2017 .... A YEAR I WONT EVER FORGET!
General Topic
Contributors to this thread:
Never gets old!
Never gets old!
I had a great year with a few firsts and I thought some would enjoy a few pics. Im going to save the best for last I’ll go in reverse to start this off. A few weeks ago I got out with joe at a spot we had some fall birds located and patterned. There were smaller groups of toms, some youngins and some older birds so we kept our fingers crossed and hoped the scouting payed off. A half hour after sunrise and some assembly calling mixed with tom yelps, two young toms came in and treated the deeks like it was spring...
Who says turkeys don’t need year around loving!
Who says turkeys don’t need year around loving!
After some luvn the young tom got frustrated with the jake decoy and picked a fight...
After some luvn the young tom got frustrated with the jake decoy and picked a fight...
Heart rate elevated a bit...
Heart rate elevated a bit...
With these two toms in the setup we heard in the distance the larger bachelor group of older birds shock gobble every 10-15 minutes and could tell they were getting closer. We kept up with the occasional soft calls to work the incoming group of birds... Soon the two young toms alerted us of the older birds presence and they marched right in to our setup....
One of the old toms split and decided he didn’t like the new kid on the block getting some action .....
One of the old toms split and decided he didn’t like the new kid on the block getting some action .....
Heat seeking.....
Heat seeking.....
I decided enough was enough and that I had waited long enough.. you can see the arrow right before impact ...
The new dave smith mating motion decoy set works even when it shouldn’t....
The new dave smith mating motion decoy set works even when it shouldn’t....
Happy bowhunter!
Happy bowhunter!
I was pretty pumped to tag such a great fall tom... gotta love when calls and decoys work in the fall! :-)
Awesome bird man! Congratulations!!
Next I found myself hunting Iowa whitetails in the rut... talk about scenic!
Next I found myself hunting Iowa whitetails in the rut... talk about scenic!
Awesome whitetail country....
Awesome whitetail country....
He didn’t go far!
He didn’t go far!
On the third morning I found myself up high in stand in a great bedding area... with a few occasional grunts a nice 11 point walked in that I couldn’t pass up. An arrow was sent .....
He had character that I liked!
He had character that I liked!
Signs of the rut!
Signs of the rut!
Again one happy bowhunter!
Again one happy bowhunter!
Making memories!
Making memories!
This guy in the middle is one helluva nice guy and now a good buddy! He also knows whitetails as his stand placements, tactics, and walls proved so..... I had an absolute blast hunting in Iowa!
As I found her!
As I found her!
After filling my buck tag I set out for a doe, which ended up taking a few days to get one in range. On the last evening I put a big ol nanny down.
Happy bowhunter! She had my jacked like any buck has.
Happy bowhunter! She had my jacked like any buck has.
Can’t wait to get back to Iowa! It’s a special place!
Can’t wait to get back to Iowa! It’s a special place!
He really is smiling! :-)
He really is smiling! :-)
My Northern California Deer season started off slow as I was more so helping others rather then hunting myself, plus my target buck had not shown himself in 2 weeks leading up to the opener. Troy and Quincy were out here hunting with us and on his fourth day, Quincy connected on a great buck!
Happy bowhunter!
Happy bowhunter!
I ended up taking my tags into the general season and located a buck I had not seen in four years. I found his home turf and after a few days stars aligned and he slipped. This was the oldest and tallest buck I have killed yet. His height takes away from his mass. I was so pumped when I got him I was shaking like crazy. Man I love bowhunting!
I love the cape on this buck
I love the cape on this buck
The following week I found myself hunting a spot I had an earlier encounter with a buck that got away with the last laugh. I hunted this area hard and finally after several days I was rewarded with a second chance at the same buck that was cruising through the area. This time I made a good shot and filled my second Cali tag. . Crazy how things can turn around and in a short time a season can turn into another one of those “dream” seasons or hunts.
Head on....
Head on....
Nice view.
Nice view.
I took a chance and put in for a Colorado elk unit I had no history in or information of. Well long story short I ate my tag and learned a lot in a lot of aspects of a out of state hunt that I will not do again. Here’s a few pics from the hunt.
First pig double!
First pig double!
During the summer I was able to get out in search of some swine... long story short I stalked into a group of pigs near a pond in 100 degree heat and put two pigs down in about 30 seconds. I love doubles and I love sausage!
