Buschy's 2024 Season Review

[Buschy]

2024 was a chaotic year again. We finished building our house on the CO/NM boarder and moved in. The spring and summer flashed by with setting up the house, landscaping, and fire mitigation. All of this severely limited fishing time. In October, I accepted a job offer in Gillette, WY and we put our new house up for sale. We have been splitting our time between WY and CO until we move up there, hopefully soon.







Hunting season was also impacted with all of the changes. In March, I made a quick lion hunting trip with some friends. We cut some tracks that were a few days old, but with little snow it was challenging, and no lions were treed. Lions are my nemesis! As a consolation prize, we found two sheep deadheads, one of which I have restored. It is a beautiful, heavy ram.








We did find time for our annual trip to AK fishing. There were less salmon than usual, but the size was outstanding. Lots of Kings this year as well! The halibut, cod, and black bass fishing was also good. One of my friends caught a 98# halibut right after we limited out on 25-40# fish and I told him to motor over and fish our spot. I was happy to see him get such a nice fish.



















Trail cameras on our hunting property were busy over the summer and early fall. There were 20 different bulls, a few nice mulies, and more bears than we normally see.






















In September I had an antelope muzzleloader tag and bear rifle tag in CO. I never hunted the antelope tag, as I was just too busy. My wife and I hunted for bears twice, passing two that fell into the medium-sized category.

To be continued...

 

[Buschy]

In early October I had two CO elk tags in the unit where our hunting property is located. It was hot and there was hardly any bugling. Activity was limited to an hour in the morning and an hour before dark. On day three, I was able to kill two bulls in 45 minutes and about 100 yards from each other. Getting two bulls broken down and on ice in a hurry was more work than I wanted, but I was very thankful for the opportunity.








Mid-October came around and I had a mule deer tag in NM, about five miles from our house. I had been watching a couple groups of bachelor bucks with a few mature deer in the mix. My son had some time off of work and drove up from AZ to hunt with me. Lots of rain had created a muddy mess. The first day we watched the bucks feed into the timber in the morning and back out that evening from a mile away. The rain and unpredictable wind made a stalk too risky. The next morning, we hiked up to the edge of the timber in the dark and had eight bucks feed up the draw. One of the nicer bucks went home with us. Having my son there with me meant much more than the beautiful, NM buck I was able to put my tag on.



I started my new job in Gillette, WY in early December. I had negotiated some time off with my new boss to go back to CO and hunt mule deer for a few days. I missed a really nice buck in the pinion-junipers on the first day. On the morning of day two, Willow the Wonder Dog and I found a group of 25 deer, with six different bucks all rutting pretty hard. We were able to pick out a nice, mature deer and he gave us an easy shot at 180 yards.





A few bonus pictures!








Reflecting on 2024 gave me insight on a few things:

• I am excited to be a WY or SD resident (we haven’t decided if we will live in Gillette or the Spearfish, SD area) for many reasons. Getting out of the insanity of CO is very high on the list.
• I am definitely losing some drive for big game hunting. The western states are all one upping each other with raising fees and limiting NR opportunities. I am dropping out of UT, MT, and NM this year, as the value to me is just not there any longer. I have had a very good run over the years. I find myself wanting to focus more on upland bird hunting (getting a new puppy when we move), fishing, taking my wife and kids on more hunts (as their schedules allow), and focusing on my relationship with God more.
• Life seems to get busier/crazier every year. It is time to make a concerted effort to begin slowing it down. Less hunting in the Fall is a good place to start for me personally.

I hope you are blessed in 2025, your families are healthy, and you draw the tag/s you are looking for this Fall.

 

[noharleyyet]

Outstanding as per usual Greg.

 

[nwihunter]

Living the dream.

 

[Dsnow9]

Great season and good luck on the move!

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Wow, just wow!
Wonderful season and great pics.

 

[Khunter]

Always a joy to see your annual recap!

 

[mdhunter]

Now that is a review!

 

[Wild Bill]

Good stuff!
The Spearfish area is really hard to beat. You won’t get the perks of Wyoming residency, but lotta good fishing in the hills and not far from the Missouri River! Usually room for another in my boat, but you’ll need to bring snacks for the kids or they’ll leave you at the dock!

 

[Big Fin]

Excellent, as is the norm with you. Enjoy Gillette.

 

[Sytes]

The annual Bushy style of notables! Grats on a great year and to your introspective review - wish you and your family the best wherever (SD or WY) your boots land.

 

[cohunter14]

Fantastic year, congratulations!!

 

[8andcounting]

Great year congratulations

 

[Kevin W]

Congrats on the season!!!

 

[CRJR45]

Nice !

 

[bayoublaster7527]

Awesome recap. Thanks for sharing!

 

[BlakeA]

I always enjoy your annual recaps. A year packed full of great memories and fun adventures as usual! You are living right. Congrats on some great animals and fishing trips and best wishes ahead in 2025

 

[Buschy]

Good stuff!
The Spearfish area is really hard to beat. You won’t get the perks of Wyoming residency, but lotta good fishing in the hills and not far from the Missouri River! Usually room for another in my boat, but you’ll need to bring snacks for the kids or they’ll leave you at the dock!

Wild Bill. I may just take you up on your kind offer. Spending a day on the water, fishing with kids, and lots of snacks seems wonderful.

Have a great week!

 

[hank4elk]

Living Good Buschy!