Trad Gang

Sorry for the delay getting this started,but I have a lot of family time to make up.

 There's plenty to tell and pix to share...the people,the places,and the critters....simply amazing!!!

I'm off to work today       ,but I'll get going with this tonight.

Here's a couple pix to start things off......

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06028.jpg)

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06035.jpg)

Knowing you I know there is a great story to come, looking forward to it!

Been waiting for this. I love Montana too!

Way to go Curt!  Welcome home from the Big Sky country!

Come on Curt! I have been waiting patiently for this story! Its killin me!!!

Montana is truly amazing!

Is there blood on that Silvertip???

Welcome home Curt!

In typical fashion, you're leaving me on the edge of my seat....

Patiently waiting on your story (well, maybe a little anxious)    :rolleyes:

Beautiful country

Can't wait to read this one!

Curt....I'm sitting back in my chair waiting for the story And pics the way only you can tell them, welcome Back >>>-----> ED  :D

Curt....I'm sitting back in my chair waiting for the story And pics the way only you can tell them, welcome Back >>>-----> ED  :D

Waiting  :campfire:

that second shot brings back memories.  cool photo.  i bet you wish you were sitting there right now.  can't wait to see the rest...

Yes, I think a bunch of us should all just show up at Mark Baker's or Doug Campbell's place sometime and go huntin'.
 :campfire:

My son and I just got back from hunting with Mark Baker in Montana.  Now I am thinking of trading my place in Alaska for something in MT.  Beautiful, awesome country and great, great people there.  Now if I could just find a job there, with insurance...

I love Montana and even though I could make a lot more teaching in other states (Wyoming for instance) I will NEVER leave.  Too beautiful here.....

Kevin the "Montana Beauty Tax" can be stiff, I took a 60% cut in pay when I moved here in 1990.  However, after adjusting to lack of disposable income, it is definitely worth it.  
Curt, that view looks familiar, I believe you can see that ridge from my bonus room.   :D  

Walt Francis

Glad your back Curt.  Patiently waiting for the pics and your story.  :thumbsup:

Now Curt,It's not good to work too long the first few days you get back from a trip to heaven,so hurry up with the story!   :readit:    :D

Hmmm... waiting for details here too, had a great visit with Peter and Curt fore they headed into the hills the last time. Looking forward to the rest of the story.

Kevin, ya just gotta decide what it "worth" to ya   ;)

Sorry I didn't get the chance to meet you Doug,I was looking forward to it.I know you were busy with the fires and I am glad you and family are ok.

Maybe next year,Good job on the antelope

Tracy

OH BOY  Curts BACK, with LOTS of PICs and Tales to tell.  :bigsmyl:  

Just wait a wee bit till I get my chores done Curt............PLEASE

Curt,

I can't wait to hear the stories and see the photos.  I think any body that goes to Montana and spends sometime there will fall in love with the place.  The land is beautiful and the people are great.  I spent a bunch of time work in the Columbia Fall and White Fish area.  Now I keep saying that when I move back to the US this is where I will live.

James

Welcome to our beautiful and diverse state, just leave us a few of the nice bulls.  Looking forward to your tale.

And I'm leaving to go hunt up north for the weekend with Jeremy, now I have to wait till Monday to see this.....glad to see your back safe and sound Curt...


David

Dave you can write your own story when you get back. But for us unfortunates still waiting for their season to open, this is life's blood, so come on guys! LOL

Have always wanted to go to Montana!  Afraid I would never leave, though!  Trying to talk my wife into looking into teaching jobs there.  She's an elememtary special ed teacher with 24 years experience.  I'm gonna keep working on it!

Great picture!

Lee

.....This is gonna be good-----  :)

Curt...Glad you got home OK and hope your hunt was A-1.  It's evening now so get on with the story.  :thumbsup:

:campfire:

I bet Guru's wife hid his keyboard. LOL

Curt, Glad ya made it home in one piece. I can't wait to see some pics and hear the stories!

Keep 'em comen Curt! I thinks this is going to be a goodin.

Montana is already my favorite place and I havn't even been there yet! Just can't wait for 2008.

In Oz, alan

...we are waiting...  :D    :saywhat:

Glad your home safe and sound Curt.  I'm just "back" from Elk hunting so to speak today as well.  Looking forward to hearing your tales and seeing your pics.

TTT, (just in case he forgot he was posting a story!)

ummmmm Curt, you forgetting something?

   :bigsmyl:    


   :campfire:  


Terry, can you pin this so that Mr. Cabrera can finish the story without having to find the thread everytime he gets side tracked?  ;)

Curt.....??????? Ga boy waiting!!!!  :wavey:

Now where is he hiding?

Sorry again for all this time without anything,but things have been crazy since I got home.I'll be forced to keep this short and but pretty sweet with pix...

 The original plan was to hunt antelope around Billings,then go to elk camp.But it was decided that we would go right into the mountains,as things looked real promising.

We got to the trailhead and packed for the ride(Tina and Tracy)/walk(Pete and I) 6 1/2 miles...

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06006.jpg)

Within 20 min. it started to rain and sleet.Cold was an understatement!  Then it cleared up,but the damage was done....we were all soaked to the bone!!

I was ok,because I was walking,but the riders needed some change of cloths.  First stop to check the view......

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06017.jpg)

Bear protection!!!

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06014.jpg)

Not quite clear yet(some smoke too)...

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06012.jpg)

I'll try to add throughout the day.....By the way,there was some blood spilled by "Painless"

BEAR PROTECTION??????????

APARENTLY THE "BEARS" HAVE NOT SEEN CURT SHOOT!!!!!!!!!!

Curt, some Bear protection...Peters eyes are closed!  But thats probably actually pretty realistic.  I know mine would be under a charge.
I heard about the blood that spilled on your trip, cant wait to see some pics especially of that critter from Big Timber.  (hey that rhymes)LOL. Randy.

Curt......I got your call....got lucky and found phone service on the edge of the Cohutta Wilderness.


Thanks for the call bud....I'll chat with ya this week.    :thumbsup:

Looking forward to the stories.   :D

:banghead:

he is teasing us!!

COME ON CURT I LIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD SO I HAVE A LONG WAIT. LOL!!  :campfire:

Heard a couple bugles as we closed in on camp.Spirits were extremely high.....

 We made it to camp,and I felt surprisingly well after the 6 1/2 mi's up the mountain. The running paid off BIG TIME!!

 We met our other hunting partners, Bill from Big Sky Archery(the nicest archery shop I've ever been to),and his buddy Dave.Two great,and entertaining guys....Pete went right to cooking dinner....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06019.jpg)

Peter showed me the water detail....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs//MyMT06024.jpg)

Anticipation was very high for the hunt.We would spend a lot of time getting familiar with our surroundings.....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06025.jpg)

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06033.jpg)

We heard a couple bugles,but the herd was moving away from us,and we didn't want to pressure them.The sign was fantastic....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06029.jpg)

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06030.jpg)

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06031.jpg)


Pete cooked us some oatmeal for lunch,Tracy(Momma P)....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06037.jpg)


then we kicked back for a little siesta

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06020.jpg)

We hung out by a pond(where we had lunch)for a while.A lot of sign around the pond,and not far from where we heard the bugles in the morning.....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06038.jpg)

We moved on,scouting and stump shooting our way back to camp.A short rest.....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06034.jpg)

and we where back out.Heading for the pond,to wait for the bulls we heard in the morning to get going.We ended up coming in to the pond too high.As we hit the slide above the pond we ran into this guy...........

