carsonkeys
WKR
This is a story about a hunt I returned from a few weeks ago. I've been wanting to post the story and share the pictures here for a few weeks, but work and personal responsibilities have taken priority after spending 15 days away. I've never done a hunt story before, but here goes!
BACKGROUND:
Through circumstances out of my control and blessed beyond my worth I got the opportunity to go on a BC mountain goat hunt for dirt cheap and on short notice. Since I was already there and not in the hole too bad I decided to tag on a moose or caribou (my thinking at the time). I didn't want to buy one tag, or the other, and miss out on an opportunity, so I bought both tags and only planned on filling one. I booked my flights, squared away my gear, and eagerly looked forward to my departure date. It was pretty obvious to my co-workers and girlfriend that I couldn't hardly think about anything else. Living in Dallas and not having any mountains or hills to climb I donned my pack and boots and hiked stairs for training. This was my first international, and first true mountain hunt.
DAY 0: Travel Day(s)
My departure day came and I couldn't contain my excitement. My flight out of Dallas was scheduled to leave at 5:30pm. I spent the morning and early afternoon pouring over my gear list and pack(s) with a fine-toothed comb for what seemed like the 100th time, ensuring I wasn't forgetting anything. I arrived at the airport around 3:15pm and the moment I walked up to the ticketing counter my flight was delayed until 9:30pm. Thankfully I had consulted with friends that had done this before, and gave myself plenty of time between connections.
I arrived in Toronto in the middle of the night, cleared customs, and waited for the ticketing booths to open at 4:30am. I was told to get in this line as soon as you could, so around 2am I parked my butt there. I was second in line. I re-checked my bag, and went through security. I made it glaringly obvious to everyone around me that I was a rookie American traveler when I took my ball cap, fleece, boots, and belt off and the Canadian TSA agent asked me what I was doing?
The flight from Toronto to Vancouver was uneventful, I think. I was asleep before take-off.
I waited around in the Vancouver airport for a while waiting for my flight to Smithers, BC. I met some other hunters and we quickly became friends. Again, I was asleep before take-off.
We arrived in Smithers and I caught a taxi to my hotel. I had a charter flight out to the main lodge the next morning, and had most of the afternoon to kill. I went and bought a bottle of whiskey to celebrate in the case of success, and a large pizza. I ate the pizza, re-organized my bags, and fell asleep. After 24+hours of travel, I knew I was exhausted when I awoke at 5am on top of the bed, clothes and lights on.
*WILL UPDATE DAY-BY-DAY, THE FOLLOWING DAYS WILL BE MUCH MORE PICTURE HEAVY (and video if I can figure out how to post them)*
BACKGROUND:
Through circumstances out of my control and blessed beyond my worth I got the opportunity to go on a BC mountain goat hunt for dirt cheap and on short notice. Since I was already there and not in the hole too bad I decided to tag on a moose or caribou (my thinking at the time). I didn't want to buy one tag, or the other, and miss out on an opportunity, so I bought both tags and only planned on filling one. I booked my flights, squared away my gear, and eagerly looked forward to my departure date. It was pretty obvious to my co-workers and girlfriend that I couldn't hardly think about anything else. Living in Dallas and not having any mountains or hills to climb I donned my pack and boots and hiked stairs for training. This was my first international, and first true mountain hunt.
DAY 0: Travel Day(s)
My departure day came and I couldn't contain my excitement. My flight out of Dallas was scheduled to leave at 5:30pm. I spent the morning and early afternoon pouring over my gear list and pack(s) with a fine-toothed comb for what seemed like the 100th time, ensuring I wasn't forgetting anything. I arrived at the airport around 3:15pm and the moment I walked up to the ticketing counter my flight was delayed until 9:30pm. Thankfully I had consulted with friends that had done this before, and gave myself plenty of time between connections.
I arrived in Toronto in the middle of the night, cleared customs, and waited for the ticketing booths to open at 4:30am. I was told to get in this line as soon as you could, so around 2am I parked my butt there. I was second in line. I re-checked my bag, and went through security. I made it glaringly obvious to everyone around me that I was a rookie American traveler when I took my ball cap, fleece, boots, and belt off and the Canadian TSA agent asked me what I was doing?
The flight from Toronto to Vancouver was uneventful, I think. I was asleep before take-off.
I waited around in the Vancouver airport for a while waiting for my flight to Smithers, BC. I met some other hunters and we quickly became friends. Again, I was asleep before take-off.
We arrived in Smithers and I caught a taxi to my hotel. I had a charter flight out to the main lodge the next morning, and had most of the afternoon to kill. I went and bought a bottle of whiskey to celebrate in the case of success, and a large pizza. I ate the pizza, re-organized my bags, and fell asleep. After 24+hours of travel, I knew I was exhausted when I awoke at 5am on top of the bed, clothes and lights on.
*WILL UPDATE DAY-BY-DAY, THE FOLLOWING DAYS WILL BE MUCH MORE PICTURE HEAVY (and video if I can figure out how to post them)*
