Hearing him laugh he asked where I was looking. A couple of quick minutes later and we were signing off with a plan of me heading down, down, down to try and get closer. I took one last peek where the bulls were located and perfectly silhouetted against the skyline, just above the rising fog line stood majestically in all his glory��.a spike elk. That�s all I needed and off I bailed.









To be continued:

What's that thingamajig in front of the turret on your scope?

C'mon already!!!! Freaking TEASE! I knew girls like that in high school. I'm starting to wish the hole had been deeper <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Get to punching some keys Spike. Please <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Lets see some dead stuff, we know you're a great sportsman with lotsa talent! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

MtnHtr

A level or 1 of those stupid ballistic tape thingys?

Jeff

It didn't look like a level to me, but I hadn't thought of the ballistic tape thingy. You might be right.

It's for hunting in grizzly country....







Keeps the bear from shoving too far up your azz <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />!

C'mon Spike! More!

Awesome pics - Spike - let fly on the letterboard for us please!

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Nice pics, but where's the snow? And the nrest of the story and the "good" pics? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

What is the altitude there?

C'mon Spike, this ain't Outdoor Life magazine or is it? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

MtnHtr

Man, tough crowd.......someone has to work, I can only dream of being individually wealthy like the rest of you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Working on it now.

The sacrifice part of the title is now.....I'm sacrifice seeing my family so I can finish this story.

Yeah,yeah...they've already heard the story type faster..(BOG)

Mike

So down the knife edge ridge I go knowing at least a spike bull was in the area but part of me hopes I won�t see him again��.I�m a long ways down a very steep hill. It won�t be easy going back up, even harder with a shoulder load of meat. Breaking out of a rock chute I look left and below me, 600 yards on the opposite hill is a branched bull. I look with my binoculars and count 7 tines to a side. His ears and eyes are locked in my direction and I�m obviously caught. His eyes pierce through me and there�s not much I can do. Finding the one lone large pine I sit down and try to conceal myself so he doesn�t spook. About that time a huge fog bank envelopes the draw and engulfs me and any chance of visibility. I needed the break and take off my pack, eat an apple and lay down for a nap.







A half-hour later when I wake up the fog starts to rise and visibility is restored�..the big bull is still there, eyes and ears still piercing and locked on my position. Maybe I was snoring. Nah, I don�t snore. I was amazed the big bull hadn�t even taken a step. I start glassing hard for other elk and spot several bulls in front of me and across canyon, a 5x5, 6x6 and a �����..spike! Damn, if it wasn�t for bad luck I�d have no luck at all. Now I�ve got to get closer. Reaching a bench on the ridge I range the spike at 750 yards. Dropping my pack I lay prone resting my rifle over the top. He�s still too far but I scope him anyway and contemplate how bad I really want to shoot him. The two mini devils from Animal House jump on my shoulders yelling at each other �shoot him�, �no don�t�..shoot, don�t��shoot, don�t�..ah ya wussy just do it�.you�ve got a freezer full of meat just enjoy the scenery��back and forth they went while I settled the cross hairs. On and on it went for several minutes while I watched the spike feed, spar with a bigger bull and do the things spike elk like to do. About that time the spike walks down hill which is closer to me, stops in a narrow clearing between several trees and the �bad devil� screams in my ear �that�s your shot!� About that time the little bull stops looks around and flops down to bed. The one spot I can clearly see him, he decides to take a siesta. Like I said if it wasn�t for bad luck I would have any luck at all.



Out comes the range finder, 635 yards. I pull out the tape from my �stupid� ballistic thingy and read the required MOA. I split hairs and divide the number between 625 and 650. Knowing I have plenty of time I practice holding the cross hairs on the area I want to hit�.his neck which is covering his left shoulder. Figuring if I miss the neck I�ll hit body and vitals, or get lucky and put one through the neck where the mane meets the upper chest area. I wait and wait and wait with complete satisfaction that I�d be happy letting him walk. I really didn�t think it would be much fun hauling that thing out of the bottom of this hole. Actually, I knew it wouldn�t be much fun and I�m trying to rest on my vacation.



And then it happened��.all I remember hearing on the radio is �shoot him, it�s an easy pack up to the ridgeline then there�s a good trail back to camp.� Knowing the opposite ridgeline reallllllly wasn�t that farrrrrrrr above the spike and SB having just come down from the trail he must know what he�s talking about and yes, he�s probably right it will be a piece of cake��..or something like that.



