PBS Membership Hunts

Jeff D. Holchin · October 10, 2019, 10:23:48 AM

Whip, the first rule of hosting a PBS membership hunt is to have a good cook in camp, and Melvin is not just good, he's great! I have learned to always have Brad Hawkins (Biathalonman) on my GA hog hunts as well!

More pics from the WY elk hunt, before I leave for my next hunt:

Gotta have at least one wall tent in any elk camp...

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Jeff D. Holchin · October 10, 2019, 10:24:57 AM

Adding grouse to the camp menu was a lot of fun...

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Jeff D. Holchin · October 10, 2019, 10:26:40 AM

We had three tents when everybody was in camp....unfortunately this location didn't provide much protection from the wind, but there were elk nearby and we didn't care...

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Jeff D. Holchin · October 10, 2019, 10:29:42 AM

We were hunting a mix of NF, BLM, state land and private ranches that were park of a HMA. there was a private ranch at the end of the ridge, NOT part of the HMA and definitely off limits to hunters, where we could see a hundred or more elk every day, sometimes several hundreds of elk with dozens of bulls, bugling and acting naturally...it was fun to glass and watch those elk.

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Jeff D. Holchin · October 10, 2019, 10:30:52 AM

But the roads were terrible - this cow couldn't believe that John was taking his brand new Ram truck up on the mountain!

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Jeff D. Holchin · October 10, 2019, 10:33:05 AM

As host I did my best to show the guys around and find some elk for them. This morning we spotted some cow elk feeding up a draw and got into position to intercept them, but they took forever to get to us and by then the sun had rose and caused the steady wind to swirl and betray us...

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Jeff D. Holchin · October 10, 2019, 10:35:05 AM

This was classic spot and stalk country, and we glassed a lot. Once we located some elk, we'd formulate a strategy and make a move in the elk. I was into elk almost every day, often as close as 15 yards but without a shot...

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Jeff D. Holchin · October 10, 2019, 10:38:21 AM

I played cat and mouse with this herd of 20 elk for 2 hours, working my way in past 2 sentry spikes and to within 15 yards for several cows, calves and a 6x6 bull. Was standing there, anxious because I knew that the wind would soon betray me. The bull was pestering a cow and causing a commotion, so I thought I could get several steps closer....wrong!

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Jeff D. Holchin · October 10, 2019, 10:40:48 AM

Being 20 yards away from an alert cow is fun, but also frustrating when there is no shot...

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Jeff D. Holchin · October 10, 2019, 10:44:09 AM

On this day, Nathaan Hunter and I located a bunch of elk, 4 different groups really, and had some serious excitement for a while. Here is Hunter moving in on a huge herd bull, his cows and several satellite bulls...

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Whip · October 10, 2019, 06:26:26 PM

I'm kind of jumping in the middle of Jeff's posts about the elk hunt and hope that isn't confusing anyone. But I think his intent was just to kind of show some of the many different membership hunts that are going on throughout the year.

My PBS hunt this year is for whitetails at Land Between The Lakes in Kentucky. But as Jeff mentioned earlier there are a wide variety of opportunities open to any PBS member.

The membership hunts are great in themselves, but even better are the friendships made along the way that lead to other opportunities to hunt just about anywhere your desires lead you.

Whip · October 10, 2019, 06:33:14 PM

Maybe I should have sprung for a turkey tag. I had a feeling this would happen.

I'm on my last stand for the trip and will be headed for home in the morning. Still hoping a deer will walk by and present the shot these turkeys did a few minutes ago.
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R.V.T.B. · October 10, 2019, 08:32:46 PM

I have been fortunate enough to attend several of the P.B.S. members hunts... Utah, Wyoming, Georgia. I have also hosted some in Virginia and in the Blackwater Refuge in Maryland for Sika deer. I have met some of the finest bowhunters on the planet at these hunts and forged friendships that have allowed me to hunt areas that I otherwise may not have had the opportunity. I sometimes think that I get an invitation to go on some of these hunts as I am the guy with the wall tent and wood stove!

I agree with some of the comments above. As much as I enjoy going on these hunts, I get a real sense of satisfaction from hosting the hunts. I live in an area of Virginia with a high population of deer, liberal seasons and bag limits and a good population of both bears and turkeys. I hosted a hunt here last year and we all had a blast camping for the seven days. Here are a few photos from last year....
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R.V.T.B. · October 10, 2019, 08:33:34 PM

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R.V.T.B. · October 10, 2019, 08:33:59 PM

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R.V.T.B. · October 10, 2019, 08:34:52 PM

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R.V.T.B. · October 10, 2019, 08:35:22 PM

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R.V.T.B. · October 10, 2019, 08:36:03 PM

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R.V.T.B. · October 10, 2019, 08:39:18 PM

I was also on the most recent hunt in Wyoming. I had a blast and I have to say, chasing those blue grouse was a little addictive.

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stagetek · October 10, 2019, 09:58:50 PM

I'm long over due to go on one of these. Looks like a blast.