Jim Curlee
PBS Member
Member # 131

posted January 18, 2011 09:02 AM
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I see Rob Burnham is planning an eastern PBS hunt, fantastic.
I'd like to try it again this fall, I'm thinking Nebraska.
There is alot of public ground near Chadron.
They have whitetails, and mulies, also a lot of TURKEYS.
I've hunted this area before, it would be another fun hunt.
There would atleast be some cover for stalking, and tree stand hunting. Most of this area is national forest. Yes, they do have alot of trees in Nebraska.
This is the same area that hosted the original PBS hunts.
The archery season starts on the 15th of September, a tag would run you just over 2 bills.
I'd like to do the hunt sometime towards the end of October.
If there's any interest, pm me, and I'll start doing some research.
Jim
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From: Minnesotah | IP: Logged |

P.J. Petiniot
PBS Member
Member # 24

posted January 18, 2011 10:40 AM
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Jim,

I know I can't got that far away this year at this time, but it sounds like a great place.

Thanks for putting these hunts together. Gathering such as these will only solidify our PBS bonds and foster even more fraternal-ism--

Good job!

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The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it.
- Mark Twain's Notebook

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From: Indiana | IP: Logged |

Cory Mattson
PBS Member
Member # 38

posted January 18, 2011 11:21 AM
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Great idea - and for me this is what the PBS is really about. I never get tired of reading, talking about or learning from other members doing "real" hunts. Good luck with this - I am too busy hunting to go then - but this is an easy way for any member who is struggling with a hunting program at home to get into a good hunt.

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From: NC | IP: Logged |

Steve Hohensee

Administrator
Member # 44

posted January 18, 2011 11:52 AM
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I've hunted the Nebraska National Forest for a bunch of years but always near Halsey. That piece is the largest man-planted forest in the nation. It is sandhill country and I've looked from a stand one direction and seen WT and the other direction and seen mulies. Not sure of current conditions as the last time I went was 1992. There were quite a few turkeys too. The deer density isn't real high and it gets hit hard during rifle season.
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From: Moose Pass, Alaska | IP: Logged |

Doug Clayton
PBS Member
Member # 309

posted January 18, 2011 10:23 PM
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Jim,

The year after I retired I hunted extreme SW SD not too far from there. Spent some time around Chadron to see Ft. Robinson. I've got quite a library on the battle of the Little Bighorn, Custer, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull and the reason for seeing the fort was that's where Crazy Horse was killed. Also, at the east side of town is the Museum of the Fur Trade. Has the most guns from the era in one place plus lots of other items--Indian and mountain man alike. I think Mark Wanger is looking into something in NE Missouri for the fall--but between the two I would have to lean towards NE. Like the spot and stalk aspect plus a chance to see these places again.

Enjoyed last year's PBS reunion hunt and could find time to head to another one again.

Doug Clayton
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From: Council Bluffs, IA | IP: Logged |

Buck Rodgers
PBS Member
Member # 155

posted January 19, 2011 01:12 AM
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Hmmmm maybe momma and i should go to Nebraska instead of Colorado, keep us posted Jim as this sounds interesting. Certainly cheaper tags than colorado.

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PBS campfires best place until we get to Heaven!!!!!!!!!!

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From: Indiana | IP: Logged |

Jim Curlee
PBS Member
Member # 131

posted January 19, 2011 08:16 AM
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Steve;
If I worried about the men of iron, I'd probably burn all of my archery equipment, and quit hunting.
This is not a hunt for a BC buck, I'd be happy if somebody would whack something, anything. Not to say a guy couldn't shoot a nice buck, but anywhere you allow rifles, and have somewhat open country, the deer are at a disadvantage. I have seen some dandy bucks though, so they are there.
I'm just looking for a hunting trip that offers a little different scenery, and is CHEAP!
It's a great time to be in the woods hunting, and the weather is ussually pretty decent.
What more do you want?
Jim
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From: Minnesotah | IP: Logged |

Ted Kinney
PBS Member
Member # 34

posted January 19, 2011 08:37 AM
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This sounds like a really good one - I'd love to do it. I'm not sure if I can bring myself to leave my PA hunting haunts at the end of October, but I'm going to think about it.
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From: Pittsburgh PA | IP: Logged |

Steve Hohensee

Administrator
Member # 44

posted January 19, 2011 12:02 PM
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I was goina add that the spot I mentioned is not a good place to "hold out for a biggen'". A place that might make a good side trip before or after is Wildcat Hills. I killed my first deer ever (rifle) at Cresecnt Lake WLR which is a bit south of there. Wide open rolling grasslands, not a tree for miles, and believe it or not predominatly whitetails! There is some great overlooked counrty out that way!
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From: Moose Pass, Alaska | IP: Logged |

luv2bowhunt
PBS Member
Member # 204

posted January 21, 2011 11:16 AM
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I just might be tempted into this one... I'll look into the cost of getting there from Michigan and let you know.

