Scouting mission

[salmonchaser]

Spent a little time scouting from the air this morning, pretty smoky and very bumpy. North E

North East Oregon, about 35 minutes from the house in the 172.


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[6mm Remington]

Wow pretty country.

 

[salmonchaser]

It was a fun flight but the thermals were banging me around pretty good. Cut across a ridge to try and get a close up of some Mtn. Goats and damn near joined em. I think her exact words were Ok dumb ass let’s go back up.


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[DrMike]

How successful was your scouting mission? Did you find what you were looking for?

 

[salmonchaser]

It was successful. We are going back into hells canyon this year having not hunted it for 20 years. A fire went through at that time. Where the reprod has come back it is very very thick. Since we don’t have much time to scout I now know where I don’t want to look.
Did land at Memaloose, dirt strip. Hiked out a ridge and saw plenty of sign. Flew up to Lord flat air strip but didn’t like the feel of it. Saw a giant herd off elk of the north west side of the flat. It was a fun morning.


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[Guy Miner]

Seems like a great, but harrowing morning & flight.

Glad you're back to fill us in. Too many light planes out there on the sides of mountains.

Have a blast on that hunt! I used to love going into mountain country like that. Older, slower and more banged up now. Hmmm... I'd have to want to hike in there awfully bad to make it happen anymore.

Guy

 

[salmonchaser]

Mountain flying is quite exciting, I’m often reminded there are old bush pilots and bold bush pilots but no old and bold bush pilots. I like being old and getting older.
We didn’t see game because I was giving the terrain 2000 feet.
Why the hell the boys want to go in there now is beyond me, Hells Canyon is so dang rough.


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[Elkman]

I spent a couple of fun filled weeks on a wildfire near Pittsburg Landing, a few years ago as well as a couple of other similar events in the Salmon River Canyons. It's never fun, having flown in both fixed wing and rotorcraft, I think the Helicopters are more stable. I love that country and have hunted it in the past, but it's too steep for me now. Good luck with that one Don.

 

[salmonchaser]

Thanks Bill[emoji23]. I’ve been on the upper end of nine mile ridge about every other morning. It’s 20 min. To the trailhead. I take the dogs in to get in shape, me as well. Now that the smoke is clearing out I’ve been seeing some elk. Couple days ago I had cat tracks on top of ours and the dog’s treed a small black bear.
I’m hunting hells canyon for deer, chesnimus for elk.


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[PJGunner]

I saw the pictures and my knees said, Hell no!" :roll: I'm too old for those shenanigans.
Paul B.

 

[FOTIS]

Gorgeous mountains.

 

[salmonchaser]

Went in on the road today, damn sure looks rough


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[DrMike]

Lovely, but challenging. There is potential there, but lots of work to find and to bring out any critter you should seek.

 

[salmonchaser]

Well I saw some pretty good deer. There is a monster living in the rocks just over that stump, about 1200 yards away. Map work indicated -2500 feet in 3/4 mile, a six mile hike side hilling through this country and then finding a way up to him. He’s still there.
Found the little fork horn on a little flat spot. Some how some old cowboy had built a holding area up here. I started at 6200 feet, elevation here was 4500 feet; I was .8 miles from my truck. I ate lunch, hydrated, considered the logic of shooting him, he’s still there.
My brother took a fall, thankfully just starting out and we were able to get him to camp. Monday it was clear he needed medical attention so we struck camp. Hells Canyon kicked my butt again.

The snake river 6000 feet below and a mile away.
Those benches look inviting, getting down there, 3000 feet, is tough:
Don’t know who put the flag up, it was there shortly after the president was diagnosed with COVID.
No wood stoves due to fire danger. Lowest temp was 50 degrees @7,000 feet. High was about 76.

 

[DrMike]

That is definitely rugged country. I can see how animals who occupy that territory are safe from most hunters. Country such as that is a challenge in its own right. And yet, what awe-inspiring scenery. Thanks for taking us along via the photos. Hope your brother recovers quickly.

 

[sask boy]

SC that is some beautiful but rugged country . Thank you for the photos and tour, I pray that your brother will be healed in no time.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[salmonchaser]

MRI says he ruptured a disk. Doc told him he might have to give up hunting this year, brother told him to hide and watch he’s going elk hunting.


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[Elkman]

That's really too bad, hope he gets it taken care of, most likely it will not improve on its own. Most here do not realize that Hells Canyon, is the deepest canyon in North America, the canyon is 8,043 feet (2,452 meters) deep. Even deeper than the Grand Canyon. Great Chukar hunting I am told. But most "including me" will not venture down to find them.

 

[salmonchaser]

There were a ton of chukar. Also saw Big horns, Mountain goats, Mountain lions-missed at long range, Lynx, sow with cubs, Elk and wolves. It is a hell of a cool place to go just to visit.


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[wvbuckbuster]

Sorry to about your brother. Hope he will get it taken care of and no long term problems. Great pictures. Really pretty country. Dan.