Princeton Hunt

Laura, Madigan and I stayed in the Princeton Municipal campground.  I unloaded the Adventurer camper on site with the city water and electricity.  There was a portable honeypot I was able to use a few times in the week to unload the black and grey water central sani dump.  I used the Ford 350 to tow the trailer with the Honda 420 Ranger quad up into the mountains or into the valley.  Laura stayed with the camper reading, doing cross words, napping, drinking coffee, doing cross roads, making sandwiches.  Madigan I were hunting

I should sit in ambush or walk more in the woods. But the camp opened their gates at 7 am. Sunrise was 630 to 700 and it took a half hour to get to any hunting area.  At best I was in the woods at 8 am.  Not the before dawn start my mentor Bill Mewhort, Obi Wan Hunter would have insisted on. But most morning deer I have shot have been around 10 am or evening at dusk. The grouse I shot this trip were anytime from 8 am to 1 pm.  

I saw a couple of bucks and saw other guys get a couple of deer. In the town there were dozens of doe. I say I’m on a grouse hunt and if I were to shoot a deer it would be an ‘enhanced grouse hunt’ or ‘grouse hunt with benefits’. 

The fact is the weather was splendid.  One day of rain which is good for hunting and another day of bone cold chill despite long johns and fleece coats and scarves.  The scenery was so inspiring, evergreen, and changing autumn colours with explosions of gold and orange.  I loved the blue sky and cloud formation with views of hills going for miles. Fog filled the valley a couple of mornings.  

I am afraid of walking much in the woods as I’ve become older and less stable on my feet. Once called ‘Billy goat gruff’ for running down mountains, Laura joked and called me “Biden’ when I stumbled climbing steps.  Frankly I’m afraid of slipping and breaking a limb out in the wilderness something I never even thought of a few years back.  Also the last deer I shot a few years back was only a hundred yards off the road but pulling it through the debris and stumps and over logs was brutual.  I just don’t have the strength so I have become the road hunter I made fun of younger. I don’t stray far from the trails and logging roads.  It’s humbling but I still enjoy the glorious outdoors. The fragrances of foliage and autumn were exquisite. The sights were so uplifting. Nature at its best.  Having my trusty companion along was great fun too. He loves hunting and loves riding on the back of the quad.  He was especially proud when I’d shoot a grouse and he’d run off to fetch it waddling back carrying a bird half his size.  He’d drop it at my feet. I’d dress it and give him the heart and liver as a treat. The grouse breast is a delicacy I enjoy mostly with rice fried with butter and marmalade or just barbecued.

It was dark by 630 and I had loaded the trailer with the quad , locked my Ruger 3006 and 20 guage shot gun in the truck and headed back. I’d be with Laura around 700 to 730 pm after dark and barbecue steaks, pork or chicken.  I picked up pizza one time and A&W burgers and fries another time as I had to travel through town.  It’s a bit like Glamping, fairly comfortable with both propane and electric heat.  In the morning the sunrise was mauve and at night deep Halloween orange colours. 

I had the star link wifi up and did some work respeonding to calls in the afternoon. I mostly enjoyed reading.  Madigan was so exhausted he curled up asleep right after dinner. We weren’t long after, climbing into bed between 9 and 10 and reading ebooks till falling asleep.

We’ve really enjoyed the camper and camping away from the city, off with nature. It’s healing. I joke saying I’m a summer pagan worshiping the sun and outdoors and winter Christian enjoying church services when winter shuts down summer.  I once enjoyed the winter with cross country and down hill skiing, ice fishing, and winter camping but now I’m afraid of the icy roads and simply don’t like cold so much.  I ache in cold’

This trip I had a moment of scare. I had parked the quad on a slight up hill to walk into the woods and sit in ambush looking down over the a great slash at the top of Copper Mountain.  The only trouble was I was stiff unsaddling and slipped and grabbed the handle bar to steady myself. I still fell but falling I’d also released the brake on the handlebar.  Struggling to get up I saw the quad head backwards slowly down the hill headed for the cliff on the right hand side of the road.  I got up and tried to jump on the quad, this is a guy who mounted horses as a youth by straggling them, but no more. There’s a major disconnect between my ideas of myself and reality so all that happened is I banged into the side of the quad smashing my shin rather than getting my leg over the saddle. Worse I fell again and was rolling down the road having landed hard on my hip. Thank god for fat at times like this. My butt cushioned the impact. I had successfully changed the direction of the quad so it smashed and rolled into the right hand ditch.  It didn’t flip but almost coming back onto all four while the keys had been throw out of the quad on the tilt.  I thought the keys had been lost on the roll and was concerned as I limped about thanking God finding the keys under the quad.  No big deal getting it out of the ditch and settled in park and brake on a flat stretch.

I hurt and I was shaking and I was not happy but I was thanking God for saving me and Madigan and the quad and my rifles.  Madigan had jumped clear.  I couldn’t find Advil but was thankful for the coffee I had.  A while later a couple of young guys passed in a truck and I wondered if they hadn’t seen what had occurred from further up the mountain and were just driving by to check if I was okay.  They stopped said , “Hi’ and carried on.  Leaving me with some face.  

It reminded me some of the time the truck began to slide backwards on an icy hill when I was getting the winch line out to run to a tree to help me up.  I jumped in the truck and with gassing it forward and pumping the brake and turning the tires saved myself and truck going off a cliff.  Pretty scarey and one of the more dangerous of winter hunting stunts I’d partaken in.

I am much more risk averse.  I was glad to get down the mountain early and get some ibuprofen and lie down.  Laura made soup and sandwich and commiserated with my kerfuffle.

I made a log fire with wood I’d carried in the trailer since August but not been able to use because of the fire ban which was finally lifted. I enjoyed sitting watching the fire and enjoying the smell of woodsmoke. Coming across logging operations in the back woods I’d enjoyed the scent of fresh cut timber.  Years back with a sinus infection and antibiotics I’d lost half my sense of smell so am so thankful when I can appreciate fragrances.