Thanks for the offer!

Kevin.

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"When a hunter is in a tree stand with high moral values and with the proper hunting ethics and richer for the experience, that hunter is 20 feet closer to God."

Fred Bear

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From: Grand Rapids, MI | IP: Logged |

Jim Curlee
PBS Member
Member # 131

posted January 21, 2011 06:54 PM
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I'm looking at the 3rd week of October, I'd like to be home for the start of the rut myself. Maybe the 15th till the 23rd.
Not the greatest time to hunt, but anytime hunting, is better than working.
Usually pretty slow around here at that time of the year, great time to try someplace else.
I'm open to any idea's?
Jim
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From: Minnesotah | IP: Logged |

John3

PBS Member
Member # 48

posted February 05, 2011 09:02 PM
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Jim have you finalized a Nebraska group trip for 2011...?

Due to my so called "bowhunting budget" this year we are chasing bears/deer in Arkansas in October. If a Nebraska group hunt doesn't happen in 2011 I for sure would want to make one happen next year. I've always wanted to bowhunt western Nebraska.

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"There is no excellence in Archery without great labor".
Maurice Thompson 1879

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From: Villa Ridge, Missouri | IP: Logged |

Jim Curlee
PBS Member
Member # 131

posted February 05, 2011 09:33 PM
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John;
Have been doing some research, have a possible campground located. It would be primitive, with outhouses, no showers, 8-10 campsites. Sounds perfect!
Doug Clayton has been looking into this.
Looks like I'll do the hunt, even if I don't get to many guys. Should be another fun hunt.
Possibilty of whitetails, or mulies, and turkeys.
Should be more huntable than South Dakota, treestands might even come in handy.
I think this is the same general area of the first PBS hunt, one of the early one's anyway, probably good juju in the area. LOL
I'll know more in the next week or so.
Will have an ad in by the 20th, of February, so it should come out in the magazine.
"Hunting budget", man, I am the king of cheap. Wouldn't cost you much more than gas, I think camping is going to be $5-$10 a night. That's a CHEAP HUNT!
Doug has already volunteered to be the "base camp".
More info to follow.
Oh yea, I plan on keeping this going every year.
Jim
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From: Minnesotah | IP: Logged |

John3

PBS Member
Member # 48

posted February 05, 2011 09:37 PM
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I'll pay attention for your hunt dates and if at all possible I will head west... Thanks for the update.

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"There is no excellence in Archery without great labor".
Maurice Thompson 1879

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From: Villa Ridge, Missouri | IP: Logged |

Larry Schwartz

PBS Member
Member # 93

posted February 06, 2011 12:51 PM
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Jim,

You might want to create a thread in the member hunts forum and direct folks there instead of continuing this one.

Larry
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From: Annapolis, MD | IP: Logged |

Steve Hohensee

Administrator
Member # 44

posted February 07, 2011 09:03 AM
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(....but soon will try and figure out how to move a thread like this over there)
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From: Moose Pass, Alaska | IP: Logged |

Jim Curlee
PBS Member
Member # 131

posted February 07, 2011 11:07 AM
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If your thinking that I'm going to figure out how to do that, forget-it.
Now if somebody else wants to move it, I don't care.
Jim
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From: Minnesotah | IP: Logged |

Larry Schwartz

PBS Member
Member # 93

posted February 07, 2011 01:53 PM
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Jim,

If you start a new thread in the Member Hunts forum I will move the details over for you from here and post a link for people to come to the new thread.

Larry
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From: Annapolis, MD | IP: Logged |

We are getting a few guy's that want to go hunting, Great!
If your a map junkie like me you can order maps from the:
Pine Ridge Ranger District
125 N. Main St.
Chadron, NE.
69337
1-308-432-0300

For $10, I got the maps for the Nebraska National Forest, and The Oglala National Grasslands. They also threw in a bunch of brochure's for things to do after you kill your buck.
If your a history buff,or a blackpowder shooter, the Museum of the Fur Trade is near Chadron. Very cool place.

Turkey season is on through the end of December, so a turkey tag is a good option. There are alot of birds in this area. These will be Merriams, so you'll be getting busted by a turkey with a western accent.

A couple guy's asked about pulling pop-up campers.
There are a couple of pay campgrounds in the area, otherwise this will be primitive camping. Even at the pay area's, I doubt they will have electricity. The ranger said everything has wound down for the season by then. Camping was $5 a night.

Water will have to be brought in, there is a small creek, but I'm not drinking the water! I suppose you could use a water filter, they do work. There is a state park nearby, if we have to, I'll get a park sticker, so we have access to water.