Chris, where in northern California do you hunt? I grew up in Quincy... Plumas County.
The bigger sow.....
The bigger sow.....
Didn’t make it too far after the shot! :-)
Didn’t make it too far after the shot! :-)
Opening weekend bird
Opening weekend bird
Spring of 2017 I was able to get out and do a little turkey hunting believe it or not. I filled my turkey tags with joe and my daughter present on the hunts. I’m a sucker as when my little girl tells me to shoot I couldn’t say no.... that time! :-) here’s pics from my spring turkey season....
Good 3 year old
Good 3 year old
Red, White, and Blue! :-)
Red, White, and Blue! :-)
Live shot of my first bird
Live shot of my first bird
Serious tactics discussion after a great day!
Serious tactics discussion after a great day!
A few days later... good times with buddies!
A few days later... good times with buddies!
Live shot of my second bird before he took an arrow.
Live shot of my second bird before he took an arrow.
Such awesome birds!
Such awesome birds!
:-)
:-)
The walk out is always better when a little heavier!
The walk out is always better when a little heavier!
Awesome thread! Wow, and double wow. Congrats.
You had an awesome year for sure! Congratulations!
Double up!
Double up!
Making memories!
Making memories!
Haha love it!
Haha love it!
After a successful day we celebrate!
After a successful day we celebrate!
Here’s pics of my third bird where go was there talking us into shooting these young toms... it was a blast for all of us.
#noselfiesuntillwekill
#noselfiesuntillwekill
My uncle Jim and Gia
My uncle Jim and Gia
We love turkey hunting!
We love turkey hunting!
The Little things matter!
The Little things matter!
Here’s a few extra pics from my turkey season with family and friends...
A double with some buddies!
A double with some buddies!
Buddies gun bird!
Buddies gun bird!
Tools of the trade
Tools of the trade
:-o
:-o
Like I said I’m saving the best for last and it’s almost here.... but I’ll have to get back to this a little later. Hopefully not too long.
Congrats on a great year! BTW, what kind of bow sling is that?
Pretty awesome year!!! Congrats. Thanks for posting it.
Fantastic Chris... looking forward to the finale.
You guys never disappoint . Great hunts with good people . That’s what bowhunting is to me! Congrats again and here’s to next year!! Hunt
Amazing pics...what kind of camera were you using??
Awesome stuff Chris! Good things come to good people. The best part about a great year coming to a close is the next one is right around the corner! Congrats on 2017 and best wishes for 2018!
The gang
The gang
FOH!
FOH!
In search...
In search...
Passing it (her bow) on to gia! Awesome!
Passing it (her bow) on to gia! Awesome!
And i definitely can’t let this go further without a few pics from “halfpints” hunt out here. We all had a blast!
Great stuff Chris. And, as usual, great pics. What a year...
Such an impressive animal!
Such an impressive animal!
For my whole life I have lived in a state where things are backwards, hunting regulations don’t make sense, and things rarely ever positively change for resident sportsman. Majority of my life as a California resident, mountain lion hunting has not been allowed since they were placed on the endangered species list in 1990. This is one of many examples things unfortunately are not in favor of the sportsman and wildlife conservation, as lions over run California now and more are killed by wardens and state trappers then were ever killed by hunters before they were listed as endangered. Since I began hunting I have never really gotten the itch to chase and hunt lions as they are protected here in California plus to go out of state and legally kill one the state’s precludes the importation of lions legally taken out of state from being brought into the state including any part of a lion, its meat or taxidermy. Talk about violating the US Constitution and Commerce Clause but that is nothing new in California. Enough of that as things ultimately changed my mind for me.
Buddies friends tom he caught couple weeks before my hunt.
Buddies friends tom he caught couple weeks before my hunt.
I have several friends in other states that have hunted mountain lions and told me how great the meat is and about their exciting hunts, yet I still did not get the urge to hunt an animal I could not eat and enjoy at least here in California. Well all of this changed when I realized life is short, opportunities are not always accessible, and when a good friend who successfully always chases mountain lions and lives in a trophy lion state invites you to go, you go. I thought to myself I needed to take this opportunity, stand up for what’s legally my right to do (even in another state) and take the opportunity in front of me, which many people would die to have a chance at. So over a short period with all the aforementioned circumstances in my head, I quickly got the excitement to hunt a mountain lion and took up my friend’s offer to join him in Arizona. When I had talked to him about chasing lions, he had explained many miles are covered until a track is found and then the chase may be short if we’re lucky. He sent me several photographs of lions he and his friends had caught over the years, which really got me excited. Just two weeks before my hunt, he sent me pictures of a giant tom lion they caught, which his friend harvested that weighed 150-160 pounds. For Arizona and anywhere in the lower 48 that is a nice big respectable cat.
