Day hike from the cabin.

Bushy, this area has insane amounts of naturally eroded boulders and rock formations. I would love to hunt somewhere that is green and has water for a change! We really only get about three months out of the year when it greens up and water is somewhat abundant. Dat

 

Hiked into the hills looking for bear the last few days, when I look for horns I find bear. When it's bear season I find horns. Here are some photos of the hunt.


It finally started raining and the grasses and flowers are starting to come alive.



Some vistas.




This vulture seemed to follow me, when I stopped for a break and get my pack off he landed and watched me. I started to worry.


I found where bears had been working for insects and rodents.



Continued........

 

Some photos of the horns I have found while hunting. It's going to be a challenge to render fat or cut a roast from these horns.



See the horn in this photo?

See it now.

Money shot!



Great day's in the woods, my only worries are how to make antler soup and that darn vulture.

 

Nice sheds! Thanks for taking us along.

 

I have been away for awhile and finally was able to take a hike behind the cabin.

This mornings sunrise.


About 400 yards from the cabin I found where a bear had pulled a juniper tree apart to get juniper berries.


Some scat from the bear gorging near my bow.


Traveling into the canyon's.



Hit more scat on an elk trail.



Traveled into a side canyon and found some mountain lion tracks in the snow


Followed the tracks to a natural rock catchment where the cat drank.


Get day out hiking, headed home. Merry Christmas all!

 

Sweet pics and a sweet bow!

 

I hiked out from the cabin today, when I started out it was 34 degrees and warmed up to 67 degrees by the time I returned. A beautiful day no cloud's and light winds.

Here's some photos.



A tarantula wasp trying to warm up.


Around midday I found a elk she'd I had missed in May, it had already faded substantially but still weighed about 10 lbs.


Found some fresh bear track's, followed the tracks to one of the canyon's with dozens of caves.



Started to head home and bumped into two young bull elk grazing. They both had about 6 to 8 inches of new horn growth, they have a long way to go!


Packed up and heading home, completed about a eight mile loop. Another great day in the woods.

 

tarantula wasp

WTH? that abomination actually exists?

 

Yes, they hunt tarantula and other large insects. No real threat to humans unless you grab them!

 

Wow! Large bear tracks! Beautiful country you have out your back door.

 

Some of the big bulls a carrying up to 30 lbs of horn. Here is 105.8 pounds of horn going to market tommorow. The heaviest horn in this batch is 14.6 pounds.


;

Semo, this is an old boar that stays in this general area. He leaves a deep track in soft soil. My knife for scale is an old TAK, I think the blade is around 4.5 inches.

 

I have only found one shed in my lifetime . And it was gnawed on by mice.

That’s a huge haul you got

 

They paralyze tarantulas, but don't kill them. And then they lay their eggs inside the tarantula's body, and the larvae eat their way out over time as they grow. So the tarantula, still alive, slowly dies from being eaten from the inside out. Ponder that ****. And be glad that tarantula hawks aren't any bigger.

One researcher described the tarantula hawk’s sting this way: "To me, the pain is like an electric wand that hits you, inducing an immediate, excruciating pain that simply shuts down one’s ability to do anything, except, perhaps, scream. Mental discipline simply does not work in these situations..."

Read more: https://www.desertusa.com/insects/tarantula-hawks.html#ixzz5p2ZMf2Tj


It's considered one of the most painful stings you can experience in N. America. Although I would put any of Sting's solo albums on that list as well.

 

Took a hike behind the cabin today. It was 52 degrees when I started and 78 when I got home. Some pictures to share;




I spotted a set of mule deer antlers within 20 feet of each other. It's pretty rare for me to find a set.



A great day in the field! Headed home.

 

Nice rack
Get your minds outta the gutter
Nice find @Datilite

 

Thanks STPNWLF, I stood there looking at one horn for at least three minutes before I realized the match was right next to me. I have developed “senior” situational awareness to an art form!

 

Always enjoy the photos from your hikes.
Nice find on the pair of antlers.

 

Thanks Semo,. Not doing much horn hunting yet, waiting to see if there is a market this year.