We made the trek up the 60-mile Spotted Bear Road to Meadow Creek Gorge to set up base camp. We learned that mules hang around camp never wandering too far from their leader, the token horse. This behavior is vital  for mules to behave themselves. The five mules literally follow the horse as if its the next Messiah. It works great when traveling in a group to put the horse in the front and all the mules obediently follow.

The next couple of days were in no other words…AMAZING. Day trekking with the mules up into distant valleys, drainages and mountain passes with the mules only going part way and then us hiking on further was right up our alley.  We  were armed with two 30-.06, four mules, one horse and four anxious hunters. For two days we tracked, followed, didn’t talk, glassed and hunted elk. Regardless of our gallant attempts to bag the big one, we didn’t even see any elk. Or deer. Which it seems to me, the rest of the year, deer are a big presence in Montana-almost too much. Now, its fall and suddenly they are on lockdown. That topic is for another time, but alas we didn’t even see anything.

Regardless of our failed attempt at hunting, this trip was more successful than I could imagine. Being outside, getting to know the stock and their distinctive personalities, breathing fresh mountain air, good friends, good times and enjoying Montana’s backcountry was, and always ever is, all I ever need. Even if we didn’t have “beginner’s luck” with the elk, we weren’t unlucky in our adventure. Next fall,  I’m sure we’ll be joining the ranks and filing out of town every weekend in the fall for annual exodus into the woods. 

Thanks to my good friend Will S. for sending me some great shots of another successful archery hunt in Montana!!

From RipPod PR guy, Shane:

First of all, I always put two extra pair of Darn Tough socks inside my hunting boots when I pack for a hunting trip.  This always leaves me with more than enough socks in case of emergency.

View From Camp

Packing mules into the backcountry of the Swan Valley in Western Montana is any hunter’s dream trip.

And on this particular trip, a couple of weeks ago, we didn’t leave the trailhead until around 4 p.m. on Saturday which left us about 4-5 hours of daylight to get to camp.  The weather for the four day archery hunt was predicted to be in the low ’80′s, except for Sunday and Monday morning which were going to be around 65 degrees.  We thought this to be perfect for elk hunting as the colder temperatures may help bulls increase their rut and be a little more vocal while searching for cows.

The pack into camp was a hot, steep trail to around 7,000 ft., and the second we stepped off the mules at camp, bull elk were bugling within a few hundred yards.  Although it was dark, and beyond shooting light, we felt confident in the fact that the next morning was going to be very exciting.  Headlamps blazing, we quickly took care of the stock and set up camp still listening to bull elk bugling close by.  After a quick dinner and few Rainers, sleeping bags were calling and we all knew we would need our rest.

Hiking in this country, one can climb 700-1000 ft. very quickly.

MUCH colder than it looks! Snow in Sept!

Shortly after we went to bed we could hear light raindrops on our rain fly.  Although we knew the rain would make our hiking in the morning wet, we were excited to know the temperature was dropping.  What we didn’t know was that we were going to wake up to snow.  OK, this isn’t so bad!  The snow  would make for better tracking.  Besides we were in the backcountry, and you have to be prepared for anything.
After I put on my fleece layers, pants, then rain jacket, I went to the top pack to search for my boots.  Long and excuse-filled story short, let’s just say I forgot my boots.  My extra socks and treated leather boots were sitting back at the ranch.  I knew I was in for a very long couple of days.  All I had were my tennis shoes that I wore on the mule up the trail the day before.  See, my boots don’t fit inside the stirrups of the saddle and I usually top-pack them.  So here I am looking at a good day and a half of wet snow-covered backcountry hunting in my Merrell Cruise Control Trail Shoe.

34 Degrees plus Windchill

Sunday was cold and very wet.  It snowed all day, and we continued to hike just to keep warm.  The temperature never got above 34 degrees and the wind was swirling in every direction imaginable.  To make matters worse, the elk were not to interested in what we had too offer.  We had one set up that ended in a bull pulling his cows out of the drainage due, we think, to the unpredictable wind.  Normally we would be back at camp around 10 or 11 a.m., waiting to go back out for an evening hunt.  But we kept hiking just to cover country and stay warm.  Finally, we decided to head back to camp around 2 p.m.  Within about a half mile from camp we ran into a bull bugling trying to round up his cows.  We put the big sneak on him and got him interested in our bugling and cow calling.

