2020 Hunts- Deer, Mt Goat, Bears, Sheep, Bou, Moose

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So 2020 definitely didn't turn out as we thought it would but luckily we made the best of it! My family had a lot of fun in the outdoors this year so I thought I should share how it went-

 

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To start the year off I had a hunt for Coues deer in Mexico. It was originally going to be in December but lots of rain postponed it to January. I went with my buddy Brady and we had a good price on a new ranch out of Hermosillo. I have unsuccessfully bowhunted spot and stalk for coues deer in Arizona a few times. I had killed a small 2pt buck with a rifle in AZ about 20 years ago.

Well, the weather didn't cooperate and it rained the first few days there. Makes for long boring sits at water holes! The other hunters were super slow as well. The Second to last day we set up a new ground blind at a small water hole that was getting hit. We brushed in the front we thought the deer would come from, then Brady said don't worry about the other side. I wanted to take the time but he was hungry!

The last day I sat the blind, and I see a monster buck circle around the waterhole and walk to the far side of the blind that wasn't brushed in. It came down the bank and at 45 yards facing straight at me locked onto the new blind! I had no shot as he took a step backwards and disappeared. Ugg, after a week of nothing i lost a chance at the biggest Coues I have ever seen.

Luckily not long afterwards 2 other bucks came in, a smaller 6pt and a 7pt. I had decided to shoot the first legal deer, being the last day. These young deer come into water and I pick the one broadside. I go through the draw process and settle the pin and release- I watch in horror as by arrow goes right under the buck! I used the wrong pin.

 

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I do have to admit that white tail deer from a stand has always been my archery shooting nemesis! I have missed more whitetail from a stand than all other hunts combined! Pretty sure I get way too excited, but that's why I love it .

Luck was on my side. The 6pt buck that I didn't shoot at came back about 15 minutes later by himself. I took my time and made a good shot for my first Coues deer with a bow! I knew the ranch had extra deer tags so I stayed in the blind. Needless to say another small basket 8 came in about an hour later. It was at the far side of the water hole and spooky coming in. I waited it out and decided to try the shot. Not meant to be as the longer shot and jumpy buck completely jumped the string.

A coyote showed up later, and I put an arrow through it- a little back but solid hit. Pretty enjoyable for my first trip to hunt Mexico. The food is great and warm weather and Sunshine sure is a nice break from the Alaska winter!

 

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Next up was Kodiak Mountain Goats. I never had a tag before so March is a great "off Season" hunt. I had a couple buddies who wanted to go as well. Winter hunting adds a whole new layer of gear and preparation. Weather is always a concern as well. We got into Kodiak and dropped off just before a storm blew in. First day glassing was promising!

 

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Lots of snow that year- the Goats were less than a mile away but up about 2500'. Killer quad burn. The hardest part was busting through the snow. By afternoon the wind was blowing snow, but there were enough breaks to still see. We got to 4-500 yards below the group when they started to get spooky. The big Lead goat started heading away from us with the rest following.

I dropped down and dialed for the distance and hoped I was holding enough for the wind. My shot dropped her! The rest of the goats turned back momentarily not knowing what to do. My buddy was then able to connect with another. 2 goats down! The third friend was having a tough time with the snow since he weighed more and would break through. We started working on field dressing in the weather.

45 minutes later we see the 3 buddy crest the ridge. As luck would have a few new goats had feed over the top of the mountain. After a wind correction, there were 3 goats down! plenty of fun skinning out goats on a windswept hillside with 3' of snow!

 

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With the daylight quickly fading we decided to cache the meat and hides and get back to camp before too late. We made it down after an exhausting day. The next day we busted out the snowshoes and were able to retrieve everything, while also glassing up a nice Billy the next mountain over. Due to work constraints with the pressing Covid pandemic I was to head home early while my buddies planned out a spike camp to go chase the billy.

 

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I forgot that back in Feb we had a Family reunion in California to celebrate my parents 50th wedding Anniversary. I am grateful for them and all the support they have given me through the years. I took the time to also take my kids rock climbing at Joshua Tree and some of their cousins for the first time. Always important to get the kids outdoors!

 

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I also have to give a huge congratulations to my oldest Son who earned his Eagle Scout Award. 2020 was a big year for him.

