Missouri Ozarks Rokslide Rally & Turkey Hunt
- Thread starter Pilgrim
- Start date
- Thread Starter
- #63
OP
Pilgrim
Lil-Rokslider
Yee Yee!
You guys suck Lol have a good time.
- Thread Starter
- #66
OP
Pilgrim
Lil-Rokslider
No birds down today... Still have tomorrow! Pics to come when we're outta the woods, have to drive out to get signal here.
- Thread Starter
- #70
OP
Pilgrim
Lil-Rokslider
In response to River Rat and cwoodyt87 - all I did was nail down dates and a location, y'all were the ones that had to put the effort into coming! Thanks definitely goes to those that participated. River Rat (Sullivan, MO), MOcluck (Sedalia, MO), cwoodyt87 (St. Louis, MO), Bear (Long Lane, MO) and myself were all there from Friday evening until after the hunt Sunday morning. jlbmlb4 (Bolivar, MO) took time out of his schedule to come visit and get hands on some varying gear items and visit on Saturday afternoon as well as another guy I know, probably a soon-to-be Rokslider. The persistent threat of severe weather may have contributed to a few others not coming out.
Also, big thanks going out to armyjoe (Joe) at Kifaru International (sent an assortment of gear/packs), Brandon at Warbonnet Outdoors (sent a Blackbird XLC hammock and Superfly tarp), Evan Williams at Bill Pelegrino's Archery Hut (sent over a Heads-Up Decoy), Paul Schwartz at Havalon Knives and not to mention, Rokslide.com. Even though the gear was on loan, the opportunity to set-up and get hands-on comparisons and 1st hand experience reports from so many types of gear was invaluable for all involved. Participation from these organizations was very much appreciated. Very few western hunters that live in the midwest ever have the opportunity to see and handle gear like that before purchasing. MOcluck also brought some "legacy" Kifaru gear and River Rat brought a couple packs he's been using (Eberlestock and Kuiu).
It pains me to report that none of us tagged on this trip, but Bear and I will be back to get on those birds again. The birds in this area had already had some pressure. Not just from hunters, but its also the peak of morel season so mushroom hunters are in there pretty heavy. River Rat had already tagged for the week prior to coming, so he served as a guide for Bear and cwoodyt87. MOcluck's trip wasn't over when we all split ways this morning, he headed south to some Mark Twain Nat'l Forest for another few days, hope to get a positive report from him.
Once everyone arrived on Friday evening, introductions were short-lived and we were all carrying on as if we'd been doing this together forever. I can't imagine a group of life-long best friends getting together and having more fun as a group than we did. River Rat broke out his fish fryer and commenced to deep fry a feast: fresh fish from the Meremac, turkey from a couple days prior, french fries and biscuits! We sat around telling stories for a while before cashing in for the night.
There was a rag-tag group of country bumpkins camping about 100yds away. A few of us had introduced ourselves only as campground courtesy. Shortly after eating, we heard an ominous, slurred holler coming from the abyss of night, "Helloooo the camp!" We replied, the voiced asked to approach and we said ok. He hollered again, "I'm comin in!" His stumbled approach, accompanied by semi-coherent strings of words, made it apparent he was lit like the fouth of July. Eventually, he said, "Well, we ran slap outta beer and wondered if y'all could spot us a few?! We'll go get some tomorrow for ya." None of us had any to share and that was the end of the conversation. After replaying the situation the next day, we concluded giving beer to drunk hillbillies is like feeding the bears... give them some beer, next thing you know they're in your chairs eating your food! Also, I'm not gonna name names or paint a picture, but Bear may or may not have gotten a free (perhaps paid?) peep show from their lady bumpkin the next day! HAHAHA! She apparently needed to change and didn't care who was around, lol. It's funny b/c you wouldn't have wanted to see that... truth be known, apologies to Bear are warranted. Sorry about that, Bear. HAHAHAHA! Some things you just can't un-see.
Saturday morning, MOcluck and I got the canoe in the water to head across the river to a slightly more remote area of Lead Mine. MOcluck decided he'd rather not have my company but instead of telling me, he decided to dump me out of the boat! If you don't know that stretch of river, it's below Bennet's Spring. It's 0500 and I'm soaked to my chest. He goes, "Oh crap, are you alright?!" All I can get to come out of my mouth is, "Whoo... whooooo..." I sounded like a neutered owl trying to catch my breath! He got wet up to maybe mid thigh. I told him not to wait while I changed socks/boots. He only had one pair of boots so he just went on. I changed foot gear and headed out. Later, MOcluck says, "Here we are, haven't even known each other 12 hours and I dump your ass in the river!" He was worried I was mad. I said, "No, but if you'd have reached over and dunked my head, I would have been!" River Rad provided another lunch feast on Saturday, too.