To be continued:

Grrrrrrrr! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> You'd better be doing something important, like tucking a kid into bed or making him/her a sibling! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> You tell a pretty good story, I just hope I live LONG enough to get to hear ALL of it! There's some old folks in the crowd Spike, have a wee bit o' compassion.

Hey Muley, how's your score holding up, you send S. B. andy flowers? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

So SB is the little devil <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

At this rate we'll know if GW has it wrapped up before we know the end of this story <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Mike

It was time to shoot, my mind was made up. The proper elevation was dialed into the turret and my rifle was rock steady. The only thing causing me concern now was the beats of my heart quickly picking up pace and thumping harder and harder in my chest as the excitement grew. The shot wouldn�t work with such movement so I flicked the safety back on and relaxed. I had plenty of time and was in no rush to screw things up. I picked up the binoculars and spent a few more minutes just watching the bull and confirming the best shot angle. I also wondered just how painful it was going to be packing out the meat if I got him.

Settling back into the stock, flicking the safety off I held the cross hairs on the same spot I�d practiced hitting earlier. The rifle went off startling me, regaining the sight picture in the scope I could clearly see the bull was unscathed and looking around for the cause of the noise. Reading his head movement told me my shot was high. I took out two clicks or half minute of angle in the scope and shucked the empty and chambered a fresh round. Lining up on the same aim point and more deliberately squeezing the trigger the rifle went off as expected. I could hear the hit before regaining the sight picture and grabbed the binoculars just in time to see the bull taking a permanent dirt nap. Nothing moved but the twitch of nerves in his ears as his head flopped over, front and rear legs still tightly tucked under him. He wouldn�t be waking from this la la land.

And then it hit me, a wave of regret! What have I done? How am I/we going get this thing out of here? Oh yeah, Silver Bullet said there was an easy trail close by, it wouldn�t be THAT bad.

To be continued:

Quigley!


MtnHtr

Atta boy Spike!!!! Never sweat the small details like "What the he** did I just do?" You done what we expected of you and at the end of the day that's all that matters, those hellish packs will be remembered alot more fondly in 20 years than the ones where you drive up to em and load em up! Good on ya and Silver Bullet for helping spread the madness. Nice shooting too Newt! 1ak

Oh Boy - Oh Boy .... I think we're gettin to the good-part ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

(as I adjust my devil-horns .....)



Spike ... did'ja leave out a small detail, between ... shucked the empty and chambered a fresh round ... ?? (Your recovery under pressure was priceless.)



"Hey Rocky .... watch me pulll a rabbit ... outta my azz" - <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />



At the shot, I was sitting on a ridgeline across the canyon, welll above the elk, about 900 yards from John and could see him clearly through my Zeiss 10x40 spectacles.



S.B.

laughing here.......I knew I was in trouble when I saw you made a post.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

my boys are sitting here on my lap yelling, "Allen, Allen, Allen".....I think they like your hat.

toqwerftghjukiliolp
.,mnyhhgyuy77889op[mj
(note from Luke)

With all that extra-energy the Lukester has, we need to consider bringing him along next year, to help us old Pharts "pack-out".

Yeah ... and thanks-a-lot, for reminding me to take off "your" hat for the photo.

...S.B.

It was only "that-far" .... on the map

Papa Smirf....LMAO...!!!

Come on, details on the rifle, load, bullet and stuff. Flinch

Hey Flinch ...
that young'n sure has a lot of "boolits" duck-taped to his stock !! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

S.B.

The older I get .. the better I was.
Are we there ..... yet ?

So tell us about that recoverd bullet spikey boy. Where on the elk's anatomy did you put that nail?

I think I remember his "off the record" comment for those -- he fills 'em with lead and duct tapes them on 'cus he's afeared of the recoil. Figures the extry pound or so might prevent his pretty face from looking like mine (grin)!

Got a meeting in two minutes so this is going to be quick...



.338 Ultra

225 Nosler Accubond

3030fps



Quiz of the day: How many holes did the 225g Accubond put into Mr. spike elk?







BulletMan;



Feel free to fill in any details

When I talked to John on the radio, it was just before noon and I could hear the tension in his whispered voice. He said �I�ve got a spike in my crosshairs across the canyon from me .... he�s bedded down.�

I asked: �How far away is he ?� The answer I recall was: ... �About 500 yards�.