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06039.jpg)

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06040.jpg)

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT060402.jpg)

The bear of a lifetime!!!!!

Tracy,Pete...take over....I won't be back till tonight......

Man thats a big bear! I'm loving this so far. Keep up the good work.

Bear tag?  :readit:

Ohhhhhhh, this is gonna be a good'un!

Well com'on guys, Tracy, Peter, Curt.....

Thanks Tracy n wish you'd come by with the guys but it wasn't very pleasant here then.

Great pics by the way!!

You are doing a great job Curt,Except that (momma P) thing.I have no idea were Pete came up with that one.

Pictures don't do justice for that bear,I have been around bears and that was a big one.The funny thing is Pete had a bear tag,But the season didn't start till the 15th and this was the 9th.The bear walked right up the hill to us and cut in the timber at 50 yds he never even seen us and the wind was perfect.All three of us were jabering like fools,Pete was dying because that was the biggest black bear he could of ever shot  :knothead:  

Tracy

That sounds like a "DOH!" moment to me.Looking forward to the telling of this tale...

In Pete's defense I just went through the regs again and I still can't find anything that says it started the 5th,It all says the 15th.

Tracy

Curt,
i see your hunting partner is wearing the sitka mountain gear, i was looking into that stuff. Can you coment on how he liked it, was it warm, worth the money? I the jacket very heavy(thick)? thanks also great pics, i love looking at pics about hunting other that just the money shot.

I thought the season opened the 15'th in that unit too.  I'll go look at the regs again.  Same thing happened to me 5 years ago, and a friend this fall as well.  Great Bear, oh man!

Just checked the Bear regs.  Opened Sept 6'th.  D'ohhh!   :banghead:

I felt so sorry for Pete,Curt and I would of loved to watch him shoot him.I don't think he sleeped well that night.

Oh well thats why the call it hunting,Maybe next time.

Tracy

Yeah ,it would take a few days for Pete to get over that one!!!  Those pix don't do that bear justice at all.Everything about him said he was BIG and old.Scarring on his face,half of his rt. ear missing,huge shoulders and butt,and a big pumpkin head with seemingly tiny ears....he was a TANK!!!

Hopefully Tracy can explain what happened at the end of day one....

I just want to get some more pix up for you guys...

Day two...

Pete with our two compound comrads...Bill from Big Sky Archery,and his buddy Dave(two great guys) showing Pete the finer points of using a GPS...

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06045.jpg)

The three amigos....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06048.jpg)

One of my favorite pix...Tracy overlooking a slide...

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06052.jpg)

Just beautiful....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06044.jpg)


Two Schafers.....20 and 22 years old....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06046.jpg)


more later...oh yeah,someone asked about Sitka gear.....I'll talk about it later,gotta run to work....

Great pics Curt, that is some beautiful looking country....


David

Great pics and story....told in true "Lamb" fashion   ;)

Yep, Real cool! CK

Good stories! Did I see real CHAIRS 6.5 miles back in da wilderness or did someone carve a chair

Great scenery, awesome pics Bud!!!

That evening we heard a couple of bugles,One was on the same bench but around the mountain so we headed that way.

We went 200 yds and Pete bugled again,Bam!! This time he was Right on top of us.Pete could see him coming.Curt set up and Pete and I ran a little ways and started calling.The wind wasn't great and I think thats what ruined it for us.

It was a great first day,We saw elk,heard elk,smelled elk all day.The bench we were hunting on was the best I have ever seen.Oh yeah and we saw a bear.

Tracy

How did the name "Momma P" originate? In the opening scene of one of the Primos Truth videos ol' Wilbur Primos says..."Mother Primos, your boy is going to the mountains!" Well somehow I started telling ol' Tracy (K.s.Trapper, Bobcat) that for this trip "he was going to the Mountains! That became the ongoing joke every day when I would say to Tracy..."Mother Primos Tracy is going to the mountains. Then for reasons I cannot explain Tracy actually became "Mother Primos" than that was shortened to "Momma P". I guess you had to be there. Unfortunately ol' Tracy was affectionately referred to as just "Momma P" for the entire week...Sorry Tracy. But where I come from once your given a good nickname its a sign of love and friendship. Hmmm...I wonder if Wil Primos will start calling you momma in his next video?

I just returned from Utah where the elk are still winning!Its been a long Sept! Curt, you are keeping these poor guys on the edge of thier seat with your story. But great photo support. I wish I had time to sit here at my PC each day and read and watch your story unfold. But Rosey and I are "Elkless". We are heading back into the mountins today and we vow to stay until we both kill an elk...this could be a long week! I have never gone this long without an elk!!!

Oh yeah and yes, I still have many sleepless nights over that bear! I want that day back! Talk to you guys when I return from the mountains. Guys keep reading Curts story. It gets better and better.

Best Peter

Curt~

youre killin me, man!

Pete~
Best of luck with Rosey on the elk!

Top thread this one for sure. Can't wait till I get there in 2008!

There's alot of "stories within the story",but as promised I'll keep it short,as I don't have a lot of computer time lately.......

We had a lot of laughs about the "Mamma primos" thing,well at least everyone but Tracey did.But he took it in stride.....

The next morning we ran right into the herd on the bench....A cow and spike bull took off about 100yds away,peter quickly called and the unseen herd bull answered but was already making his way up the mountain ahead of us.He bugled back at us on more time as he moved away.Another short but exciting encounter!!

We headed up....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06057.jpg)

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06056.jpg)

a better view....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06054.jpg)

A good example of the "small" sign we found....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06060.jpg)
 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06058.jpg)

This mountain was just loaded with incredible sign.It seemed that it was just a matter of time......

curt, tell me about that sitka mountain gear. Or you can PM me, thanks

We settled in for lunch and time for Peter to play further with his GPS,and for Tracy to sleep....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs//MyMT06062.jpg)

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06067.jpg)

As Tracy slept,Peter told me some great hunting tales.This trip was loaded with priceless stories about "Schaf","Wens","Uncle B",Brunner,Rosey,and others....I mean priceless stuff that Pete could easily fill a book with......I also had the priveledge of hearing some stuff that very few know....and seeing a video of Schaf's last hunt,an lion hunt with Rosey...Don't ask for Peter to share ,it's very personal for these guys....I watched it alone....and was glad I did.......


As time went by and we got ready to get going,a stump shoot broke out as usual....let me tell ya,both of these boys can shoot!!!!  
Tracy after release...

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06069.jpg)

Peter's anchor,he shoots two fingers under,with a glove and tab.Something he got from the Dead On Traditional DVD.....