Other than that event the whole hunt was glorious . Even being saved by God had its appeal. Often I am just thankful that my truck is where I left it and often that I find my way out of where I’ve gone getting turned around on side logging roads.  I’ve spent hours trying to find my way back out of the unmarked trails of some maize.  The logging mains are numbered so I’m always happy when I find I’m on one and going down hill.  There’s many downhill roads so it’s easy to come in on one and come out somewhere else.  I’ve even lost my truck once when I first came to BC and didn’t have a clue about the way logging roads were distributed. I’d come from the east grid pattern and got lost a bunch early years.

We were sorry when the hunting trip was done. The fall happened on the Sunday and I chose to skip the evening hunted , too sore and stiff despite ipuprofen and rest. I loaded the camper on the truck so in the morning packing up went well.  We stopped at A&W on the way home and made sure Madigan got a burger while we had bacon egger , hashbrowns and coffee.  It was an easy ride with little traffic back to where we stow the camper before driving home to Burnaby.  It’s a day travel and set up and take down with any trip. For many years we’d do a three day weekend then a four day weekend and now it’s just great to have 10 days to justify all the travel, loading and unloading. We’ve become good at it too.  

What a wonderful vacation with Laura and Madigan.  Thank you Jesus. Thank you God. Thank you Creator!!!!

Thanksgiving Weekend,Princeton

Laura and I have a long history of Thanksgiving Weekend hunts,  Good times with dogs and terrific autumn weather.  She stays at the motel or cabin and I and the dog go hunting. Previous years I’ve shot bear and dear and turkey. This year I shot lots of grouse but the piece de resistance was Madigan fetching them for me.  He did one time bring it to me and proceed to chew on it in front of me.  I discouraged that taking the bird and quite frankly verbally abusing the mutt.

”I shot that bird. You wouldn’t have got it on your own. I share. You bring it to me, I take it and later I share.!”  He got the picture and loves praise. So after that one time we returned to his fetching the birds and dropping them at my feet.

I loved the Honda 420 quad .  Madigan and I rode all over the back woods. Of course I heard my guide friend Bill saying, “You’ve to stop moving if you are to get any big game Best to sit in ambush. “

My dad would say, you see more game  sitting or walking than you’ll ever see from a vehicle.” The trouble is we like riding about in the ATV and we do see grouse.

The ride out to Princeton picking up the trailer and ATV in Chilliwack, there was traffic slow down due to construction but we kept moving. The leaves were changing with lots of yellow and orange going through Manning Park.  I’d been concerned about parking with the trailer but there was plenty of street parking near Ace Motel. I’ve been staying there for years. There’s a new Korean family in charge replacing the last Korean owners since before Covid.  The rooms were immaculate and even elegant. Lovely bathroom, couch and comfortable bed. We loved that it was right in town.  Having unloaded what I didn’t want to leave in the truck we wandered about town going into the terrific Outdoors store. Their stock was depleted due to their suppliers having empty shelves.  I did get Laura a knife and enjoyed the visit. I’ve been stopping there for a couple of decade The owner and his wife are totally knowledgaable congenial and know the local area so well. Once I bought a lure and asked where to fish and sure enough they directed me to a stocked lake and I caught rainbow.

Laura came with me for the night hunt since we just had time to drive up the easy mountain main towing the trailer knowing I’d have to turn about somewhere. Madigan and I were pleased to get a grouse.  A good start. The trip back in the dark didn’t please Laura who is literally blind at night. She was glad to get back to our Motel.  I had to unload the pack and rifles each trip.  Not far though.

Pasha’s Pizza and Indian Food was the best, We had thelasagna and garlic bread take out. It was absolutely delicious with just a faint spicing of cumin plus the tradition Mediterranean spices. The cook and presumably owner is a beautiful delightful woman happy and friendly while working  serving customers.

I was up at 6 to be at the A&W for 7.  I learned later it opened at 6 am so was earlier the next couple of days.  I had planned to go out Henly where I’ve shot a lot of grouse in past years. When I took a cabin for Laura at the Princeton Castles or left the camper there this was my favourite hunting road.  The sun was well up when I unloaded the ATV fro the trailer and then loaded all the gear on . I have a short leash that clasps onto Madigan’s harness as he sits behind me. A couple of times he’s fallen off his seat into the foot well but the leash keeps him above the road, Each time I just lifted him back up with the harness. I could tell he was thankful.  He then for a while tried not to lean out toofar to peer around me.  

I shot more grouse that day and he’d fetch them. He was so proud and happy and we really do like hunting grouse together. It always reminds me of the very good times with Dad and my brother Ron hunting Prairie Chicken and Partridge on the prairies growing up.

The scenery in autumn is glorious. Sunny days, blue skies. Chilly in the evening but hot by late morning.  I explored everywhere I could go encountering a couple of other hunters on ATV’s or in trucks.  

Back in Princeton I took Laura to our favourite coffee shop by the bridge, Thomasina’s.  Laura had home made Peach Pie and I had the delicious meat pie. It was great to sit outside on the street and enjoy the ambience. A touch of Europe in Canada. 

I didn’t make it out for night hunt but instead had take out Steak and Prawns from Little Creek Grill. The food was incredible. We watched Operation Seawolf on the on demand in room big tv with Madigan happy to accept little bits of our dinners.  The cheese cake for desert was the best too.  We have take out so we can stay with Madigan but also we like it.  Cozy.  

