This was the hardest i have ever hunted, and only seen one elk, a spike not legal.We never even heard elk for 8 day (http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj10/longbowben/100_0294.jpg)s.
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What some beautiful country though....looks like a pretty long step to the bottom!
This is the most stuning place i have ever been, GODS COUNTRY all need to see at least once in a life time.
Beautiful pics! What grand country you were in. Sure, it would have been nice if the elk were there too, but it looks like you still had a good trip. :thumbsup:
You hunted 8 days and seen one Elk? Was it a DIY hunt? Beautiful country out there. I'd like to do that someday. Aren't there a lot of nasty snakes in those woods?
Looks beautiful! Sounds like my elk hunting....!
Leo, naw, not too many snakes in elk country. Some rattlers, but being up so high in elevation (typical elk habitat anyway) there doesn't tend to be too many snakes. On a solo backcountry hunt, though, there are a lot of boogie men...)
Again, awesome photos, thanks for sharing.
Mike
That is some pretty country. Beautiful. Looks like you were enjoying a dip in the high country.
We were in black canyon and it was a diy hunt.I thought my lungs where going to burst.And did not see any snakes.
As I am working on what will probably be the only elk hunt I ever take, I would like to ask you two questions:
I have some sense for the costs involved - in money, time, effort (before, during, and after the trip), etc - now that it is over do you believe the benefits of the trip justify those costs?
Given that you could do it over - what, if anything, would you do differently?
I have to close by saying that the pictures are great> If I close my eyes and concentrate - I can see myself standing there in 2010.
That country looks like it was worth the price! Hap
I would have paid to hunt private land ,all the elk moved off the mountain to the low land.Only 1 elk was killed in the forest .But the private land was full of elk.
Great pictures.....thanks for sharing
And the cost is high,This was my once in a life elk trip.Good luck to you .
Sorry you didn't see much in the way of elk, but that has got to be some of the most beautiful country anwhere!
Funny, I don't remember Ohio looking that way at all :biglaugh:
Nathan
If ohio looked like that i wouldnt be that fat.That place will kill you. :biglaugh:
Majestic country you have there! Thanks for sharing.
great pics,thanks. :thumbsup:
Boy, he should have shown my good side. The last pic is me at an attempt to bugle. The elk didn't cooperate but the scenery and comradery was second to none. We did go down to the road by the private land and listen to the bugles. WOW! They sent a chill up my spine. Only wish they were on the public land to experience it. Tomorrow is another day. Locals say it got too cold too quick and drove the elk low about two weeks ago. All private at that elevation. But thats hunting. Great trip to say the least.
Mike
great pictures man
Alex
Hey Rizzo- I was there with you at heart brother! Maybe next year I take you to my muley spot!!! 2 years ago, 20 different bucks in 1 week. JD
you guys look to be very young....why would this be your "once in a lifetime" trip?
how can you be so certain? Or was it a bad trip and you have decided "never again"?
I would not hunt forest again, and i cant afford to hunt private land.Just an average working man and do side jobs to front my hunting and fishing trips.
Ray,
I would not say this is my last elk hunt. Although I would do a few things different giving the opportunity again. Probably would try Idaho if ever going again. Even the guides in the 2-forests we were hunting were stumped and pulled there clients out. Still had a good time.
I felt your spirit JD!
Mike
I know how you can say that it was your one and only time....been there. But it's an addiction! Started out every other year....now it's every year! Nothing stops it....but then who wants it to? lol. Sometimes you win....sometimes you just have fun. It's win/win either way!
Better luck on your next trip!!
It's always "once in a lifetime" till next year rolls around and you get the itch again. I'm already thinking about next year's elk and pronghorn seasons. What state were you hunting in, Ben? Matt
Colorado unit 70 by montrose,UNCOMPADRE NATIONAL FOREST.
We hunted unit 70 for 5-days without a bugle. So we pulled camp and moved to Black Canyon/Big Cimaron for the last 5-days. No bugles and the sign was old. Hey, thats hunting. We still had a good time in some beautiful country. I'll get longbowben out another time. He can't resist my "charm". Not to mention I'll coax him with beer.
Mike
Thats not fair.Iwas to tired to drink after crawling behind him all day.
Your second picture looks like the pinnacle ridge along the East Fork of the Big Cimarron just upstream from the reservoir in Unit 65.
Very good Sherpa. That would actually be the middle fork up from the reservoir. I'm impressed.
Ben, don't give up on public land elk hunting. There are plenty of elk on public land in colorado. The key is cover lots of ground, and have a backup plan if they are not in the area you first hunt. the best part of elk hunting is all the wild places traveled.