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06068.jpg)

Peter's Silvertip,familiar inscription except for the name......

 (http://www.tradgang.com/mem-imgs/MyMT06065.jpg)

Red, The Sitka gear seemed to be great stuff.Looks like Peter's going to be a rep for them,after the trip we had some ideas for even more improvement.....

:campfire:

That was one steep hill we went up,As a matter of fact the picture of Pete and I you could hardly stand up and if you lost your'e balance we would have to pick you up at the bootom.It's always amazing to me how elk just make it look so easy,Like it's nothing for them.

Hey I didn't sleep all the time,And you are right Peters story's were priceless and one of a kind.And the video's were great  :)  

Tracy

Isn't it about time for an update, my butts gettin sore from sittin here.   :campfire:

Another great evening in camp,with another night fighting the slope of our sleep tent.....

The next morning we tried to beat the herd to the spot on the slide where we had encountered them the last 2 mornings.We did but they never showed.......

Breakfast.......

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06072.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06071.jpg)

We moved on,found more great looking areas,stump shot,and enjoyed another beautiful morning.....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06074.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06075.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06080.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06081.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06082.jpg)


This was a special moment in time for Tracy that he didn't know I captured.I'm glad I did and it came out so well. I'll let him explain.....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06086.jpg)

Keep it up Curt. The suspense is killin me.

Fantastic pics. Hangin on every word and image....

This is so cool.

I'm with the rest of the gang... very cool indeed!!  :thumbsup:

What a trip you guys have had!  I'm loving this  :thumbsup:

About this hunt,you see I wasn't hunting at all except I was using a bow and shooting stumps and maybe a grouse or rabbit.And having a ball I might add.

I have had a bad couple of years,I lost my mom,my dad,my best friend and hunting buddy,my grandpa,and two aunts all to cancer all in two years.

I just needed some time away and Peter and I had been talking about a whitetail hunt and he invited me up there to hunt with him and Curt,Well twist my arm.I jumped at the chance to meet Pete and Curt,And I am glad I did,Throw in the chance at maybe meeting some other tradgang members and seeing Montana,shoot you didn't have to ask me twice.

It was a great trip for me and I hope to go back and do some big game hunting next year.

The arrow I am shooting was for all of the lost loved ones and I didn't know Curt took the picture until I looked up.Thank you Curt, I am glad you did it came out great.

Tracy

Thanks for the free ride guys!  It's been a good'urn.   :thumbsup:

Tracy,God bless and thanks for sharing it with us.A very emotional moment for sure. >>>>----> ED

:bigsmyl:    :notworthy:

Awesome stories! It sure would have been nice
to meet you guys. Did you guys find any of these?
 (http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m289/4fletch/th_DSC00138.jpg) (http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m289/4fletch/DSC00138.jpg)

4fletch, It would have been nice to meet you too.No we didn't see any but I think we were to high,8400 ft I have always found sheds down low.It would have been nice  :)

Thanks Ed for the nice comments,there is alot more to the story but this is Curts thread.

Tracy

No Tracy,I told you,this is OUR thread.I'm just the one posting pix......This hunt was about all of us having a great time together bud.Please feel free to add all you'd like,as I don't have a lot of time for typing....it's easier for me to add pix with a few comments...

 Thanks everyone for the kind words...

Our camp.....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06089.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06090.jpg)

As we hunted and shot,it was decided it was time for a change.The elk hunting was slow,it was hot,so we thought it would be best to go chase some antelope around for a few days.The plan was to return in a few days in hopes that thing would be "heating up" with the elk.
Hikin' out........

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06091.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06096.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06097.jpg)


 Headin' for antelope country.......

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06099.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06105.jpg)

Alright Curt I will do my best.Looking at those camp pictures in the second one there is a tent behind the log,thats were we all slept,well kind of.The tent was on a slight incline and nylon sleeping bags like to slide. I had a leg wedged under Pete's mat to keep from sliding and Dave was doing the same thing on mine and Curt on the other side of Dave and,Have you ever heard the saying you go we go.Lets just say there was alot room in the top part of the tent in the morning.

That was a long walk down the mountain for me because I knew I wouldn't be coming back,Not this year anyway.I sure wanted to watch Curt shoot a big bull,Yeah they were coming back but I would have to head home after chasing antelope and maybe some deer too.I sure injoyed the time in the mountains,  :)  

Tracy

:thumbsup:    :campfire:

Just great guys...keep it comin..  :thumbsup:  
 :campfire:

My Ex She-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named  , Was Originally from Laramie, Wyoming. I was always telling her "There are  NO  Trees in Wyoming!!"  MAD  WOOOOEEEEE!!!!!  :mad:    :thumbsup:

Curt, were you going to use that white outfit to flag the antelope in?  :bigsmyl:

Norb, That's just my hikin' outfit bud...

That after noon we set up a couple blinds by some water.Then spent a couple hours tryin' to decoy/stalk some antelope.Very exciting way to hunt,but the bucks just weren't quite ready to fight.They would come.but not close enough for a good shot.

That evening Tracy and I sat in my DB blind(broken,I;ll let Peter tell that story),and Peter sat in Tracy's blind.We saw a few mulie and antelope does,but far off and none came to drink.I did make the kind of shot on a rabbit,that usually happens when your alone,but Tracy was witness to my best shots of the trip.

Peter had some mulie does come in,and saw some antelope at a distance,but he didn't shoot anything.We'd be back at it in the morning....

I slipped into the blind Peter sat the night before as day was breaking,full of anticipation.Tracy and Peter would check out some new ground,and find some critters for possible decoying later.

View from the blind....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06108.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06050.jpg)

I saw nothing that morning...we spent the remainder of the day tryin' ...but it wasn't meant to be......That evening it was time to part ways with Tracy....He was heading home....what a great guy...a very knowledgable hunter....I hope this isn't the last time we hunt together.....I was sad to see him leave...it wouldn't be the same without him......

....We were off to Rosey's house.....When we got there,he was still out hunting....But lisa was there to greet us with a big smile and a hot meal.....Looking at the pix on the wall and in their albums while we waited for Rosey...it wasn't hard to see that she was quite an accomplished hunter......most of us would pale in comparison!!!!   :notworthy:

Rosey would finally show up,and I would finally get to shake the hand that I'd read so much about,and heard so many stories about from Peter.I can see why he's Peter's best friend!!! He's a treat!!
The next morning I would really get a full load of Rosey after about 4 cups of coffee....Tha world according to Rosey as Pete and I put it....Probably the best hunter I will ever meet!!!

After a couole more cups of coffe for Rosey,it was off to finally get together with Doug Campbell and Karen.I had a special gift to give to Pete, and Doug had it......Can ya guess what it might be???????

Curt it was pleasure getting to meet you and hunting with you.I injoyed the time we spent togather,and yes I hope we can do some more hunts in the future.There are a few kansas whitetail bucks that need to be thinned out around here and I know just the guy that could do it  ;)  even if he does shoot off the wrong side of the bow.  :D

Tracy

Great job with the stories and pics guys. Thanks for taking us on the journey with you.