Knowing A&W opened at 6, I was up at 5 in the dark loading the truck and first to get A&W sausage egger and hash browns with double double coffee and a thermos of more coffee.  Over the years we’ve become soft and enjoyed collecting A&W breakfast and coffee to eat as we drive into the woods for a day hunt. I drove up Jura again but this time headed all the way to Fry where I’d seen a place big enough to leave truck and trailer and have room to turn around. I imagined heading up Fry as the light came up enough to shoot. I had the ATV unloaded and gear loaded. I was just about to start it up when another ATV and small truck careened off Jura at high speed heading up Fry. So much for my slow quiet chugging along and plan to sit in ambush up the mountain.

I decided to head up Jura more exploring so far being the first that morning.  This turned out to be godly. I phoned Laura on my satellite phone and let her know my plan. I’d leave her messages on the cell phone or sat through out the day so she’d know approximately which logging road and how far I was. The logging roads have Km sign so knowing I’d taken a side road at 32 km on Jura narrowed the search if anything went wrong.  Younger I never concerned my self with such things, no one knowing where I was for a week or more at a tie,  but now I’m much cautious and simply don’t want to inconvenience search and rescue should I need help. I’m older and it’s becoming more apparent with all the aches and pains .

The blessing was meeting Anna and the meerkats in their SUV along with their friend Nicole on the Moosecamp road. What a joy to meet up. We’d talked of this weeks before but I’d not been able to find their camp then but this time it was just happenstance. Synchronicity. Luck - god acting anonymously.

 Anna rcognied me as I passed her on the logging road. What a riot to see this car load of kids grouse hunting. Kenda, Izac, Alex and the two little guys Billy and Bobby.  Izek had shot a deer and showed me his belt knife.  ‘We say they will get a big knife when they shoot big game’. Anna shared.   Alex showed me his leatherman.  Later Kendra would show me her mermaid bathing suit. Kids are funny. Bobby and Billy in there car seats looked like twins and were just wide eyed with curiosity.  

We separated and later I got lost in the back woods after turning around on this rock strewn sharply descending trail. The trouble is a trail can get treacherous real fast and you need a bit to turn around on these trails with drop off precipices.  I even had to back out of one horrible bit the next day but this day I eventually found a flat enough area to turn and then headed back up over great boulders standing and balancing and cursing myself for getting in this mess.  Having got out of that I was turned around and rode for an hour or more with the gas tank depleting int this endless area of great hunting.  I just don’t like not knowing where I am if only vaguely. I began marking the trail and places I’d been with the gas tank half empty and considering when to add my half tank spare, concerned that the gas had sat for a year. I got out the compass and began to go into navigation mode checking the gps and knowing I had the sat phone wondering if I’d have to phone Laura to get someone to give me advice on how to get out of the warren of roads.  I prayed . I pray a lot hunting. It’s a major mental activity, the constant praying and talking with Jesus.  An ongoing conversation including Madigan.

I experience a lot of the ‘flow’ and have a lot of gratitude out in the woods. Breathing the air is so wondrous with the smells of plant life, passing swamps, burn area, creeks. It’s an amazing eye and nose smorgasboard.  

I found my way out having got turned about coming off the rock slide trail.  I then had to drive to the end of a couple of long dead ends till I actually found my way back the main. It was a relief to find Moose camp again ,the little lake I’d passed and knew.  

I was glad for an outhouse at that point only I had put my cell phone into my back pocket to have with me along with the sat phone , only when I undid my trousers facing the hole the cell phone flipped out onto the floor but bounced against the toilet wall and slid down under the floor,.  I could touch it but couln’t get a hold on it. Every campers nightmare. I’ve had a life time of caution with outhouses fearing loosing knives or anything down the hole. There was a father and son hunting at the campsite with their truck when I pulled in. I checked my gear for any tool kicking myself for leaving the needle nosed pliers I’d just bought in the truck. They had a larger set of pliars which I tried but the hole in the floor was too narrow. There was simply no other way. I had to reach down in the shallow outhouse toilet through to the outside wall where the phone was wedged again. I was able to push it out and retrieve it. I did consider chopping off my hand after that but had Clorox wipes and decided after I’d cleaned phone and hands as much as I could I’d have a swim and wash then the Irish spring soap into the lake,. The trouble with quadding is dust.  The water was freezing but it was hot out and I went nude into the lake off the dilapidated dock.  A great refreshing sensation after soaping off with the Irish spring I felt clean again. 

Dressed and packing up my gear the Bustards En mass arrived. Nicole had had to go early but Devin was with them. The kids got into the canvas hot tub water with Kendra in her mermaid bathing suit.  Kevin talked hunting and guns and game with Devin and Me while Anna talked with the father and son. 

They’ d all camped here but a couple had been drunk and played loud music all night so they moved their camp further around the lake. The drunk girlfriend at 5 am was running along the rocky lakeshore near their camp and began screaming having broken her ankle. This required a major rescue action with a make shift stretcher to get her out to the canoe which they then pulled out with their quad.  What an amazing wee morning story. The bf was going to drive her to Merrit where they thought there was more medical resources that Princeton.

After that tale of horror with pictures Kevin showed me they took me to their camp two minutes away. I loved their great igloo shaped tent and the smaller tent for the boys the guide like set up of the area with Anna’s cooking area Madigan loved playing with the kids. The older kids would lead off and billy and Bobby would follow and madigan would go with the two little guys.  Great mark twain like adventures. Kevin and Anna and I were talking while these child adventures were happening. Next they were all on the ground.  Madigan loved it. It reminded me of my childhood growing up outdoors camping summers having the best time of my life. The kids didn’t wear shoes Kevin commenting on Kendra running on rocks and reminding me how we did the same not wearing shoes in the summer, hiking barefoot everywhere,  Incredile, What a great family. I liked Kevin showing me his sat message GPS device they could call out on in case of medical emergencies. They had Walky talkies. Too.  

He topped my tank up with gas saving me from unloading my gear to get at my spare, and even gave Madigan a little deer sausage meat.  Madigan was too excited there but ate it back at the motel.  I had Welch raisin cookies and gave them to the kids to share, Then I was back on the road.

