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    • Etter1
        Post count: 831

        Until I leave for the Sawtooth Wilderness in Southern Idaho in search of a mountain lion!

        Been shooting regularly, running/hiking 20-30 miles per week, and getting the final preparations taken care of (sharpening broadheads, making jerky for long days, making a daypack list, etc)

        Tomorrow, I have to make a pvc case for my recurve and arrows and get it shipped. It’s actually cheaper than checking another bag, and I don’t have to risk the airline losing it this way.

        They’ve had great snow conditions for the last six weeks so I really hope that continues.

        This trip has been three years in the making and I still can’t believe it’s almost here.

      • Bruce Smithhammer
          Post count: 2514

          Sweet! The Sawtooths are awesome. And they’ve been getting a fair bit of snow! What town are you basing out of?

        • Raymond Coffman
          Moderator
            Post count: 1232

            Etter1 –

            Good Luck —

            A great experience in Gorgeous Country! A real western adventure.

            Good Luck

            Scout

          • Etter1
              Post count: 831

              Smithhammer wrote: Sweet! The Sawtooths are awesome. And they’ve been getting a fair bit of snow! What town are you basing out of?

              Emmett

            • Troy Breeding
                Post count: 994

                That’s my dream hunt for sure.

                Hardest part for me would be getting in shape.

                Hard to do when your a recliner anchor.:D

                Troy

              • Etter1
                  Post count: 831

                  Etter1 wrote: [quote=Smithhammer]Sweet! The Sawtooths are awesome. And they’ve been getting a fair bit of snow! What town are you basing out of?

                  Emmett

                  Ha ha! I’ve been going to the gym for years now, but I really turned it up the last six months.

                  I see some of these lion hunts on tv that look like cake. I hope mine isn’t like that. I want a grueling, long track!

                • Bruce Smithhammer
                    Post count: 2514

                    Sounds like you’re going in from the west side. I think you’ll have your work cut out for you! If you get your cat early, there are some cool hot springs in the area as well.

                  • Etter1
                      Post count: 831

                      Smithhammer wrote: Sounds like you’re going in from the west side. I think you’ll have your work cut out for you! If you get your cat early, there are some cool hot springs in the area as well.

                      We’ll be in units 33, 35, and 39.

                    • BuckyT
                        Post count: 138

                        Etter1 wrote: [quote=Etter1][quote=Smithhammer]Sweet! The Sawtooths are awesome. And they’ve been getting a fair bit of snow! What town are you basing out of?

                        Emmett

                        Ha ha! I’ve been going to the gym for years now, but I really turned it up the last six months.

                        I see some of these lion hunts on tv that look like cake. I hope mine isn’t like that. I want a grueling, long track!

                        The dogs are going to hit the track and have that cat treed 200yds away.

                        😀

                      • Etter1
                          Post count: 831

                          BuckyT wrote: [quote=Etter1][quote=Etter1][quote=Smithhammer]Sweet! The Sawtooths are awesome. And they’ve been getting a fair bit of snow! What town are you basing out of?

                          Emmett

                          Ha ha! I’ve been going to the gym for years now, but I really turned it up the last six months.

                          I see some of these lion hunts on tv that look like cake. I hope mine isn’t like that. I want a grueling, long track!

                          The dogs are going to hit the track and have that cat treed 200yds away.

                          😀

                          If that’s the case, I’ll tree him myself!

                        • Wexbow
                            Post count: 403

                            Sounds like it’s going to be an awesome hunt Etter. Enjoy it, stay safe and report back to us – with pics if possible. It’s tales like this that keep me motivated to make a “dream hunt” in the future. May the trail rise to meet you.

                          • tailfeather
                              Post count: 417

                              Bucky…..He trains constantly and I can still outwalk him in the hills. And he’s virtually a kid!8)

                              Nah….you’re in great shape, pal. I can’t wait to hear about it…..I know you’ll have a fantastic time. And I can’t wait for my painter meat.:D

                            • paleoman
                              Member
                                Post count: 931

                                Good luck out there! My wife won’ t appreciate this but I’ d let you have 2 free tags for the 2 cats that roam around here too8)

                              • Etter1
                                  Post count: 831

                                  tailfeather wrote: Bucky…..He trains constantly and I can still outwalk him in the hills. And he’s virtually a kid!8)

                                  Nah….you’re in great shape, pal. I can’t wait to hear about it…..I know you’ll have a fantastic time. And I can’t wait for my painter meat.:D

                                  I outweigh you by 55 lbs shrimp!!:D

                                  You might be surprised now Joey. Got my mile run at 5:44 this week. Cutting back on carbs now trying to drop to 205 or so. Ill be ready for those “hills”.:D

                                • BuckyT
                                    Post count: 138

                                    tailfeather wrote: Bucky…..He trains constantly and I can still outwalk him in the hills. And he’s virtually a kid!8)

                                    Nah….you’re in great shape, pal. I can’t wait to hear about it…..I know you’ll have a fantastic time. And I can’t wait for my painter meat.:D

                                    I know Feather.:D On the Blackbeard hunt, he was very tired and worn out by the end of the hunt. Uncle Bun Bun and I stayed up the last evening, fresh and full of life, hanging out with the other hunters. Etter was already curled up in his bag asleep by 2100… I’m 5yrs older than Etter and don’t work out as much as he does and Bun Bun is 51yrs old..