Shoot Straight>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jim

Curt sure can shoot, can't he?

Looking forward to it bud....I gotta feeling I'll like Kansas!

As we closed in on Doug's place we knew we were close to the fires.....we had to sign some papaerwork just to go further up the raod at our own risk....we were close!!  But the day we got there was damp,and rain was on the way....it was a big turning point for thr fires....at least that's what we heard on the radio......

 After some greetings and handshakes,we settled in for a great lunch with two of the finest people I'll ever meet...Doug handed me one of his little beauts...and I presented it to Peter as a thank you for all he was doing for me....one of Doug's capers with a fossilized walrus jawbone handle....Pete seemed to like it,who wouldn't....I'll some pix of it later...a little red !!!!

We where only able to stay a little while(Fire stuff),but it was time very well spent.We said our goodbyes and it was off to pete's house to clean up...then hit the mountains again....a snow storm was hitting the high country and we need to get Dave a Bill out...if things weren't too bad,we'd hunt some too.......

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06113.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06112.jpg)

...It was coming.....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06116.jpg)

I was the only one up the next morning...a short walk...one bugle and it was time to pack up and get out......

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06120.jpg)

Same view....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06028.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06121.jpg)

At the top....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06125.jpg)

At the bottom.....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06135.jpg)

On the way back to Pete's we saw a Bighorn ewe along the road....very cool!!!

Were about to get to the good stuff guys...hope I haven't bored ya too much...  ;)

Not bored at all. Keep it coming!!

Awesome story guys, reading this is a great way to start the day. Thanks.

"Getting to the good stuff".....Wow!  If its better than these pictures than it should be pretty good.

I wonder how many trad gang members have spent the last several days checking in on the adventures of Curt, Charlie, CK, and Whip.  Three great threads that I've been jumping back and forth reading.  Anyone else starting to feel like they've gone to Wyoming, then Colorado, over to Oregon, back to Montana, up the mountains, down to the plains, and now back up to the high country.

Shoot, my legs are starting to feel tired just reading about it all.

Keep up the good work Curt.  

Chris

Great Thread!!!!!!!!!!!

This is so cool... it's like a way to extend the hunting season!  After just getting back from my own trip I get to go on another with you guys by reading this and I feel like I'm right back in the mountains.  Our time there is never long enough, so this really helps extend it and bring back the feelings of being there.
Keep it coming Curt!  :thumbsup:

Curt and Tracy,Great story thanks for sharing it with us.Curt the pics are good and the story better know get to the good stuff >>>-----> ED

Curt, I know that making these posts can eat up tons of time, but I hope you guys know how much we love this stuff!  It's hugely appreciated.  Sounds like one of the best parts is almost here!!!    :thumbsup:

Livin the life of dreams man, livin the life of dreams. Still gladly hangin on every word and pic....

Just lovin it bud!! Good job... I have an idea how much time this tellin takes.  ;)

Certainly does take some time Charlie, but the benefits are so great.  Just this morning I've already been to Montana chasing antelope and elk, then to Oregon, back to Montana for Whitetails, and now I'm headed up to Alaska to see how we're doing on Blacktails.  Next best thing to being there!

Yeah you guys really do a great job.  Putting up the photos and writing the stories, it makes a book almost like the little delta stories. It gets me pumped to go out.  Thanks.

Very well stated Whip  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

I'm still attentive! CK

Sure enjoying this one Curt, thanks for letting us tag along.

By the way, you look good on that pony  :thumbsup:

Well good,I'm glad you're not bored guys....

 Before I go too much further I gotta say that thru all this time and effort...Pete never waivered in his quest to show me the prettiest places in MT,and to try to get me into the critters..... I know there were plenty of times he wanted to get some rest,and me too,but time was short and it was going fast. He's an afternoon guy,and I'm a morning guy.So it was tough for him to get up sometimes,while I'd be up pacing.....But he always did!!!

 We were having such a good time while hunting and traveling.We think a lot alike about a lot of things..... we talked plenty about family,friends,hunting.....but mostly we smiled and laughed.... .A LOT!!!!  

Like I said,time was passing way too fast.....

I'll be back....

We would bring the horses back to the stable,shower up,and get our gear together,and head for another piece of heaven!!!

 Peter left this place a his ace-in-the- hole....Deer mecca!!!  Hunters nirvana!!!!

 We would get there in time for a quick visit with the rancher,and a ride with him to tour his place. There were deer all over the place! One side had a creek bottom ,the other a hill...mostly whitetails in the bottom and mulies from the top...but both coming from both areas. All converging on a couple of alfalfa fields.

It was the kind of river bottom hunting that I've been watching for years in video with the Wensels when they were in MT.....another dream becomes a reality.....

In this pic you can see the strip of trees in the distance....

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06139.jpg)

Other side of the alfalfa,where most of the mulies came from....

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06147.jpg)

A couple mulie does....

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06142.jpg)

The next morning we would scout and set a treestand on a heavy trail on the edge of the trees in the bottom.....Pete's plan was to gillie-up and slip around,working ditches,and hedgerows around the field......

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06144.jpg)

It had been a cold,damp day so far...we both agreed a perfect day for hunting.Deer seemed to be moving all day,so we decided to get out a little earlier than originally planned.It was the coldest day so far,I knew it was going to be cold sit,but I was well prepared with a winona sweater and hat a good friend had given me(he said all he asked was for a pic of something I killed while wearing it).My outer layer was an unlined wolfskin predator jacket, from good bud "Larry", that I knew would shed water.Something that would soon be tested.......

I got into my stand and almost immediatly had a doe mulie with two fawns slip by....Peter likes to see the mulies does....whitetails would be our primary target.I wouldn't be long till I had more deer around me.....

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06148.jpg)

I'm loving every word and photo of this story.....and now it's going to get better???  Keep it coming my friend!

David

OOPs....Sorry for making that noise when we're in the stand.  :eek:  

I'm hanging on every post Curt this is way cool   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:  .........vance

This fawn was soon joined by it's twin and mamma. They would play around in front of me for quite a while  before heading to the alfalfa. I could see deer everywhere in the distance....what a place!

Soon I had another doe coming,as she closed,I prepared for my chance to let Ol' Painless do her thing.She was a bit spooky from a swirling wind,but settled down and came in and quartered away at about 15yds......I remember picking a spot back to allow for the angle....as the string slipped,she wheeled,lowered her front end, and quartered even harder before the Snuffer(160)tipped carbon dissappeared into her side.......

She raced off.....I knew "Painless",after 20 yrs.,had done her thing!!!!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06149.jpg)

As I studied the arrow thru my bino's,it was obvious that ,as Charlie said earlier in his thread,the arrow must have just hung up by the fletch,then fallen out...it wasn't stuck in the ground. I could see,blood,and I could also see "green stuff"...but I knew with the angle,things would work out just fine......

I settled down and nocked another arrow...I still had my either sex tag to fill,and it was plenty early....just maybe...........