I found my way back to Fry and loaded up and headed out. I wasn’t more than 10 km when I heard this racket ,stopped and found I had a flat.  

I put out my recently acquired hazard signs to the front and back and proceeded to get the equipment, Jack and tire iron needed to change the tire. I hadn’t changed a tire in 25 years. I had the excellent ford book but it took a while to find I needed to use my key to open the hole for inserting the pole to release the spare wheel under the the truck,  

I’d phoned Laura and left a message saying I had a flat and could she find out if there was a wilderness tow service in case I couldn’t do this. Fortunately it was 2 in the afternoon. Then the angels arrived. A truck stopped and asked if I needed help. I said I was having trouble releaseing the spare.  So this whole crew I’d later learn were from Langly parked their truck got out and took over the whole operation. I had laid out a tarp and been under to inspect the spare tire but this one fellow ,was right under and guided the release pole. Then with the spare out he managed to get the tether released with the help of another fellow who had brought out some grease to help loosen the tether bolt.  Another fellow was setting up the jack I had out while one of the girls, a laughing enthusiastic delight, was loosening the lug nuts saying how she loved this part.  The guys had the truck lifted on the jack. I’d blocked the tires already and then the difficult thing happened,  The old tire would not come off. Well that would have stymied me alone. The two guys just began kicking it and said it would be best if we had a long handled axe or ball peen hammer but it released with their major kicks. Then they put on the spare and the girl added the lug nuts.The truck was lowered.  Done.  Doing the faux pas I asked if they would accept money and they all laughed pleasantly shaking their heads.  Good samaritans They acted like a pit crew all working together like I was in a Trueman Show rally . I felt touched by grace and they were the best crew of angels a person could hope for out beyond the wire.

I continued on my journey and there was  another grouse I shot and madigan fetched. It was amazing how long the grouse waited for me given I was having a time finding shells with the zippers sticking on my jacket or the 20 guage shot gun strap tangling.  I actually only missed a couple on the weekend because they got bored and flew away. It was a great hunt seeing the Bustards, being rescued and getting a grouse.

We had Pasha’s Pizza that night and it was delicious,

I was thrashed. Shared the stories with Laura and showed her pictures of the kids and later the Langley crew,

In the morning I just drove up Copper Mountain with my A&W breakfast coffee and thermos in the dark, unloading the ATV and heading up as the sky turned orange with dawn,  I had hoped for a deer as I was there at the best time but instead I just mozied along in the ATV enjoying riding about as the clouds passed over and the sun appeared. I stopped often and sat watching the valleys for a half hour or so. I used to sit for hours but Madigan and I both enjoyed the ATV so back we went shooting another grouse. We even almost collided with a moose. All the deer I’d seen were does except a fast moving buck who ran across the road before I could even load my rifle the first day. Almost colliding with a great female moose they’re so big was an event.  

Then it was home and Thanksgiving Dinner. Billy’s Restaurant had a great turkey dinner and we enjoyed eating it watching more tv.  

The next day I bought an air pressure guage at Lordco rather than search the truck to find the one I am sure I had.  Loaded up we stopped at the Chrevron to top up the spare before heading down the mountain with our A&W breakfasts and coffee.

It all went so smoothly even parking the ATV and trailer in Chilliwack.  

It was great to get home and find every thing safe and undisturbed. I was glad to address a little work and get the mail and collect food for our dinnner.  I barbecued steaks and we had them with potatoes, butter and sour cream, peas and Hagen daz  ice cream for desert. Great meal. We watched Brad Pitt in Bullet Train and it was a fabulous romp.  

I was glad for bed and sleep aching all over with a wind burnt face.  Madigan was sad as I was seeing Laura off in her little SMART Car.  She has to work later this morning as do I.

I’ve 6 more grouse in the freezer and it was a god send of a Thanksgiving weekend. What a joy!  Thank you Jesus. Thank you God. Thank you for Ace Motel, the Ford and Honda, the hunting gear, Princeton Town, Pasha Pizza and Indian Food, Thomasina’s, Little Creek Grill, Lordco and Chevron, the Princeton Hunting Store, the Bustards and the Meerkats, the Langley Truck Rescue Crew and all the good times and grace.

Thank you.

  

Opening of Rifle Season

Last week it was opening of bow hunting. Laura and I were in Cariboo.  Sept. 10 was opening of rifle season.  That meant I could shoot a deer with a rifle but more importantly grouse season opened.

Packing for a weekend hunt takes as much ‘stuff’ as packing for a ‘month’ hunt. The only difference is the amount of food but the equipment is the same.  

My camper is still in repairs but thankfully no longer at Frazerway which sold me a damaged unit and lied for a year about having it ready by this spring.  All winter the Frazerway folk gas lighted and ghosted and were evil so I was glad to retrieve the unit and transfer it’s care to another reputable RV service.  Amazingly I read a complaint on the Better Business Bureau site almost identical to the abusive experience I had.  I am so thankful to have the unit in good hands without all the sociopathic behaviour. Hopefully we’ll be back in the camper soon.

This experience tenting made me appreciate and miss the camper. I was so lucky though the weather was great. Sleeping on the ground was painful but waking in the rain would have made it all a lot worse.  

Friday it was all I could do to get packed and pick up my ATV from John’s Chilliwack RV Storage. I was only missing one key and thankful to have my bolt cutter concealed in the truck.  The whole back seat of the truck was packed so I had to unpack it to find the bolt cutter.  Challenges after challenges.  Good to see John who is always so positive and helpful.  