Now I�ve seen John whack milk jugs, rocks and animals, waaaay out there and I had no doubt that he could hit a stationary elk at 500 yards. Since I had also seen the spike-elk standing skylined on the ridgeline (about two hours and 2 miles earlier). I assumed the herd had bedded down and was somewhere close to the ridgeline. I asked John to hold off on the shot (if possible) until I could sidehill to the ridgeline and set-up where I felt I would be right above the herd. That way I could cover the likely escape route ... (right!). I get into position in 10 minutes, can see John scrunched out prone on the opposite hillside. I tell him: Quote .... �It�s your call ... I�ll stay here and listen for a shot ...� Nothing ....

I decide maybe he�s going to pass. .... Then Crack-pow !
I think ... great ... One shot - One kill (Poi-fect).

I listen for running hooves, as I glass John and see him doing the monkey-motion with his rifle. 10 seconds go by ... then Thwap ! -Powww. Since the elk is closer to me than John is, I hear the bullet strike, before the shots sound reached me. Now, I�m really hoping that I won�t hear a third shot.

After two minutes, John comes on and says: �He�s down ... shot him in his bed.� I�m greatly relieved and attempt to let John know where I am, so he can direct me in. We fail that plan, when he can�t spot me on the ridgeline, so I head down the ridgeline until I think I�m in position. I peer over the edge into the wet, steep timbered hell-hole I need to descend into and immediately jump back. I briefly consider telling John that he �missed�. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> After some more radio communication, I finally realize that John is looking for me on the wrong ridge line. I wrap toward him until I�m in a small opening where I can see him about 500 yards cross canyon. I wave my cap ... no-joy. I pull a mini-mag flashlight outta my butt (pack) and focusing the beam sharply, use it to signal my location/presence to Spike.

He refuses to give me a distance/bearing to the bull, but instead, guides me down the knife-edge ridgeline 100 yards at a time. (probably afraid I�d turn around and head back to camp). After about 5 of these 100 yard moves, he tells me that the 7x7 bull is still sitting off to my right (he never left) and in two more steps, I spook him and he exits up-canyon. The next/last 100 yards down the ridge, spooked out two more branch-bulls on my left.

As I traversed side-hill, I finally spotted the back half of an elks body, 75 yards away. Nearing the downed bull (to 10 yards), I stepped on one end of a downed lodge pole. The far-end raised-up and when it dropped, hits the bulls neck and makes his head move. I thought he was still alive and actually brought my rifle to the shoulder, in case I needed to shoot. The photos above don�t tell the story of how steep and �slickery� that hillside was.

Looking at my watch, it was 1:59 pm and would be dark at 5:30. I�m 4.5 miles (and 1400 vertical feet) from camp. John asks if I want him to cross-over and �hep�.
Like ....Yeaaaah !

He has to drop 500 yards into the very bottom and cross a creek, so I skin-out the hind quarters, so he can still get a photo-op when he arrives. After much searching/puzzling, we recover the shroomed Accubond bullet from the elks chest ... John has the backstrap/tenderloins in his pack and I grab his camera and radio to provide him a little more room in the pack. We�re both out of water now and have eaten all the food we had along. It�s 4:00 pm when we start to head-up the steep hillside to the ridge line. An hour later, John beats me there and dropping his pack, looks across an even deeper/wider canyon. We�re both soaked with sweat and standing in a swift cold breeze. He immediately spots a bull, down low on the opposite canyon wall. He claims its a spike and ranges it at 850 yards as he�s trying to talk me into heading down the ridgeline and getting closer to it. In my best Bush-Sr. imitation ... �Naaaaaaaat gonnnna happen ....�

In a minute, with some more glassing, we determine that the bull was actually a 5x5 and then John quickly spots another bull off to the right of the first. Oh-no, this one actually is a spike. He hears our voices and turns his head uphill toward us. He�s Booone/Crocket class, with antlers that sprout out of his forehead and head for the sky, looking like a pair of curved goal posts. John ranges this guy at only 750 yards and assures me we can cut it down to 600 yards, if we�re only willing to sneak down the rocky/open side of our hill. I give John the same answer ... Nyet !

We also spot another branch bull on the same hillside, 150 yards further up-canyon, before realizing how late it is and how far from camp we are.

