Thought I would share some pics of the bucks Troyboy and I took on our hunt with Brother Dave and crew. We had a tough week weather wise. I am pretty sure that on the first day hunting when I got back to the dock I had the begining stages of hypothermia. Totally my fault for not thinking ahead. Other than that I stayed warm and WET the rest of the time. First days hunt was a bust, I think we might have seen one doe. Second day Troyboy saw a very good buck but had his dick in his hand instead of his rifle. Third day we saw two fork horns and a doe or two. 4th day not sure, I think that was the day we went out in the boat and got pounded on the water and decided to head back in, so we went back to where we saw the good buck and I caught a 3 second glimpse of his legs and one of his back forks. 5th day was Saturday and for some reason I don't recall what we did, but I can assure you we did not harm any animals. Sunday I think the total was 5 does and the one forkhron that I shot. I got really drunk Sunday evening celebrating my first AK kill and we decided to go out Monday morning in hopes of getting Troyboy his buck. Weather on the water wasn't horrible but it seemed as though every move we made we would get just about to where we wanted to go and visibility would be gone. As has happened everytime I have been bear hunting we ended up in what I like to call "the end of the line" if there is nothing here, you are going home and eating tag soup. Somehow Admiral Dave spots a doe on the beach, we start glassing and getting closer. As we hit the beach a buck stands up from behind a log. Don't know who called it but Troyboy was on him I called out the range though he admittedly never heard a word I said. First shot was a warning, second shot we through the ear and whacked a chunk of antler. 3rd shot was a butt shot but it was true. He humped up pretty good. Got after him in the forrest and one more shot put him down for good. After getting him too the boat we had to get back, get him skinned, caped and processed for the trip home. Still pretty pissed at Delta airlines for the way our boxes of meat, cape and horns were treated but that is a different story. All in all it was a great trip with great friends. If the brothers will have Troyboy and myself back next year we will be there regardless of the weather. Appreciate it guys......

I can honestly say that I have never seen weather or hunted in anything close to that in my life. I rembember both Admiral Dave and Stick saying screw this shit, we can wait out the weather for a better day. I just wish we had that option.......grin

P.S. No new rut rides were harmed in the making of this hunt.......grin

Here are the pics

My little forkhorn



Troyboys 3x4



.

Nice work. That's a damn nice buck Troy got, but it does sound like you need to get his ass to the range more often.

p.s. - Move this up to the main forum where everybody will see it instead of being buried down here.

It is a hunting thread.....

Like I know how to move a thread.......

At least you boys go to see some goody. While at the boat ramp last an Old Boy came flying in via 14' Lund and was motherfucking the weather up one side and down the other. He was loaded for Bear,with rifle/scattergun,fish rods and the works. Said he'd been out for the 5 days prior staying somewhere(hunkered in a tent would be my guess) and said he "I never even seen a fucking Duck to shoot at and got my ass kicked in the weather from start to fucking finish".

Had never seen him before,but he braved the slop/chop on the ride in and was soaked to his cunt and only wearing riggin' rags and a Halibut jacket. I'd of mentioned that cotton kills,but his humor was gone and he wasn't just throwing in the towel,he was gonna burn the fucking thing. My guess is that he was up Tramp Logging and he looked like either a Donkey Puncher or Loader Operator to me and they must be done for the Season.

He looked in my boat,seen that I was geared to Hunt and said "I wouldn't go out there Kid",and he did have a leg to stand on.(grin)

Long story short is,this shit won't just hurtcha',it'll fucking kill ya',as the combo of wet/wind hurts like nothing else and that 50/50 snow/rain will break spirits. You boys got to see all 4 Seasons,in all of 5 minutes and there ain't that many people in this World who can say same................

It was a great and humbling trip. I remember on the plane ride talking about how we would be passing on anything less than 4x's. The second day our standards dropped to 3x3's and on the third day we would have shot anything that moved. To be quite honest that was the most humbling weather I have ever seen. I don't doubt for a split second that it would kill ya.

JDS, Troyboy knows his way around a rifle, I think things just happened so fast and the fact that we had to be on a plane in a few hours had his head outta the game.

