Opportunity of a lifetime? Looks that way!!!

Mello-Yello · 10-17-2003, 06:12 PM

I get home from work today, and my wife asks if I'd like to go on a guided elk/mule deer wilderness hunt in Idaho for $700. I laugh at her.

She's not kidding. :shocked: Her boss is going at the end of the month. Two people in their party had to back out, and they still need one person to fill the vacancies. Right now one guy's ahead of me, but doesn't think he can go on such short notice. I should find out tomorrow. Apparently the $4,400 guide fee is already covered, I'd just need to buy license and tag.

It's out of Shoup, down the Salmon river in a jet boat, then up into the Frank Church Wilderness area. 8 or 10 day hunt, not sure which.

Gee, if given the chance, you think I should go?

[img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

To say the least, I can't sit still...

[ 10-19-2003, 01:19 AM: Message edited by: Mello-Yello ]

rainrshine · 10-17-2003, 06:54 PM

Saddle up cowboy......Hope you get it, take lots of pictures

Rainrshine

Cutthroat_Behavior · 10-17-2003, 06:56 PM

Wow! Lucky you! I've been to Frank Church, go there.

Chromaflage · 10-17-2003, 06:58 PM

Ummmm....if you don't go, I would be more than happy to fill the seat. :grin:

ORS

willametteriveroutlaw · 10-17-2003, 08:03 PM

I'd be on that like white on rice in a snowstorm.

24 on/ 48 off · 10-17-2003, 08:21 PM

Duuuude.

How can you even bring yourself to ask that question??

Go get' em!

--spud-- :smile:

SLEDDER · 10-17-2003, 08:27 PM

In a heart beat, Have fun!!!!

troybuz · 10-17-2003, 08:34 PM

Don't forget to plan on a TIP for your guide if sucessfull. A Nice Bull (trophy) could tip out at $1000.00 or so.
We've paid $700.00 before....anybody else have a suggestion on a Tip????
Good Luck and Hope you get to go!
Troy

10-17-2003, 09:10 PM

Mellow,
Does DUH! answer your question?

Hope you make it and have a good trip.

skein · 10-17-2003, 09:50 PM

I can see the headlines now: MelloYello finally goes to Church!

You need to go. We need the story!

Have fun and be safe.

Skein

Rauly · 10-18-2003, 02:40 PM

Geez if you need to answer that question you better get me signed up after you on that list. I'm packing right now.

Rauly

HOGGEMIN · 10-18-2003, 03:16 PM

Go for it Mello-Yello what a trip to go on. I'm uneployed and would give up my left well u know what for this opportunity.

[ 10-18-2003, 04:19 PM: Message edited by: HOGGEMIN ]

Born to Fish · 10-18-2003, 04:00 PM

Go for it.

I've worked on fires in that area a couple times in the last few years. Incredible country, and tons of wildlife. Very rugged - you'll get a workout. Good luck; looking forward to reports and pics.

Salty Walty · 10-18-2003, 09:49 PM

Gun,Bullets,Toots,Tag. The Mrs. is due a pretty good tip too. Like BBBB said, a tip for the guide is a good idea. 10 percent is a good start and more for a good bull. Ask your outfitter what an average bull is for the area and go from there. I usually tip the crew also (cook, wrangler) some outfits pool the $ but some don't. Sounds like a great oppurtunity in a pretty good area you should have a great hunt. Good luck and don't forget the pics.

Swamp Puppy · 10-18-2003, 10:55 PM

have a blast..literally.

Mello-Yello · 10-19-2003, 12:17 AM

Welp, it looks like I'm in! Final details aren't worked out yet, but barring some unforeseen issue, I'm going to Idaho!!!

I'm requesting any input anyone has on a hunt like this. Because it's such short notice, and I don't have the time to research every little detail, I'm gonna be depending on my new 'family' here to help me along the way.

IDPainter. You're my weatherman! I need snow up high.

I recently bought a new digital camera, along w/a 128meg disc. I'll prolly buy another identical disc (and lots of batteries). I guarantee a full report when I return.

As for details for the trip, all I've heard so far is "it's cold, really cold". I think I'm covered there, but any input will be more than welcome.

Since I'm going from sea level (not really, technically I'm 200' above

) to a valley floor of 3,500' up to 10,000', I intend to use optics a lot the first couple days. I have a great pair of Steiner Predator 8x42s. I'll prolly lug along my spotting scope too, since this is a great opportunity to see some really big muleys.

My gun...it's an old Remington 30.06 semi. Should I consider trying to bum a bolt action off a buddy? I've heard stories of semi's acting up in the cold.

I'm hoping that next week I'll get some details on what I should bring (and shouldn't bring), but as we all know, once you get there, there are always some little things we wish we'd thought of.

I'm a sponge for information so please, don't hesitate to contribute anything that comes to mind.

Now, somehow, I've got to get some sleep. ZZzzzz

Birdnest · 10-19-2003, 07:40 AM

Congrats, sounds like great time.

200'---->10,000' Two words...blood doping. Go donate some of your blood, have the red blood cells seperated and stored. The day of your trip have them give you all those O2 carrying cells back.

Keep your digital camera's screen off and shoot pics like a regular camera for extra battery life.

Have fun, be safe.

Joe

10-19-2003, 08:34 AM

Glad you get to go. Use your gun but remove ALL greese and oil from the moving parts.

Have fun :smile:

Salty Walty · 10-19-2003, 10:37 AM

Shoot what you are used to and comfortable with.Like said before get the oil off and maybe a feww days on the stairmaster. Have a great time.

