11-15-14 NC 8 pointer from Iredell County....CVA wolf 5o cal. Muzzeloader
The pre-rut was in full swing tonight as this buck came in to 8 yards after 3 bleats from the primos does in estrous can call..sometimes it works almost too good..came into the left of stand and had no shot until he turned to leave at 22yards went behind small holly bush which allowed me to stand turn and make the shot. Went dowm immediately. Sweet 25 yards drag to old farm road i could drive right too..good as was hunting by myself tonight. First buck in range this season..and it was a nice one for our area...blessed to have the opportunity  to hunt and harvest  this buck

First 2014 deer harvest

10-16-2014 Iredell county NC 7:10pm ...G5 shift bow, carbow express kv arrow, rage hypodermic broadhead

 Finally got a chance to harvest a mature doe tonight in nc. About time i put some meat in the freezer. Thankful for this harvest. .its been a tough season so far.

Utah Hunt 2014- Last Day to "Get er Done"

Day 10- September 22nd 2014

Hunted the East Canyon & City Creek Drainage again yesterday. East Canyon was the original route the Mormons took into the valley from the east in  1847.

Did a lot of driving and glassing today but ended up back at city creek due to this trail cam photo at the water hole. They were there just not when we have been..thats hunting.

Got a call midday from Cory a new friend and fellow bowhunter of his success on Sunday at the Shiras Moose with a bow. Thought you might like to see his success. Nice Bull Cory..way to go man..

Stopped on way into City Creek Canyon for a perspective shot of how close to downtown the this wilderness area is. Area is restricted to bow hunting only so buck can grow big in there. It is 19 square miles of pristine wilderness.

I hiked way up high while Tom stayed down lower in the hills for the evening hunt. Jumped a mulie doe on the way in then Tom had 3 does come in at his location. One as close as 15 yards but passed on the shot as still holding out for that buck. My view from up high was spectacular again tonight.

Coming out tonight we had a great view of the Utah Capital all lit up.

And finally for today Tom got a picture of a cow and calf moose just outside our balcony on the ski slope above us. Look just between the lift and the roofline of the building on the right. Hard to see but they are the two black dots...

Off to hunt a new agricultural area today north of Duschene UT that is part of the Utah walk in access program as my last shot at getting it done. Thanks for following the blog.
Mark

Utah Hunt 2014- Still at it!!

Well its down to the wire now. We are still at it and hope to get it done still.  Have been hunting some beautiful country. Utah has some amazing scenery and it has beeen fun to learn the "lay of the land".

Have been hunting City Creek Canyon just east of downtown Salt Lake City for a couple of days now.


Have been hunting water sources such as this small water hole as the animals frequent them as water is a scarce resource here in many areas.

Utah Hunt 2014- Going Deep and Hunting Hard

September 17 thru 18th -Day's 6 & 7

Hiked into the Wasatch Range today from the Park City Utah side after getting a hint from a fellow hunter about a good area to check out. Started at the P (parking area on the map)  then out Robs Trail to Ambush Trail, Then to the hunters trail almost to the end.

South and East Facing slopes were a bugger bear as it was hot and dry today. Carrying full packs with supplies for an over nighter in the backcountry adds a lot of weight- mostly water- which you can never have enough of in these conditions.

Hiking in through the aspen groves was spectacular and a cooling respite.

View of the bowl Tom dropped into for the evening hunt as I stayed up high to glass and hunt the high ground as pictured.

Tom found the spot to hunt - a nice elk wallow- and a spot for us to camp for the night. Our spread was meager and basic but kept us warm and comfortable. Thanks to Andrew Howell for letting us borrow the lightweight down sleeping bags. Tom helped me cache the food in a sapling aspen for the overnight. Had Elk bugling on bothe sides of us but nothing responded to our calls. Nice to hear them bugling in this drainage.

Wallow From Toms Stand for the evening: 

Skys were incredible overnight and the stars put on quite a show. Broke camp at daybreak then headed back towards elk wallow to hunt. Crested hill and was confronted by a 2000 lb. bull moose at about 25 yards. Guess he thought we were a cow in the low light as he advance to about 15 yards before realizing his error and skedattling off.  No elk sighted but a wonderful day hunting in a pristine spot.  Tom took several panoramic views on the hike/ hunt out of the basin as we were running low on water and needed to rehydrate and reload - one can't live on granola, snickers, and peanut butter sandwiches for too long.

