2023 Goals

[ddd-shooter]

Cut it close again, but the June edition of the 12 night challenge is complete. What I thought would be a bunch of solo outings has morphed into some memorable times with some of my oldest buds who I have known for almost 50 years.

We drove up yesterday morning to claim an unofficial campsite on NF. By midafternoon everyone had arrived and we had just sat down to enjoy our first adult beverage after setting up camp when a weary traveler strolled into camp. Turns out this fella had slid his 2WD pickup in a ditch about a half a mile down a pig trail and was looking for help. We piled into my truck with a tow rope to see if we could help.

After towing him about 1/3 of a mile back up the mountain out of the slick, red clay washout, we pulled back into camp, only to find a sow with a good size boar happily tearing apart the cooler that one of my buddies had inadvertently left sitting on the tailgate of his truck. Note to self, no matter how brief a time you think you’ll be away from camp it is critical to store all food.

It took some effort to try and run them off. Clearly, these bears had raided campsites before. The sow returned three times within 20 minutes, completely ignoring us as she walked within 15 yards and attempted to enter one of the tents. A small rock to the rump sent her scurrying into the woods, only for her to return 10 minutes later for a fourth time. At that point, I realized since they had already received a food reward, there was no dissuading them and it would be a long sleepless night if we stayed. We ended up breaking camp and dashing about 15 miles away to another little spot I knew of to get camp set up again just before dark.

None of my high school buddies are hunters, and had never seen a bear in the wild, much less up close and personal. You could say the excitement level was high for a while.
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I bet a few guys would love that campsite location about September, lol

 

[WOODIE13]

Good luck in WV

 

[splatek]

Aside from @jbogg has anybody else set the goal of coming to the dark side and carrying a struggle stick this fall?

 

[ddd-shooter]

Aside from @jbogg has anybody else set the goal of coming to the dark side and carrying a struggle stick this fall?

Sticking with the compound. I just love it so much.

 

[splatek]

Goals 2023

 

[ddd-shooter]

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Can’t wait to see the “after” pic!

 

[Swampdogg]

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Next level stuff going on there

 

[Raylander]

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Dang son! I bet it will kill one. Did you knap the point?

 

[splatek]

Next level stuff going on there

@ddd-shooter @Raylander
Yeah I’m hoping it’ll be coming out the off side of a doe this season. Probably not going to risk my bear season on it, but I might get stupid and try.
Made two last season. My twelve year old thought they were toys and knocked the Sharp point off one so I’ll have one chance. I’m buying the rest haha.

Fingers crossed.

And I think when it comes to hunting and all the technological advancements in weaponry it’sa next level step down lol

I’ll be slinging it outta of a bamboo backed Osage bow a buddy built up; my ghillie; and a bow mounted decoy. From the ground.

 

[Raylander]

Probably not going to risk my bear season on it, but I might get stupid and try.

Sling it brother. Only one way to find out just how much cave man you got in you

 

[SingleBevel]

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It’s hard enough already man! That’s pretty awesome though. I got a hickory stave drying and once I make the self bow I’m sure I’ll venture into flint knapping eventually. Until then Centaur makes a fine longbow and cutthroats are deadly!

 

[trad bow]

I’ve killed a couple of hogs with a flint head on a river cane shaft before. A bear shouldn’t be a problem at all for a flint head.

 

[splatek]

I’ve killed a couple of hogs with a flint head on a river cane shaft before. A bear shouldn’t be a problem at all for a flint head.

Awesome.
I get it, but I’m trying to temper my want to sling this with my ever diminishing freezer stock… all my trophies are vacuum sealed in my freezer

 

[trad bow]

Awesome.
I get it, but I’m trying to temper my want to sling this with my ever diminishing freezer stock… all my trophies are vacuum sealed in my freezer

As they should be. I enjoy the hunt but the bottom line is meat in my freezer.

 

[HardlyHangin]

@jbogg where was the July edition?!?!?

 

[jbogg]

@jbogg where was the July edition?!?!?

July got away from me between the weather, work and family stuff. Going to have to make up for it this month by doing a two nighter.

 

[EyesUp83]

Little late to the thread here: One of my long-term goals is becoming a reality in October when my brother and bro-in-law fly down from PA to hunt with me for 3 days. #1 on the list is bear and they won't pass up a pig. Needless to say I'm pretty excited.
Personal goals will be trying to get meat in the freezer (hopefully bear) and spend time hunting with others, not as much solo hunting this year.