Lovin every minute of it...

good story Curt, you guys and your long stuff, that is what makes this site special...you get to read something new on the adventure everyday!
Man, i would have loved to meet Rosey, been reading about him forever!
BD  :bigsmyl:    :thumbsup:

A steady rain started,but I had a pretty good canopy above me,and my Wolfskin was sheding water very well.It was chilly,but I was very comfortable,and certainly warmed up by all the action going on around me,and in the distance.There wasn't a second in the stand that I couldn't see deer.Did I mention the flock of turkeys that were hangin' around?

I would catch Peter in the distance once in a while,slipping around,he's quite a predator!

Suddenly, from the west, I see 4 deer running in my direction about 300yds away.A quick look thru the Leica's reveals 4 bucks...and one's a dandy!!!
These deer are coming the same way a doe with two fawns came from earlier,and they ended up in front of me.I can remember hoping these would follow suit.......

They went into the woodline about 200 yds away,the same general area the others had gone into earlier,best I could tell anyway......

Maybe ten minutes later I see some movement thru the willows.....Another look thru the glass......TINES!   He was still about 100yds,but looked to be on course with the earlier deer.But honestly I couldn't really tell which direction he was headed,and now I couldn't see him....

A minute later one of the little bucks he was with,a spike in velvet, came out at about 80yds,and looked toward the alfalfa.He was soon joined by the other two small bucks,two 6pts.......They kept looking back and I kept hoping as my heart raced......then movement came again thru the willows....he was coming!!!

Don't you dare leave this HANGING  :banghead:    :banghead:  


more....MORE.... MORE!

no way, this just aint fair!!!!!   :mad:      :mad:      :mad:

How can you leave us hanging like that, please please I want more.  Also thanks for sharing this awesome story and photos with us.

James

Would I do that???   :bigsmyl:  

He was leading the little bucks right to me,coming the same way the does had earlier.I tried not to look at him too much,but it was hard not to notice how much bigger,body wise,he was compared to his partners....he was thick!

I kept thinking,"he's just another deer,calm down,pick your spot,and drill um'"......

He(they) kept coming,very slowly,very cautiously.He was now within range to be in big trouble,but he's facing me as he slowly closes.At about 20yds he stops,turns broadside,and looks the other way,toward the alfalfa field.

It was time to kill him...I start to bring the string to my face,and just about to hit anchor..................................he turns back, quarters toward me
and continues to come closer.Now I'm at about full draw,and have four sets of eyes coming at me....I'm only about 9ft up in this crooked tree,but have a pretty good backround.....a bad tree in a good spot,is always better than a good tree in a bad spot anyday!!!   Here's the stand......

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06175.jpg)  

 Now he starts to cut in on a trail that goes acrossed a small ditch,this is my last opportunity,he's now about 15-17 yds,walking down into the ditch,but slightly quartering toward me.....the string slips,and another big Snuffer is on it's way.......The arrow disappears thru him about 1/3 of the way up his body,but a couple inches further back than I wanted.....


....He takes off on a short run,then stops after 30yds,stands there and looks around like nothing happened....I look quick with my bino's at the entrance hole,and don't see any blood coming out....but in no time I can tell he''s not doing well...he walks a little more and stops again,head hanging and mouth open....he lays down...gets up,takes a few steps and when I look back he was gone,laying down again I hope...his companions seem to cirlce the same spot a couple times,then walk off without him......I'm not sure he's still there,but the way the other bucks acted,they were talling me he was there,I just couldn't see him......My mind raced, I shook, I prayed,and I looked for my arrow with my glasses. I look back about 5 minutes later and see a patch of hide....he'd stood up again....then he walked a few slow stops and he was out of sight......OOOOH BOY!!!!    I noticed the rain was falling harder now........

  Althought I knew I had put a pretty good shot on him,there's always the doubt and second guessing that creeps into a hunters mind.......

...Thankfully the doe had run in the opposite direction and after wating an additional 30 minutes I couldn't take it anymore...I wanted to check my arrow...I knew I could get away with it,the wind was right and he was down lower than me.....and I wanted to find the doe before all the blood was washed away and it got too dark.....

The arrow revealed just as I had suspected....."green stuff",but I knew it had to hit at least the liver,if not at least one lung....but the doubt........

 Not much blood on the doe,but I knew the direction she went.I saw another buck as I looked.....I actually smelled her before I knew where she was, followed my nose right to her.......As she laid,w/Painless....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06154.jpg)

During a short picture taking session,I saw another good buck moving behind me....again...what a place!!

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06156.jpg)

I got together Peter and he was so happy about the doe....then I told him we had a little job to do in the morning......he went crazy!! I told him what had gone down....in his always positive way,he said,"If you put one of those big Snuffers thru him,we have nothing to worry about,we'll get him in the morning!"
With Peter and his million dollar smile(He had a better night than me,he just didn't kill anything)...He was so happy for me!!!!!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06164.jpg)

I would finally break in my knife from Jeremy,I'd saved it for this trip......

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/J.jpg)

After a quick dressing,it was off to dinner with another friend,and a restless nights sleep......

WOW. Thanks for sharing guys. It's stories like this that keep me going.

Todd

ALRIGHT CURT,I'm with Pete,if ya put a Snuffer thru im,I've got confidence in ya,he'll be there!!  :bigsmyl:

Those sure are big smiles!    :bigsmyl:    They should be -- you did good!!!

The plan was to get close to where I last saw him and glass the area to hopefully see him right there.........I was filled with so much anticipation and hope....but try as I might.....I couldn't see him.....

......then Tina and Pete noticed the flock of turkeys off to our right in the small field behind my stand....I could barely see them(the turkeys) from where I was......Pete,says,"there he is,there's your buck buddy"!!  There, in the middle of the flock of turkeys laid my buck.....I couldn't believe it.......all the doubt flushed out and the relief was almost overwelming.....I hugged Tina,I hugged Peter....it was a moment I'll never forget....we were all extremely happy...As you can see in the pic....one of the small jakes was actually strutting over him......later, marks in his hair would tell that they actually pecked him as he lay there .........

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06158.jpg)

a little closer,I still can't believe I stopped to take these pix( I wanted to get my hands on him),but I'm glad I did....some might think I was tellin' a tall tale....... (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06161.jpg)

The merriams......

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06165.jpg)

and the buck.....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06162.jpg)

....sometime after I last saw him,he apparently made his way to this spot and had dies 50yds behind my stand.........more tomorrow.....

Does this mean we gotta wait till morning also  :scared:    :scared:  

Good JOB Bud  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Man what a story ,good shooting,and thank you for taking us with you.

John

Way to go Curt. Two in one sitting. That is outstanding. Great story.

Danny

YEEEEEEEEEEHAA! Way to go bud!!!   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Awesome!

Way to go Curt  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:  I knew it was a matter of time and those snuffers were going to get a work out.Thats a awsome looking ranch you guys were hunting,Love the mountain with the snow on it and the turkey pictures are priceless.

Tracy

Congrats Bro! I knew you would get it done. I wanna see some more pics of that buck.  :thumbsup:    :notworthy:

awesome

Curt my friend,
What a great adventure! Sounds like you had the time of your life. Great story telling and the pictures have been increadible.
Way to go!