Happy to get this coues buck with limited time!
Happy to get this coues buck with limited time!
Taking it all in
Taking it all in
The couple of weeks leading up to my trip to Arizona, I prepared my shooting and bow by shooting at extremely steep vertical angles. It was a good thing I did practice this type of shooting as I discovered my bow’s site’s third-axis was a little off forcing my arrows to hit left when I leveled the bubble. I made the correct adjustments and my site’s third-axis was dialed as well as my shooting was. My confidence in my bow and my shooting was high, which I believe plays a huge aspect in any hunt when the time comes to make a clean ethical shot on any game, but even more important on dangerous game. I was ready!
As I was driving to Arizona, I continuously refreshed my weather page app on my phone checking the forecast. The forecast didn’t show any snow to hit for seven days, which on a twelve day hunt got me a little nervous. So to help the time go by, I elected to hunt Coues deer down south of my location while waiting on the cold front to hit. On the third day hunting deer, I was able to fill my archery deer tag on a nice young 6 point Coues buck that was chasing a hot doe.
Everything looked like this for the most part...
Everything looked like this for the most part...
I guess these wild horses are a pain in everyone’s @$$ in Arizona, but we’re cool to see and photograph.
I guess these wild horses are a pain in everyone’s @$$ in Arizona, but we’re cool to see and photograph.
Another hunter we ran into as his dogs were on alert hoping to catch a lion scent ....
Another hunter we ran into as his dogs were on alert hoping to catch a lion scent ....
Happy with harvesting a Coues buck, my complete attention was back to lions and praying for some snow. To make the time go by, my buddy and I tried a few blind predator calling sets and were able to put a couple coyotes down.
Finally day 7 and the front arrived with snow but only a couple inches at most. The next morning at 3 AM we began driving roads searching for lion tracks. I was finally in search of the elusive lions track and excited that it was finally happening. All that excitement slowly faded as we had looked over hundreds of elk, deer, coyote, and bobcat tracks until noon with no lion tracks found. We probably drove close to 60 miles on rough dirt and rocky roads and surprisingly it somehow wore me out. As my buddy explained lions travel and hunt at night so why the reason we searched for tracks in the morning. That evening I got some good rest and again we were back at it at 3 AM the second morning.
Pretty scenic ....
Pretty scenic ....
We searched a new area covering several miles and inspecting several animal tracks with again no lion tracks found. By noon we finished up and the sun popped out melting all the snow by night fall. With no snow on the ground a check of the weather app showed another front would move in two days later pushing my hunt to the last two days I had before returning home.
The next front moved in and this one was much heavier and it dumped 4-6” of snow overnight. Again the alarm sounded off as I was just settling into a good sleep and we were back out there driving snow covered roads in search of elusive fresh lion tracks. Again, we scoured over hundreds of fresh tracks left in the snow but no tracks were found. By the end of the third day searching for mountain lion tracks, I began to wonder if it was going to happen or not.
Great thread and outstanding pictures ! Helluva season !
Closing in.....
Closing in.....
Big lion tracks were awesome to see!
Big lion tracks were awesome to see!
Comparison and I’m a bigger guy...
Comparison and I’m a bigger guy...
Time to track!
Time to track!
On day 4 and more less my last day to hunt lions, again we were up early driving roads and we had the help of another buddy who was searching for tracks in a different area to double our coverage. Four hours later as the sun was now up we still had not located any tracks when my buddy’s phone rang. It was Jed who I could hear through the phone excitedly saying that he just found a giant tom lion track that was “red hot.” Knowing he was well over an hour away from us and there were other lion hunters doing the same thing looking for tracks, we drove like we were in a police pursuit to get there and get on the track. With my heart near coma for several days it was finally elevated again with adrenaline and hope. We finally arrived and I got to see my first set of lion tracks. These tracks were as big as my hand if not bigger. These were left by a big cat.
The terrain went from flat to steep fairly quickly...