 

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Back to March- we all know the pandemic took a huge turn for the worse. The State of Alaska issued Health mandates that virtually shut down my dental office. So I decided to go hunting . I still had another goat tag for Kodiak and wanted a good billy. I had another buddy who had never killed a Goat so he was up to go.

We flew into a different spot this time and the weather forecast was much better. Once again we found some Goats from camp.

 

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We glasses door a couple days but didn’t turn up a billy. There was a big collared nanny to go after. The morning we went after that group they had relocated a mile down the ridge. We had to skirt some cliffs on the beach but found a good chute to climb. My friend needed a closer shot so we tried to close the distance but got coiffed out directly below the goats. I saw them for a split second before the old goat busted us and left

 

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We tried to skirt the cliff in the snow and ice. The one thing I learned about Mt. goats is they live in steep terrain! Easy to slip and fall. As we made our way to the next basin we spotted a few more goats coming our way. My buddy set up and after a few shots he had his first Mt. Goat!

 

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On the pack back to camp with full packs we had to face another Alaska reality- the tides.

the sea cliff we had skirted in the morning was now covered in water! We either had wait hours for the ride to go back out, wade through and g we wet or bushwhackvback up over the cliffs with full packs. We took the cold but quickest way out!

 

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We didn’t kill a good Billy in 2020 but learned a lot about winter Mt Goats, and 3 of us all killed our first. My son did a euro of my goat that turned out nice with it 9.75” horns

 

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Next up was bear season. I have grown to love the spring bait season. Great way out of winter and start getting in shape. My oldest had two first time bear hunters planning to come so we opened two new baits in addition to a bait I ran the previous year. Lots of bushwhacking and machete work to find suitable and legal locations.

 

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Also mixed in there during lockdown we build a climbing wall in the basement

And my oldest actually Graduated from High School with a drive through diploma ceremony! Crazy times but Congrats Caleb!

 

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I had hunted last year unsuccessful for a Brown bear. Had a good boar on video and even had the sow come in after the season closed .

was hoping He would be back so I could gat him for crashing my barrel.

 

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Pretty exciting the first time a Brown bear comes in when you are only 20 yds away with a bow . Nice hide on this sow, but season was over. Was hoping for a black bear

 

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Luck was on my side and the bears quickly showed up. Feeding a couple of Brown Bears takes a lot of bait! Once they started hitting regularly towards the end of season I committed to hunting them full time- which means sleeping in my ground blind 3 nights in a row only 20 yards from the bait by myself with my bow .

I didn’t know who scary that could be til the 3rd night the bears finally showed up together right before dark. If there ever was a time I wished I had the biggest rifle in my hands that was it!

the sow came in first while the boar warily circled. They took a piece of fresh bait and quickly left. 5 minutes later they come back. It took everything I had to calm my nerves and wait for the boar to present a shot.

Finally he came into to the bait mostly broadside, slight quarter to me. I drew and settled on a spot, But then told my self Middle of the Middle is better than shoulder! I released and saw my arrow hit dead center! The boar circled and ran down hill, the sow busted out thankfully straight away from me and I started shaking!!

It was getting close to midnight and a light drizzle was falling. There was no way I was going to spend another night solo in that blind or go after a bow shot Brown bear by myself in the dark . So I quickly bailed out the blind and made it to my truck and home.

 

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The next morning I called some back up and we got to the bait midday. I was hoping to find my arrow or good blood but nothing. I did feel ok about the shot, a bit back but the arrow seemed to go all the way in.
I was shoot a iron will v100 standard so knew if the arrow was in the bear it would continue to cut.

My buddy soon found the first but if evidence about 20 yards down the trai-

the back 6” of my arrow was crunched like it had been bit

 

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Still no luck on the blood but the soft ground had definite paw marks. We followed the trail down to a little creek. We split up and slowly walked along both sides seeing lots of bear sign all over.

Not more than 20 yards I hear my buddies shout There it is! The bear had rolled up under a log dead! I can’t describe my emotions at finding the bear. I’m sure many bow hunters have spent a night not knowing if they would recover such a great animal. Also all the time over the past several years to finally get the chance to arrow a big boar. On top of that the sleep deprivation over the past several days and the emotional release of it being successfully over.