Hunting off Skis - Digging out a Troll

[KB_]

One of my buddies and I have suggested this a few times for some of our more snowed in spots. Very viable if you have a decent setup for skinning up the mountain. Snow shoes freakin suck. Plus if your a strong skier and can control the extra weight and load going down hill this can be a nice quick pack out down the mountain. and going up hill wont be to bad since the load would slide across the snow. Its still gonna suck, but not quite as bad. Going downhill with a load is arguably way more sketchy when walking.

I dont suggest a cross country setup as you are going to want to be really strapped in when going down the hill with that much weight. You will need the stopping power with the alpine setup.

PIZZA!!!!!!!

 

[MThuntr]

Altai Hok skis, or something similar with a universal binding that accommodates hunting boots, would be the ticket here. That way, you don’t need two pairs of boots. They work great on snow covered roads.

View attachment 299903

Did you choose the long or short version of that ski?

 

[BAKPAKR]

Did you choose the long or short version of that ski?

I am pretty sure, but not positive, that mine are the shorter 125cm version. My brother got a pair and said how nice they were, so I got myself a pair for a wolf hunt (unsuccessful). That was a few years ago and I left them at my mom’s in Idaho. I just haven’t made it back for another winter hunt.

 

[PNWGator]

The Perfect Backcountry Ski Setup for Upland Hunting

Chase upland birds all season long while efficiently gliding over wild snow with the perfect ski hunting setup.

projectupland.com

 

[more_cowbell]

Last week REI had towable orange snow cargo sleds on sale. They got ok reviews

 

[vagabond]

A great idea if one has the gear and the physical ability to do it! We hauled all our squad gear on an ahkio years ago with some lousy cross country gear! It got the job done and a GP small arctic is not light!

 

[FREAK]

2020 and 2022, both years I had already shot dinks and had to just take pictures. Been holding out this year hoping to find another mossback legend. Expectation are low, ambition is high. I’ll keep ya’ll posted if it works out. I’m going to make a trip back with the ski setup and see how it goes.

 

[MITCHMO]

Altai Hok skis, or something similar with a universal binding that accommodates hunting boots, would be the ticket here. That way, you don’t need two pairs of boots. They work great on snow covered roads.

this!^^^^ I got a pair of the black diamond ski shoes and love them for mid winter hunting. Get the longer ones. Being able to use them with your hunting boots are key. The black diamond skis are much lighter than the Altai Hok skis. I’ve brought them elk hunting but never had enough snow to need them yet.

 

[BAKPAKR]

You look like your practicing for the Olympics

The “Olympian” is my brother. I am much better looking but I had the camera.

Shortly after taking this photo, we heard snowmobiles coming into our wolfie area. Turns out it was two game wardens so we ended up getting checked.

 

[FREAK]

Well the weathers been unseasonably warm and the trail was clear and dry. Ended up just hiking it.

I was blessed with a nice bull, my biggest to date. My buddy and I left the house at 4:30am and started hiking in a good 1:15 before daylight. Ended up putting in 13 miles with 4K vert all said and done. We did a big loop and we’re on the way back to rig when I caught some tan working down a timbered west slope. To get a better vantage we climbed the opposing ridge and got on this rock perch overlooking the the timber he was working through. We thought for a sec he had worked into the thick stuff but we eventually picked him back up. He stepped into an opening at 360yards and the rest is history. Feel super blessed, had my best friend and hunting partner with me for the experience. He died 200 yards above a trail.

 

[timberman56]

great job on a fine bull. way to get after it!! congrats

 

[Dougfirtree]

Congrats! Beautiful bull!! But if you'd posted a pic of you making turns down the mountain with antlers on your back, you'd have been my hero...

 

[mtnkid85]

Well done on a nice bull!
Ive hunted a bit off a pair of old 160ishcm skis, with Silvretta 500 bindings which will take any boot with a front welt, La Sportiva Nepalis in my case.
Im torn in ideal terrain they're awesome, commuting in and out of areas with a good trail/closed road like your talking. In downfall they're horrendous. Skiing down hill in soft boots with a pack/rifle is downright terrifying and probably a terrific way to blow out a knee.

I haven't taken them out recently but I always think about them as im trudging along.

 

[Brad]

Congrat's Freak - you're doing it right!

 

[FREAK]

Thanks everyone, here a couple more photos from the day:

Right after the shot. Buddy and I were pretty excited
Bull destroyed this dead tree stump as he tumbled. Looked awesome through the scope:

Packout

Trip summary

 

[BAKPAKR]

Congrats on a great bull! I am a bit disappointed that you didn’t get to use the chariot for the pack out.

Did you use a 223 or a 6CM?

Edit - oops, wrong forum.

 

[vagabond]

Really cool hunt , dudes!

 

[rtraverdavis]

This is awesome. Congratulations on a well-deserved great bull!

 

[The Hedgehog]

Very awesome - looks like a good time was had. Congratulations!

 

[npaden]

Congrats! Beautiful bull. Looks like you guys put in your work to get to him and then to get him out!