The terrain went from flat to steep fairly quickly...
Once I arrived the dogs were released and we knew we were a minimum of two hours behind the tom. I never would imagine trailing behind some dogs listening to them bark and whine would be music to my ears but it was. Watching these dogs quickly working the trail noses berried into the snow was very cool like watching a springer on point of a pheasant for comparison but much cooler for me. Only difference is we were chasing one of North America’s top predators, which is rarely seen while in the wild and dangerous. As we were chasing the dogs and on their trail, I was informed by Blake the lion was heading for a huge canyon and that we had already trailed this lion further than any of his past chases (150 or so). It did not matter to me as I was feeling good and wanted to catch up with the lion that was leaving such giant tracks. After we covered two miles we found ourselves in the bottom of a giant canyon and the dogs were now giving the ‘treed’ alert bark close by.
So crazy to see him at only 10-15 yards!
So crazy to see him at only 10-15 yards!
His glare was quite powerful... such a giant!
His glare was quite powerful... such a giant!
Amazing animal!
Amazing animal!
By the look of his stomach it appeared he just had his last meal,......
By the look of his stomach it appeared he just had his last meal,......
As we slowly approached the tree, I finally caught a glimpse of the lion and was amazed to witness the lion standing above the dogs that were at the bottom of tree. Jed told me he was a giant lion and definitely the biggest he has seen in ten years of chasing lions. The size of this lion was most impressive and his steely blue eyes were mesmerizing and almost hypnotic with unknown intentions. As we were videoing and taking photos of the lion only ten yards above us, he decided to climb the giant pine nearly to the top. Seeing the raw power of the lion climb the tree burying his claws into the tree and muscles rip through his skin, made me feel very small and was intimidating. My shot went from a chip shot to an extremely steep shot, where my bows third axis would matter. The actual distance was 35 yards but with the angle my rangefinder compensator told me to shoot for 24 yards… that’s steep!
Live Action shot!
Live Action shot!
My view and shot angle
My view and shot angle
Official!
Official!
With snow now falling again from a small moisture cell that moved in, I studied my shot and took aim on the lion as snowflakes fell onto my face. I felt confident at the shot and followed through knowing a bad shot on a cougar was not an option. My arrow flew true hitting the lion perfect as he instantly fell and was dead in three seconds. Wow what a rush!
Happy bowhunter! :-)
Happy bowhunter! :-)
Big enough!
Big enough!
One of my greatest bowhunting hunts ever!
One of my greatest bowhunting hunts ever!
Life eats life! Just a little predator control... :-)
Life eats life! Just a little predator control... :-)
This was one of the coolest experiences I have had bowhunting, period! After high-fives, hand shakes, photographs, and just taking in the moment, we began the pack out. Long story short the pack out was brutal with such a heavy whole animal the site of the truck two hours later was even better. We ultimately weighed the mountain lion, which tipped the scale at a whopping 180 pounds. Even though he hasn’t been officially scored yet, he green scored 15 3/8” which easily qualifies for Pope and Young and should be a Booner!
Size comparison as I’m 6’2” 240.... big ol mtn kitty.
Size comparison as I’m 6’2” 240.... big ol mtn kitty.
Such a cool experience!
Such a cool experience!
Me and joe with the lion. Glad you were there to be a part of it homie!
Me and joe with the lion. Glad you were there to be a part of it homie!
The group! Thanks to all of them for such an awesome day!
The group! Thanks to all of them for such an awesome day!
This was an experience that I am grateful to be a part of and experience from beginning to the end. The anticipation of the chase, locating lion tracks, watching the dogs work the track, and seeing such an elusive predator up close is a hunt that goes down as one of my favorites. By the way while I was in Arizona, I did enjoy the lion’s back straps and loins as they were wonderful. It was some of the best meat I have tasted. A lion hunt is one I will definitely do again even as a witness. Lesson learned was take up a great opportunity as it may end up being one of your best decisions made as it was for me.
It was pretty cool seeing the hunt in the last eastmans bowhunting journal. My daughter loves to see and read my articles over and over again.
So that is a rap on my 2017 season and hope it was a good read. Merry Christmas and wish everyone a great 2018!
Badass season for sure Big C...Congrats!
Awesome stuff Chris! Love hearing about it and grats! Man, that lion is a beast!
