non fishing, lingcod lonny and skyboys hunt

sorry its taken so long to write this report, Still trying to catch up from being gone for 9 days.
Lonny and I left Sept. 30th for the opening of the X1 deer season headed for sheephaven springs camp ground outside bartle, California.  This is a camp that, as a kid, I spent 3 weeks in every year with my family. I had alot of memories good memories there. (both my parents have passed, so for me, this trip was more about just being there and remembering good times, than about hunting. Good thing!!!)

We arrived in camp at about 3:30am after a 8+ hour drive, We towed the Scout up to hunt out of so it was slow going. We set up just one tent for that night, and got up ( 2hours later)to hunt the opener. Saw lots of deer(one small buck), some gray squirrels,band tailed pigeons, a covey of mountain quail, and a couple grouse. Just as I remembered, lots of game to pursue. Unfortunately, that was one day. By the way, we didn't get any shots at anything we saw.  This was the most we saw all week.

We came back to camp that afternoon, set up "Lonnytown", and proceeded to hunt the evening. Nothing!

Throughout the week we saw deer, nothing very big, except one I missed about mid week. It was getting dark, and in the trees, and the light was in my eyes, I was distracted, I guess that is enough excuses, Lonny said I just need more range time, what does he know.......

The short story is no deer, no squirrels, no birds, More laughs than I can count. We laughed so hard all week, my sides are still hurting, Lonny is great company.  

I forgot to mention, we did make it to burney falls for some great trout fishing (pictures to follow)

I also managed to lose my scout keys while there, and proceed to break 2 screwdrivers off in the ignition trying to bypass the key, I'm not much of a mechanic, and couldn't find the sledge hammer. Not to worry "Mooch", I have a tilt column, power steering unit, and new ignition I'm putting on it this week.

We did manage to find alot of elderberries for jam and syrup we brought back with us.

Overall, a great trip, lots of laughs  , beer , food , great memories , and great company , would not of been the same trip without Lonny .

Cool... glad you and Lonny had a good time.  I bet it was gorgeous up there!

I forgot to mention, we did make it to burney falls for some great trout fishing (pictures to follow)

hurry   hurry   I want pics   I want pics  

That sounds like a great time.  I plan on doing some deer hunting next year for sure(archery and rifle).  I can't wait to see the pictures.  I am going to help my girlfriend's father set up deer camp this weekend and we are going to hunt some squirrels and quail .

Joe's pics.................

Hey, is that picture #6 bear poop?  Or did Mooch finally see a great white?

Damn... I can see you guys had a great time.   Sweet pics!   You guys didn't have to rough too hard if you stayed at Hotel Lonny.

Nice picts Joe/Lonny.  That's a nice sized brookie too.  The slime on them remind me of a butt.

Stuart

Hey, is that picture #6 bear poop?  Or did Mooch finally see a great white?

....no, that's your poop when you got attacked - repeatedly - by a sea lion at Santa Cruz  


...the last photo looks like a special forces terrorist armed with an RPG  


....that brookie is BIG  

I don't know what it is... the marine mammals just love me.  I get the sealion love.  I get the seal love.  I get the otter love.  I even get occasional cetacean smooching up to my boat.  

Did somebody paint genitals on my hull or something?  Maybe Mooch glued on some apron-attachments?


It actually reminds me of the "trisket" trick for camping in the sierra.  Bring a box of triskets and, once your buddy goes to sleep, empty them out on the ground near his tent.  The noises of the nocturnal visitors attracted by trisket smell will provide the whole camp with hours of enjoyment.

It actually reminds me of the "trisket" trick for camping in the sierra. Bring a box of triskets and, once your buddy goes to sleep, empty them out on the ground near his tent. The noises of the nocturnal visitors attracted by trisket smell will provide the whole camp with hours of enjoyment.

I like that  

...the last time I was out in the boonies (King's Canyon - Sequoia National Park)....my buddy built a stone formation right in front of my tent's door....it looked exactly like the blair witch project   ....the night after, I came across a dead squirrel......I tied a rope around it's neck and hung it on his tent's front door and pinned a note to it saying "you're next"  

...caught (and released) my first golden trout up there! BEAUTIFUL FISH!!!!

Looks like a great time, wish i'd a known you guys were up so I could of shared a beer with you.  We were only about 10 miles east of you.  I'm heading back up tomorrow, and with the weather we're expecting, it should be a good closer for the rest of the guys in my party.  With 4 tags left to fill, something better bleed!!!

Tight Lines,
Ben
www.ShastaOutdoors.com

Ben, good luck. The 40n31 road surrounding sheephaven butte has been consistent with deer sightings. I also heard of a big buck being missed twice around the four corners. Let me know how you do.

for all that commented. The trip was a blast. I do wish I got a deer, but there is always Idaho. My buddy shot a nice 28" 4 pointer in MY hole. A$$hole! the fishing was great the first day we did it, but after a weekend of tourist, it was tough.  I would love to find a nice piece of property up there to go to every once in a while.

Had a really tough hunt to close the season.  Saw a few does, and nothing more.  Wasn't sure if the light snow may have pushed them out, or the full moon had 'em turning nocturnal.  Either way, hopefully we can pull another one off  this weekend for the B-zone closer.  Too bad about that 4-point!


tight lines,
Ben
www.ShastaOutdoors.com