I had my Iridium Satellite Phone from Ralf’s Mobile Electronics but I’d not renewed my subscription. I phoned them but before they could get back to me I’d bought a Garmin InReach which uses Iridium for texts and SOS from Cabelas. I’d stopped for more 30:06 ammo but they were really low and had no 180 grain.  Fortunately I have enough and did get my little propane containers for the stove. They were sold out of mule deer tags so I was glad I had ordered one at least on line.  Cabelas is a fabulous store with great stock but the staff are often ‘surly’ and unhelpful. They come acrosss as ‘superior’ too in that old ‘Holt Renfrew’ shop girl way.  Irritating to have to deal with negative attitude when spending a lot of money on ‘recreation’.  They need to take some lessons in customer relations from Reliable or Italian Sports. I just love shopping at those places because the staff are so enthusiastic and knowledgeable and helpful.  Cabelas just has the advantage of being en route.  

Madigan and I stopped at Macdonalds on the way out of Abbotsford for the requisite burger patty for the dog.  I had the quarter pounder with cheese.  We were on our way.

At Chilliwack with the trailer we stopped at Canada Tire for the Iridium package but they didn’t know either how to get the Garmin package they mentioned on line. Thankfully Ralf’s called me and used my credit card on file to do another 6 month satelite subscription so I could be in the wilderness with emergency communication capability and stay in touch with the clinics.  I didn’t need the new Garmin Inreach but now have back up.

I loved driving my Ford F-350 pulling my trailer with Honda 420 Rancher with my happy co pilot Madigan.  There was fire at Hope and we saw the helicopter dousing it with buckets from the water. Lots of smoke.  Thankfully no road closure. As I drove I listened to a Johnstone Preacher Westrn on a “movie in your mind’ audio book.  Life was good. On the road again.  Madigan curled up against my side when he wasn’t standing up looking out his side window.  

I donated a kidney and filled up with gas for the truck and 15 gallons of containers and for the ATV. At the Princeton Grocery store I stopped for last minute supplies having phoned Laura who told me sun down was in an hour.  Not only was I going to be camping again but I was going to be setting up a tent in the dark. I did that for decades on my weekend hunts when I headed out at night so I’d be in place for a dawn hunt. This time I was just slow and old and looking forward to having a place to sleep.

I had planned on Chain Lakes and there was a ‘first come first serve’ camp space available. All the lake side were taken and if I’d not dilly dallied I might have had one but I did get a space where I could just drive in with the trailer. I’m impossibly bad at backing up trailers. Dave and Mack have been giving my pointers and I actually understood what Dave had told me about holding the underside of the wheel and that would show me the way the trailer was turning.  

I got parked. I found the 1000 Lumen battery operated lantern I actually had the new headlamp where I could find it.  Setting up the North Face 4 man tent really was easy even though it was years since I did it.  I even put in the rug and sleeping bags and was ready for bed.  The only problem was I’d not brought Madigan’s jacket and he and I were both cold in the middle of the night. I got up to pee and it was chilly.  My Mountain Equipment Cooo. Draco neg 7 degree sleeping bag was great and I circled the other Draco O degree sleeping bag around Madigan to keep him warm. The next two nights I laid out my hunting jacket for him and wore a sweater to bed myself.  The nights were except whenever I turned on the ground my back hurt and woke me. I’m not a happy camper sleeping on the ground.  I had the Coleman cot but I never used it using a too thin ‘pad’ instead. I’m planning on a trip to MEC to get a state of the art pad or inflatable. I’ve tried everything to date and frankly the best camping sleep is off the ground in an RV with a good mattress. I missed my camper sleeping.

I did enjoy making coffee on the pic nic table with the Coleman 2 burner, one dead, old camp stove. I’d lost the knob somewhere and some time. That stove was 30 years old and still working fine.  I had the little propane cans from Cabelas. I had the Italian stovetop  Expresso machine where two pots gave me enough coffee to fill the thermos and have a cup for me. I had bananas too.  Honey and canned milk.  

I didn’t feel like hunting.

I’d woken at 7 am and could head out on the ATV but decided I’d try to hook up with the Bustards who were hunting that weekend with all their kids nearby.  The idea of a hide and seek adventure driving about in the truck seemed a better plan.  I packed up my tent and got back in the truck enjoying the comfort.  I found Hembrie turnoff,  I didn’ realize this was the FSR I’d just used a couple of years ago when I took Laura to stay at the Princeton Castles resort.  A lovely hunting area. I enjoyed drinking coffee and driving back roads.  I never found where the Bustards were and had a bitch of a time turning around with the trailer behind me.  I managed it and then decided I’d get an A&W burger and try finding it from the Loon Lake side.  Another long drive in the truck listening to an audio western enjoying myself sight seeing.

I saw a little bear on the road side grabbing my rifle from the back seat but realizing how young it was when i walked over to it and literally had to shoo it away. I had the camera and the rifle and took pictures instead.  Curious fellow.  Shit fur by the nose.  More like a big dog.  In a few years he might be food but not now. 

I later did see a big bear bolt across the road going to fast for me to do anything but look where it disappeared to.

I wasn’t happy coming down Dillard logging road into a steep ravine. The road had become a trail and there simply was not where to turn around with just a truck let alone with a trailer. Then the road was washed out causing me to pray as I drove at an angle half on the wall to get past the bad part. I stopped and walked forward and thankfully it got better. I’d decided looking down into death and crash that I was not having fun so I’d head out to the area where I knew the trails. This exploring had gone far enough.  I was a bit shook up though it was not nearly as scarey as the roads I’d taken on in the Broncho II and Ranger 25 years ago.  I was crazier then.  I have an ATV for these stunts not this truck I need for towing RV and for my Camper.  Silly.

I headed back through Princeton I’d come across Alene and Methusala and another M named lake.  Back west of Princeton I was in my old stomping ground and glad to set up my pup tent, the MSG one ..   I was planning a trip to Yuma and this weekend had brought both tents and other gear to see what would work best.  I liked the little MSG tent I’d used motorcycling but the North Face test though less cozy was much easier to set up.  

