Lived here permantly since 2012, still learning
Went exploring last month and again yesterday, still learning the area. Last month we went into Idaho and turned back north at Henrys Lake into the lower Gravelys. Going off of some verbal directions I got almost a year ago and was unsure about we made a wrong turn. Wound up on goat paths and 4 wheeler trails in a full sized pickup, got to a point where we could not turn around because the hill we just slid off of we would never make it back up. Several steep loose rocky hills, creeping inbetween trees, sliding and spinning even in 4WD, we gave up on scouting for elk and paid more attention to safely getting out of the mountains. We eventually made it out and didn?t scratch the Ram, saw some awsome country but not one elk, did see a group of muley does but that was it. Full tank of gas gone and no pictures as we were too busy hanging on praying we didn?t have to hike out.
Yesterday, was not near as bad of country but the road took a crap on us. Did a short scouting trip to glass new areas to chase elk. Once again, good roads right up to a point of no return. Start down a steep valley on what appeared to be a good road only to run into slush and mud, in 4 Low and first gear at maybe 1/2 MPH I had minimal control of the pickup. Ever turn the steering wheel and get no response? Steep drop off on our right, sliding right for it and the front wheels had no traction. Not sure how I got it back but I managed to work it over to the left and rode the ditch. No way we would have made it back up that hill so we had to keep going. About 4 miles of switchbacks and steep downgrades on slush and thick slick mud. Once again, stopped looking for elk sign and glassing valleys and hillsides, worried about getting out safely.
I did have an accident yesterday, passed a spot that was begging me to pout the spotting scope up and have a look, backing up slowly looking for a good open biew through the trees and BAM we come to an abrubt stop! Steep bank on my left with huge rocks sticking out, I put a big ol dent in the bumper of that Ram [B)] Ohh well, gives it some character [8D]
There are tons of awsome places to go exploring, all within 50 miles of the house making nice day trips. I like to do drive throughs with the GPS, I have the OnXHunt app on my phone and the OnXHunt SD card in my GOS which can be swapped to my handheld GPS. The OnXHunt maps show private and public lands and is overlaid on Google Maps in the app and overlaid on Garmins GPS map, absolutey awsome setup to find public grounds and the roads to access them. I can set markers for areas of interest so when I go back to actually hunt I have a good idea what I?m getting into. It?s tough learning mew areas out here when you are on your own and this makes it so much easier.
But the elk herd is hanging out near the house again, makes decision making rough. Sit here all day hoping they cross the public land I border or go hiking. At least here I can see elk, hiking I may never even see a chipmunk. One thing I will admit to, everything I knew about hunting back east means squat out here. The terrain, the animal behaviour, it makes chasing PA whitetails look easy. There is miles upon miles of open country for the elk to hide in, I haven?t figured out yet how to get to them. One of these days I?ll connect!
Yesterday, was not near as bad of country but the road took a crap on us. Did a short scouting trip to glass new areas to chase elk. Once again, good roads right up to a point of no return. Start down a steep valley on what appeared to be a good road only to run into slush and mud, in 4 Low and first gear at maybe 1/2 MPH I had minimal control of the pickup. Ever turn the steering wheel and get no response? Steep drop off on our right, sliding right for it and the front wheels had no traction. Not sure how I got it back but I managed to work it over to the left and rode the ditch. No way we would have made it back up that hill so we had to keep going. About 4 miles of switchbacks and steep downgrades on slush and thick slick mud. Once again, stopped looking for elk sign and glassing valleys and hillsides, worried about getting out safely.
I did have an accident yesterday, passed a spot that was begging me to pout the spotting scope up and have a look, backing up slowly looking for a good open biew through the trees and BAM we come to an abrubt stop! Steep bank on my left with huge rocks sticking out, I put a big ol dent in the bumper of that Ram [B)] Ohh well, gives it some character [8D]
There are tons of awsome places to go exploring, all within 50 miles of the house making nice day trips. I like to do drive throughs with the GPS, I have the OnXHunt app on my phone and the OnXHunt SD card in my GOS which can be swapped to my handheld GPS. The OnXHunt maps show private and public lands and is overlaid on Google Maps in the app and overlaid on Garmins GPS map, absolutey awsome setup to find public grounds and the roads to access them. I can set markers for areas of interest so when I go back to actually hunt I have a good idea what I?m getting into. It?s tough learning mew areas out here when you are on your own and this makes it so much easier.
But the elk herd is hanging out near the house again, makes decision making rough. Sit here all day hoping they cross the public land I border or go hiking. At least here I can see elk, hiking I may never even see a chipmunk. One thing I will admit to, everything I knew about hunting back east means squat out here. The terrain, the animal behaviour, it makes chasing PA whitetails look easy. There is miles upon miles of open country for the elk to hide in, I haven?t figured out yet how to get to them. One of these days I?ll connect!
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Sounds like fun.
It might be time for a winch and some tire chains.0 -
When I first got to Idaho I did take my pickup into the hills. It isn't worth it. Chewed up tires and dirt roads turn into ATV trails.
Now I park the truck, and take the ATV into the hills. I enjoy those trips much better than worrying about having to leave the pickup and come back in the spring to recover it.0 -
Fix the bumper. You don't chase whitetails, you sit in a stand and drink beer til they walk by. Good Luck Big Sky! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by He Dog
Fix the bumper. You don't chase whitetails, you sit in a stand and drink beer til they walk by. Good Luck Big Sky!
That method don't work for Elk.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Alpine
When I first got to Idaho I did take my pickup into the hills. It isn't worth it. Chewed up tires and dirt roads turn into ATV trails.
Now I park the truck, and take the ATV into the hills. I enjoy those trips much better than worrying about having to leave the pickup and come back in the spring to recover it.
One of these days I?ll buy a 4 wheeler, never had one but I?m starting to think it may not be a bad idea.0 -
Get a SxS and go in style 0 -
Get a SxS and go in style 0
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