What a weekend of Scouting!

buckgtr · 08-13-2003, 03:52 PM

Well, went scouting this last weekend and what a trip it was. No people, one bobcat, two bears one being the largest Black bear I have ever seen, approx 400 lbs+ at twenty yards. Here is the kicker, I had a bear tag in my pocket and my bow in the truck. I did not know bear season opened on the 1st of August. Oh well! I just don't think of bear hunting like I do deer and elk hunting. I also saw 7 Blacktail bucks in which 3 were mature, 7 does which all had fawns, 13 branch bulls, four of which were herd bull type quality, 2 spike bulls,3 herds of between 7 to 18 cows and calves, 2 racoons and a quill-pig (porcupine). I Think I have a idea where I might be come opening weekend!

Jetsledder · 08-13-2003, 05:18 PM

I know where a herd of elk are. Thier is 10 cows and one 7 point bull in the herd. Opener day here we come.

corrirod · 08-13-2003, 05:34 PM

Hmmmmmm.........I need to go on a scouting trip to find out where you live buckgtr! :tongue: That way I can follow you on opening day! :grin:

TheRogue · 08-13-2003, 05:39 PM

I know, I know!!

Debating on what to do Sunday....Fish up on the Columbia (Wa side) for steelies all night on Saturday, and sleep all day Sun, or bag it and head out on a scouting trip!!

Decisions, decisions.......

TR

buckgtr · 08-13-2003, 07:04 PM

The Rogue,
You can always find steelhead, bow season is right around the corner. You will be kicking yourself for not scouting, unless you have a big bull or buck tied up somewhere. I know it's a hard choice but big game hunting seasons are short and fishing season is year round. Just my 2 cents. One thing I know is you will probalbly have a great time doing either.

Good luck and Good Huntin.

MuleyBuck · 08-14-2003, 09:34 AM

Oh.....I know where Buckgtr is scouting at, and if he does not take me, I'm going to tell everyone..........BoooooooooYAAAAAAAAA!

buckgtr · 08-14-2003, 03:00 PM

Gus,
Thanks for the offer to use your GPS, but I already have one.

buckgtr

buckgtr · 08-14-2003, 03:18 PM

Muleybuck,
That old phrase "YOU SNOOSE YOU LOOSE" comes to mind. I was kicking around the thought of joining forces with ya, but now your ill timed threat of placing my hard early season scouting in jeopardy totally erased that thought. Maybe next year?

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

[ 08-14-2003, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: buckgtr ]

Tilla · 08-14-2003, 08:15 PM

Just remember to walk around a lot on opening weekend so you can push the animals by my treestand! :grin:

Killertraylor · 08-14-2003, 11:20 PM

Scouting is for all you wusses who don't shoot forked horns on opening day :grin:

Gus Orviston · 08-14-2003, 11:48 PM

[img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] hey buckgtr...you want to borrow my GPS for a weekend of scouting... :grin: no strings,,,,just need it back before hunting season..

Muhahahahahhaha

gus

MarlinMark · 08-16-2003, 08:20 PM

So how come you haven't go back for the bear yet? If you don't want the bear I would love to go looking for it. I'm hunting in Montana this year for everything else so you don't have to worry about your blacktails. I would like a shot at that bear though.

Thanks,

Mark

buckgtr · 08-16-2003, 10:02 PM

MERLINMARK,
I only had one day off this week to scout and I chose to scout a different area a little closer to home rather than going after the bear. OH! I'm not giving up on him, we will cross path's again.The scouting trip turned out to be well worth the time. No big bull, bear or buck stories but did manage to find my way into an area I use to hunt. I thought it had been all locked up but surprise there is back way in. It looked very promising, I was able to spot three large new (Elk)rubs while glassing. Good Luck in Montana!

MarlinMark · 08-16-2003, 11:45 PM

Well I hope you get that bear. I'd like to see photos of a 400 pounder shot in Oregon. Lots of folks don't believe they are around. I think there's a few. I hope to post pics in late November of my Montana hunt. :grin:

MarlinMark

MarlinMark · 08-16-2003, 11:46 PM

p.s My uncle emailed me the other day to give me a scouting report. 11 branch antler bulls 20 minutes out of town. Should be exciting. :smile:

Mark

Gun Rod Bow · 08-17-2003, 09:18 PM

Well,

I've been pretty excited, wasn't gonna brag until I saw your post...but...just had the best scout trip I've ever been on this weekend.

