Wapiti two is is loaded & set for lift off.

ETA for rendezvous with Wapiti one at CO 1st rifle season base camp is Thurs Oct 9 6:20 PM.

I'm at work this morning... well, my mindless carcass is here anyway.

It's going to be a long day.

Wapiti two is made up of an excellent crew, we'll switch off drivers/co pilots & run straight through to base camp which was set up last night by Wapiti one & crew.

The driving will be all of 24 hours for us.

Mrs. ND will be kind enough to post updates as I am able to communicate them to her.

I have along with me J elky's campfire knife which he has so generously sent along with me to bloody on what will be the first of many campfire adventures. I'm very proud to be the first to take this knife along on a hunt, I'll take pictures, enclose them along with a brief hunt story & send the pics & page one of the knife's hunt diary back to J elky & he will hopefully find another adventure for the knife shortly after receiving it back.
Here's the knife.



That's all i've got for this morning.

it's gonna be a long day.

Dave

Best of luck on the trip. I know about the 24 hour shots, we've done them more than once over the years. Mostly to Camp Perry Ohio, but recently to CO a few times and hopefully soon enough to a Wyoming cow elk hunt.

Good luck on the hunt!

Jeff

Yall have a safe journey to camp!! No doubt yall will have an unforgettable time out there

And, you're right, it's gonna be a long day for ya, hopefully it goes fast

Best of luck for a VERY uneventful road trip

So, what part of the state are you headed for?

Good news, looks like some weather will be moving in for most parts of the state sometime Friday--pray for 4-6 inches of fresh powder--the ultimate in elk hunting........


Casey

Goog luck Dave, have a safe trip.

I got mixed feelings about the white stuff Casey, I could take it or leave it.

I've hunted with it & without it.... I dunno... we've done just as well without it & stayed drier doing so

Travel safe, have a blast, and don't break the truck

Whut HBB said +10

Just put one in the boiler room Dave, and enjoy all that follows!

Have a safe trip, and don't forget....in CO you can shoot Coyotes on any big game license!!!

Keith

That bit of info just made my day!!

might not be much left to hang on the cabin wall with the kind of holes my wapiti guns make... but if I see one... I will not pass up the opportunity!!

The ultimate hunting is cruising behind a hot set of tracks, with 4-12 inches of fresh powder, deep in the spruce-fir jungles looking to jump shoot a bull........

Pray for snow.......



Casey

Have a safe and sucessfull trip .
Double check the memory cards and camera batteries

Been there done that Casey, it's like you just took a scene out of my memory & described it to me. I'll never forget it.

Busted a big bull out of his bed in the dark timber on year following his track in fresh snow... I didn't get a shot off in the split second opportunity I had but still the same, I'll never forget it.

Safe trip and good luck to ya Dave, by the way, did ya hide the nudie mags from your wife?

Bueno suerte amigo! Let us know how it went, and how the truck did.

Here's to a safe trip and an abundance of filled tags among your party. Don't need to tell you to have fun cause I'm sure you will.

Dave,

I've been there with trying to work the day you leave for a hutning trip. A few years ago my hunting partner and I both worked at the same paper mill. We were supposed to leave for a antelope trip at noon, the boss kicked us out at about 9am, said we were mentally gone already, might as well be physically gone also.

Which route you taking?

Have a safe trip and hope you kill the heck out of the elk.

Jeff

west across dakota then drop south across Wy & down into cO.

possibly Dickinson ND to Spearfish SD to Gillette Wy, Casper, Rawlins, Craig & on.

ND is like a zombie of sorts at the moment. Sitting at his desk with the blank stare of a cadavor. The only noticable movement comes from his lips as the incoherant muttering that seems to revolve around the often spoke of wapiti tipping trip. The only reason I have not called the medical response team is the faint "Wapiti" call I hear from the direction of his office from time to time. He is alive although very dilusional at the moment. If the 24 hour road trip doesn't snap him out of it, I'm sure the second that he lights off ole Roy all will be "normal" in ND's world again.

Have a safe trip and a good hunt Dave. I'm pulling out on Friday morning myself to go to Eastern Washington over near Spokane for Modern Firearm Deer Opening on Saturday. I and nine others in our party have drawn doe tags and were going after grain fed does feeding in the winter wheat fields south of Cheney, WA.

Have a safe and successful trip Dave.

Stan

Wapiti-wapiti-wapiti-wapiti-wapiti-wapiti-wapiti-wapiti-wapiti....
Not going to make it till 2... can't take it any longer.....


must leave soon...

Idea!! Chew up an Alka Seltzter!! When ya start foaming at the mouth, the boss while have you dragged out and dumped in the street Then ya can go huntin'!!!

here's hoping for good travel weather for you and all others rolling in Wapiti 2 Dave.

