5 days to make it happen... Big Boys!!

stlhdr1 · 10-03-2008, 08:23 AM

Well, 10 of us are gathering up at the traditional camp to get things rolling on the late muzzleloader season. We'll be up in the West Klickitat unit for the 8th year in a row now and hopefully capitalize on some trophy bucks and bulls....

Looking back at the past, it's been a decent hunt for us! Plus this is the first year I can remember that we'll have stormy weather for our opener...

Gary's bull scored 309.. He was cow called in opening day for a 25 yard broadside shot...

Although the gang has had their opportunities, it seems as if most do a lot of missing... Three years ago the guys had opportunities at 2 different bulls and missed them both...

I don't have a ton of pics since the computer crashed I'm hoping we can capitalize on some nice bucks too... I need to better this one I killed 3 years ago..

It will be different not actually hunting elk during the early season as I've already tagged out this year. I'll be concentrating on the big bucks!!

Keith

Chesapeake · 10-03-2008, 08:39 AM

We arent hunting the early season, but will be up there tromping around the buttes for the late season. I'll probably run up that way saturday to decide on a spot for the rifle opener and to scout out the Cold Springs burn.

We havent done very well with the horns in quite a few years, but we've sure stacked up the meat up there the last 5 or 6 years. Of course the good snow weve bean getting has helped out.

Keep expecting to run into you and recognize you from the web, but havent yet. We camp down on the Draper springs end.

stlhdr1 · 10-03-2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesapeake

We arent hunting the early season, but will be up there tromping around the buttes for the late season. I'll probably run up that way saturday to decide on a spot for the rifle opener and to scout out the Cold Springs burn.

We havent done very well with the horns in quite a few years, but we've sure stacked up the meat up there the last 5 or 6 years. Of course the good snow weve bean getting has helped out.

Keep expecting to run into you and recognize you from the web, but havent yet. We camp down on the Draper springs end.

Yeah, we hunt the Draper Springs pretty hard for the deer and sometimes run into the elk there... Two years ago the deer were in there pretty thick but last year they weren't. I had a guy shoot a 4pt bull just west of Draper Springs 2 years ago about 500 yards ahead of me which I was tracking, was that you guys?? I'd imagine I've driven right by your camp not knowing... We spend a lot of time on King Mtn 190 rd etc, I drive a 2003 Grey Dodge 1500 lifted 35" tires if you see me stop in and say hi. We'll be staying at the Trout Lake motel again this year especially with the rain, feel free to stop in and grab a cold beer if you'd like!

Keith

Chesapeake · 10-03-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlhdr1

Yeah, we hunt the Draper Springs pretty hard for the deer and sometimes run into the elk there... Two years ago the deer were in there pretty thick but last year they weren't. I had a guy shoot a 4pt bull just west of Draper Springs 2 years ago about 500 yards ahead of me which I was tracking, was that you guys?? I'd imagine I've driven right by your camp not knowing... We spend a lot of time on King Mtn 190 rd etc, I drive a 2003 Grey Dodge 1500 lifted 35" tires if you see me stop in and say hi. We'll be staying at the Trout Lake motel again this year especially with the rain, feel free to stop in and grab a cold beer if you'd like!

Keith

The Hotel!!!

We set up a big 16x30 army tent with a white tarp over it. Last few years its bean up on the K2000 just shy of the gate. Some years we set it up between Draper and Glenwood on the 4000 road.

We havent got a branch antler for a few years. Spikes and cows has bean all we could muster. Last year I had my chances (a few) at some decent bulls, but its a long story every smoke pole hunter already knows. Sufice it to say I now know what its like to get a bad batch of caps.

We usualy park at the gate with a green Dodge 4 door long bed diesel. Says R.A.L. Construction on the sides.

stlhdr1 · 10-03-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesapeake

The Hotel!!!

We set up a big 16x30 army tent with a white tarp over it. Last few years its bean up on the K2000 just shy of the gate. Some years we set it up between Draper and Glenwood on the 4000 road.

We havent got a branch antler for a few years. Spikes and cows has bean all we could muster. Last year I had my chances (a few) at some decent bulls, but its a long story every smoke pole hunter already knows. Sufice it to say I now know what its like to get a bad batch of caps.

We usualy park at the gate with a green Dodge 4 door long bed diesel. Says R.A.L. Construction on the sides.

Yeah, I've seen the truck. Quite a few times actually...

Yeah, we'd do the big tent/motorhome thing but the guys don't feel like dealing with it this year so hotel it is....