Saturday afternoon, we set up all the gear we all brought. MOcluck's para-tipi and stove was a very neat setup and his Kifaru pack proved that time tells all truths. I forget his pack model, but it's old but just as physically sound and useful as if it were new. River Rat brought one of the new Big Agnes UL 3p tents that he and his wife use on their western hunts. The Warbonnet hammock/tarp was up as well as a Kifaru Super Tarp and a Mountainsmith Mountain Shelter LT. I slept in the hammock both nights and I can honestly say I slept better in that than some nights in my bivy on the ground. We had about 6 top brand packs laid out and other assorted backpack hunting gear. I will also add, River Rat will be modest about it, but he is an invaluable knowledge resource regarding western hunting. He's been on many western hunts in widely varying conditions and is consistently successful. His stories and experience were great. Saturday night, Bear provided a feast of open-fire grilled chicken legs, baked beans and potatoe salad. By this point, we're going home heavier than when we showed up, that's for sure!
Sunday morning, the birds were quiet. Likely a natural result of opening week pressure on public ground. The morning hunt went by fast. We had camp fully broken down and were pullin out by about 1000 or so, maybe a little earlier. Since several of the guys had long drives ahead of them, we were trying to beat the severe weather coming in.
This will definitely NOT be the last time we do this and I'll be surprised if there isn't another gathering before the end of the year, maybe even summer. Again, thanks to rokslide.com for enabling this and other adventures and such. There is no better group of people online, sharing common interests, to just get together with a bunch of strangers, have an awesome time doing what we all love to do, and leave with possibly life-long relationships. Take care, y'all. If you have input for the next gathering, just PM or holler: 417-838-7841.
Also, big thanks going out to armyjoe (Joe) at Kifaru International (sent an assortment of gear/packs), Brandon at Warbonnet Outdoors (sent a Blackbird XLC hammock and Superfly tarp), Evan Williams at Bill Pelegrino's Archery Hut (sent over a Heads-Up Decoy), Paul Schwartz at Havalon Knives and not to mention, Rokslide.com. Even though the gear was on loan, the opportunity to set-up and get hands-on comparisons and 1st hand experience reports from so many types of gear was invaluable for all involved. Participation from these organizations was very much appreciated. Very few western hunters that live in the midwest ever have the opportunity to see and handle gear like that before purchasing. MOcluck also brought some "legacy" Kifaru gear and River Rat brought a couple packs he's been using (Eberlestock and Kuiu).
It pains me to report that none of us tagged on this trip, but Bear and I will be back to get on those birds again. The birds in this area had already had some pressure. Not just from hunters, but its also the peak of morel season so mushroom hunters are in there pretty heavy. River Rat had already tagged for the week prior to coming, so he served as a guide for Bear and cwoodyt87. MOcluck's trip wasn't over when we all split ways this morning, he headed south to some Mark Twain Nat'l Forest for another few days, hope to get a positive report from him.
Once everyone arrived on Friday evening, introductions were short-lived and we were all carrying on as if we'd been doing this together forever. I can't imagine a group of life-long best friends getting together and having more fun as a group than we did. River Rat broke out his fish fryer and commenced to deep fry a feast: fresh fish from the Meremac, turkey from a couple days prior, french fries and biscuits! We sat around telling stories for a while before cashing in for the night.
There was a rag-tag group of country bumpkins camping about 100yds away. A few of us had introduced ourselves only as campground courtesy. Shortly after eating, we heard an ominous, slurred holler coming from the abyss of night, "Helloooo the camp!" We replied, the voiced asked to approach and we said ok. He hollered again, "I'm comin in!" His stumbled approach, accompanied by semi-coherent strings of words, made it apparent he was lit like the fouth of July. Eventually, he said, "Well, we ran slap outta beer and wondered if y'all could spot us a few?! We'll go get some tomorrow for ya." None of us had any to share and that was the end of the conversation. After replaying the situation the next day, we concluded giving beer to drunk hillbillies is like feeding the bears... give them some beer, next thing you know they're in your chairs eating your food! Also, I'm not gonna name names or paint a picture, but Bear may or may not have gotten a free (perhaps paid?) peep show from their lady bumpkin the next day! HAHAHA! She apparently needed to change and didn't care who was around, lol. It's funny b/c you wouldn't have wanted to see that... truth be known, apologies to Bear are warranted. Sorry about that, Bear. HAHAHAHA! Some things you just can't un-see.
