Finally after a three year dry spell shot this jake yesterday around noon after a long morning of hiking and calling all over the mountain. Spent the early part of the morning mid-mountain and while lots of droppings were evident no gobbles or birds to be had. So after a couple of other short hikes I headed back down the mountain to where I should have started. Only a couple of kilometers from the truck I had answering gobbles from an old cutblock . After repositioning once I managed to entice two jakes out onto the overgrown trail I was set up on. Was a fun season with quite a few birds seen and some really close in action, I would have liked to hold out for a more mature bird but I was more interested in getting a bird in the freezer for Thanksgiving. Plus my wife had mentioned in passing that it had been a while since I shot a turkey. Had to end my dry spell and this jake will be nice eating.
Now I can finally get some sleep on weekends and do a little spot and stalk black bear hunting. I won't get serious about a bear until Victoria Day long weekend. My hunting partner and I plan on backpacking up into the alpine where we've been bear hunting that last few springs. Some really nice south facing slopes and bowls to spend the weekend glassing and hiking. We've got a great little camp tucked away with terrific views of Kootenay lake and the surrounding peaks(the Purcells and the Selkirks are on display, 360 degrees of spectacular). Counting the days.
Now I can finally get some sleep on weekends and do a little spot and stalk black bear hunting. I won't get serious about a bear until Victoria Day long weekend. My hunting partner and I plan on backpacking up into the alpine where we've been bear hunting that last few springs. Some really nice south facing slopes and bowls to spend the weekend glassing and hiking. We've got a great little camp tucked away with terrific views of Kootenay lake and the surrounding peaks(the Purcells and the Selkirks are on display, 360 degrees of spectacular). Counting the days.
