Thought I'd stop over to Joe's house before he leaves tomorrow morning on his 3 week hunt. He's itching to get to the mountains. We'll be waiting to hear and see what's in store. Good hunting Whip!
(http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/oo306/bhaukom/DSCN1410.jpg)
I am going to try to help Joe post up pics while he is out in the field. Don't know if he will use this thread or start a new one, but I will be sure to post a link here.
Go get'em Joe! :campfire:
Good luck Joe!!
chris <><
Just swallowed a sleeping pill so I can hopefully get a little rest tonight. ;) Thanks for the well wishes - hope I can make the best of this one. :wavey:
Drive safe Whip look forward to meeting you.
Good luck Whip and have a safe trip bud !!!
Good luck Joe!
Go get em Joe!! :readit:
Tracy
Good luck Joe. Nice story in TradArchers World BTW.
Good luck Joe! I'm leaving for Wy next Wednesday myself. Can't wait to hear the first bugle.
In the words of a wise Shoshone chief, " Whack 'em and stack 'em". (not positive of my source ;) )
Best of luck Joe. You'll do well pilgrim.
You da man Joe!
Come and get 'em, Joe. Enjoy the Bighorns and your time in big wonderful Wyoming.
Good luck Joe. I'm leaving for N CO tomorrow.
Best wishes. Enjoy.
Good luck! Hoping you have a truly wonderful hunt.
Looking forward to hearing from you about your adventure.
Good luck whip looking forward to pics and stories.
Good luck brother! Looking forward to some updates!
Good luck from a close neighbor (Jefferson). Hope to meet you one of these days. Hawk2
:thumbsup:
Camp is set, and the hunt is on. So far I'm having trouble locating the elk. The spots that held so many when I was here in August seem like the elk have recently been pushed out. Lots of droppings that seem to be a week or so old. But very little fresh. They likely have been pushed into different areas. Hopefully they haven't gone too far and I can get on them again soon.
I have been seeing lots of deer and moose. This morning I had 2 young bulls on the road right by camp when I pulled in. Parked at the tent and gave a couple of cow moose calls and they walked right to me. Seven yards! Got some good pictures, but the phone was in the truck so you'll have to wait to see them.
Hope to report back with better news on the elk soon. The good news is that I have plenty of time to locate them.
Good luck Joe
Good luck Joe, I will be monitoring this thread closely!!!
Good luck my friend. Have a great time and be safe. :thumbsup:
Have a great hunt and be safe ... look forward to some stories and pics. :archer2: shoot straight
Here are a couple pictures to test our photo relay system...
First sign of the mighty Bighorns:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Post%20pics/a09e6525.png)
The view from Joe's cell signal spot:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Post%20pics/a601d589.png)
Ok Joe, I know what I did to get the first pic bigger. That is as big as they are going to be.
Find those elk!
Living vicariously thru you for the next couple weeks Joe!
Go Get 'Em Joe!!! Enjoy yourself my friend!!!
Good luck and safe travels. Looking forward to some stories.
Hey whip does your hunting partner have same amount of time to hunt. I know your job won't get in the way :)
Still struggling on finding where the elk are. I did have a bull bugle 5-6 times last night. This morning I heard one bugle and spooked one elk while headed back toward the truck. Did find a really nice wallow that was freshly used. Had found a number of other ones in the past couple of days, but this is the first one that shows recent activity. Definately worth spending an afternoon sitting on this one.
Good luck in getting on them!
Time is on your side.
I'm routing for you Joe!
Yee ha baby. Plenty of time. This is cool.
I wish you success!
Martin
Whip, better luck there than chasing my hogs! You hang in there and best of luck! I wish I was there!
Whipster,
I'll be looking to dig this one up after I get back from CO. Leaving Thurs morning.
Good luck...I know you'll find a way big fella.
The last couple of days I have finally started seeing a few elk. Not a lot, and they aren't bugling good, but it's a start.
Yesterday I had a couple of visitors when I got back to camp. Randy Burtis (FerretWYO) spent a couple hours and it was great to finally meet in person. Randy has a lot of experiences for such a young guy! Also Mark Toso from WI was at camp. He had been hunting a different unit south of here but hopes to draw this one someday so is going to spend a couple of days with me and deer hunt while learning a bit about this unit.