                                    I really hope those Idaho hills don’t run Etter into the dirt on the first day of the hunt…. I’m worried about him..

                                    :D:D:D

                                    You’re in fantastic shape Etter, and I really hope you get that “grueling” track you’re fantasizing about buddy!!!

                                    Looking forward to all the pics when you get back!!!

                                    I’m sure you’ll have to carry Tom out over your shoulders when it’s all said and done with! 😀

                                  • Etter1
                                      Post count: 831

                                      BuckyT wrote: [quote=tailfeather]Bucky…..He trains constantly and I can still outwalk him in the hills. And he’s virtually a kid!8)

                                      Nah….you’re in great shape, pal. I can’t wait to hear about it…..I know you’ll have a fantastic time. And I can’t wait for my painter meat.:D

                                      I know Feather.:D On the Blackbeard hunt, he was very tired and worn out by the end of the hunt. Uncle Bun Bun and I stayed up the last evening, fresh and full of life, hanging out with the other hunters. Etter was already curled up in his bag asleep by 2100… I’m 5yrs older than Etter and don’t work out as much as he does and Bun Bun is 51yrs old..

                                      I really hope those Idaho hills don’t run Etter into the dirt on the first day of the hunt…. I’m worried about him..

                                      :D:D:D

                                      You’re in fantastic shape Etter, and I really hope you get that “grueling” track you’re fantasizing about buddy!!!

                                      Looking forward to all the pics when you get back!!!

                                      I’m sure you’ll have to carry Tom out over your shoulders when it’s all said and done with! 😀

                                      I think a gallon of wine might have had something to do with that Lackey:D

                                      I was also really worn out from dragging and skinning deer.

                                    • BuckyT
                                        Post count: 138

                                        Etter1 wrote: [quote=BuckyT][quote=tailfeather]Bucky…..He trains constantly and I can still outwalk him in the hills. And he’s virtually a kid!8)

                                        Nah….you’re in great shape, pal. I can’t wait to hear about it…..I know you’ll have a fantastic time. And I can’t wait for my painter meat.:D

                                        I know Feather.:D On the Blackbeard hunt, he was very tired and worn out by the end of the hunt. Uncle Bun Bun and I stayed up the last evening, fresh and full of life, hanging out with the other hunters. Etter was already curled up in his bag asleep by 2100… I’m 5yrs older than Etter and don’t work out as much as he does and Bun Bun is 51yrs old..

                                        I really hope those Idaho hills don’t run Etter into the dirt on the first day of the hunt…. I’m worried about him..

                                        :D:D:D

                                        You’re in fantastic shape Etter, and I really hope you get that “grueling” track you’re fantasizing about buddy!!!

                                        Looking forward to all the pics when you get back!!!

                                        I’m sure you’ll have to carry Tom out over your shoulders when it’s all said and done with! 😀

                                        I think a gallon of wine might have had something to do with that Lackey:D

                                        I was also really worn out from dragging and skinning deer.

                                        I’m sure the 100yd drag out to the trail really stressed you on the island hunt. 45lbs is quite a bit for a 220lb guy to drag for so long.

                                        Skinning such a mammoth animal has to be very exhausting…

                                        I honestly don’t know how you did it??

                                        😀

                                      • Etter1
                                          Post count: 831

                                          BuckyT wrote: [quote=Etter1][quote=BuckyT][quote=tailfeather]Bucky…..He trains constantly and I can still outwalk him in the hills. And he’s virtually a kid!8)

                                          Nah….you’re in great shape, pal. I can’t wait to hear about it…..I know you’ll have a fantastic time. And I can’t wait for my painter meat.:D

                                          I know Feather.:D On the Blackbeard hunt, he was very tired and worn out by the end of the hunt. Uncle Bun Bun and I stayed up the last evening, fresh and full of life, hanging out with the other hunters. Etter was already curled up in his bag asleep by 2100… I’m 5yrs older than Etter and don’t work out as much as he does and Bun Bun is 51yrs old..

                                          I really hope those Idaho hills don’t run Etter into the dirt on the first day of the hunt…. I’m worried about him..