Jim

Last year, everybody brought their own food.
It was brought up, that each participant bring a group meal.
We all sat around in the evening, and shared the day's stories(lies), while we cooked our dinner.
I think this is a great idea?
Last year we pooled what we had for meals, and we all ate together in the evening.
I'd like to have everybody plan one evening meal, for all the hunters.
Breakfast, and lunch will be on your own.
Bring your favorite hunting meal, last year we had everthing from barbequed ribs(Greg your welcome to come again, just don't forget the ribs!), to sharptailed grouse. That was great, I've never eaten so good on a hunting trip. Most of the time it's oatmeal, and freeze dried food, after a week of that I can't hardly look at oatmeal with out wanting to puch! I haven't ate oatmeal since last September, and I like it in the winter.LOL
Any other ideas for food, etc, let's hear them?
I'm looking for another funhunt.
Jim

At last year's hunt I brought my 14x16 wall tent that has an 8' fly over the front that gives shelter for cooking, sitting, etc. If you go back to the Cyber Campfire and hit page 3 for [i]2010 PBS Reunion Hunt South Dakota[i] you can see some of the pictures.

I will be bringing it again. In addition I brought a Coleman two-burner propane stove along with a Camp Chef stove/oven. On the way up to the P&Y Convention last week I picked up a Camp Chef Yukon two-burner stove. I believe the Coleman stoves put out around 10,000 BTU's per burner while the Yukon puts out 30,000 per burner. Plus I bought a bbq stove and griddle that fit over one of the burners leaving the other for different cooking. In other words I'll have enough stoves to cook on that no one should have to bring one of their own unless they want to. The stoves will be for everyone to use--like we did last year.

Once the hunt time gets much closer and the number of participants are finalized dinner meals can then be planned. Like Jim said, if one person does one dinner for all in camp that works great. That way you only cook once and have more time for socializing---but if anyone needed help with a meal it was there.

Doug;
I'm ready, let's eat!
Jim

Any other WI PBS members thinking about going on this hunt? I would like to go, but with gas prices it would be nice if several of us could make the trip together. If any one would like to do the same, let me know.

Felix;
Your welcome to come along. You might want to get ahold of Doug, maybe he'll let you bunk in the "Clayton Hilton".
Looks like we have about a half a dozen guys interested.
So far these are the guy's that have contacted me.
If possible maybe some of you guy's can hook up?
Ron Mackenberg+1
Tim Jones
Don Scholz
Doug Clayton
Me
Steve;
I'm thinking you should come down, and add some Alaskan flavor to our camp?
Jim

At some of the banquets I know they see who's traveled the farest---something tells me if Felix makes the hunt he would be the winner by several thousand miles!

Do you guys have firm dates for this hunt yet?

I saw where Jim mentioned he would like to do it towards the end of OCT--But I didn't see any firm dates yet--

My situation might have changed--

I am weighing my options and I am going hunting somewhere this fall---

PJ;
The dates are the 15th through the 23rd of October.
We've also signed up another victim, George Belvin.
Can't remember where he's from, somewhere south of the Mason Dixon line. According to Doug, not remembering is an old age thing, he ought to know! LOL
Jim

That sounds good Jim-

I am looking through the various PBS hunts and seeing what will work with my schedule and possibly a friend who recently re-joined the PBS after a several year absense-

Hey Jim,

I resemble that remark as much as I hate to say it!

The one hunter I mentioned about maybe coming on the hunt who wasn't a PBS member---well I figured the least I could do was sign him up while at Compton's so I did.

Man this hunt sure is tempting, especially knowing how well Jim did organizing the SD hunt! The Virginia hunt would be much more reasonable for me for several reasons (only 4+ hours away compared to close to 20 hours for this hunt, and I get to use the Virginia NR tags repeatedly over the next year). I am planning on meeting up with PBSers from Utah (Craig Burris) and New Hampshire (David Kretchmar) in October. If somehow that VA hunt falls through, this will be our next choice.

Jim, are you dragging the wife to Nebraska soon for a scouting trip, like you did for SD?

Jeff,

I'm pretty sure of at least one other guy besides me in my wall tent so that's two with room for four plus the wood stove. I know you like camping in the back of your truck but you're more than welcome to stay in the wall tent if you decide to make this hunt.

I maybe interested in this hunt. I am currently an associate member only, but wondering if that matters. I do not post very much, so do not have the ability to use private messaging to contact hunt leaders. Can you drop me a line via PM so I can get more information?

Didn't draw anything this year, but have wanted to hunt this area for a long time. So maybe this is the year. Just turned 50, and should get it off of my hunting 'bucket list'.

Thanks

Mike

Thanks Doug, I'm not sure I would know how to act properly in such a high-class lodging. The VA PBS hunt is ON so I will opt for the much shorter drive this year - I do look forward to the stories and photos from this hunt.