That is an incredible lion Chris! Congrats! Your article in the EBJ was excellent as well, it was a lot of fun to read it with Kia a few weeks ago when we got it in the mail. My folks just built a cabin in western SD and have had lion tracks around their cabin and up on their deck the last two times it has snowed. The season opens here in a week, I need to get out there and attempt some of my own predator control!
Definitely some of the finest pictures I've ever seen on Bowsite ! Congrats in a fantastic year,,your a DEDICATED bowman,that's for sure..
Used a Cannon g7x, a cool-pix cam, and the old trusty new iPhone ... and thanks!
That a boy Chris! What an amazing year you had, I hope you had fun :)
Best of luck in '18 and please have a Merry Christmas!
To all you guys thank you very much! I’m glad you enjoyed them. Happy 2018 to you guys!
You had a great 2017 season. Congrats!
Awesome, Chris! Between you and Joe you guys had a season that's a "career" for many bowhunters!
When you get a chance, would you share some of the things you learned on the ill-fated out of state elk hunt? Maybe on a different thread? I think that would help a lot of hunters out.
Awesome stuff man. You fellas sure do it right. Congrats and God Bless.
Lou, ya I can do that for sure.
Great year.... congratulations
Fantastic.....congrats, Chris!
Ditto what Lou said!
Hopefully you get that promotion. With your taxidermy bills, yer gonna need it! I’m exhausted just reading all this! You had a whale of a year with some incredible animals as well as some fantastic experiences to go along with them!
We sure had a blast having you and Joe come out for a week, and, who knows, next time you might even get a stand named after you! I’m looking forward to getting back out there and chasing blacktails again too. Hopefully, with a little cooler weather ;-)
Congrats again on a fantastic season, Chris!
Great season and incredible pics as usual! Well done!
Heck of a season Chris !! Congrats !!
Great year to say the least! Congrats! Thanks for takin' us on along.
Awesome pictures! Congrats on a great year! Kevin
Thanks guys!!
Troy it’s in the works buddy!! Can’t wait as 45’still kickin and might be yours with some history, which makes it cooler.
What model Elite are you shooting?
You're a bad ass... period. Congratulations Chris. Ed F
Awsome photos
Great photos! Thank you for sharing them.
1
Hats off to you, Chris. Well done and thanks for posting!
I am so glad that you and many other bow hunters are packing along their cameras to show the hunt and the to share them with us. Nicely done 24/7--365. my best, Paul
Congrats on (another) great year Chris! Pics, stories and critters....AAA!
Mark
A banner year there. Great trophies and more importantly, great memories. Congrats
You've set the bar high for 2018. Go get'em !!
Congrats Chris, very impressive Year for you. Keep hammerin'
Best of Luck, Jeff
Wow, Congratulations on an unbelievable year! Very exciting just reading your thoughts!!! Thanks for sharing!
Congrats, Chris! Great photos as usual. Mighty fine season!
Loved your recap and all the awesome pics!
Awesome!! Congrats! So cool how that lion hunt ranks up there for you and doing the hunt was a big maybe to start. Lesson noted!
Congrats on an epic year... love that cat.
Epic is a word used far too often, however this year qualified for you, Chris! Thanks for sharing the stories and photos.
Thanks everyone!
Ed, I’m just trying to catch up to you.
Bro, your photos are primo!
Awesome Season!! I'm loving these year long recaps. Inspiring. Well done to you and best wishes for 2018.
Thanks for sharing your year! I really enjoy the quality of your pics. I know I would love a thread in which you shared some of you and Joe's tips for taking great field pictures. You guys are among the best!
Which EBJ was that in? I started looking last night and couldn't find it.
I was never enamored with lion's until this year when I saw one live and close (40 yards). They have an aura about them unlike no other critter than I have witnessed. They are definitely an APEX predator. Those eyes can burn holes through you. (And I have been 12 yards from a timber wolf)
I don’t know what Chris does as far as editing, etc., on his pics, but witnessing firsthand, the time and energy, as well as all the little details that he and Joe take when they are taking photos, it’s no wonder they turn out more than a few awesome pics.
Thanks guys! Z barebow, it’s ebj issue 109. And yes maybe someday we can do that.. i could prob write a book or give a class on it. It’s deff something we enjoy doing and spend time doing.
Congrats on the season and especially the Iowa Whitetail!
Thanks Charlie! It’s a magical place for sure!