MULEPACKHUNTER

Found out last week that 8 days on an early archery bull hunt is about the best workout one can get, ounce the adrenaline kicks in and the first bugle sounds through the hills you dont even realize how hard you are going, looking back on the week we covered a ton of ground and hardly stopped working, eating, sleeping, drinking , and pooping. Yes pooping, looking back we were like animals, up steep climbs, side hilling, cat holes right where we stood, eating, drinking, chasing, napping, waking to more of the same for 8 days. Feel really strong and lean right now. Wish I could do it 2 weeks every month. Lets call it elk camp boot camp workout 2015. LOL

I don't think the numbers of bulls is the issue, the rut is not on yet, I see tons of reports of bugles but they are just talking and not rutting. We had same issue in 5bs. We had tons of action but they wouldn't come in to calls and spikes and rags are with the cows just feeding. We were just getting out ahead of them and ambushing and we had 6 or more in range but my buddy couldn't get a clean shot. Looking like the rut will be full on for the rifle guys but the archery has been nothing like I have heard it usually is. We found bulls everywhere we went they just were not talking or talked very little. All said it was one of the best hunts I have ever been on. My partner is still up solo, I had to return to work after burning all my PTO. Lol

Az mule deer archery Nevada mule deer archery Az archery bull tag Montana any elk Montana deer speed goat combo All diy always

I just got hooked up with backcountry navigator app and its the same deal but it has tons of maps including FS, topo, and definetley replaces any need for GPS. One issue to think of though is battery life and weather proofing. Im going to get a power cell to recharge my phone when im backpacking. I used this app on my buddys elk hunt and by day 2 he was downloading it on his phone. 12.00 bucks. You can buy add ons but i didnt need anything. You can measure, track, plot points. Only thing needed to do is download a section of the main map at home before going out then its in our phone and you can go off grid. Very happy with it. You can also add pictures from your phone into way points.

About the best PC of writing I've read in a long time 270. God speed.

I don't keep it in the safe. If they get in the safe and steal the guns then they steal the flash drive too. I keep mine in another place. Also keep a few copies in different spots they won't look (hopefully) Good point again. I have copy at work on our secure backed up network. Also in my safe I have a small safe with documents and such. All fire proof. Just PC of mind. Everything else I burry in the yard.

This brings up a good point, every gun owner should catalog their guns. Have photos and numbers saved. I use a spreadsheet on a thumb drive in the safe.

Awsome congrats

500 club golf course, almost hit one with a drive.

OK I spent about 7 days up in the hills and backpacked. I use a full 2 man tent. Somehow I ended up with some sort of bites. They are small red spots in various locations and they don't itch or hurt unless you rub or touch them just right and then they feel like a small PC of glass in my skin. Any idea what the heck bit me? So far wife says fleas. Lol

Looks like chiggs after all. Lol been since I was in Kentucky that I had these so thought no way. The ones there are bigger and itch. Anyway going to stop for some vinegar, alcohol, and meat tenderizer. Thanks for the help

Ya about the same here and it was tall grass and thick brush and rainy. Mostly on my legs. No big deal, heading back out wed to collect some more. Lol

Very nice congrats

Photoshopped,,,LOL not the buck but the sky!!!! Looks like a painting. HA HA, congrats super pretty animal.

Thanks for sharing and great work.

Pretty sure its not chiggers, had those many times. This is a first for me, i have been in the same area many times and slept on the ground but never had an issue like this. Wasnt much for bugs even with a headlamp on. One thing that was odd was the daddy long legs, man there were like 40 of those suckers on my gear in the morning. seamed like anything black or under my vestibule was covered in them.

For a little boost jump in on Marks new thread and lets get moving again. I just loaded a 50 lb bag of horse pellets in my old pack and set it by the door, getting the mail, feeding horses, picking horse crap, im going to haul that pack and hate it. LOL

Healy reminded me of this thread, its slowed down on reporting and we are getting in on hunting seasons now. I am in on an Elk tag and I am ready to go as far as needed hiking, packing, mules, calling, whatever it takes. My heavy training has slowed some but I still maintain my same weight from a year ago, I know I have traded some muscle for fat but I am by no means out of shape. Mine is a dailey struggle. The last few weeks have been very good, I made some hard hard miles with my backpack and bow, the hunting was not the best but I came off archery deer season feeling leaner and of sounder mind. Day one on the mountain was an eye opener and I was wrecked after 4 miles to base camp and 3 or 4 miles hunting with daypack (this hunt was scouting elk and learning new ground so I didnt sit long to glass). Day 2 was sore but moved ok, by day 3 I was feeling stronger, now 2 weeks later and alot of miles of heavy packing serious hills I feel great. Lesson learned I am going to carry my pack alot more next year preseason and this year of course but theres no better training for carrying a backpack than actually carrying one. Still getting some good jogging miles in but the swim and bike have gone missing. 9 days chasing elk and then its time to be real and get it back in gear, I still have my otc deer tag and a rifle deer to work on the rest of the year and I dont want any excuses keeping me away from the tallest glassing hill.

Its time for a jump start anyway, the ole Monday deal is dying slowly. Hit it hard and good luck.

Sucks, I have gear up there as well, off the beaten path but still unprotected. Don't dwell on it and go kill a big one.

Hello and congrats.

Is it not true that sitka was made by kuiu founder then he sold out to corporate the sitka line and stared kuiu? Anyway I own zero of either. In az I think you can do without. If going to ak or late season in northern states it is good gear for sure.

Tag bags

Black diamond carbon, can't beat poles with a backpack. Never go without anymore

Yes, shoot every day at camp, some guys take em to drop camps too