Poke some small holes in some big animals, take pictures, and oh yeah...smile like heck.

Say hi to your little bro and pa for me too.

Good luck Dave, and most imporntant, HAVE FUN.

Tom

hell, he started trying to kick me out of the building at 6:30 this morning!!

I just gotta finish one more thing & I'm out of here.

you guys keep the campfire lit, I'll send updates home to Pam & she'll post here.

Pam, don't let those babies over run the household when i'm gone, crack that whip!! Love you mama!!

ND, over and dang ole...... out!!!

Woooooooooo!!!!!!

There he goes with smoke at his heals. Haven't seen him move that fast since he tipped over his last beer!
Haven't saw a smile like that on a man in a long time. What a fun trip they're gonna have. Wish I coulda made it


Good luck

Have fun!!!!and a safe trip!

Good luck Dave......


I think there are many of us here that would like to be there with you on what sounds like a great hunt. I look forward to hearing all about your adventure.

Travel safe tomorrow...........Stay warm!

"rollin' rollin' rollin' Wapiti,keep that meat wagon going, keep them doggies droolin', Wapiti"

AHHHHHHHHH

sitting at home waiting for Wapiti express to pull in the driveway!!!

ready, ready, ready, ready!!!

go, go, go, now, now, now!!!

LOL!!

blast off at 2:30 pm!!

Good Luck, Stay Safe, Have Fun!!!!!

Dave, good luck and be safe. Your going to enjoy every moment

Good morning all ~
Here is an update from Dave as of 7 am. They were 50 miles north of Casper WY, running non stop, doing good. Truck is awesome, he said because its "Ford Tough", I agreed w/that.

Sounds like everyone is great, maybe a little stiff from sitting but other than that good. Dave said he thought he was starting to come down with something. I reassured him that from talking w/his cousin Karl, he would have something to help with whatever it is he is coming down with.

I'll try to post as I hear news and Elk sightings/shootings! Sure wished I was with...

Thanks for the update Ma'am!! Glad to hear they're truckin along and having an uneventful trip!

Thanx MrsND. Good to hear that you like to hunt also. Mebbe next year we'll have sitreps from the Western Front about how well yer BOTH doin'!!!

Thanks for the update, good to know his trip is going well. Hope hebrings you back an Elk to process. We all know thats womens work.

Thank for the update.

[quote=Violator22]Thanks for the update, good to know his trip is going well. Hope hebrings you back an Elk to process. We all know thats womens work.

Oh you are gonna get it.

Ain't Skeered!

mrs.nd, ah I mean wapitiwoman....

You're gettin cooler all the time with comments like that.

Of course its fine. IT'S A FORD.

Good to hear all is well in wapiti two. Get yer skinnin knife ready mamma.

Are you out scouting for forky toe while dave's away playin'?

Hmmm-Elk processing women's work? Them is fighting words, you'd better watch out cuz I can get kinda fiesty. Surprised Dave hasn't mentioned that in conversation.

Dave text around 11 said they were just about to Craig where they would get some water, ice, pop, beer, etc then head for base camp. He sounded pretty excited.

I did wish him luck, and when he returns w/that Elk we'll have to go to his dad's in Duluth where we can have a big elk processing "gathering" if you all know what i mean. That way the women can actually watch the men work for a change.

Tzone-haven't been able to scout for forky toe since I'm running all the chillins here and there. Maybe get back to the cabin next weekend if we can. Who knows, there might be grouse to shoot along with a 'forky toe' scouting expedition too.

Saw a fox leaving for work yesterday, sooo pretty red with that white spot on the tip of the tale. Wished I could have shot it. Another one on the wall in the cabin would have been nice, and really grand if I could have said that i shot it.

Have a good day everyone. I'll keep posting when I get info.

Should be! Someday they are all going to sneak up on you! And then !

As i said before, I AIN'T SKEERED!

TFF
I'm really startin' to like you mrsnortherndave....thinkin' you fit in juuuuusst fine in that deer camp of yours.

here too for that matter.

As of 4pm yesterday, Wapiti 2 was heading down the last road to base camp. Must have took a little bit to get ice, pop, water, beer, etc.
Nothing as of last night or this morning, but I'm sure they are in their glory. I did ask how Dave's uncle/best buddy's dad was doing and he said that he was great. I'm sure he's taking it all in. Just too bad that Dave's best buddy isn't here to share in the trip but I'm sure he's looking down on the whole thing and grinning.
Have a good weekend all.

Thanks Mrs.ND,

We look forward to hearing more from Wapiti Two. You have a great weekend as well.