I also forgot to mention that it took two shots on my little buck as well. Could be the fact that my hands were so damn cold on the first hunt that I dropped my rifle not once but twice or maybe three times. They all started running together after the first time.

Don't think I ain't looking for some new rut duds as the shit I got won't cut it.

Blake

I've 2-inches of ice covering my trucks and boats and burnt a can of de-icer,getting in Momma's truck to warm it up for her and haven't even started on mine or the boat yet. You get soaked during the day,it freezes at night and you simply wake up dead. Get moisture in your barrel during the day,it freezes overnight you yank the trigger and can never pick your own nose again.

Shit will getcha' and there's lotsa shit out there............(grin)

In fact,I mighta fucked up not throwing with Brother Dave this morning,but won't know that until it's wayyyyyyyyyy too late...............(grin)

Give us the gear and guns run down - what worked and what sucked ass.

Sleet/snow is killing weather but it does hurt.

One late season a bunch of years back my older brother, much younger brother-in-law and myself had three bucks down by 10 am. Two of them where honkers. We made it back to the truck with them a few hours after dark in the very wet heavy snow. Yeah it hurt.

Bourbon, hot chow and a fire/wood stove go a long ways to warming up wet. I do dig that feeling.

Oh and thank you very much for the play by play. Hard earned bucks are way better than the give-me's...

Rifles worked fine for the most part, operator error being the key part to the misses. I took the 25/284, Troyboy ran his 7wsm. The Zeiss Classics worked as well as could be expected in that type of weather as did the Leica rangefinder. Troyboy was running a pair of binos that Admiral Dave lent him and for the most part I didn't hear him complaining. Sitka gear 90% pants soaked through every day. Troyboy's browning hydro fleece kept him dry. The cabelas revolution fleece held up and kept me warm up top. The under armour cold gear worked as advertised unless it got wet, then it sucked. Finally kept a barnes in a deer, though shot placement was less than stellar. The new ingram worked, son of a bitch opened them up like they had zippers.

Rouge I agree 100% that sleet,snow is killing weather, but what we were in was sleet, snow, hail, rain and wind all at the same freaking time. Then it would be sunny for 10 minutes, after that it started all over again.....Blake

Dang, I hope you're sending them back with a little note.

This is on my to do list great job guys

The 90% pants are staying. They are very good at what they are designed for, SE AK in November isn't it.

After hearing that a lot of locals weren't seeing much I figure we did pretty good....

Good post. Good job guys. It's been a hell of a fall for weather, for sure. I've hunted almost every day for the last month, regardless of weather. Pure misery most days. Still looking for the "1" buck.

I had a buddy come up for his first hunting experience. He'd just got done with a 22 mile round trip rim to rim Grand Canyon hike. He said he was more sore after a 5 mile trip up to 2500" alpine then a 22 mile trip on trails. Took him until about day 5 to get used to hiking in full Helly Hansons. He trooped it and he got his bucks, but he couldn't believe the weather.

I went out in the boat today and saw more bucks in the first hour than I've seen for the last month. It was the good old days today.

Just glad you guys are starting to see some bucks.....Blake

It was a grind for me on the mainland. Mainly because I was too stubborn and I stayed in one area looking for 1 buck who's shed was found this spring. Don't know if he's still alive, but someone just killed a 5x6 out of that area a few days ago. Still had a fun time hunting though and we saw 10 or so little guys in that area too, and the kids have fun with those. I'll give the beach/ton o bucks thing a few more days, then it's back to the big buck grind. Now that particular area has a bunch of snow, so it's snowshoes from here on out. Should be fun as hunter pressure will be waning and I like hunting dark timber edges in the snow.

Nice meeting you, btw.

Is Super 33+ cheaper than plastic surgery?

My bad. I thought they were supposed to be waterproof. I just read a description of them and they don't even claim to be. Did you bring PVC to AK?

Yeah, that was a good time! You guys did well...left largely to your own devices the first couple days and saw a masher...passed on a couple bucks at mid-point, waiting for a hog, and tagged out at the finish line.

That was some pretty tough weather for a couple days, which never helps, but for your first run you guys did great.

Always a good time here during Rut and I'm glad you got to see it firsthand...

Thanks for the write-up and congrats Blake.