I loved our camp ground and used the back gate on the truck for my kitchen, I’d shot a couple of grouse looking for the bustards and would shoot more here.  I only saw doe.  I missed a rabbit with the 30;06 at a hundred yards. I was aiming for his head and glad to miss because if I hit a rabbit body with the 30:06 it would simply explode like it had been hit with a mortar.  I was shooting the grouse with 20 Guage 6 or 7 1/2 shot

The best part of the weekend was watching the little guy run ahead of me to the fallen grouse. He picked it up and came running back to me with it in his mouse , the bird bigger than his head and him staggering forward dragging wings and dropping feathers. I wish I’d had a video of it. He was such a trooper. My Madigan , the bird dog.  Shinto had obviously done this and more and Gilbert had brought the birds out to the road and gone looking for more but none as adorably as Madigan who staggered along back to me. Time and again he did this. What a ‘retriever’, my little cockapoo hunting dog.  

I really was enjoying the Rancher 420 and driving about the back woods.

When I saw a grouse up ahead on the side of the road I’d stop and brake the quad, then lift and load the 20 guage over under shot gun.I’d take my shot hit the bird with 6 to 8 shot, whatever I had stuffed in my pockets. The bird would flop about dying.  I’d Unhook Madigan who was wearing a harness leashed for the ATV frame behind me. He’d jump down having watched everything and run as fast as his body could pounce on the wounded dying bird and kill big bird shaking it or tearing out the belly of the live squeaky toy. What filled me with pride was his picking up this bird the size of his head and more and running with it back to drop at my feet. He did this over and over retrieving five birds. I’d shoot eight over the few days. Other than throwing squeaky toys to fetch and retrieve I’d done no serious training and he just instinctively began retrieving and helping out the old guy. I’d rip off the feathered skin with my bare hands gutting the bird and tearing out the head and neck to free the meaty breasts. I gave him the heat and liver to eat raw while putting the breast with identifying winds in a zip lock bag.

I love cooking up the cubed breasts later with marmalade and spices and serving on rice. I love the Royal taste of grouse the highland delicacy. Having a companion hunting dog is such comfort and joy.

Back at my camp I cooked a dinner of pork chops zucchini and boiled potatoes with butter and sour cream on the tail gate of the truck. I enjoyed eating off the plate on my lap sitting on the cammo hunting chair with a fire of wood and waste paper products. Before going to bed in the tent I doused the embers with pot loads of water. Fire hazard warning was high.

I only saw a few deer but none of the legal horny vegans. I was thankful for the grouse a few more of which I shot on the last morning hunt. I’d actually risen at 6 am in the half light of dawn making coffee and filling my thermos. At least I was up as early as Bill Mewhort my old hunting buddy demanded. It would be dark when we’d set up in ambush. I was a lot more successful big game hunter younger shooting 30:or more dear over the years  I don’t sit or stalk enough but so enjoy driving about grouse hunting, road hunting being the best grouse hunting strategy often. I saw a few rabbits too as they come out at dusk or dawn and nibble the road side grass.

I was glad to pack up the truck and load the Honda onto the trailer. Madigan was sad for the weekend to be ending. He sat on the loaded ATV wanting us to go out once more. I convinced him to join me in the cab and head home

We were in time for the mandatory A&W sausage egger., mamma burger and a beef patty ‘on the side for my dog’ A large coffee double double’.I love eating and driving listening to country music on the way home. We passed a large semi on its side at a turn on a mountain bridge, police directing traffic, the driver fortunately not hurt. At hope the fire we’d seen on the way up was just smoking.However a new fire still flaming was being water bombed by a couple of helicopters with buckets and on ground firefighters. Traffic was blocked on that lane but ours was clear into town.

I dropped off the trailer at Chilliwack storage doing a better job of backing up the trailer with Dave’s tips. ‘I taught all my kids to back up the boat this way and they all learned it this way’. It works but I’m still lousy at backing up trailers. Looks easy for some but requires patience and precision Im not gifted with tired at the end of trips.

Back in Vancouver I was thankful my home was still there in good shape, unpacking all the gear was the last ordeal and a reminder why I missed the camper where I stored most of the stuff I had now to haul home. 

I was so thankful to climb into a hot shower with shampoo and conditioner. With clean clothes on I cleaned the 8 grouse putting them 2 together in new freezer bags in the freezer for future feasts.

I was so thankful to be home lying on my couch with the dog lying on my belly clean and in comfort with amenities and a new found appreciation for civilizations. Later I’d walk Madison and encounter Peter with his Havanese and regale him of Madigan, the cockatoo’s great retrieving. I’d sing the little guys praise again when I’d see Dave with his little shitzu bud. Madigan was strutting. It was good to be home . I could have just as easily been at the bottom of the adillard ravine or flipped on my side at that treacherous mountain bridge turn. Thanks to the grace of God we thrived and we didn’t have equipment challenge shad the weather was magnificent. I’d even stop by the side of a lake and had a swim. So I wasn’t even all that dirty despite the constant dust. I certainly would enjoy sleeping in my own bed and mattress. What a great grouse hunt indeed. Thank you Jesus!

Opening of Rifle Season

Last week it was opening of bow hunting. Laura and I were in Cariboo.  Sept. 10 was opening of rifle season.  That meant I could shoot a deer with a rifle but more importantly grouse season opened.

Packing for a weekend hunt takes as much ‘stuff’ as packing for a ‘month’ hunt. The only difference is the amount of food but the equipment is the same.  

My camper is still in repairs but thankfully no longer at Frazerway which sold me a damaged unit and lied for a year about having it ready by this spring.  All winter the Frazerway folk gas lighted and ghosted and were evil so I was glad to retrieve the unit and transfer it’s care to another reputable RV service.  Amazingly I read a complaint on the Better Business Bureau site almost identical to the abusive experience I had.  I am so thankful to have the unit in good hands without all the sociopathic behaviour. Hopefully we’ll be back in the camper soon.

