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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,194
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,194 |
Had a fun but short backpack adventure in Arizona's High country for elk last week. This time brother was able to join me to help with the downed bull should I get one. I had earlier cached 9 gallons of water up the mountain to last us a few days. Weather was clear and breezy as we headed up to the camp site. The grass was looking good at our campsite among the elk. Had camp set up with an hour to spare. Prepped the next morning with anticipation as we had been treated to a lot of mewing during the night. Headed out for a nearby meadow where I had been seeing bulls during my summer scouting trips. Shortly thereafter I realized I left my camera in my tent. Oh well, historically that has been good luck... Arrived at the target meadow with time to spare. As light increased I could see an elk grazing about 200 yards out. Watched it for a few more minutes as the increasing light confirmed it was a raghorn bull. I had pretty much decided I was after a meat bull this year so the decision was not difficult. Using a downed tree as a field rest a single shot dumped the bull. Broke the bull down using the gutless method and hung it in a nearby fir. 3 trips down to the truck and we were done. Climbed in the dark back up to camp for the last night of our hunt.
Too close for irons, switching to scope...
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25,074
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 25,074 |
Gotta love fresh elk steaks in the freezer!
“Life is life and fun is fun, but it's all so quiet when the goldfish die.”
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,422
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,422 |
good deal, congrats on fresh elk steaks
Life is but the memories we've created.....Sully Erna
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,904
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Posts: 3,904 |
Nice story and pics, congrats and thanks for posting.
Golden............
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,249
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,249 |
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,649
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,649 |
Congrats!! Looks like some neat country!
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 998
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 998 |
Sounds like my hunt last year. I am usually the guy who has to wait till the final hour of the season to tag out! Good deal on a plump bull!
Experience is what you get, when you don't get what you want!
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 15,646
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 15,646 |
Well that will work Mike -
Nothing to it, ehh? grin....
- Greg
Success is found at the intersection of planning, hard work, and stubbornness.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,194
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,194 |
Thanks for the kind words guys. Looking forward to my backpack Coues hunt in a few weeks. They are easier to pack!
Too close for irons, switching to scope...
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,969
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,969 |
MikeS:
Congratulations. Thanks for sharing.
KC
Wind in my hair, Sun on my face, I gazed at the wide open spaces, And I was at home.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,904
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,904 |
If you would, tell us about your pack and how the rifle carries on it and your camping gear.
Thanks!
Golden............
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,194
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,194 |
Sure, the pack is a Mystery Ranch 6500 with the adjustable lumbar pad that OV Innovations sells. They seem to have fallen out of favor lately as they are heavy, but it fits me and carries loads well. It has proven durable in the brush thickets in southern Arizona. I also have their smaller Longbow bag I use sometimes. I set the butt of the rifle in the side pouch of the pack and wrap one of the compression straps around the fore end for the pack in and out. I wrap some cloth camo tape around the fore end to help protect the stock. The pack compresses down pretty well to carry during the hunt.
The tent is a Hilleberg Atko which is great if the ground lets you stake it out securely. It is not freestanding. I use a Marmot down bag paired with an Xped UL7 inflatable pad.
A Primos Eta stove,pot,pan combo has worked great for me. Also couple of nylon stuff sacks for hanging food and packing meat. There are usually bears nearby in my spots. Planning to get a couple more stuff sacks and ditch the pillow cases as they are a little lighter.
My brother just purchased a Big Agnes (Copper Spur?) tent which he likes so far.
Too close for irons, switching to scope...
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Thanks Mike, I appreciate the info. Congrats again.
Golden............
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 102
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 102 |
Well Done..Congratulations! I'm assuming that was in 7E?
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,194
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,194 |
Too close for irons, switching to scope...
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,575
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,575 |
Water caching -- it's an AZ thing!
I do not entertain hypotheticals. The world itself is vexing enough. -- Col. Stonehill
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,257
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,257 |
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,832 |
That will work! Good deal.
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
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