Utah Hunt 2014

Tuesday Sept 16th- 2014- Day 5

Hunted the Mill Creek Drainage east of Salt Lake City Utah this evening. Drove into last parking area away from SLC approximately 10 Miles up canyon. Thankful to have gained some altitude via the vehicle but the trail head is still around 7300 ft so its more climbing to the hunt area at around 8600 ft.

Tom at the trail head sign: Geared up and eager to get back into the woods.

After a lot of hiking we reached the west facing slope of Little Water Peak and began to slowly hunt our way higher glassing and calling occasionally as we went. No game spotted this day but nore incredible scenery and thankful for the work put in before the trip to get into shape. Strong shout out to Danner Boot Company as our "Pronghorn(Tom) & Blade GTX(Mark)" boots are performing flawlessly on rough trails both on and off established trails.

View of what we were seeing while glassing and spotting for Elk and Deer. Aspens in their full glory to the south of our location. To Pretty to pass up we both wanted a shot.

Passed by numerous mountain bikers today. Arrived back at parking area late to 3 ambulances and one fire truck. Seems a biker coming down trail went over handlebars and broke his clavicle. Saw other bikers walk him out just behind us. Hope he's doing ok? Back pretty late so dinner was soup and salad tonight...not bad though.

Utah Hunt 2014

Update...well sort of ..out in the back country hunting so will upload pics later. All is well. Beautiful here.. Now off to hopefully stick a big bull or buck tonight.

Utah Hunt & Fishing - 2014- A Day Of Recovery and Discovery

Day 4- Monday 9-15-2014

A Day of recovery for both Tom and myself....Bacon & eggs & Advil  to start the day instead of poptarts a definite plus. Final pic from day 3 a panorama Tom took:

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. - Psalms119:105

Final word on yesterdays hunt -hiking out approximately 6 miles via head lamp was an adventure unto itself. Definitely greatest distance I have ever walked at night in the woods and made me think of the above verse.

After some rest this morning and a good breakfast it was grab the fly rods, waders time, and gear up to try for our first Utah Trout. We Decided to fish on Diamond Fork Creek just west of  Springville Utah.  

First time in the waders since last winter and losing a little weight.  Two fists now fit where my fat belly used to be. Nice to have to take up some slack today

 Toms first Utah Trout on a size 10 parachute hopper. Beautiful fish and scrappy fighter.

 Marks first fish is on- small brown but it was still my first Utah Trout- there not all monsters.Caught on  a 9 Ft.  5 weight rod my dad Chet built while recovering from surgery in 2010. Thought of how much he would have loved today.

 Yes - Utah is also cattle country. Was greeted by the local herd black angus when I arrived back at car to get something to drink and go find my buddy Tom.

 Tom is burning all the daylight he can getting in a few more casts before heading out.

   Back on the hunt for Mule deer and Elk tomorrow.



 

Utah hunt 2014- Making memories and getting sore

Day 3 - 9-14-2014-Sunday

First Tom and I are extremely thankful to our lord and savior Jesus Christ, in whom we trust. The beauty of Gods creation is amazing and his handy work restores the soul, mind, spirit, and body. We gave thanks multiple times on this day for the blessings he has bestowed upon us. Tom related to me that he was in "prayer" several times quietly about the "breath of god". I was thankful for good boots and quality hunting gear.

We started the day up at 5:15, pop tarts for breakfast then 30 min drive to trail head- Mill D in cottonwood canyon at 7200 ft. elevation. Hunted and glassed on our way into Dog Lake at 8746 ft. Elev. Then on around back side of dog lake to the Mount Olympus Wilderness area to eventually climb unnamed peak to 9500 ft elevation with a commanding view of Mill Creek and Cottonwood canyons.

 Tom glassing and looking for game on the hike in.

Moose in meadow spotted about 35 yards off trail headed into Dog Lake trail

Tom has the illusion of being an expert mycologist. Found this little beauty and wanted to eat it as trail food about halfway in. I told him " No fool - and if you do and you fall out I'm not carrying you back to the truck!" Mushroom was returned to the forest thank you.

Beautiful view of Aspens turning on the back side of Dog Lake Trail.

Tom framed by the fir trees overlooking Mill Creek Drainage- All national Forest Land- View to distant peaks was approximately 6 miles.Trees provide a shady spot to rest and have our lunch.

