It is pouring right now and tem for some sleep! I will be sure to post pics an up dates over the next few days! 20 hours driving time both ways for about 20 hours of hunting time... Not much sleep time at all!
Not a bad bed. Back seat of a mega can is pretty comfy, even for a big guy like myself.
Agpfter 5 extremely hard hunting weekends for archery elk in Colorado, I was ready for a break! This past archery season I had over 120 miles confirmed on the boot leather (no wonder most of my boots only last 2 seasons).
Last Wednesday morning my wife informed about changes to our weekend plans! As a result of said changes, I was free to do as I please! So on Wednesday mid day I found a number for a guy online who lived in the general area! I figured what the heck, I will send him a text as most of my information was OK but not great.
About 40 minutes after I sent the text I got a phone call back and a message that stated he would help me in anyway he can and to call him when I get the chance!
I had no opportunity to call on Wednesday. And since I only work 4 days a week I packed up my truck Wednesday night, and after work on Thursday, I struck out on my way with a full tank of diesel and my light gear, and 650 miles of road!
My first stop was in Grand Junction, luckily they had a gps map chip for MT.
The trip was uneventful, but stupid long and lots of rain! Always good sunsets!
As mentioned I arrived at my location at 3:45 in the am. I slept for about 3 hours then got up and had some breakfast and stuck out into lands unknown.
It had rained most of the night and the morning was damp and dark... I did find wildlife almost immediately.
Again it was dark all weekend... Hard on Pics.
I did however see lots of pretty country.
He then took me out for a tour of the area and more importantly a chance to see all the town animals. Since the wolves moved in there have been tons of animals in the low country on private lands.
In our little 2 hour tour we saw over 800 elk, probably as many white tails and around 100 mule deer. He told me about the area history, places to eat, fish, etc.
We then spent the afternoon looking at campsites he knew would be good options. As evening approached he called his wife and reserved us a table at the local steak house... His wife was equally as cool. Insisting to pay for my dinner and then insisting that I sleep in a warm bed that night.
It was a very welcome request as my 3 hours of sleep after a 10 hour day and a 10 hour drive was not going to cut it...
I did find a buck very similar in build to this buck. but it ended up being a 3x3 and not what I was willing to shoot.
The elk in this pic were near the trees, About 12 cows and a single bull.
I watched this guy take the fish out of the creek then stop road side for breakfast. Not a bad fish, I was impressed with how every single stream had piles of fish!
Never know what you might find.
After hours behind the scope and miles in the truck I found a few. Actually I found an area with many deer. In this area I ended up seeing around 40 does and 10 bucks. None of the bucks were great, but I did stalk one I wanted a closer look at and decided to let it pass...
Early the next morning I got up and started my search for deer.
The picture is crappy but this animal would have made my day had I got a shot off. I attempted to call it in, it came about 30 yards to wards me before bugging out. It I had my predator gun I would have killed this wolf.
Yep only took me a couple days but I found a wolf.
The pic is really crappy as it was still really early and heavy cloud cover...
After I finish my November hunt I will write up everything learned.
I am blessed!
What are Montana's rules on shooting wolves in MT?
You have to have a $50 NR tag then they can be shot until the Quotas for the area are met.
If the tag is bought after Sept. 1 you have to wait 24 hours before hunting. Come Rifle season that would have been a dead wolf!