MULEPACKHUNTER Report post Posted December 9, 2013 This is the story of some family up north hunting with their horses, good story and looking for some well wishes for them on their cow elk hunt. They were about 9 miles into unit 6 somewhere. The following is from the female half of the team. (start) There is one small hill back in there and it was all ice Friday on our way in. There was a truck and trailer that slid off to the shoulder that took a truck and a tow truck to get them out. Well, we came up on it just as they were pulling him out causing us to stop on the hill. Backwards sliding we went. After jack knifing and hitting the shoulder on the cliff edge we came to a stop, unloaded the horses and the tow truck pulled us out. We finally got to camp and the sun had set so we had to set up in the dark and snow. The next morning we headed out on the horses. Saw a ton of tracks, and then human tracks tracking them. Towards the end of the day we got to watch a 6x6 bull elk cross a meadow and it walked straight towards us to about 100 yards, that was pretty cool, but no cow with him. The next morning we saw nothing much, Jim knows that area ALMOST like the back of his hand and turned the wrong way at one point and we ended up about 4+ hours in the opposite direction at about 1:00pm, At which time we were supposed to be back at camp to have lunch and switch horses. Ours were very tired trekking almost knee deep snow all day. About that time a really cool couple came driving by and Erik had a map and got us back on track. He had several cameras up in the area and was dropping salt blocks and said he would be traveling the same roads we would and that he would make sure to find us after a while to make sure we were ok. (It was snowing) We had to walk the horses for a couple miles. About 2 hours later is when we saw another bull and then Erik and Stephanie came driving up. Annie my horse was laying down on me by then, she was so exhausted. So I got a ride back to camp to start taking care of things there and Jim ponied Annie with Arlo, his horse back towards camp. He had about 1 ½ to 2 hours to get to camp. About an hour later it was dark, we were in a full on snow storm and the wind was blowing 20-50mph. To say the least, I became VERY worried. I was confident in Jim’s ability to get back. I was mostly worried that Annie laid down on him and he couldn’t get her up and he was stuck out there. After about an hour he came walking up on foot. Arlo was too tired to carry him by that time. Annie had a hard time staying on her feet and we couldn’t get her to drink, so we were nursing her all night. It snowed almost 2’….that was not fun! We had blankets for the horses and I was warming water all night for them. She finally drank and stayed on her feet. I was severely worried that we were going to lose her that night. It definitely takes a good 4 wheel drive with good tires and even snow chains to maneuver back in there. The snow is pretty thick now and the forest roads are very icy. That is the event in a nut shell. We saw only one cow, but she was in a thick of trees and about 400 yards away, so didn’t get a shot. It was an interesting weekend to say the least. Jim is still up there with his Brother-in-law until Thurs the 12th. (end) Thanks for reading and throw some good Ol huntin wishes their way as I will, Thanks MIKE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adicted Report post Posted December 9, 2013 Dang best wishes. 6a or b Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MULEPACKHUNTER Report post Posted December 9, 2013 Anonymous unit 6 , best wishes to everyone up there as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seldom Drawn Report post Posted December 10, 2013 This story is nothing new, it really sucks what happen to your friends, i can't count the times i have been with people that this has happen to, I can out walk 90 percent of the people with horses it's really sad how they don't spend time and keep there horses in shape, yes there was a lot of snow so if your horse can't walk in it maybe they should be walking. i have dealt with this for years a horse is only as good as the rider who works it.you don't need to switch horses mid day if your horse is in shape you might suggest to the lady that wrote this story to buy a gps.I really don't want this to start a pissing match,but people need to realize a horse is like us,without a workout they can only do so much. I think I posted this on a thread you had posted in the past, weekend riders and weekend ropers shouldn't be hunting on there horses on these kinds of hunts. Seldom Drawn 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MULEPACKHUNTER Report post Posted December 10, 2013 I can see you points but I don't remember mentioning the animals work routine or what items they may have carried with them just a simple tough hunt that some ffriends were on and thought I would share with like minded folks, I will save your notes for next time I plan to Hunt, and thanks for the well wishes. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Meyer Report post Posted December 11, 2013 Best wishes and good luck to them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Will K Report post Posted December 12, 2013 That's hard core right there. Best wishes.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xforcebaby Report post Posted December 12, 2013 Hunting cow elk on horseback is awesome! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