StickFish · 10-26-2003, 04:31 AM

Sleep, ya right! If you're comfortable with your own rifle degrease it (especially the trigger and firing pin and bolt race ways) and pack it up. No sense taking something you're not used to on a hunt like this. You're venerable 06 will be fine on anything in reasonable shooting distance. Make sure to pack some antacid and headach meds, but drink lots of water instead to guard against dehydration. Altitude has a habit of effecting us lowlanders :grin:

Oh and don't foget a couple sharp knifes, 5lbs of salt, and your pack frame - sounds like you'll need them.

KingFisher85 · 10-26-2003, 05:05 PM

I second that of Keta. I found out the hard way this year.

You know, if you really do not wanna go, I'll take your place :grin:

Mello-Yello · 10-26-2003, 05:31 PM

Welp, as my other post stated, I'm bagging my old .06 (action's pretty worn out) and borrowing a Remington .300 Win Mag (SS w/synthetic Stock) and Nikon Scope. This one's a bolt-action (and a very nice gun).

I went to sight in Saturday, and am grouping tight (1 inch w/all 6 shots), 2.5" high at 100 yds. I think I'll leave it right there.

With the bolt action, strip any oil on this too?

I'm watching the weather. Looks like they should be seeing snow down at the river by Wednesday, and lasting maybe through Sat. The predicted low in Shoup (along the river) for Thurs. night is 5 degree. Shazam! That's cold enough to freeze the balls off a .........pooltable! :shocked:

Our camp will be about 500' higher than the river, but we'll be hunting several thousand feet higher still. Hopefully enough snow to push the Big Bulls down, and the Muley rut should be in full swing.

We get into camp on Friday.

Anyone know how to calm butterflies?

Mr. BrownTrout · 10-26-2003, 08:29 PM

Good luck my friend, went up towards McCall last weekend and it seemed every other truck had either a nice Elk or Muley rack on board.
That sure is some beautiful country.

James in Idaho · 10-27-2003, 01:32 PM

Mello:

You'll have about an hour downstream from Shoup to Corn Crick, that's where you'll launch at. It has been REAL dry in that country, and don't forget it will be warmer up the mountain than down on the river (Shoup is on the river). Drinks lots of water, that may help with the altitude. If you feel sick, water and ibprofen quick like. 10K is why up there, and a dry and hot as it has been that may very well be where you have to spend lots of time. That country has two directions, up and down. You'll get a workout! If you get done early, you might want a fishing tag and your steelhead setup. Silver corky and a green butt skunk works pretty good this time of year.

D-Backer · 10-27-2003, 02:49 PM

I'm envious! Idaho is on my list of areas to hunt before I get too old to hunt. I had a similar opportunity given to me this year with a guided fishing trip. I am very glad to of had the opportunity and the experience. The experience will be with me for a long time to come.

Have a great time!!

My .02 You might want to buy a disposible camera with flash just incase your high $$ camera fails you. Some things can not be replaced on this trip of a lifetime! [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

id. painter · 10-28-2003, 07:43 AM

Good news M.Y. SNOW is on its way .. You may be in for some real white... Good luck. id. p.

Mello-Yello · 10-29-2003, 08:39 PM

Welp, it sure doesn't take em long to figure out what's going on. Got all my stuff staged, started packing up to leave tomorrow, and guess who's trying to get "accidentally" packed...

I told Riley he'd have to stay home and take care of things while I'm gone. He didn't take it well...

He's 8 weeks old now, and I swear he's doubled in size the past two weeks. For every cup of water he drinks, he pees 4. For every cup of food he eats, yeah, at least 8!

This is why God makes them soooooo cute! [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

Leaving in the morning. Weather's really shaping up. Looks like we should at worse have fresh snow almost every day, hopefully we'll be getting some good accumulations up high. I'm told 2' is the magic number to start pushing the bigger guys down. Tentatively their talking Winter Storm Warnings next Tuesday. Windchill could take us into the minus numbers. Brrrrrrring it on!

Should be back the 11th or 12th. Hopefully I'll have some great stories to tell, and pics to back them up.

Wish me luck!

M-Y

Old MAn River · 11-08-2003, 01:22 AM

Duh! GOOOOOOOOO!

Twitchs_Tackle · 11-11-2003, 03:59 PM

Should be a good hunt, I stayed in Shoup while fighting the Idaho fires this past summer. We found 7 nice sheds in 3 days on the fire. Then got sent to the Cramer Fire the day it blew up, claiming the lives of two Salmon ID Helitack crewmembers, and were sent home the following day.

Let us know how you did!

tailchaser · 11-12-2003, 12:00 PM

Where are you at?????? I want to hear stories!!!

tc

Mello-Yello · 11-12-2003, 10:08 PM

Ok gang, I'm back. Got in late last night. I'll try and put a story together tomorrow night, but not sure if I'll have time. I have to leave town again Friday-Saturday, so if I don't get a story put together tomorrow, I'll try and get it done Sunday.

For the first time in my life, I actually kept a journal throughout the entire hunt (not an easy task). I also took 112 pictures, nearly all of which turned out excellent.

I know, I know, you want some details. Well, we'll have to settle for 'it's about the hunt, not the kill'. I did manage a decent Muley, and a couple others in our group managed a couple really nice ones, but the weather didn't cooperate quite like we'd hoped.

Specific details to follow...

PS...My entire body is sore and tired, but the smile never left my face. :grin: