Out smart yourself, true story.

id. painter · 06-02-2003, 12:10 PM

Tis is a completely true story and i did it to myself.
About 8 years ago while hunting bucks in unit 59 in Idaho. It was toward the end of the general hunt (late Oct.)and rescently had a good snow . The snow had partly melted and was mostly gone except in the shade. I was as usual, alone, still hunting along a ridge at about 9000 ft. above sea level.
The bucks that live in the area use the timbered side of the mountain to hide and then come out after dark to feed in the more open terrain.
I was slowly working along the ridge when i spotted a doe feeding, very close, maybe,, 20 yards away. I was fairly sure that this wouldnt be a lone deer and expected to see others with her . Good chance of a buck.
After a few minutes of watching the doe ,, another showed up,,, then another,, then another and another, all within about 20 yards. The wind was right and they couldnt smell me and they just wandered off feeding. Just as the last deer was disolving into the trees in front of me i got a glimpse of a great big rack.
I started to get excited, it was a real big buck and i was only a few yards away . But, i didnt get a chance for a shot and now he was gone.
This is when i had my great idea. The ground was loud, frozen and not covered in snow and i knew id never be able to get up on him again. So , i decided I'd take off my boots and just give him the old sock sneak. I have killed several Elk while in my socks(northern Idaho) there is a big difference in terrain, no rocks up north.
Back to the story,, i put a killer sneak on him and just at the last second , with does all around, the wind changed and i had one flash, shot that i didnt take. I ran for just about 10 or 20 yards trying for a better shot, that didnt happen.
Its now about 3:00 P.M. and i had a long walk back to my rig.I had to climb down about 1000 vertical feet of cliff and shale, spotted with Mt . Mahogany and then fallow the canyon down for about a mile .
If you havent figured out the moral of this story yet . DONT EVER LEAVE YOUR BOOTS ON THE MOUNATIN AND WALK OFF. I looked and looked and looked , i would swear i left them right next to that big downed tree.
As dark was comming closer, i had no desire to spend the night out, i headed down. I got to my truck right at complete darkness with the two most stubbed up feet you have ever seen.
Ive been back several times and never could find my boots. Hi, Ho. id. p.

bllelk · 06-02-2003, 02:34 PM

Good story. I'm from Idyhohoho so I know it's true. Shoudda had some duct tape!

Bill Monroe · 06-02-2003, 05:50 PM

I vote for the duct tape, too...

skein · 06-02-2003, 09:13 PM

I dunno about the duct tape. It's pretty noisy to use for flagging. :grin:

You have a real thing about your body, id. Maybe we better get a hospital ship to follow us out to Tuna Town.

At least keep yourself in one piece until we get a chance to meet you.

Skein

id. painter · 06-03-2003, 06:08 AM

The Duct tape post reminded me of the story. I would have given 100$ for a partial roll right then.
Ive had a few thrills and spills over the years but i wouldnt trade the tough times for all the wonderful experiences,,, , memories are all we get to take with us. id. p.

bllelk · 06-03-2003, 08:11 AM

Memories are great to have and you can never tell when an old one will promote a good laugh even after a tough deal.
I just went to a retirement party for an old buddy. No one knew me except the big story in circulation was I was Bill whose mule Bob (the retiree) shot. It's a long story and my mule did die, but when everyone was done roasting Bob I got to tell them he didn't shoot my mule but he did shoot me once. That got another round of rumors and laughs going.

id. painter · 06-03-2003, 08:35 AM

I was glad that i didnt run into another hunter that afternoon while i was limping back to my truck. I would not have wanted to answer any curious questions at that moment.I wasnt in a very good mood.
Not only was i limping along without boots, but comming down thru the shale was absolutly brutal. I ended up scooting down on my butt . My pants were completely shredded,underwear and long johns, gone in the back . My socks lasted about 5 minutes except the stretchy part that fits around your ankle, ,,, A day to remember!!! I cant believe i admitted it to 4000 strangers. id. p.

bllelk · 06-03-2003, 11:34 PM

On the trip where my mule died, I was sliding down a steep side hill on the snow (I had a broken ankle)and slid under a log. Next slide got hung up by the fanny pack. I was sure that was where they would find me. As it turned out, I made it back to camp and out to the trailhead the next day. Used duct tape to wrap the ankle and hobbled out.
I figured if you had some you could have made some foot covering. Would have been slippery as hell though. :shocked:

Clack_Attack · 06-23-2003, 11:20 PM

I never thought of that. Something to try next season if the circumstances are right. :smile: