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Hambone
Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 35
Location: Idaho Falls
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| Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 3:53 pm Post subject: Season approaching fast |
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| The workouts continue and I have to say that getting this sheep tag has had many benefits even before the hunt. I'm probably in the best physical condition I have been in the last 10 years. I've finally had a good reason to get out in the mountains and do some serious backpacking in some of the most amazing terrain I have ever seen and all this equipment I bought has me ready for any kind of big game hunting or backpacking. Got the rifle zeroed in at 100 and it is dead on and I found a factory load that shoots well in it. I think the horses are arranged for getting my meat and trophy out if I am that lucky and I have zeroed in on an area that holds sheep. Got a friend to help me pack in but it looks like I will be going solo on the hunt which means I will have to be careful and not take any foolish chances. People will know where I am and I have the sat phone to check in with and for emergencies so it should be fine. I'll be heading in nine days from now. Plan to hike in and set up camp over the weekend then scout on Monday and start hunting opening day. Anticipation is building. |
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Serious Hunter
Joined: 01 Jun 2004
Posts: 957
Location: Idaho
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:58 am Post subject: |
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| ... you're pretty gutsy going in alone. |
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Hambone
Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 35
Location: Idaho Falls
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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Jeff,
Or just plain nuts! ::neener: Everybody I have talked to tells me not to go in there by myself and it's starting to work on me. Comments like, "If you go down in there nobody will ever find you." Then my wife relates the story of the Forest Service guy down in Co. that went out on his own and they just found his body. An experienced mountaineer and backpacker who fell and died of massive head injuries. Thanks hon! I needed that.
I packed in by myself this weekend to cache some stuff and look at the area. :o Only one way to describe the terrain - FORMIDABLE! I have to admit it is intimidating. |
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Serious Hunter
Joined: 01 Jun 2004
Posts: 957
Location: Idaho
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| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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| ... when is your trip and where are you launching from? |
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Provider
Joined: 09 Feb 2003
Posts: 18
Location: Washington
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:42 am Post subject: |
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Hambone,
Just be careful. It sounds like you have already taken more safety precautions than you'll need. It doesn't get any better than a solo backpack trip for bighorn sheep. You will end up appreciating the experience all that much more. And if you don't survive... could you think of a better way to go? Good Luck. |
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Hambone
Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 35
Location: Idaho Falls
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 9:56 am Post subject: |
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| I was planning to go in this weekend but I have decided to move that back a week due to some work issues. I'll probably go in on Labor Day weekend and hike in about 10 miles or so. It'll take a day to get to the area. Sunday I'll have another 5-6 miles to go but I will be moving slowly and glassing to see if I can locate sheep. If I spot 'em and think I can get to them I'll just drop camp there and start hunting. Otherwise I'm headed for a spot that my research shows should be productive. After three trips in there I'm gonna have to get radical about weight. I'm leaving the tent at home and taking a piece of plastic for a lean-to. Packing just freeze dried food, jerkey, food bars and trail mix. I've got to get that pack down to about 30lbs. |
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Serious Hunter
Joined: 01 Jun 2004
Posts: 957
Location: Idaho
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Take it slow. Safer that way - and better chance of seeing sheep. |
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tim
Joined: 11 Jun 2004
Posts: 332
Location: north idaho
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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| bivy sack and tarp work extremely well |
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Hambone
Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 35
Location: Idaho Falls
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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Here's some photos from my last scouting trip.
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Hambone
Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 35
Location: Idaho Falls
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:40 pm Post subject: |
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More big rocks.
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Hambone
Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 35
Location: Idaho Falls
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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A lake in the area.
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Hambone
Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 35
Location: Idaho Falls
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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| Edited out. |
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cowgal
Joined: 10 Mar 2002
Posts: 979
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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What gorgeous photos!!! Especially this last one of the rams.
Good luck on your hunt, looks like you have some very challenging ground to cover. You must be part sheep or goat yourself! :D |
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Serious Hunter
Joined: 01 Jun 2004
Posts: 957
Location: Idaho
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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The mountains in the background (of the rams pic) suggest you strayed from your unit a bit. The other pics suggest you are launching from the `Crags'. Drop down below ...
Have a fantastic trip!!! I await news and photos. |
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Hambone
Joined: 25 May 2005
Posts: 35
Location: Idaho Falls
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| Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:05 am Post subject: |
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| I'd like to walk up to any one of those rams with a rifle instead of a camera. That's a photo I use for my wallpaper that I got off the net. |
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