[blackdog]

I’d be lieing if I said it I haven’t had moments where I just want to quit and go bird hunting, but the experiences will last a lifetime. It’s definitely the hardest hunt I have done both mentally and physically and I can’t wait to beat these mountains.

Funny how the most miserable experiences you have hunting always seem to be the ones you end up cherishing the most.
Living vicariously through these posts. Love them! So thanks for sharing. And good luck on the next attempt/adventure.

 

[dirtman]

Lightning is very scary. I've had a few adventures where it was going off all around me. And the hail makes it really suck. Last month, I saw a bolt nearly hit my wife on top of Mt Ireland. We dropped elevation very quickly.

The strangest was on top of Mt Shasta enveloped by a big cumulonimbus cloud with little popping spark sounds going off all around on the summit. One lady took her hat off and her hair was standing up from all the static electricity. I did not linger up there as I believe lightning was getting ready to being born.

 

[dirtman]

What not to do at 14,000 feet within a cloud...

 

[ValleyGooseHunter]

Here’s some pictures, there were 2 does that were the biggest pests I’ve had in camp I can remember. One ate my favorite running hat, they broke into our food tote and ate all my trail mix and generally just raised hell outside the tent all night. View attachment 1075154

You're rocking the 'stache Ryan! Gilster said it was a long story now I know why. Can't wait to hear all the details.

 

[willametteriveroutlaw]

You're rocking the 'stache Ryan! Gilster said it was a long story now I know why. Can't wait to hear all the details.

i had a pretty rough moment up there personally, I’ve always been afraid of heights.
Gilsters a stud, he’s been my best friend and hunting partner for better part of 2 decades.

 

[Crayfin]

spectacular photos and great write up Ryan.....I worry about the same thing....heights are not my thing anymore! And yes.....Jason is a stud Keep at it!

 

[willametteriveroutlaw]

This one is very bitter sweet to write. When I reflect on this experience, I got almost everything I wanted from this hunt. I spent 15 days in some beautiful mountains, 8 days hunting with great friends, lost 50 pounds, met some great people, and really soaked it in.

Yesterday Garet and I took off in the early afternoon packed up for another 3 days of hunting. I chose an easier basin that we’d seen a big Billy during scouting that I knew I could get out of in the dark safely. We started the 2k 3 mile walk in at 5, spotted a nanny and a kid on the way in, covered the first 2 miles made it to the first basins, we saw a billy but went over the ridge before I could get my spotter on him, and a bedded nanny. I had one little pocket basin about a mile a way that I knew we’d have to haul to get to. We hauled butt over there there and started glassing above the lake, I worked my way around the lake, and the last pocket I looked in I saw a lone billy about 250 yards straight above me, with about 5 minutes of shooting light left, I didn’t get out the spotter and just looked at the horns. 30 seconds later and 3 well placed shots I finally had my Billy on the ground. There was some hugs and hooping and hollering, the we climbed straight up the shale field and finally got our hands in him. All I could do was laugh, and take in the moment I managed to kill the smallest Billy on the mountain. We soaked in the moment, had some more laughs because you can’t take bullets back. We got him down to a flat ish spot and worked him up.

I got almost everything I wanted from this hunt, and instead of having a trophy on for the wall, I have some great memories and a pretty funny story to go with it. That being said it’s going to sting for quite a while and I’m going to book a mtn goat hunt in the upcoming years as they’re in my blood now.

 

[Randy01]

View attachment 1075494
View attachment 1075493
View attachment 1075492 This one is very bitter sweet to write. When I reflect on this experience, I got almost everything I wanted from this hunt. I spent 15 days in some beautiful mountains, 8 days hunting with great friends, lost 50 pounds, met some great people, and really soaked it in. Unfortunately I let the pressure get the best of me and broke process.

Yesterday we took off in the early afternoon packed up for another 3 days of hunting. I chose an easier basin that we’d seen a big Billy during scouting that I knew I could get out of in the dark safely. We started the 2k 3 mile walk in at 5, spotted a nanny and a kid on the way in, covered the first 2 miles made it to the first basins, we saw a billy but went over the ridge before I could get my spotter on him, and a bedded nanny. I had one little pocket basin about a mile a way that I knew we’d have to haul to get to. We hauled butt over there there and started glassing above the lake, I worked my way around the lake, and the last pocket I looked in I saw a lone billy about 250 yards straight above me, with about 5 minutes of shooting light left, I didn’t get out the spotter and just looked at the horns. 30 seconds later and 3 well placed shots I finally had my Billy on the ground. We climbed straight up the shale field and finally saw him. All I could do was laugh, and take in the moment I managed to kill the smallest Billy on the mountain. We soaked in the moment, had some laughs because you can’t take bullets back and besides the outcome, got him down to a flat ish spot and worked him up.

I got everything I wanted from this hunt, and instead of having a trophy on for the wall, I have some great memories and a pretty funny story to go with it. That being said it’s going to sting for quite a while and I’m going to book a mtn goat hunt in the upcoming years as they’re in my blood now.

Well done Ryan! You gave it your all in some of the worst possible country and conditions and I applaud your efforts. The billy will make a great Euro mount and an even better story. You have proven that it is not always about the horns, but the experience and sacrifice. Congrats!

 

[riverratt33]

Sounds like you were blessed with an awesome experience , thanks for sharing..

 

[willametteriveroutlaw]

Garet is my best friends son, he’s been on every hunt and nearly every scouting trip. At 21 he’s taken off work and pushed at every step with no give up. I met him when he was 2, ive spent the last 3 weekends with him and hes a rock solid partner has been awesome. He’s a heck of a solid hunting partner. Can’t say enough thanks for that.

 

[Lucky Guy]

What not to do at 14,000 feet within a cloud...

Darwin at work.

 

[pharmseller]

That’s a trophy to me.

Especially since it’s a reminder of the amazing hunt you had.

 

[pharmseller]

One of my favorite elk racks is my dad’s from our hunt with you at Ty’s. Not even my kill, but it’s a reminder of one of the best hunts I’ve ever been on.

 

[Reel fortunate]

Great job Ryan on all accounts! As we get older the things we love just keep getting tougher. You did good!

 

[willametteriveroutlaw]

One of my favorite elk racks is my dad’s from our hunt with you at Ty’s. Not even my kill, but it’s a reminder of one of the best hunts I’ve ever been on.

That’s one of my favorites of all time.

 

[big foot]

This hunt too well also become one of your favorites ! Thanks for the story and photos . Also I have over the years found out those trophys size were not that important as the experience .

 

[sage_brush]

Nice work!

 

[Flatfish]

Looks like a ton of fun!

 

[Marshal Dillon]

Great memories. You are a stud! And devine intervention is very real. Its nice to see you believe that you truly were shown favor.......

 

[Lik2hnt2]

Wow, what was the Billy aged at?