Mark

Mrs.Dave,

Thanks for the update!!! Yes you are sooooooooo right Dave has his cousin smiling down on him and as well as on YOU... He is Smiling BIG and so am I with your understanding of all of this with Dave, just look what you have allowed and helped encourage to happen in the last year!!!

First your camp and all that come with it alot of sweat, hard work and more importantly laughter and boosted relationships, then your Big Canoe/fishing/family trip and now above all things look where you have helped Dave be today...

Yep I KNOW Daves cousin is looking down Smiling like heck and laughing with you all, he is there guiding you and your family in every step to be closer then ever... Thankyou for sharing the stories of your family and for helping make all this happen for your family.... Please keep us informed when you have time as this is a Wonderful thing to witness!!!

Appreciate the update, be sure to tell us when he fills his tag. Why couldn't ya shoot the fox the other day?

Wabo - I'm speechless and that takes alot because I like to talk all the time. What nice, kind words that bring tears to my eyes.
I guess all I've done is try to help my loved ones threw this past year and the years to come. I know we are being led as each situation and each experience unfolds. Amazing to watch. Anyways, thank you is about all I can say right now.

As far as the fox, I was driving the pickup and Dave ALWAYS has a gun and ammo in there because he calls it "his mobile hunting unit". BUT no gun!!! Grrrr. And do I need a license or something?

Not if it was attacking your truck!

Mrs,Dave,

It's a Pleasure to remind you and Dave once inwhile that your family has inspired me and others to do more with our own families too. I'd say more as I like to talk alot too, however I fear with Marshal Weezy on guard I may get shot or somethin by a pink rifle..

I'm thinking Dave could be stalking an Elk right about now??

Have a Good weekend...

UPDATE- Text from Dave yesterday afternoon/evening that they made it to their hunting spots, but he hates horses. Said he always did (which I knew after being married to him forever and a day) but now wants to hunt them from the air w/a machine gun. From talking w/one of Dave's friends back here, Dave sent him a text saying that one of the guy's got bucked off and may have dislocated his shoulder. Dave's uncle is going good

Text this morning around 9 am from Dave. Said that a 200 lb mountain lion almost ran over him at full mountain lion sprint. He mentioned that he almost had to shoot it and he was still shaking. Further text messages followed w/one saying that he saw 10 elk but no shots. Then the last message as of right now said that he was watching 3 mule deer.

Sounds like movement is going on. Hope he can shoot something today. Wonder if he crapped his pants over the mountain lion thing? HEHEHE.

Thats what the smell is Thanks for the update, sorry your not there!!

Your welcome. Oh well, its ok. Gives me something to look forward to for next year.

I did ask if he could shoot the mule deer, but he hasn't replied yet.

Mrs.Dave,

Thanks for the updates, sounds like he is having fun but I wonder if the mountain lion may have caused alittle Baboon Azz...lol

Wow I wish I could be out there... Instead the plans changed and my wife has me tearing down a barn in the back yard, taking a break now it is Hot outside...

Oh yeah, I do believe he is having a blast. Good for him to get away.

You just gave me a wonderful idea...I shall check the status of his baboon azz and update everyone on that too. Thanks.

Sounds like things are goin ok out there, with plenty of excitement!!! Best of luck to em!!!

Sounds to be a memorable hunt!

DAVE SHOT A COW!!! Got a text message this morning that he got a cow.

From talking w/Dave's step mom, Dave's little brother shot a 4x4 bull, Dave got a cow, Dave's friend got a calf, and Dave's half brother shot and wounded a cow but lost the trail.
I don't think that Dusty has shot anything yet.

Hopefully will talk to Dave sometime soon...kinda missing the guy!

YAY Congrats to everyone who got thier wapiti

No more mountain lions I take it?!

Congrats to the Wapiti Family Hunters!!!! Mrs,Dave you'll have Wapiti stakes Soon....

Sounds like this is a Great trip for the Mrs.Davesters Family already, I look forward to Paul Harvey's or in this case Mrs.NorthernDave's...The Rest of The Story!!!

Awesome! Elk on the ground! I'll no tbe able to access the Campfire for about a week, but be sure to keep us up to dat. I am going up after a wiley wapiti myself here in WY.

Good luck on your elk trip too.

Missed a call from Dave this afternoon, but he left a voicemail. Sounded good, said they spent the night at basecamp, got a good night's sleep and cleaned up. He also said they were heading back up the mountain to see how the other guys were doing and to pack the meat down to base camp.

YEEHAH, meat for the freezer, and such good meat too. Ya gonna process it for him?

We have a system you see. Dave is the cutter man. I wrap, tape and label.
Probably grind some up too. Good that way too.

Glad to hear ND is having a good time, gittin' some meat for the family and spending time with his Pops, like we all told him to do. Of course it was an easy sell!