                                          :D:D:D

                                          You’re in fantastic shape Etter, and I really hope you get that “grueling” track you’re fantasizing about buddy!!!

                                          Looking forward to all the pics when you get back!!!

                                          I’m sure you’ll have to carry Tom out over your shoulders when it’s all said and done with! 😀

                                          I think a gallon of wine might have had something to do with that Lackey:D

                                          I was also really worn out from dragging and skinning deer.

                                          I’m sure the 100yd drag out to the trail really stressed you on the island hunt. 45lbs is quite a bit for a 220lb guy to drag for so long.

                                          Skinning such a mammoth animal has to be very exhausting…

                                          I honestly don’t know how you did it??

                                          😀

                                          I only weighed 216, and now I weigh 211.

                                          How many deer did you kill?:D

                                        • BuckyT
                                            Post count: 138

                                            Etter1 wrote: [quote=BuckyT][quote=Etter1][quote=BuckyT][quote=tailfeather]Bucky…..He trains constantly and I can still outwalk him in the hills. And he’s virtually a kid!8)

                                            Nah….you’re in great shape, pal. I can’t wait to hear about it…..I know you’ll have a fantastic time. And I can’t wait for my painter meat.:D

                                            I know Feather.:D On the Blackbeard hunt, he was very tired and worn out by the end of the hunt. Uncle Bun Bun and I stayed up the last evening, fresh and full of life, hanging out with the other hunters. Etter was already curled up in his bag asleep by 2100… I’m 5yrs older than Etter and don’t work out as much as he does and Bun Bun is 51yrs old..

                                            I really hope those Idaho hills don’t run Etter into the dirt on the first day of the hunt…. I’m worried about him..

                                            :D:D:D

                                            You’re in fantastic shape Etter, and I really hope you get that “grueling” track you’re fantasizing about buddy!!!

                                            Looking forward to all the pics when you get back!!!

                                            I’m sure you’ll have to carry Tom out over your shoulders when it’s all said and done with! 😀

                                            I think a gallon of wine might have had something to do with that Lackey:D

                                            I was also really worn out from dragging and skinning deer.

                                            I’m sure the 100yd drag out to the trail really stressed you on the island hunt. 45lbs is quite a bit for a 220lb guy to drag for so long.

                                            Skinning such a mammoth animal has to be very exhausting…

                                            I honestly don’t know how you did it??

                                            😀

                                            I only weighed 216, and now I weigh 211.

                                            How many deer did you kill?:D

                                            One less than you killed.:D

                                          • Etter1
                                              Post count: 831

                                              I think we’ll have some sag to the meat pole next year!

                                            • Etter1
                                                Post count: 831

                                                Latest report from our outfitter:

                                                They did not kill a cat last week with their third client. It was brutally cold (don’t know if that increases or decreases movement, I would imagine decreases). They found a lot of tracks but nothing big enough that the client wanted to turn the dogs loose. They have two wolf hunters this week and then we are the next lion hunters coming on the 7th. He said they’ll do a lot of scouting before then and should have a good idea where to look once we get there.

                                                Sure hope so!

                                              • Etter1
                                                  Post count: 831

                                                  Eight days! Hoping for some new snow next week. Will post full report upon return!

                                                • Etter1
                                                    Post count: 831

                                                    Well, it didn’t happen for me. We had horrible conditions with no snow so we bare ground hunted all week. We treed an old female the first day but I lost the coin toss with my buddy and he killed it.

                                                    I had an unbelievable time and saw so much great country. Don’t know how many elk we saw but it was in the thousands, plus mule deer, fox, eagles, etc.

                                                    It was the trip of a lifetime and I have no regrets. Will post pictures as soon as I can.

                                                  • lyagooshka
                                                      Post count: 600

                                                      Can’t wait to see them. It’s been a few strange seasons here in SE PA. It’s almost march and in the past 2 years we have had less snow combined that one good snowstorm of seasons past. Maybe there is somehting to this whole global warming thing. I just still ain’t convinced we are doing it. Anyway, can’t wait to see the pictures. Be well.

                                                      Alex

                                                      😀

                                                    • Etter1
                                                        Post count: 831

                                                        They haven’t had snow out there for close to a month. Really ridiculous.

                                                        I can tell you one thing: People who claim hound hunting is too easy have never tried it in poor conditions. I hiked every day with those dogs. 2-5 miles per day at 5500 feet with climbs of 1200-1500 per day. It was brutal on me for eight days in a row. Loved every minute of it.

                                                      • Bunyan Morris
                                                        Member
                                                          Post count: 135

                                                          Glad you had a great time. The picture of Tom’s cat is awesome. I can’t wait to see the skin. Sorry about the lack of snow and cat for you. But, it still sounds like a great trip! Any day in the field with hounds has to be a great day!

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