This experience tenting made me appreciate and miss the camper. I was so lucky though the weather was great. Sleeping on the ground was painful but waking in the rain would have made it all a lot worse.  

Friday it was all I could do to get packed and pick up my ATV from John’s Chilliwack RV Storage. I was only missing one key and thankful to have my bolt cutter concealed in the truck.  The whole back seat of the truck was packed so I had to unpack it to find the bolt cutter.  Challenges after challenges.  Good to see John who is always so positive and helpful.  

I had my Iridium Satellite Phone from Ralf’s Mobile Electronics but I’d not renewed my subscription. I phoned them but before they could get back to me I’d bought a Garmin InReach which uses Iridium for texts and SOS from Cabelas. I’d stopped for more 30:06 ammo but they were really low and had no 180 grain.  Fortunately I have enough and did get my little propane containers for the stove. They were sold out of mule deer tags so I was glad I had ordered one at least on line.  Cabelas is a fabulous store with great stock but the staff are often ‘surly’ and unhelpful. They come acrosss as ‘superior’ too in that old ‘Holt Renfrew’ shop girl way.  Irritating to have to deal with negative attitude when spending a lot of money on ‘recreation’.  They need to take some lessons in customer relations from Reliable or Italian Sports. I just love shopping at those places because the staff are so enthusiastic and knowledgeable and helpful.  Cabelas just has the advantage of being en route.  

Madigan and I stopped at Macdonalds on the way out of Abbotsford for the requisite burger patty for the dog.  I had the quarter pounder with cheese.  We were on our way.

At Chilliwack with the trailer we stopped at Canada Tire for the Iridium package but they didn’t know either how to get the Garmin package they mentioned on line. Thankfully Ralf’s called me and used my credit card on file to do another 6 month satelite subscription so I could be in the wilderness with emergency communication capability and stay in touch with the clinics.  I didn’t need the new Garmin Inreach but now have back up.

I loved driving my Ford F-350 pulling my trailer with Honda 420 Rancher with my happy co pilot Madigan.  There was fire at Hope and we saw the helicopter dousing it with buckets from the water. Lots of smoke.  Thankfully no road closure. As I drove I listened to a Johnstone Preacher Westrn on a “movie in your mind’ audio book.  Life was good. On the road again.  Madigan curled up against my side when he wasn’t standing up looking out his side window.  

I donated a kidney and filled up with gas for the truck and 15 gallons of containers and for the ATV. At the Princeton Grocery store I stopped for last minute supplies having phoned Laura who told me sun down was in an hour.  Not only was I going to be camping again but I was going to be setting up a tent in the dark. I did that for decades on my weekend hunts when I headed out at night so I’d be in place for a dawn hunt. This time I was just slow and old and looking forward to having a place to sleep.

I had planned on Chain Lakes and there was a ‘first come first serve’ camp space available. All the lake side were taken and if I’d not dilly dallied I might have had one but I did get a space where I could just drive in with the trailer. I’m impossibly bad at backing up trailers. Dave and Mack have been giving my pointers and I actually understood what Dave had told me about holding the underside of the wheel and that would show me the way the trailer was turning.  

I got parked. I found the 1000 Lumen battery operated lantern I actually had the new headlamp where I could find it.  Setting up the North Face 4 man tent really was easy even though it was years since I did it.  I even put in the rug and sleeping bags and was ready for bed.  The only problem was I’d not brought Madigan’s jacket and he and I were both cold in the middle of the night. I got up to pee and it was chilly.  My Mountain Equipment Cooo. Draco neg 7 degree sleeping bag was great and I circled the other Draco O degree sleeping bag around Madigan to keep him warm. The next two nights I laid out my hunting jacket for him and wore a sweater to bed myself.  The nights were except whenever I turned on the ground my back hurt and woke me. I’m not a happy camper sleeping on the ground.  I had the Coleman cot but I never used it using a too thin ‘pad’ instead. I’m planning on a trip to MEC to get a state of the art pad or inflatable. I’ve tried everything to date and frankly the best camping sleep is off the ground in an RV with a good mattress. I missed my camper sleeping.

I did enjoy making coffee on the pic nic table with the Coleman 2 burner, one dead, old camp stove. I’d lost the knob somewhere and some time. That stove was 30 years old and still working fine.  I had the little propane cans from Cabelas. I had the Italian stovetop  Expresso machine where two pots gave me enough coffee to fill the thermos and have a cup for me. I had bananas too.  Honey and canned milk.  

I didn’t feel like hunting.

I’d woken at 7 am and could head out on the ATV but decided I’d try to hook up with the Bustards who were hunting that weekend with all their kids nearby.  The idea of a hide and seek adventure driving about in the truck seemed a better plan.  I packed up my tent and got back in the truck enjoying the comfort.  I found Hembrie turnoff,  I didn’ realize this was the FSR I’d just used a couple of years ago when I took Laura to stay at the Princeton Castles resort.  A lovely hunting area. I enjoyed drinking coffee and driving back roads.  I never found where the Bustards were and had a bitch of a time turning around with the trailer behind me.  I managed it and then decided I’d get an A&W burger and try finding it from the Loon Lake side.  Another long drive in the truck listening to an audio western enjoying myself sight seeing.

I saw a little bear on the road side grabbing my rifle from the back seat but realizing how young it was when i walked over to it and literally had to shoo it away. I had the camera and the rifle and took pictures instead.  Curious fellow.  Shit fur by the nose.  More like a big dog.  In a few years he might be food but not now. 

I later did see a big bear bolt across the road going to fast for me to do anything but look where it disappeared to.