Blake, did you wear anything under those 90% pants? In nasty weather like you had I wear merino wool underneath, otherwise boxers. I know the 90% pants will soak up the water but they do dry fast and that's what I like about them. Impertech rules and I go nowhere without them.

Sounds like you guys had a good time and brough some meat home, despite the shitty SE Alaska weather, good job.

Yes I was wearing a base layer of under armor cold gear, then the mid layer of under armor stuff then the outter layer of revolution fleece and sitka 90% pants. I stupidly didn't wear the mid layer on the first days hunt and that is what got me in trouble.

I really dig the Sitka pants as they do dry fast, but nothing will dry fast in SE AK......grin

Blake, you need to change your screen name to "Glutton for Punishment". You and that island seem to be quite the sparing partners.

Congrats on your first AK blood!

Congrats on the bucks Blake....one of these times up there maybe the weather will cooperate, then look out!

Dan no matter what that damn island dishes out I will still love it....Blake

Outstanding job on yous nailin' them bucks in that kinda shit storm nature threw atcha...

Blooding the new Ingram in AK surely be a bonus...

Rainwear that didn't get heavy,was quiet and dried quick...would sell purty good in these parts.(grin)

I'm never not in fleece layers,with ImperTech over the top...................

I just can't do Impertech. Hate the clammy, stretchy feeling of it.

I try to go for warm & wet, with good fleece and a spare change of everything; if that won't cut it then I'll just wear the real stuff, Helly or Grunden.

Something about the Impertech material just don't work for me.

Rainwear is tough,because none of it does it all. I'm a fan of alotta extry duds myself and wet is fine,as long as you can stay moving,to stay warm.

ImperTech is more comfy than anything Grunden,or any of HH's other offerings,the elasticity is nice and it packs better than the others. It's far quieter than most,is cut pretty nice and doesn't get stiffer than a Wedding Dick in the ice/cold/snow.

For covering ground,the Marmot Oracle remains my favorite,but it's far from quiet. Pretty partial to some ancient Saddle Cloth garb I've got,but anything that is knitted,worsted or similar...simply becomes a heavy fucking sponge after a bit and that shit gets old.

Especially when it freezes overnight................(grin)

Yeah, hard to deny the merits of the Impertech. I like the Grundens Sund pants and Petro (?) jacket a bit, though they're pretty similar. My impertech is circa 2003 I believe, so I might not be up to date on it.

With all the people who come to hunt the Rut every year, we all get a pretty good first hand view of lots of gear, no?. It's funny how so much stuff fails so miserably. If it isn't polyurethane or PVC, it ain't waterproof.

I'm still stuck on the Rivers West Kenai bibs, Patagonia Mixmaster pants, heavy fleece shirts like ArcTeryx, North Face, etc. and regular fleece jackets...all over good capilene long underwear and with a dry pair of everything to change into at least once during the day..grin.

Sometimes I comment on how cold it gets riding home in the boat after a long day out in the woods somewhere in the weather, but I guess I should be grateful for the canvas!

Forgot to mention it's been a long time since Bill and I outfitted Uncle Jim with anything new and I had to shake my head at some of the shit he was wearing this year. Must have dug it out of a box somewhere as I hadn't seen some of it for years. Don't know how the hell he stayed warm some days.

We're gonna Xmas him some new duds...

Anyone go down that way sporting Kuiu Chugach pants and jacket? If so, would be curious how those handled in the conditions you guys have.

Not that I have seen so far. I almost ordered some this year but ended up deciding not to.

I don't believe it's waterproof. Would like to be pleasantly surprised though...

I don't think dry and quiet is possible so I opt for wet and quiet as long as I'm relatively warm.

So, even if the 'waterproof' claim doesn't quite hold up, it still could be good gear for our conditions. I suspect it would be...

There isn't any such thing as waterproof on your island...grin

Sometimes it seems that way. Good place to test gear...

Dave, what's your impression of the Grundens "impertech-like" stuff for durability? Have considered it a few times, but never took the plunge.

Their stuff seems to outlast most other PVC.

Can't say I've tried it enough to be sure. I used the pants a bit last season or season before, then promptly lost them. Bought another pair this year and never put them on.

First impressions are favorable...

How does Cabela's MT050 rain wear hold up in S.E?

