Check! I hunted S/E Alaska the last couple weeks... for Sitka Blacktail deer. A backpack hunt, hiking with 11 days worth of food (80#) from the ocean to the alpine. This was the hardest deer I've ever earned. I had two tags... but wisely only shot 1... my buddy shot 2.
Here's some non exaggerated stats on how difficult this was for me. To hike up the mountain it took us 9 hours to go 2800 vertical feet in 1 1/2 miles thru a rainforest jungle that cannot be accurately described. Then... the next day we hiked another 1000 vertical feet to get to the spot. The return trip was worse... It took us 4 days to get 3 deer and 2 camps off that mountain. I did it and was rewarded with my 10th P&Y sitka Blacktail deer.
I am almost 62 years old... My 40 year old buddy invited me. I said yes... just to see if I could do it. At this point in my life it's much more about the adventure than the hunt. I'm alive. Surround yourself with younger, stronger, motivated... individuals. Ed F
Here's some non exaggerated stats on how difficult this was for me. To hike up the mountain it took us 9 hours to go 2800 vertical feet in 1 1/2 miles thru a rainforest jungle that cannot be accurately described. Then... the next day we hiked another 1000 vertical feet to get to the spot. The return trip was worse... It took us 4 days to get 3 deer and 2 camps off that mountain. I did it and was rewarded with my 10th P&Y sitka Blacktail deer.
I am almost 62 years old... My 40 year old buddy invited me. I said yes... just to see if I could do it. At this point in my life it's much more about the adventure than the hunt. I'm alive. Surround yourself with younger, stronger, motivated... individuals. Ed F
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