The nice six point came quickly, I had full draw on him at 15 yards only to have him stop dead behind a group of trees.  He winded us and turned and left just as quick as he had came.
Defeated, soaked and cold we took the quick hike down to camp to get dry and warm.  After a few hours we ended up building a fire, which we normally would never do during archery season, but needed to get some warmth back in us.  We went back out that evening and watched a few cows feed in the distance, but opted out of going after them.  Instead we went back to the camp and warmed ourselves by the fire.  I did my best to dry my one pair of socks and shoes out, knowing we still had a couple of days in the backcountry.
After dinner we went to bed with it still raining and wondering if it was going to be this cold the next day.  By noon the next day the temperature had warmed and we were taking a nap under a hot sun.  Hunting was very slow the next day and we opted to head back out a day early.
As anyone who hunts in the backcountry will tell you, one has to be prepared for anything.  Learn from my mistake.

All in all, I was extremely happy with how the Merrell trail shoe handled on the wet grasses and thick underbrush.  Actually, they probably held traction better than my hunting boots would have.
I love the backcountry of Montana and cannot wait for the next great experience in October for our weeklong Southwest Montana Rifle Hunt.

Shane

Hi–it’s Shane from Outside Media, PR guy for the RipPod.  It always amazes me how someone who loves hunting and being outdoors so much can have the horrible luck harvesting an elk that I have. For the past 10 years archery and big Game season in Montana has come and gone with my freezers moaning with hunger. This equates to a major league slump. This does not mean I never see elk, just that when the opportunity arises to finish the deal one thing or another happens; a tree is in the way, the animal is too far away, I was the one who was calling in the elk or just plain human error. An ‘ol timer once told me, “I figure for every dozen or so encounters you have with elk in archery season you will have one solid opportunity to have a good clean harvest.” He should know.  He has been hunting the mountains of the Northwest US for 45 years. He still packs mules into the backcountry and can speed climb the steep hills of MT like a healthy 20-something. So each year, as summer rolls around and hunting season in MT is just a few months away, I will continue to prepare as I normally do for archery season . Or maybe I should take my wife’s advise.  She said, “If you haven’t filled your archery elk tag in ten years then you better figure out a different way of filling the freezer, dude.” I do, however, get many photos from friends and their successful hunts. Here are a few good ones from this year’s MT archery season. Just to rub it in.  Better luck to everyone out there.  Shane

Anthony DiBrito

Will Schott

Brent H.

Using the RipPod to steady my binos

I’m guessing it’s something along the lines of “a bad day on the golf course is still better than a good day at the office.”

We woke up at 4am to get a jump on the day, driving up to the top of NoName Mountain.  We wanted to get hiking before dawn so we could be at the wallow as day broke.  We reached the first wallow – no live elk, but plenty of sign that the bulls had been there recently.  Same story as we checked out two more wallows.  No elk that day, but we had a good time hiking with the RipPod.  Did I mention the bags of huckleberries we scored on our hike?  At least we didn’t come home empty-handed.

late-season hucks

A few days later, we beat the sunrise to the ridge for another crack at some elk.  We heard a bugle, so we tried some cow calls.  Nothing.  We decided to make a day of it, hiking all over the mountain with the RipPod to see what we could find.  No elk, but you really can’t beat the scenery this time of year.  I love those late-summer/early fall mornings that are sunny with a distinct chill in the air.  It just makes me eager for fall and winter.

Third time must be a charm, right?  We left town at 4am for a chance at some antelope. The camper was in place and we were in the field before the sun was up.  Score!  We saw a nice buck and some does.  We crawled in slowly, trying to get close enough for that perfect shot.  It wasn’t meant to be, though, as the buck spotted us and the whole group took off at top speed.  We were disappointed, but not defeated.  We decided to check out another good spot for antelope, and saw another herd moments after signing in at the block management box.  Again, we crept in on the group – 100 yards away, then 80 yards away.  We were down on our bellies, but we needed to be closer.  If you’re over 50 yards away, there’s no way to get a decent shot off.  It was not our day – the antelope bolted again before we could get them in our sights.   After playing hide and seek with the antelope for most of the day, we headed back to the camper as the sun went down.  There’s nothing like a backwoods burger and a good night’s sleep to make you feel brand new, even after a day of chasing game all over the place.  Bucks, consider yourselves warned.  We’ll get you next time!  Until then, may you never miss a shot; always carry a RipPod.  –Anthony.

Anthony DiBrito

Welcome Fall!  And welcome to our blog dedicated to sportsmen who love the outdoors.

Ask most people you know what their favorite time of year is and you will surely get a majority vote for Summer.  Spring follows close behind lifting the Winter Blues and bringing new life outside.  But ask many Montanans and you will hear a fair share who agree that Fall is the time of year we cannot wait for.

Those cold morning bring warm afternoons–can’t beat ‘em.  The rivers, trails, and roads are again limited to mostly locals with the departing of the tourist crowds.  Wildlife sightings increase as they frantically get ready for a long Winter.

I want to welcome you all to Fall in Montana…we’re not at the computer much these days because we’re outside, but please stay tuned for plenty of great hunting, fishing, hiking and other outdoor adventure stories, gear and information.

Shane

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