Scouting, countdown continues
Posted 09-07-2011 at 06:12 PM by bobvonb
Well, I called up my #2 son, Joe, and we went up the mountain last Saturday and found a couple good sites to set up ground blinds during the season. It was hot, probably in the 90s, but it was incredibly clear, with only some small clouds far off in the distance over Mts Baden-Powell and Baldy 40 or 50 miles west of us. We started off at Coxey Meadows and each went our own way to where we think might be good spots. Joe went toward Shay Mtn and I went down a ridge paralleling Coxey Creek. We both saw good sign and each found a good place to sit. We met back at the truck at noon and went to a nice shady spot at Little Pine to eat lunch. Then we checked out the Big Pine camping ground and refilled our water bottles. Nice campground, but maybe too popular for opening day.
We had noticed a really remote area that we think is not hunted much because of the difficulty of getting in and out. Joe took the ForeRunner down a jeep trail and we followed a long ridge a mile or so out. Very rugged area. It was midday and there was a great view in all directions from our spot. We could see Frazier mountain maybe 100 miles off in the west and Telescope peak (overlooks Death Valley from the west) at least that far off to the north. We sat and talked, glassed, and managed to get a good sunburn, as we found out that evening.
Later in the afternoon we went to Horse Springs campground, a little more primitive than Big Pine (read: no running water) but also more in the area we want to center our hunts on. We picked out which spots we want and hope to get there early enough to get one of them.
We had a nice dinner waiting at home that evening, but continued our research with Google Earth and noticed a nice draw we couldn't see on our wanderings that also looks like it might not be regularly hunted. We hope to get back up and check that one out soon. I'm big on hunting draws early in the morning. I have had my best success sneaking up to the edge of a draw and looking down to find bucks in the bottom. I'll reserve the name and location of this draw just so one of you don't sneak in there ahead of me.
Joe will be carrying his Marlin 30-06 and I have my VZ-24 based 7x57 that shoots like a dream. Next year I might have my 7.62x54R .308 Steyr straight pull M95 conversion ready. I want to use some 130 gr. lead free Barnes bullets and should get over 3000 fps with them using either Varget or H4895. That should really be super deer slayer!
OK, now back to 'getting in shape'. I've upped the cycling mileage to a regular 15 mile route and celebrated my 65th b-day with a 20 mile ride. The goal is a 25 mile ride this month (Sept), then reserve Oct for hunting. I found out after the scouting day that it has worked! I felt better at the end of the day than my son did. Last year he was able to out walk me, but no more! Woo hoo! Next year I'll up the mileage and have a goal of a metric century on my next birthday, if not sooner.
We had noticed a really remote area that we think is not hunted much because of the difficulty of getting in and out. Joe took the ForeRunner down a jeep trail and we followed a long ridge a mile or so out. Very rugged area. It was midday and there was a great view in all directions from our spot. We could see Frazier mountain maybe 100 miles off in the west and Telescope peak (overlooks Death Valley from the west) at least that far off to the north. We sat and talked, glassed, and managed to get a good sunburn, as we found out that evening.
Later in the afternoon we went to Horse Springs campground, a little more primitive than Big Pine (read: no running water) but also more in the area we want to center our hunts on. We picked out which spots we want and hope to get there early enough to get one of them.
We had a nice dinner waiting at home that evening, but continued our research with Google Earth and noticed a nice draw we couldn't see on our wanderings that also looks like it might not be regularly hunted. We hope to get back up and check that one out soon. I'm big on hunting draws early in the morning. I have had my best success sneaking up to the edge of a draw and looking down to find bucks in the bottom. I'll reserve the name and location of this draw just so one of you don't sneak in there ahead of me.
Joe will be carrying his Marlin 30-06 and I have my VZ-24 based 7x57 that shoots like a dream. Next year I might have my 7.62x54R .308 Steyr straight pull M95 conversion ready. I want to use some 130 gr. lead free Barnes bullets and should get over 3000 fps with them using either Varget or H4895. That should really be super deer slayer!
OK, now back to 'getting in shape'. I've upped the cycling mileage to a regular 15 mile route and celebrated my 65th b-day with a 20 mile ride. The goal is a 25 mile ride this month (Sept), then reserve Oct for hunting. I found out after the scouting day that it has worked! I felt better at the end of the day than my son did. Last year he was able to out walk me, but no more! Woo hoo! Next year I'll up the mileage and have a goal of a metric century on my next birthday, if not sooner.
Total Comments 0