Mike, this is a great way to meet other PBS hunters and enjoy some fine hunting. There was contact info for Jim Curlee in the last PBS magazine. PM me if you can't find it and I will help.

Mike certainly would like to see you make it. Associate, life, or Regular members are all the same when it comes to hunts or any get together.
Ron

Thanks guys. Doug was gracious enough to provide me with his email. I fired off a list of Q's on the hunt. Still in the planning stages on what to do this fall for a major hunt. I didn't fair too well in any of the out of state draws, so this hunt does look appealing.

Hopefully, things will all come together, as I need to do a little more research. I'll be checking back in. Thanks again.

Jeff;
No scouting trips this year. Too much work, I don't like it.
Remember, time is way more valueble than money.
I'll be out early so will hopefully have some info when everyone get's to camp.
Hopefully they have bigger deer in Virginia, than you do in your back yard? I wouldn't walk across the street, for a 4" spike, let alone drive 4 hour's! LOL
Jerry, and I drew bear tags, so I've been spending alot of time in the north-woods. Only took 3 years to draw, still can't buy my bear tag. The state of Minnesota, shutdown better than a week ago,can't believe with all the taxes we pay, that the state can't function. Moron's!
Look's like the Federal government's in the same boat.
What a messed up world we live in!

Doug;
Send me those heads, and I'll put something together.
Must suck, having to scout Colorado for elk? LOL
I won't be after elk again, till next year.

Mike;
Every PBS member is welcome.

Where do you guy's think we should hunt next year?

Anybody interested in a winter hog hunt?

Jim

I talked with Mike Theis last night and it looks like we will be joining the group. I will have to send in for the maps and get studying! Looking forward to meeting everyone in NE.

Jim, sorry I can't join in the fun. I do expect to see much bigger deer in Virginia - going on a scouting trip there with Rob this weekend.

I guess it is my time to host a PBS reunion hunt. Since the QDM program at my farm is not working too well, and since Jim has dropped several hints about wanting to chase some hogs this late winter/early spring , I will start planning a public-land hog hunt. This is where I am thinking of holding the hunt......

http://www.stewart.army.mil/dpw/wildlife/default.htm

Jeff--A winter hog hunt at Fort Stewart would be cool---

That hog hunt looks like fun! I'd like to do it if I can swing it. My older bother lives in the Metter area, so that would give me a reason to stop in and see him also.

I will be coming to Nebraska to hunt. This will be great, as usually we are driving through Nebraska on the way out west. This will be a nice change of pace to not have to drive 20+ hours to get to the hunting area.

I tried to send you an email Doug, but it must not have made it through. I will try again. Just trying to get some information together. October will be on us before you know it.

Here is a nice website I ran into for Nebraska. The map area is nice in that it is has aerial map ability with state parks, etc annotated. It also has links to hunting regulations, among other things. Haven't fully explored it yet, as it is tough to get past studying the maps. (Confessions of a map addict.)

http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/default.asp

Jim, It's about 95 % that I have to cancel. I was just informed that my #1 granddaughter is planning her wedding for Oct. 20 or 21 in Albuquerque, NM.

Since I've lived long enough to be able to see this I plan to make it.

I already had my friend talked into joining as a associate to travel with me. His granddaughter is getting married the 13 of Oct. and we were going to leave from the wedding and just be a day or two late. We'll have to make the next one.
Ron Mackenberg

I'm still a maybe but trying to get my "late" season figured out, sans no Iowa tag as expected.

A license for 1 either sex and 1 WT doe is a whopping $209! You also need a Habitat Stamp for $20. Turkey tags are $91 and this is stated to be the best turkey population in the state; the birds are Merriams. This may be the "Mule Der Conservation Area" and if so for sure no doe MD would be allowed. I would need to check closer on that one.

The camp MAY be close enough to SD should someone get lucky and tag out early.

Steve,

Looking at the Mule Deer Conservation Area map it's at least 150 plus miles away from where the PBS hunt will take place south of Chadron.

And, as far as going to SD---From Chadron, Hot Springs, SD is less than 60 miles away.

If it looks like you can make this hunt let me know and, as I'd mentioned quite awhile ago, I can make room for you in the wall tent or set up/bring my Cabela's 6-man tent or their XWT 10'x10' tent for your use while camping with us. I've also got extra sleeping bags (rated 20 degrees), air mattress and I'm sure I can come up with a cot for your use so you don't have to worry about flying with those items. Basically I can have a "camp set up" for you so all you have to bring is your clothes and bows.

Steve,

Forgot to add---if you can go and would like to chat further about the hunt my email is: dclay33@cox.net.

I chatted with Curlee Jim a bit today. Doug, e-mail with phone numbers headed your way.

Ok, bought a ticket to Omaha and will hitchhike with Doug Clayton! I'm a heading home to Nebraska!