Can't remember who was wearing it last..Tory or Matt?

It's pretty good overall. Gets wet, takes a while to dry, a little heavy when wet, sweats if you're exerting yourself.

Quiet, doesn't soak through any quicker than other similar stuff (goretex?), stays reasonably warm when wet unless you're sitting still.

My observations of others wearing it; I haven't tried it myself.

Fits in the category of decent performance for the price, IMO. Just like Browning Hydrofleece, Revolution Fleece Dry Plus, etc.

Lots of GoreTex, DWR stuff is much more water repellent when new. It starts to lose it's ability after washing or when busting through wet brush, in my opinion.

If you can sit down in a wet swamp without getting a wet ass, you're on to something. If not, you just deal with it and have a spare change of clothes to put on at some point.

Damn, someone must think the Kuiu stuff is good. Seems the things I want are always listed as Sold Out..

[quote=Uncle Dave If it isn't polyurethane or PVC, it ain't waterproof.

[/quote]
Summed up the best I've seen.......................

As long as we're on the subject of gear (grin), what are you guys running for footwear? I live in Xtra-Tuffs on the boat, but I like a little more foot support & traction when going off road.

I have a set of La Crosse Alpha Burly. They are warm and comfortable, but that camo-coating-crap they put on them cracked around the ankle and now they leak.

I bought some Muck boots, thinking that their uncoated skin was a better way to go, but their shit-plasticky coating on the boot cracked at the toe, after just a couple months and very little use. They are still watertight, despite the breach in the hull, but it still pisses me off that a $130 pair of boots didn't hold up any better.

What else is there?

The only time I'm not in insulated Xtra-Tuffs, year round, is when I strap on the corked crazy-tongue Miendls for alpine, crossing clear cuts, or hiking significant hills. Stick turned Bill and I on to them years ago and they're good stuff.

Xtra-Tuffs for me, if at all possible.

I don't think I used Xtra Tuffs but once this year, wore my Meindle (non caulked) most every where we went and never once got wet.... Well until last week when I went off the bow of the boat in waist deep water.

Some user's comments off the kuiu board (not mine):

Guide Jacket: I was hoping the jacket would have a slightly more "athletic" fit to it. I like everything else about its design. I have heard stories that the jacket will keep you dry in short rain storms and even busting wet brush, but it has been my experience that it doesn't take long for the water to soak through. Obviously, it does well in very light sprinkles and misting rain.

Chugach: I had quality control issues with adhesive in two areas on the jacket (nothing critical). The fine folks at KUIU did offer to replace the jacket. I was hoping for even quieter rain gear. I was hoping it would be possible to move quietly if I was very careful. I also had a durability issue with the pants, tearing the fabric on my first trip. I also think that the pants have too much material on the bottom making them easier to snag; I do wear gaiters so this isn't that much of a problem. It has been my experience that the fabric will absorb water after extended exposure contrary to claims I have heard.

Spindrift: I don't have this item. I am still a fan of down. My insulation is never exposed to the environments, so I am not too worried about getting it wet. Getting your insulation (clothing or sleeping bag) wet is something you just don't let happen. Even so, with the reviews I have been hearing, I may have to try it out. It is just hard for me when I can get a down jacket that weighs nearly half as much.

Guide Gloves: They don't fit me very well. I expect that is a personal problem as I have very large hands with longer fingers. Although, Black Diamond and Hestra gloves have always fit me well so I must not be that odd.

Icon Pack: I had the material next to the frame wear through on my first trip. The frame cut through it in many of the places where the frame was cut rather than formed. KUIU did offer to replace the bag but I hated to waste a bag that was still very much functional. I ended up sanding all the square edges on the frame and the holes have not got any larger after quite a bit more use. The pack sure does carry nice; if it didn't, I pry would have gotten rid of it after that first trip.

i threw away most of my underarmor long ago, i still use some stuff but for MTB not hunting/fishing. Merino wool is far superior, took me a few seasons to really dial it in. patagonia capeline is also decent but merino is way better. 90% of the time on the rainy coast i got merino underwear (150), merino leggins (200) merino base long sleeve (150 to 250) and ibex heavy wool jacket with a light compact synthetic rainshell in the pocket. The wool will take forever to soak and even when it does its still very warm. For semi waterproof best stuff i found is Arc GammaMX, very spendy but its way lighter than anything else and not noisy. I am not a fan of Fleece as much as wool.