:bigsmyl:

Thanks guys....I still can't get over what a great time I had.....but there is more!!!!

I keep telling everyone around here that I'm suffering from P.M.S.   Post Montana Syndrome!!

After thanking his creator with a silent prayer,and admiring him for a while...we drug him close to the truck.Since it was still so early,I wanted to wait for better lighting for the pix.Peter had a spot in mind for a treestand,so we went and put it up to pass some time.....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06170.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06171.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06167.jpg)

After the stand was set,we got serious about the pix.....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06184.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06187.jpg)

let me uplaod some more......

Great buck Curt, notice you are using the baby Gorilla. Man , is there any better bang for the buck than that stand??!  :thumbsup:

I gotta say that his body is way bigger than it looks in the pix...here's more......

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06194.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06196.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06201.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06203.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06207.jpg)

TY sir! Those were awesome. Looks like you got anothe P&Y buck!  :notworthy:

Way to go Curt,He is a dandy,Sure wish I could have been there.Peter you did a fine job too,Thanks for everything.  :thumbsup:  

A P&Y for sure   :notworthy:  Good job with the pictures.

Tracy

I like the busted off right main beam, he looks like a scrapper!
Got a big buck down!!! ( oops , that is from a TV show..  :p  ) real sweet buck, gotta like them dark horns.
BD

Yes Chad...he's a dandy.....I'm the luckiest guy alive!!!

Tracy,Thanks bud...I wish you were there too!!

Thanks BD

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06212.jpg)

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06214.jpg)

Time for the "work" to begin...I asked Peter if I could have the honor of breaking in the knife I gave him from Doug...."absolutely!"

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06219.jpg)

By the way...you can see in the last pic where the arrow came out...

Luck?? Try feeding that to someone who doesn't know better.  :notworthy:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06220.jpg)

a little graphic....near lung and liver(tip of the knife)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06224.jpg)

The caping.....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06225.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06227.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06233.jpg)

I'm still smiling....

I'll try to get more up later........It gets even better!!

Did I mention the great time we were having??

Hey Curt I know a good taxidermist,    
I bet that one is going on the wall.

Ok,I am ready for some more.

Tracy

Way to go Curt!   :thumbsup:  Kudos to Peter too for making this all possible.  I'm looking forward to more pics and stories....


David

Congratulations, Curt! Gorgeous buck my friend, and truly a dream trip so far....and it get's even better YET??      :eek:   Wow!

(Man, I'm almost to the point where if these Tradganger adventures get much better I'm not even gonna bother hunting this season, everything's gonna pale in comparison already!!)  

NOT!!!!....... :bigsmyl:  

>>--Ron--<>

Man, it took awhile for my dial-up to load all the pics but it was well worth the wait. That's some great stuff Curt! I love the character in the buck's rack. I real trophy for sure. It couldn't have fallen to a better guy! My sincerest congrats!!!!! Now, anything else you care to divulge?  :readit:   Sandbagger!   :D  CK

Sandbagger???  Me thinks that you know something we don't Curtis, is our friend keeping something from us?      Not Curt....


David

You guys are the best.....Thank you

Some scenery pics....The gorgeous Crazy Mountains in the backround......I'm dissappointed that I didn't notice that the lens on my camera had gotten dirty.....I ruined a beautiful blue sky.....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06215.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06217.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06252.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06256.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06255.jpg)

Right-on Curt!  :D    :thumbsup:
I've been gone for 4 days and I just got caught up.  That is some good story tellin there Bud.  I'd heard some previews from Bill the other day and I've been looking forward to this.  Cant wait for the rest!

Enjoyed your story, dandy of a buck to.

I finally had the time to sit down read thru the whole thread. Great pics and stories Curt and Tracy! Sounds like the adventure was a success before you ever loosed an arrow  :notworthy:  

TK

Real nice buck and lots of great pictures.

Congradulations Curt!
Fantastic story,Great buck and Awesome pics.
Thanks Curt.

Sounds like a great time was had by all!! Super nice buck Curt,congrats!!  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Very nice!!! Congrats.

Curt,Nice deer really thick,you make it seem like we are there,Thanks for sharing...ED

What a great trip thanks for sharing, I'm glad you had such success.  Now you know why I moved back here this year, it is a wonderful state.

Man, what a hunt guys!!  Somebody let my wife know, we're movin' to Montana!!!!!!!

Hey Curt,

Congrats on a great hunt.  I remember praying a couple of years ago when you were injured that you would heal and have the chance to resume hunting.  I couldn't be happier for you, bro.

Stan

BTW, is it just me or does Pete really look like a rock star when he throws those shades on?    :cool:

Ok now on with the rest of the story. This is killin me.

Awesome buck,the color and shape if his rack is beautiful.Congrats!

Hey, now that buck is a DANDY!  Great story and pictures!  Thanks for making room for all us to join you along the trail!

Alright Curts up!!! more,more please  :D  

Tracy

Thanks again guys...I'm glad you're enjoying it....

Stan, Thank you Bro...than means a lot to me....I'm blown away by the wonderful things that have happened in my life since then...

We hunted again that afternnon after taking care of my buck and doe. By the way, the doe had a beautiful, super short haired cape with a lot of long red summer hair still in it.My plan is to mount the two of them together.Something to remember that incredible day forever.

That evening I went back to the same stand and Pete hunted the stand we put up that morning.Another great afternoon,with a ton of deer spotted,but most at a distance.Some were real nice bucks too,both mulies and whitetails.Pete had a lone doe come in,very cautiously.I was watching the whole thing from my stand about 100yds away.She was just about under him and spooked a little,jumped back a few steps,and was leaving.I watched Pete draw and shoot.....his arrow deflected off a branch.

We waited till dark,went to the truck and headed for his place.We had one more day to hunt,then I had to leave.The plan was to go to one of Bill's super secret,ace-in-the-hole elk spots.As we drove back pete got a hold of Bill,but Bill had to much going on at the archery shop(did I mention what a great shop he has?).So plan "B" was put into play.

We'd sleep in,go to Bill's shop to say goodbye,then head to Billing to hunt for the last afternoon to try to fill a couple antelope tags.

We said our goodbye's to Bill(another great Montanan I wish I could have spent more time with) and headed east........

The plan was to cruise around the same areas we had hunted last week to try to find either a stlking situation,or a good decoyable buck.

We camo'd up and started our last afternoon of hunting together.....

gotta go

congratulations, Curt...what a pretty buck..looks like Peter is a great guy to spend time with...nothing better than a cheerful campmate to MAKE a hunt great in every way possible, no matter what the "take". Good for you guys!

Fantastic story and pics, Curt.
The quintessential bow hunt.  :archer:

Ray and Martin.....I'd hate to say this hunt was better than any other I've been on...but Martin put it very well..."The quintessntial bow hunt"

...and yes Ray, Pete's an amazing dude!

 I'll try to finish this up later tonight...."Painless" isn't finished just yet......

QuoteOriginally posted by Guru:

 I'll try to finish this up later tonight...."Painless" isn't finished just yet......