Saturday morning, MOcluck and I got the canoe in the water to head across the river to a slightly more remote area of Lead Mine. MOcluck decided he'd rather not have my company but instead of telling me, he decided to dump me out of the boat! If you don't know that stretch of river, it's below Bennet's Spring. It's 0500 and I'm soaked to my chest. He goes, "Oh crap, are you alright?!" All I can get to come out of my mouth is, "Whoo... whooooo..." I sounded like a neutered owl trying to catch my breath! He got wet up to maybe mid thigh. I told him not to wait while I changed socks/boots. He only had one pair of boots so he just went on. I changed foot gear and headed out. Later, MOcluck says, "Here we are, haven't even known each other 12 hours and I dump your ass in the river!" He was worried I was mad. I said, "No, but if you'd have reached over and dunked my head, I would have been!" River Rad provided another lunch feast on Saturday, too.
Saturday afternoon, we set up all the gear we all brought. MOcluck's para-tipi and stove was a very neat setup and his Kifaru pack proved that time tells all truths. I forget his pack model, but it's old but just as physically sound and useful as if it were new. River Rat brought one of the new Big Agnes UL 3p tents that he and his wife use on their western hunts. The Warbonnet hammock/tarp was up as well as a Kifaru Super Tarp and a Mountainsmith Mountain Shelter LT. I slept in the hammock both nights and I can honestly say I slept better in that than some nights in my bivy on the ground. We had about 6 top brand packs laid out and other assorted backpack hunting gear. I will also add, River Rat will be modest about it, but he is an invaluable knowledge resource regarding western hunting. He's been on many western hunts in widely varying conditions and is consistently successful. His stories and experience were great. Saturday night, Bear provided a feast of open-fire grilled chicken legs, baked beans and potatoe salad. By this point, we're going home heavier than when we showed up, that's for sure!
Sunday morning, the birds were quiet. Likely a natural result of opening week pressure on public ground. The morning hunt went by fast. We had camp fully broken down and were pullin out by about 1000 or so, maybe a little earlier. Since several of the guys had long drives ahead of them, we were trying to beat the severe weather coming in.
This will definitely NOT be the last time we do this and I'll be surprised if there isn't another gathering before the end of the year, maybe even summer. Again, thanks to rokslide.com for enabling this and other adventures and such. There is no better group of people online, sharing common interests, to just get together with a bunch of strangers, have an awesome time doing what we all love to do, and leave with possibly life-long relationships. Take care, y'all. If you have input for the next gathering, just PM or holler: 417-838-7841.
- Thread Starter
- #71
OP
Pilgrim
Lil-Rokslider
I'll throw some pics up later.
Just got back from the Mark Twain and got a bird this morning(whacked him with the 410 at 8yrds). I wanted to say thank you to my Rokslide brothers, River rat and Bear thanks for the awsome grub, Pilgrim for gettin the ball rollin on this whole thing and cwoodyt87 andjlbmlb4 it was good to meet you all. Ozark rally '14 a big success!
I'm super jealous! Glad you guys had a good time though. Really wish I could have made it.
- Thread Starter
- #74
OP
Pilgrim
Lil-Rokslider
Amen, MOcluck! Glad you tagged one down there. Were you out in that para tipi when the storms rolled through?
Glad to hear you got a bird! I'll be out this weekend chasing after them.
That paratipi and stove is a SLICK setup. Pilgrim, thanks for showing us the Mountainsmith Mountain Shelter - I think I'm going to pick one up.
L2H - there were talks of possibly another this summer, maybe a float, fish, & camp.
Cool that sounds like a plan
- Thread Starter
- #79
OP
Pilgrim
Lil-Rokslider
Hahaha! Good times MO! I would loved to have been there! I've had a couple experiences like that... Nothing makes you feel more alive! Glad you weren't sucked up into a twister or fried by lightning.
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