I wasn’t happy coming down Dillard logging road into a steep ravine. The road had become a trail and there simply was not where to turn around with just a truck let alone with a trailer. Then the road was washed out causing me to pray as I drove at an angle half on the wall to get past the bad part. I stopped and walked forward and thankfully it got better. I’d decided looking down into death and crash that I was not having fun so I’d head out to the area where I knew the trails. This exploring had gone far enough.  I was a bit shook up though it was not nearly as scarey as the roads I’d taken on in the Broncho II and Ranger 25 years ago.  I was crazier then.  I have an ATV for these stunts not this truck I need for towing RV and for my Camper.  Silly.

I headed back through Princeton I’d come across Alene and Methusala and another M named lake.  Back west of Princeton I was in my old stomping ground and glad to set up my pup tent, the MSG one ..   I was planning a trip to Yuma and this weekend had brought both tents and other gear to see what would work best.  I liked the little MSG tent I’d used motorcycling but the North Face test though less cozy was much easier to set up.  

I loved our camp ground and used the back gate on the truck for my kitchen, I’d shot a couple of grouse looking for the bustards and would shoot more here.  I only saw doe.  I missed a rabbit with the 30;06 at a hundred yards. I was aiming for his head and glad to miss because if I hit a rabbit body with the 30:06 it would simply explode like it had been hit with a mortar.  I was shooting the grouse with 20 Guage 6 or 7 1/2 shot

The best part of the weekend was watching the little guy run ahead of me to the fallen grouse. He picked it up and came running back to me with it in his mouse , the bird bigger than his head and him staggering forward dragging wings and dropping feathers. I wish I’d had a video of it. He was such a trooper. My Madigan , the bird dog.  Shinto had obviously done this and more and Gilbert had brought the birds out to the road and gone looking for more but none as adorably as Madigan who staggered along back to me. Time and again he did this. What a ‘retriever’, my little cockapoo hunting dog.  

I really was enjoying the Rancher 420 and driving about the back woods.

When I saw a grouse up ahead on the side of the road I’d stop and brake the quad, then lift and load the 20 guage over under shot gun.I’d take my shot hit the bird with 6 to 8 shot, whatever I had stuffed in my pockets. The bird would flop about dying.  I’d Unhook Madigan who was wearing a harness leashed for the ATV frame behind me. He’d jump down having watched everything and run as fast as his body could pounce on the wounded dying bird and kill big bird shaking it or tearing out the belly of the live squeaky toy. What filled me with pride was his picking up this bird the size of his head and more and running with it back to drop at my feet. He did this over and over retrieving five birds. I’d shoot eight over the few days. Other than throwing squeaky toys to fetch and retrieve I’d done no serious training and he just instinctively began retrieving and helping out the old guy. I’d rip off the feathered skin with my bare hands gutting the bird and tearing out the head and neck to free the meaty breasts. I gave him the heat and liver to eat raw while putting the breast with identifying winds in a zip lock bag.

I love cooking up the cubed breasts later with marmalade and spices and serving on rice. I love the Royal taste of grouse the highland delicacy. Having a companion hunting dog is such comfort and joy.

Back at my camp I cooked a dinner of pork chops zucchini and boiled potatoes with butter and sour cream on the tail gate of the truck. I enjoyed eating off the plate on my lap sitting on the cammo hunting chair with a fire of wood and waste paper products. Before going to bed in the tent I doused the embers with pot loads of water. Fire hazard warning was high.

I only saw a few deer but none of the legal horny vegans. I was thankful for the grouse a few more of which I shot on the last morning hunt. I’d actually risen at 6 am in the half light of dawn making coffee and filling my thermos. At least I was up as early as Bill Mewhort my old hunting buddy demanded. It would be dark when we’d set up in ambush. I was a lot more successful big game hunter younger shooting 30:or more dear over the years  I don’t sit or stalk enough but so enjoy driving about grouse hunting, road hunting being the best grouse hunting strategy often. I saw a few rabbits too as they come out at dusk or dawn and nibble the road side grass.

I was glad to pack up the truck and load the Honda onto the trailer. Madigan was sad for the weekend to be ending. He sat on the loaded ATV wanting us to go out once more. I convinced him to join me in the cab and head home

We were in time for the mandatory A&W sausage egger., mamma burger and a beef patty ‘on the side for my dog’ A large coffee double double’.I love eating and driving listening to country music on the way home. We passed a large semi on its side at a turn on a mountain bridge, police directing traffic, the driver fortunately not hurt. At hope the fire we’d seen on the way up was just smoking.However a new fire still flaming was being water bombed by a couple of helicopters with buckets and on ground firefighters. Traffic was blocked on that lane but ours was clear into town.

I dropped off the trailer at Chilliwack storage doing a better job of backing up the trailer with Dave’s tips. ‘I taught all my kids to back up the boat this way and they all learned it this way’. It works but I’m still lousy at backing up trailers. Looks easy for some but requires patience and precision Im not gifted with tired at the end of trips.

Back in Vancouver I was thankful my home was still there in good shape, unpacking all the gear was the last ordeal and a reminder why I missed the camper where I stored most of the stuff I had now to haul home. 

I was so thankful to climb into a hot shower with shampoo and conditioner. With clean clothes on I cleaned the 8 grouse putting them 2 together in new freezer bags in the freezer for future feasts.

I was so thankful to be home lying on my couch with the dog lying on my belly clean and in comfort with amenities and a new found appreciation for civilizations. Later I’d walk Madison and encounter Peter with his Havanese and regale him of Madigan, the cockatoo’s great retrieving. I’d sing the little guys praise again when I’d see Dave with his little shitzu bud. Madigan was strutting. It was good to be home . I could have just as easily been at the bottom of the adillard ravine or flipped on my side at that treacherous mountain bridge turn. Thanks to the grace of God we thrived and we didn’t have equipment challenge shad the weather was magnificent. I’d even stop by the side of a lake and had a swim. So I wasn’t even all that dirty despite the constant dust. I certainly would enjoy sleeping in my own bed and mattress. What a great grouse hunt indeed. Thank you Jesus!