... S.B.

But it was only �that-far� .... on the map !

Quote for the day:



"There is somethng wrong when you have to shoot BY a 7x7, OVER a 6x6 to hit the spike bedded NEXT to a 5x5."



SB,



Your story was almost accurate, I clearly remember you saying "You better shoot, Punk or I'm coming down there to do it myself. Suck it up, that ain't no hell-hole, boy"............give or take. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

By the way folks this story ain't over yet and there are lots more pictures.

Double - LMAO
S.B.

Keep it coming Spike and Silver Bullet. I hope to have a similar story to tell in about 10 days, except I will be shooting the 6X6 or 7X7! Rufous.

Call the guy for a beer, and he says sorry gotta go to "Seattle" for a couple of days... and look what he does?! Bumber we didn't get to hook up with you in Portland maybe next time... great work on the spike!

Congrats and thanks for the story!

Spike- Just wondering why the switch to Accubonds over the XXX? Were you unhappy with them after last year or just wanted to try something different?

Brother Billy......have no fear I DID Seattle too............(grin)

Pointer,

Just trying something different really. I like both. I was very pleased with the Accubond's penetration even at that distance. Retained weight from 225 grains was 158.1 grains. It smashed neck vertebrae to goo, went in one side, out the other (pic), penetrated the shoulder scapula and stopped against the oneside ribs.

Geez guys, for awhile there I was having visions of Laurel and Hardy go huntin'. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


Good story. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Congrats on a great hunt.

Keep all this coming!! Man, 650 yards! Sheesh!

Huntr

Spike,

Is that the 338 RUM barrel (26" Shilen # 5) you got from me?

Blaine

Spike
And there you stand next to Marilyn, scratching your own Johnson... sheesshhhh! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
art

BTW Your girlfriend thinks Marilyn is a female impersonator...

Which would explain why you are covering your own!

Laughing here! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />





Blaine,



No, I used that barrel to build a .338 Ultra for a friend. I was shooting two inch groups at 300 yards with it using 225g Accubonds. It's a very fast barrel, I had to drop the charge weight two grains to equal the speed I was getting with my factory barrel.



The rifle I shot the elk with is a boxed Remington with a McMillan stock and trigger job, it's scary accurate.

Sitka Deer,

"BTW Your girlfriend thinks Marilyn is a female impersonator..."

Nah, any female impersonator would know not to wear that tie with that suit...

JOG
That is just plain dirty! LOL

So which steak didja pick? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I think I woulda been scratching too! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mtnhtr

Spike,

Yeah, I think I remember you telling me that about the Shilen.

I will be in Tucson permanently on 13 Dec. I hope to hook up with you and Bob when you guys come to AZ in Feb.

BTW, I too am ready for "the rest of the story"............

Blaine

Spike- Thanks, was just curious as I have a little .338. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I'm thinking that the 210XXX may be the end-all. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Spike,

Nice group! Now can we hear about the first meal of the elk you took? Did you and SB cook some up in the field? Or did you go home and make something fancy with it? I used to hate for the wife to marinate game meat, but the recipe she finally concocted is pretty dang good. We brushed the snow off the fire pit and had marinated moose steaks, but I did cook a little just regular meat (no marinate) I just love the way it tastes over an open fire. I've only had elk once and it was GOOD, may spend some money and go to Afognak and see if I can't get a more regular supply. Sure would like to hear the rest of the story. How good was he? 1ak

Hey 1AK,

I'm working on it. Got my film pictures developed and need to scan them then I'll post "the rest of the story:.

Haven't had any of the spike on a plate yet, he's still getting dressed in white paper compliments of the butcher.

My wife makes a great oil, herb and ginger marinade that is incredible, it doesn't last long around here.

Puff!...... Must.... Puff!....... Get........Puff!






HorsePuff! Puff! Puff! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


Great story! nice shootin' there threading the "big bull" needle to stitch the spike to the ground! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

--Mike

Excellent story.

I didnt need the foreplay, I never liked to wait around for the good parts. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Passion, ... Pain, Sacrifice ? ? ?

How come I only got to share in the last 2 ??

- - - - -

Just got back from 7 days of 2nd-season Spike-only hunting in a nearby N.E. Oregon unit. Film at eleven ...
Can you say 560 yards ? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

... S.B.

Leaps tall Elk poop-piles ... at a single bound