Maybe it isn't "Painless" for you bud, but the suspense is killing the rest of us. Congrats Curt on a Great hunt. Awesome story and pics. Thanks for taking us along with you to Big Sky country.

Shoot Straight>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jim

I've been gone for a bit and had to come back here and catch up.  Way to go Curt!  That day will certainly be remembered fondly for years to come!
Now let's get on with the rest of the story!

...we knew this would be my last chance to fill my tag.I couldn't help but think all day about our bud Terry Green and the great buck he killed on the last afternoon of his hunt with Charlie and Vance....It fueled me to try to pull this off.


.. We found a couple nice bucks with herds of does and tried a couple decoy set-ups. But these guys were looking for love,not a fight.

 We jumped back in the truck and headed for a peice of property we'd gotten permission to hunt the week before when we were there......As we got to the back side of the property,we noticed a small herd of does with a nice buck.He wasn't too far from the road,and in a good spot for a short sneak......

.....Well I made just that, and as the does moved off,he stood just long enough to get a good shot off......

....Well three big feathers and 160 Snuffers aren't exactly the best combo to shoot in the ever present howling wind of the Montana prarie.....It was one of those arrows that when ya let go,ya just know it's good....but the wind....it seemed slow motion as the arrow arched high, and drifted further and further back before dropping in high into his hind end.....he took off running,and blood was immediately evident,but soon (about 30yds)lost control of his rear legs.It was like a delayed reaction spine shot....he tried to get up,but couldn't. It was time to sneak in for a follow up shot and I did just that.As I closed he tried to get up and took a Woodsman thru both shoulder blades....it was soon over....Pete and I each put a hand on him and said a silent prayer......another unbelieveable Montana experience with my Bud!!!

We loaded him up and took him to a different part of the ranch for pix......He's a great buck with lots for character,a goofy curve,an extra prong....

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT062872.jpg)


...and good mass....

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06267.jpg)

....Quality time.....

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06291.jpg)

...My ever present smile,got even bigger.....

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06272.jpg)

 And Pete's "million dollor smile"....

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06293.jpg)

Two Schafer's......

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06296.jpg)

My "Jeremy" knife got another good workout(yes,it's a bit rusted,it got wet in it's sheath the first day we packed in,sorry bud)....

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06299.jpg)

We tried for a little bit to see if we could double up....but we decided to call it the end...

we cleaned the truck...

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/MyMT06302.jpg)

It was over,and it was starting to hit me...I didn't want it to end..........

That pronghorn has some character!

What a great hunt! Congrats on the pronghorn.

Great Hunt and a Great story!!! Your pictures were great. Thanks Curt!!!

Good show Curt,I'd call that a dream hunt for sure!!  :wavey:

Once again, a pleasure to read about your exellent time in Montana. Thanks once again for sharing.

Todd

Curt,

Great story my friend. Even better pictures! I just came back from a long week of chasin elk with the lil' fella'. Sadly, we still have two un-punched elk tags! I spent 3 days from sun-up till sun down chasin a legitamite 340" class bull. As Rosey says..."That bull is un-huntable!" This bull was amazing. He was living in the middle of a huge alfalfa field with his 40 cows. There was no way to approach him as the wind was always wrong and he always had 80 sets of eyes watching his back. But I did manage to get within 75 yards of him on 2 occasions. Everytime I would close the gap, his cows would give us away and he'd just head out to the sage flat where there was no way of getting him. But thats elk hunting...as you now know! I'm back for a night to shower, shave and sleep in a bed. Then tommorrow morning I'm off again. Rumor has it this will be the best week here. A 530" non-typical bull was just killd in the Selway-Bitteroot area outside of Missoula, MT. So at least 1 guy in Montana has had some luck...A whole lot of it!!

Hmmm...I live in Montana and all my tags are still unfilled. Well except for the many doe tags I've been filling! But here a "city slicker" from NEW YORK comes out here and kills a P&Y antelope and whitetail. I better get my as in gear.

Good news is, I did finally get a haircut! I have mailed you the poem, poster and pictures you left here. Enjoy them my brother.

I'm already working on a new ranch for next years elk season. Rosey and I plan to check it out this spring.

I had a great time being your guide but now I better get some sleep and try to fill my tags. It goes without saying but you and ol' Momma P are always welcome again.

Here's looking forward to a life long friendship!

Best Peter

Congratulations on an incredible hunt, I have been wondering where that whitetail disappeared to I missed him earlier this year at fifteen yards I am glad you got him Craig

Curt, Congratulations! All of the elements of a great hunt and some impressive animals as well.

Congratulations on a great hunt guys.

The story and pictures were awesome...thanks for sharing them.

Pete,

Schafer taught you well my friend.  Your kind words will just make Guru smile from ear to ear 'til next season.................

Congrats on the goat bro! I knew you put some animals on the ground. Looks like you had the hunt of a lifetime.   :thumbsup:    :notworthy:

Curt......Congrats just don't seem to be enough.

I can't think of a more deserved reward for a DESERVING fellow.

Thanks for the hunt BUD........vance

congrats to all of ya!!   :thumbsup:  

I knew pete would get'cha in some good country but man ya didn't have to make the rest of us montana boys look bad!!   :mad:  

just kidding bud, you earned it!!

You guys are the best   :scared:  

....The next morning Pete bought breakfast,and got me to the airport with only minutes to spare,in typical Iacavazzi fashion.But I didn't mind at all.....As much as I wanted to get home,i really didn't want to leave......

.....I hate goodbyes,and I'm sure Peter could tell,to be honest with ya,I was teary eyed...

I felt as though I was leaving behind the   brother I always knew was out there...got to spend 11 amazing days with him...then had to leave him behind....

I've never had such a hard time ending a hunt!

Thank you my brother...I'll see you soon

WOW, That was an outstanding hunt and story. Congratulations.  :thumbsup:

Now THAT was a great story!!  Thanks for taking us all along for the hunt!

Don't worry about the knife bud, it'll clean right up. I knew I could count on you to get it bloody!   :)

Unbelievable hunt, thanks for taking us along Curt. Beautiful animals and certainly taken by a deserving hunter.

Now that you're home, get out there and MISS somethin for Pete's sake!!   :D  

Personal note: Be careful with those western hunts... they get in your blood! Glad you had a great time.  :thumbsup:

Miss something for Petes sake...Charlie, this "Guru" guy doesn't miss! Ol' Momma P (Tracy) and Curt are dead eye killers with thier bows. Every day during our stump shooting contests I'd be the one looking for my lost arrow and these two would be already picking out thier next target. You guys will have to get Tracy to tell ya about the amazing "Rabbit" hunting/shooting event we had in eastern MT.

Once again Curt...Great story! Thanks to your writing and photos I got to relive one of the best hunts I've ever shared! Lets hope its just the first of many.

The real hunt I'm looking forward to is when we get to bring Tanner and Cade along!

Well, I'm gonna finish my coffee and head back out...I'm not thru with the elk yet!

Hmmm...so those really were tears in your eyes at the airport...Here I just thought it was all the damn Montana dust and antelope stink you left in my truck.