I got a problem with ol' ND now though. I used to think he was an OK fella, but then he went dissin' the equine beast, which happens to be my fav-o-rite method of transporting my big, fat, lardass. Gotta have a talk with that boy about good stock!

However, since he apparently was able to marry-up like so many of us here, with a fine catch such as yourself, I reckon he might still be an alright fella!

If I would have known where they was staying, I'da went over to meet, visit and generally give them some harrassment. Could have even used my horses to help get their meat out. I killed early opening morning and had the time to do such. Instead, with nobody to hang with, I came on home the same day. Glad they had a good hunt! Don

MrsDave,

Thanks for the updates!! Sounds like they are having a great time and you will be enjoying fresh elk steak soon!!!!!

Too bad you didn't get the fox. My wife pulled in the driveway after a night out with the girls last week to see a fox and our cat having a staredown. The fox skedaddled and she scooped up the kitty on her way inside.

Jeff

Finally talked to Dave today. He said that Dusty hasn't shot anything yet, but he is having a BLAST!!

He also said that the mountain lion almost hit his knee w/its tail when it ran past him...I'd say that's close, wouldn't you?
Now I see why he was shaking.

Hey all, Dave back at home here.

dang ole tired tho.

I got my wapiti, hauled it out on a very fine saddle horse ironbender

best horse I have ever lead up & back down that mountain with a load of elk on the return trip, damn fine horse & my ole man picked her up for 100 bucks just weeks ago. amazing, kind of horse that could possibly keep me from hunting horses with a machine gun from a helo like I suggested to Pam earlier.

Hey, aint nobody concerned about a 200 lb cat making a run on my goofy Minnesota butt?

I'm telling ya, I was gonna be that guy's lunch.

When i turned facing him with the 300 roy on him he skated to my left & just blew by me as I followed him with the gun & I mean right by me as Pam said his tail almost hit me.

i'm telling ya, ... if I wasn't alert & such... I might be cat poop right now

So, all in all, fine trip, J elky's knife is awesome!!

Hey, i'm tired tho, I got pictures & stuff but too tired & shtinky to post tonight. maybe tomorrow.

Thanks for all the well wishes & thank you Pam for posting & for takin care o me & such.

G'night all.

Dave

Welcome home Dave!! Congrats on the Wapiti! WOOHOO!!!!

Congrats. I'm going to miss following your exploits. When is your next trip?

well, there is always deer season, right around the corner

Glad you had a good time bud. Lotsa difference between a horse and a good horse, as others will attest!

Congratulmalations on a successful hunt!!! The cat likely got a whiff of ya when he got real close and realized you are inedible Are ya gonna pull up the Baboon Ass thread and post THAT report???

I'm pleased to report the baboon was kept at bay, no problems at all with baboons

Hey Dave,

Congrats on the elk. Glad you're back.

Was that cat stalking you? That's a pants pooping event for sure. Your back just in time to start getting ready for the rifle season. The deer are starting to move around here a bit.

I'm heading to our hunting area tomorrow to check stuff out.

Pam, sent me pics of 'ol forky toes, she took em from her deer stand while you were gone.

It sounds like you had fun.

Glad your back man.

Congratulations, and as promised, I'm posting the photo you sent me of Dave's trophy.

Nice Cow!!

LOL!!

here's a picture for you guys. I have lots of 'splaining to do but I'm swamped with work right now. I will post more when i get a chance.

did you shoot it, or punch it in the nose?

Thanks, I like the quakies in the background. Nice

yeah, I'm not too proud of that.

a deflected shot with point of aim at the neck ended up being a snout shot. She kept her feet & luckily I was able to repeat quick enough to put one through the boiler room before she took off with what could have been a terrible head shot type injury.

250 yds, and not nice shooting conditions... It was a tough year, nothing came easy for me.

But that is what will make the trip so memorable.

Jelky's campfire knife after some use.



a pair of ivory cow chompers.

The chompers are kinda cool.

The important part is you got it done. Good quick second shot anyway.

Got the campfire knife dirty too. NICE.

Maybe I'll take that sucker to MN or WI for deer. Hmmmmmm

NDave; You the man!!!

Dave,

Glad to see you made it back and were successful as well!!!!

I'm not sure where the knife is going next. I've got a couple feelers out there, but haven't heard back yet.

Tzone, when does the wizz-con-son season start?

Jeff

Dave glad you had a good trip, also glad that lion just blew by ya, nothing worst than a lion with an upset stomach (grin).
Sounds like you better buy the wife a new gun for the red fox seeing how you seemed to take all the guns out of the truck in the first place.
Put those ivorys in your pocket with some change and they'll clean right up. Maybe make her some ear rings and you can just buy an extra gun for the truck.