This is also the spot where we encountered Angelo-another fellow bow hunter way off the grid. Toms comment about this are very appropriate: Tom wrote-  

What does his name mean?  When I asked him his name he said it in a profound way. "Tom,  my name is Angelo" .  If there is anything we have learned or at least can draw witness to so far in our  trip, it is "to let brotherly love continue" in our lives. Mark and Jason day 1 and Corey and Robert day two and Angelo, the angel of God, day 3. What is the likelihood of any of these occurring when and how they did with the Grace added to our lives
Hebrews 13:1-2 KJVA
Let brotherly love continue.  Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Tom

And finally as we hunted our way back out of the mountains we were blessed with more incredible views as the sun bega n to set. Just after this picture was taken we spotted 2 Mule deer bucks at 200 yards but some hikers below us on another trail spooked them and they were gone in a bound and a flash of white rump. Thats Hunting. What an adventure!

Utah Hunting Trip 2014- The Hunt is ON baby

Day 2- 9-2014

Big breakfast and yes bacon was included. Backpacks finalized and loaded then to store for roll of black plastic to protect the rental and misc. needs. Then off to shoot bows and check they didn't get knocked off from the 2000+ mile plane ride. All that done was then off to the Mountain for some serious Utah exercise. Parked car at approximately 7000ft in elevation then hiked for 2 Hours to 8500ft elevation. That like Hiking from  Caldwell County line to Blowing Rock.

Pin on map marks cars location then trail on right to top of ridge where the view was spectacular but required a lot of sweat and hard breathing by two old NC boys.

Then we met Cory and a friend on top from Utah who were bow hunting Moose on a once in a lifetime tag. They had spotted 4 Moose and had one at 5 yards but passed as it just didn't measure up for a once. Got some info on Elk and Deer areas to hunt tomorrow and a ride down the mountain in their UTV. Awesome guys !!!Much appreciated at that point. Back at trail head we spotted a fresh Mountain Lion Kill about 30 yards from the vehicle and it was a fascinating sight that close to people and a road. Thats a mules deers legs sticking out from under the leaf pile...its how Mtn Lions cache their next meal. Were off to hunt Cottonwood Canyon tomorrow ..more to follow

Utah Hunting Trip 2014

Day 1 - 9-12-2014
Tom is learning how to not hurry on vacation-yeah right(mah comment). Travel from two different locations was flawless, we landed within 5 mins of each other and the bows and gear survived the airlines. Upgrade to full size SUV a simple gift. We are loaded down. Toms condo at Canyons Resort Westgate in Park City UT for  first time visited since owning since 1999 was reflective for him. Most important was lunch and time with Jason and Mark Strickland of Camofire.com/ Black Ovis. Mark's story about how Camofire came to be was prophetic to both Mark H and I as we could smell but not yet see their future on the east coast and Jason has us pumped up about hunting and fishing. What was most impactful was the story of his five year old son's open heart surgery at two years of age. Pictures of first mule deer at dusk.

Buying groceries is always interesting with Tom to assist but super walmart did us right on massive bacon pack and diet mountain dew...nope they dont sell diet sundrop out here much to my dismay.

Will shoot bows early tomorrow then see what the country here holds for us to chase after.Packs ready to roll.
 

9-11-2014

13 years have passed since one of the most tragic days in my memory for our nation. I am reminded each day as I go to work of the importance the events of 9-11-2001 had on our nation and on each of us as individuals.  I am proud to serve the citizens of North Carolina and our nation as we strive to prevent and prepare to respond if needed. Please remember today those who paid the ultimate price to serve and protect and those caught in evils pathway 13 years today.

 On my way to Raleigh NC today to catch a flight to begin my hunting and fishing trip to
 Park City, Utah as I crossed the Yadkin River on I-40 and there on the bridge at tanglewood exit I was reminded of all those who protect us both foreign and domestic by the sight of old glory waving in the breeze. Thanks to the firefighters who did this as it brought a tear to my eye and joy to my heart. "Hoo-rah" Now on to Utah to celebrate in Gods natural cathedral and experience a renewal of mind, body, & spirit. Stay tuned as more to come in days ahead.

Montana Sunset over the Bridger Moumtains

Getting ready for Utah Elk & Deer hunt. 70 yards tonight. Pulled one a little low and right otherwise I think I'm darn near ready to go. 50 yards in should be a chip shot.