Spikes and Rags or we Pa-louse

[seeth07]

Tomorrow my wife, two buddies and I head west to North ID to meet up with my cousin that moved out to the area awhile ago and has yet to get an elk (although he sure has the big whitetails down). Going to be 8 days or so in elk camp and good times regardless of the hunting.

Word is this is a spike and raghorn hunt and with my cousin and buddies really wanting elk meat, I have no problem with that! Bring em on. My wife just got setup with a new slick Mark IV and we got a suppressor on it so I volunteered to be on grouse duty at all times. They better watch out.

There is something that for sure needs to change this year before our trips. Back in September before departing for NM, my wife the day before hit a deer with her car on her way to work. Loaded it up and brought it back home and added the extra chore of processing a deer quick before we left.

Well, last night...yup again...and my wife thought it would be cute to take a photo before we gutted it. I disapproved - though for some reason I was smiling.

 

[Dave N]

Ooops!

 

[Fred Rogers]

Ouch.

 

[seeth07]

In Billings and past all the bad smoke from the Elk fire. I hope all the folks in that area are safe, man that just looks brutal on the east side of the Bighorns.

 

[seeth07]

When it comes to scenic drives, is there much better than northwest Montana? About to dip into Idaho, hunting camp is about to be set, couple hours to go

 

[BAKPAKR]

Are you on 90 or 12 going into Idaho?

 

[jeremy.b]

FWIW: based on "dip into Idaho" guessing 12.

 

[seeth07]

Are you on 90 or 12 going into Idaho?

12

 

[BAKPAKR]

12

I love that drive!

 

[jeremy.b]

I love that drive!

And this time of year the tourist traffic is mostly gone, its quiet. Really one of the best times to be traveling that part of the world.

 

[jonny898]

Tomorrow my wife, two buddies and I head west to North ID to meet up with my cousin that moved out to the area awhile ago and has yet to get an elk (although he sure has the big whitetails down). Going to be 8 days or so in elk camp and good times regardless of the hunting.

Word is this is a spike and raghorn hunt and with my cousin and buddies really wanting elk meat, I have no problem with that! Bring em on. My wife just got setup with a new slick Mark IV and we got a suppressor on it so I volunteered to be on grouse duty at all times. They better watch out.

There is something that for sure needs to change this year before our trips. Back in September before departing for NM, my wife the day before hit a deer with her car on her way to work. Loaded it up and brought it back home and added the extra chore of processing a deer quick before we left.

Well, last night...yup again...and my wife thought it would be cute to take a photo before we gutted it. I disapproved - though for some reason I was smiling.

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Awesome trip!What I always enjoy about elk camp is nothing beats good friends and the great outdoors. Saw your wife has got a cool setup with that Mark IV!

 

[FuddemUp]

Northern ID is the best, definitely a special place in my heart for that part of the country!

 

[seeth07]

Why is it so darn thick Here?

Busted elk 3 times yesterday as well as stalking into a herd and even at around 25 to 30 yards I still couldn't get a shot with the rifle!

Two more busted groups so far today.

O and that group at 25-30 yards had a herd bull, and he was no stinking raghorn! Got the juices flowing for sure!

Gosh darn it sure is pretty here though.

My spot right now, only place I've found where I can see something. Someone send an elk my way will ya?

 

[seeth07]

I left out why my wife isn't with me.

She spotted a "monster" muley and she says "I know where he bedded and I'm gonna kill him"

So she is on her own, I hope she finds him

 

[Sask hunter]

I have had good luck in thick timber calling/still hunting. Sneak along call quiet wait 20 minutes or so move ahead 100-200 yards repeat. Often you get in close and the cow calling gives you just enough movement for you to spot them and make a shot

 

[seeth07]

I have had good luck in thick timber calling/still hunting. Sneak along call quiet wait 20 minutes or so move ahead 100-200 yards repeat. Often you get in close and the cow calling gives you just enough movement for you to spot them and make a shot

That is how I got into into that herd I did. Just was in a spot where it was extra thick. It's all dark timber with maximum shot distances of anywhere from 10 yards to typically not more than 80.

 

[jeremy.b]

Welcome to our inland northwest jungle!!

Like @Sask hunter said, go slow, find timber that lets you move quietly, and find spots to try to catch them moving from/to bedding.

Calling will be hit and miss from a locating perspective, although you MIGHT get a bull to pipe off with a location bugle still.

Oh, and use your nose. In this country it can tell you if you're in the game sometimes.

 

[seeth07]

@Sask hunter

I call your winched moose.

 

[Sask hunter]

@Sask hunter

I call your winched moose.

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Your learning lol

 

[seeth07]

Your learning lol

Yup, last night was a first for me. Well actually my wife