Keith

Chesapeake · 10-03-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlhdr1

Yeah, I've seen the truck. Quite a few times actually...

Yeah, we'd do the big tent/motorhome thing but the guys don't feel like dealing with it this year so hotel it is....

Keith

This is 2 years ago. Yeah were meat hunters.

stlhdr1 · 10-03-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesapeake

This is 2 years ago. Yeah were meat hunters.

Yeah we've harvested a handful of cows over the last 4 years but never took many pictures of them....

I can't wait for tomorrow morning, then again all I get to shoot is a nice buck...

Keith

Chesapeake · 10-03-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlhdr1

Yeah, I've seen the truck. Quite a few times actually...

Yeah, we'd do the big tent/motorhome thing but the guys don't feel like dealing with it this year so hotel it is....

Keith

You know Eric and Barb? They drive a large light blue Ford diesel extended cab with a canopy. They stay at the Hotel pretty much every year.

Chesapeake · 10-03-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlhdr1

Yeah we've harvested a handful of cows over the last 4 years but never took many pictures of them....

I can't wait for tomorrow morning, then again all I get to shoot is a nice buck...

Keith

That pic was because we had 5 guys in camp and tagged out.

stlhdr1 · 10-03-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesapeake

That pic was because we had 5 guys in camp and tagged out.

I was just toying with ya about the pic, personally I'd rather eat the cows anyhow...

Yeah, I know that Eric guy, don't recall meating Barb. He's a pretty cool guy. He's joined us for dinner a couple of times... We take a couple BBQ's up there and have some good fiestas....

Keith

stlhdr1 · 10-03-2008, 11:17 AM

I just seen you guys are using the Rino's also. What channel you running? We run 5/15 usually... Personally we'd run the 5 watt channels but we have a couple cheap asses in camp that still run the 120's...

Keith

Chesapeake · 10-03-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlhdr1

I just seen you guys are using the Rino's also. What channel you running? We run 5/15 usually... Personally we'd run the 5 watt channels but we have a couple cheap asses in camp that still run the 120's...

Keith

Caught you on the other post. We usualy run 15, but sometimes revert to 5. 5 was what we used before we got the fancy radios. We dont run a code.

Now that I have the 530 I'll probably catch you on the radio this year. Youl probably get to watch me run elk around in circles on your screen.

stlhdr1 · 10-03-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesapeake

Caught you on the other post. We usualy run 15, but sometimes revert to 5. 5 was what we used before we got the fancy radios. We dont run a code.

Now that I have the 530 I'll probably catch you on the radio this year. Youl probably get to watch me run elk around in circles on your screen.

Most certainly will, I'll be pulling your location all day long!

You know how to pull locations?

Keith

Chesapeake · 10-03-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlhdr1

Most certainly will, I'll be pulling your location all day long!

You know how to pull locations?

Keith

Dont worry, i'll have it all figured out before long. I've already read the manual once. Now just a little OJT and I'll have it down pat.

Last year on one of the other guys radio we were up on meadow and it looked like we were being over run.

stlhdr1 · 10-03-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesapeake

Dont worry, i'll have it all figured out before long. I've already read the manual once. Now just a little OJT and I'll have it down pat.

Last year on one of the other guys radio we were up on meadow and it looked like we were being over run.

I wonder if that was us up there....

Always remember it takes a person keying their mike up to transpond their coordinates to your radio. Well, if on the map page you highlight one of your guys go to the information screen and scroll down to poll location you can actually make their radio key up without them even touching it. I do this all the time to my buddies to see where they are at. In other words I can walk right up on you without you ever keying your radio and you wouldn't even know I was polling your location.

Quick tip, if you don't want your buddies to poll your location there is a setting in the setup menu that turns off polling...

Also, don't be suprised if you see a text message come across your's if I'm around you. You can also text messages with the 520's and 530's...

Keith

stlhdr1 · 10-03-2008, 03:36 PM

If you are going to be up there this weekend go to channel 5/15 and see if we're out there. We'll be hunting King, the mainline, Draper and the Hatchery area pretty hard....

If you need a quick 101 on the fun stuff with your radio I'd be happy to show ya...

Keith

Chesapeake · 10-03-2008, 03:50 PM

I'm headed up that way saturday, but I'll probably only get so far as rattlesnake. I'm mostly going to hel Alex chase deer, and figure out where I want to be opening morning of rifle. I may run up and give the burn a look. If I do I'll see if I can ping you.

Alex has had his 530 for a few years, so he should be able to show me the ropes. I've got most of it figured out, just some details to iron out.

Dont remember anything about text messages in the manual.