I'm not too big of a UA fan, for base layers. Lulu Lemons makes the best I've used, and it's all I use now as a base layer. I have and use Merino, but the Lemons is better for me.

Lulu....What the FUCK? I had to google that.


You can leave your man card at the door on your way out.....


<grin>

Yeah, it's yoga clothing and I expect to take some shit over it. It was bought for me as a joke, and now i have the fiance bring me it whenever she comes from Canada. I'm waiting for them to come out with a mens pair of the yoga pants. I think it'd be a great base layer.

whoa

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=98440546353

Yeah roger.... That's pretty amazing.....

Guessing that's not Calvin?

Laffin.........................hard...............grin

Thats worse than dreaming off shooting Tits Calvin Laffin ....

Hutch ate my non-corked Crazy Tongues. I was either in Meindl corks or slick shod XtraTuffs...the boat being XtraTuff Country.

Getting time to ponder new waders...............

Bill has the Simms connection.

Got sidetracked with The Rut and will prolly haveta wait until I see my first Buck less antlers,to revisit waders.............(grin)

Think I'll gear up and join you this year. Haven't done any fishing for a while. I could use a little streamside fun. That plus my traps should keep me home this winter.

You Cast & Blast and I'll gun pics for posterity.

'Bout time to knock some Otters back,if only as a minimum............

If your looking for some good rain gear, look into the stuf that uses eVent. This shit is suppose to be way, way, better than Gore-tex. Check out the Westcomb Spector LT Hoody.

http://www.westcomb.com/product/waterproof-breathable-event/11/specter-lt-hoody.html

Funny thing about Gore Tex, I wear it all winter riding the sled and never get wet. Wear that shit while hunting in rain and while walking in wet brush and I always end up soaked.

Yeah, it's a step up from Goretex IMO.

I like the Event better, and have the Spector and like it, but its pretty noisy and thin.

Goetex doesnt seem to work if the outer fabric is wet. If the outer fabric is holding water against the membrane I get wet. The mountaineering gear all has outer fabrics that are DWR, thin and otherwise dont hold water so they seem to work alot better. Hunting gear all has thicker softer more absorbent outer fabric and seems to get wet. I use alot of Nikwax wash in DWR to keep my Gortex stuff working. The older the garment the more often I have to apply DWR coatings.

Event seems to breath pretty well. Sometimes I wonder if gortex breaths at all and the rest of the time I'm certain it doesnt breath at all.

I wash my fleece in the Nikwax stuff. Makes it pretty nice for snow, light rains, and warmer rains. Like a 90% jacket. Maybe 10% in SE AK.

I haven't tried the Nikwax on my fleece. Have to check that out...

Anybody tried the new waterproof offering from Polartec?Supposed to be better then gore tex

Keep threatening a Retro approach and start driving more Filson,like I did in The Day.

Shelter Cloth is good shit and far more comfy than Tin...................

Retro was a cotton hoody and sweat pants under Tin, or carhart pants and a five brothers hickory under tin wasnt it.......

It worked if you were moving and tough as nails.

I run fleece, merino, and sometimes a water resistant shell and just plan on being damp. For me warm and quiet trumps dry and noisy. Used to run Columbia's Gallatin wool for years, but sidelined it for Cabelas Legacy fleece maybe 5 years ago. These days its Attack pants, 150 marino top base, legacy fleece pullover, wiggies, Lowa Ranger GTX, Kenetrek gaiters and a Patagonia Primaloft puff in the pack for 90% of what I do. The rest of the time I add a goretex type shell and trade out the Legacy fleece pullover for a lightweight REI unlined fleece jacket for under the shell.

Dave,

I wash everything but my base layers in the Nikwax wash in stuff. It dont make it rain gear, but its a definate improvement in water shedding and reduction in absorption.

If they made Impertech with pit zips and thigh vents I would maybe just forget goretex all together.

Crazy idea: I've often thought of hitting impertech with a sandblaster from a distance just enough to take the sheen off it.

Took breakers over the bow all day and ImperTech again made the cut..............