17 Mulie Bucks
18 Pronghorn Bucks
5 groups of elk of which one was 52 head, total of 90. Total of 16 bulls, biggest about a 275 small 6pt.

All on public land except for a herd of 11 antelope bucks, and 6 of the mulies, and 13 of the elk.

Gotta score quick in Oregon so I can focus on my AZ bull.

YEEHAW!!

[ 08-18-2003, 08:23 AM: Message edited by: Gun Rod Bow ]

buckgtr · 08-18-2003, 08:59 PM

Gun Rod Bow,
Sounds great! Good Luck. What unit did you draw in Arizona? 1,8,9,10 or maybe unit 27.

Mark

Gun Rod Bow · 08-18-2003, 09:12 PM

I actually drew a Unit 6A South archery tag. Been doin lots of reseach, talked to the district bio, some outfitters, some area hunters I chatted with on the Monster Mulies website (kind of like Ifish for hunters) and some other hunting contacts that have hunted that unit in the last 5 yrs.

Developing a good hunt plan. My hunting partner Rich is going to fly down to call for me.

I'm getting pretty pumped. Just gotta focus enough on Oregon to get the freezer taken care of then off to AZ to hunt a head. I'd like to get a Mulie so I don't have to mess with these silly Blacktails [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

Good luck to you. Post some pics, and as they say "pick a spot".

Luckybill · 08-21-2003, 12:29 PM

GRB, nice to see another fellow Oregion looks at that site (monstermuleys) Alot of good stories and some good info.. I once saw a guy that posted his license plate that I see from time to time here in gladstone. That wouldn't be you would it?

[ 08-21-2003, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Luckybill ]

Snapset · 08-21-2003, 09:59 PM

Mark, you ain't planning on shooting that monster blacktail of Lindsay's are you? :grin: Daniel shot his scouted buck last year while we were on our elk trip, and Lindsay turned white for about 3 hours.

buckgtr · 08-24-2003, 07:19 PM

Snapset,
I heard all about it and know that sick feeling Lindsey had. All I have to say is that buck has the biggest, knarliest and heaviest set of antlers I have ever seen on a blackail. If I still want Lindsey as friend I would let it walk. I'm just glad the buck's home is a few miles from where I hung one of my stands. Lindsey's done to much scouting of that buck and he deserves a crack at him. You know anyone that hunts the Starkey unit? I will be spending the last week and a half of sept. bowhunting elk there. a friend of mines family owns a cabin on 350 acres that I will be hunting out of. I could use some hunting info.

elkaholic · 08-24-2003, 08:13 PM

Buckgtr, I would expect with the great scouting report at the start of this thread you won't be going to the Starkey unit at all, you will have your tags filled. :smile:

I have hunted the Starkey unit, it is BIG. Lots of choices and medium/high pressure. The animlas move quite a bit so don't get discouraged if you see sign. Pick a dense North slope area and you'll probably find animals.

Good luck

Gun Rod Bow · 08-24-2003, 08:31 PM

Luckybill,

Nope, I'm in Sherwood.

I have a personalized plate that refers to my business, and in a way, shotguns.

Good luck all!

PS. Listen to Elkaholic, the man knows of which he speaks. And he's a heck of a nice guy.

buckgtr · 08-25-2003, 10:38 AM

Elkaholic,

That's a fact, hopefully my Elk tag will be filled and I won't end up going East. I have put a lot of time and effort scounting on the coast and I am confident I will get my opportunity. The area I scouted is huge country and my only problem is where I will start come opening day. I have seen a total of 24 branch bulls over the last two month's within this area. Some of which I may have counted twice, but the fact they were in areas they had no reason to move unless pressured causes me to think they were all different bulls. Good luck and thanks for the info.

MARK

P.S A friend called in a small 5 by 5 bull last week in the foothills above Sweet home.

elkaholic · 08-26-2003, 08:23 PM

Good luck Buckgtr,

I cringe every time I hear a story about someone bugling before season. Why educate them??? Practice in the pickup, garage, mother in laws, but for god sakes don't go out and mess up the hunting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

E-mail if you need more specific info later in the season for Starkey.

buckgtr · 08-26-2003, 09:06 PM

Elkaholic,

I know what you mean, I went over and scouted Starkey last weekend and there was a group of guys bugling off a main road. Oh well, what are you gonna do! Again, I appreciate the info. and I will e-mail you later on in the season. Good luck!

Mark