Curt and Tracy I am already looking forward to our next adventure...but this time do you think I can get a shot...

Best Peter

Awesome story, guys!

Pete, you proved to be an excellent host! Never under estimate that "City Slickers" from NY. ability to shoot!

You guys are all great shots and know when it comes to crunch time!

Curt! Excellent job on those animals! Silvertips RULE!

Fantastic story and pics.  And thanks to all of you for sharing!

Curt what a fantastic hunt and story!!! Thanks for sharing your hunt and pictures with us. I have read and heard alot of things about Pete and Rosey and from your observations it is clear that they live up to there reps as awesome hunters and quality people. Thanks again for taking us along!   Dan

Congrads Curt!!I've been readin along and figured it was about time to say "congrads" LOL Thanks for sharing.

Congrats there Curt - great story and pics, as always!!!

Yeah Bud, as above...looks like an awesome trip!!

Congrats!

Excellent stories and photos, and some GREAT trophies too!  Montana is the place to be!  :thumbsup:

Good greif, take off a few days and look what I miss out on  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:  Great job guys and it was great seeing you guys just sorry it was so short and we missed Tracy. Those knives look good broke in too  :D  Thanks for sharing all of ya!

Thank you sir, some great pics and even better stories.   Makes the week I have to wait to start hunting all the harder, and yet easier at the same time.

Curt---  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:  ---Excellent-- I would not be surprised to be reading a book written by you someday---

......................Mark F.

Curt thank for the walk in Montana. Good time..Fred

heck, I have lived here in montana my whole life and in 43yrs I have never had a season that came together as well as yours did in one week.

You the man     :notworthy:     and I take back any negetive stuff I've ever said about New Yokers

envious in montana,

Just finished page 9.....   :thumbsup:

Great story and pics...Man I DO need to get high speed though...One page a night is a killer...LOL  :banghead:

Curt you did a great job of story telling,And I know you were keeping it short.I really injoyed are time togather,I am a little down myself.You were keeping the trip alive for me through you and I want to say thank you.But I know there will more hunts for us in the future.

Peter,You are a one of a kind.I wish I had youre energy.Thank you for everything you did to make this trip possible for me.I injoyed the stories,video's and pictures they were awsome,You have had some incredible friends in youre life and I think they were lucky to have you as one too.

Montana,Thank you I had wonderful time.You have a wonderful state and the people were great,I look forward to meeting more of you in the future.Next time though I hope to have some tags in my pocket,Look out you two Remember I have a fast release.

Again,Great job Curt and congrats on the fine animals.

Tracy

Curt, Peter & Tracy, Havn't ya got one more critter to talk about? I don't want this one to end. It took awhile for the pics on this ol dial up but boy was it worth it.

Thanks for letting us tag along.
Still pulling for you Peter, show us a big bull when you get him. RS

Peter... had the good fortune of getting to hunt with Curt in Texas last winter. I KNOW how he shoots!!!

This has been a great read and you all were blessed with this hunt.

Here's to many more just like it.   :thumbsup:

Peter, Tracy and Curt,

Thanks for taking us along, this was a great hunt from start to finish, and you guys told it in such a way that it was like we were there.  Thanks again.

David

Great story guys......truly great.

Thanks for taking us along.  I know how time consuming posting these hunts are....and I for one surely appreciate it more than you'll ever know.

All these great hunt stories are making it hard for me to keep up....and the season's just begining.

Till the next campfire.......

Very good story and photos. Nice to see a guy such as Peter take you guys out and put so much time and effort into a hunt.

By the way, Pete, Curt, Are you sure you two aren't brothers? Couple of those pictures of you two together would make any mother proud!

This story HAS to go in the CLASSICS ARCHIVES!

Curt you are truly blessed with your shooting skills, and Pete, you are a heck of a true gentleman to take these guys (Tracy too) under your wings, and let them experience one of the greatest bowhunting states in the country!

Paul Schafer would be proud of you guys!

The pics were a great visual journey! Kudos to all!

QuoteOriginally posted by Carcajou:
Pete, you are a heck of a true gentleman to take these guys (Tracy too) under your wings, and let them experience one of the greatest bowhunting states in the country!

No truer words where ever spoken,thanks Scott and everyone else,glad you'all enjoyed the journey.

There's some prelim plans for Pete to come visit his folks in NJ and joining me for a turkey hunt in May,and maybe the Muzzy shoot in Aug.  

I hope you make it bud. But NY turkeys hardly compares to Montana.   :(     but I guarantee we'll laugh alot and eat well    :bigsmyl:  

Thanks again for everything

My many thanks as well! This ol' dial-up makes following a thread with pics a real challenge but as has been said "anticipation is rewarding".
Hope to hunt with you again soon Curt! CK

Curt,

Do I have to wake up at 4 am to hunt turkeys? I know you like to awake at 4 am each day but some of us enjoy a lil' sleep now and again! Hmm...lots of food, laughs and the chance to shoot a turkey or two. I'm in. Presently I am still elkless. Seems all my critter mojo was spent on you!! But I haven't given up yet. This was a great thread, you did a fantastic job of keeping the "Trad Guys" on the edge of thier seat. Now pour yourself a cup of coffee...Oh wait you don't drink coffee ( what kind a guy doesn't drink coffee anyway?)Well pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa and start writing up a story for TBM. There are alot of guys out there that would love to read about you and "Momma P" and your Montana adventures. I'd love to sit here and write all day but It's awful hard to sit still with an unfilled elk tag in my pocket...

Best Peter

Curtis my friend,I look forward to it,just need to figure out where and how...won't be soon enought bud...

Peter,
Of course it'll mean getting up at 4:00,wouldn't have it any other way   :bigsmyl:  

But don't worry,you might get a nap in the blind.How'd the blind repair go?

Cade asked,out of the blue today,"how many more days is it till Peter comes?"  I mean totally out of nowhere....I told him not till next spring....He's really looking forward to meeting you bud,along with the rest of my family. I need to ask you about something for my wife....we'll talk soon.

TBM story...hmmmm...... get that tag filled,and I'll think about it.....

Sounds like you guys had a great time.  By the way Peter, youd better check the registration on your truck.  From the picture, I'd say your about a year and a half expired!!!!!

Curt,

Well I am still without elk...Don't ask! I better catch up on my sleep if I plan to kill a turkey next spring. I'm hoping to kill a nice "Tom" in Montana...As soon as you know who lets me! I will be around for the next week or so, give me a call or shoot me an e-mail regarding the wife thing. Tell Cade that I plan on coming next spring and I'll have my lil' Tanner with me!!

Bullof the woods...SShhh...you weren't supposed to notice that. Actually that truck should be sold by end of week. I'm now driving a big diesel...with valid tags.

Best Peter

Wow!  What an awesone read!  I just managed to finish this one, I was always a few days behind.  Thanks for taking the time to share the trip.  I laughed, I stopped breathing, I might have even cried at the end (well, not really but I hated to see it end).

Congrats on all of the great animals and good times!!  Thanks again for taking us along!