This morning I decided it was time to go deep. I picked a canyon that I haven't seen anybody parked near and began the hike in. Wasn't long before it got steep. Real steep! Once on top it flattened out and I began seeing sign of elk. Bumped into a couple of cows and as they walked off I gave a couple mews which were answered by a bugle - very close. But they moved off and that was that.
The bad news is that the climb was grueling and not one I have any desire to do again. Blow downs and rock faces at every turn. The good news is there is another road that goes around the top side. Long drive and a long hike in, but fairly gentle open country will make access to a promising area much better.
The real adventure of the day was the trip back down to the truck. I came to a point where the entire face of the mountain was nothing but cliffs. I thought I might have to backtrack deep into the canyon to try to find a way down. As I was climbing back out I came across a well worn game trail headed down through the rocks. The animals must know how to get down there, right?
It did work out in the end, but I think my toes are permanently curled into a ball in the front of my boots and I know my butt cheeks got to know each other a little better on that trip!
Topo maps aren't all they are cracked up to be. There were some spots where at least 3 or 4 contour lines should have been running together. Because it was STRAIGHT down! GPS's are cruel little devices too. They might be OK for a crow that wants to know how far to fly. But they give a hunter misguided false hope on how far it is back to the truck.
Keep at it Joe I have faith in you.
Jack
:coffee:
Keep after em Joe, it is just a matter of time!
Hey Joe, Sounds like you might have found a place where the elk have found some solitude, which is where they will be holed up. Lots of human activity in the Bighorns make it a tough hunt. Where about are you camped?
QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
Topo maps aren't all they are cracked up to be. There were some spots where at least 3 or 4 contour lines should have been running together. Because it was STRAIGHT down! GPS's are cruel little devices too. They might be OK for a crow that wants to know how far to fly. But they give a hunter misguided false hope on how far it is back to the truck.
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: How true!!
Thanks for sharing your adventure Joe!!
Keep on keepin on bro!!! You discovered the one word that ends up in every western hunter's vocabulary... Rimrocked!
Keep at it Joe! You know those elk are a lot of work. It will pay off for you. Good Luck!!
QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
...I think my toes are permanently curled into a ball in the front of my boots and I know my butt cheeks got to know each other a little better on that trip!
:laughing:
Good luck Joe
Last night I decided to take it easy and sit a wallow. I had found an actively used one just a nice 1/4 mile walk from the truck. Set up was perfect with the wind in my face, and it was nice to just sit still for a change.
About an hour before dark a snapping stick drew my attention and sure enough, 100 yards out I could see an elk headed my way. It turned out there were actually four of them - 2 cows and 2 calves.
They fed gradually in my direction and after checking to make sure it was safe, walked right into the wallow to drink and gorge on the surrounding grasses. The lead cow was a huge old gal. She stepped into my shooting lane perfectly broadside with her head buried, and the other three were oblivious as well. I could see the outline of the front shoulder bones clearly, presenting a perfect inviting target. As I burned a hole in her side with my eyes all I could think was that Jimmy (NoCams) is going to be mad! I was content to watch.
The large cow took the two young ones up the trail above me 10 yards to my left. The other cow went to the downhill side and stood watching below. As the first three meandered off up hill, it wasn't long before I found myself between them. I prayed that the last cow would turn back and go through the wallow to follow the others. But of course she decided to cut the corner.
Walking right to me, she finally noticed a strange blob at five yards. But rather than concern, she was curious. She continued easing slowly toward me until her huge muzzle was four feet from my nose. Four FEET! I honestly thought she was going to reach out and take a lick!
She finally decided "this ain't right" and bolted up the trail. She stopped for one last glance back, and then followed the others uphill.
That was the most adrenaline charged experience I have ever had with an animal I didn't have intentions to kill.
Joe,
Next time blow her a kiss and watch her swap ends.
Sounds like your having a great adventure.
Yep, Jimmy is mad !!! Oh well, let's pretend she was as you described, " A huge old gal ". She would have been too tough to eat, probably at least a decade old wasn't she Whip ?
You got plenty of time for that, " huge old bull ", now get out there and find his wallow Whipster ! Good on ya brother. Keep us posted being that some of us are living vicariously thru your hunt Whip.
Joe just picked up his hunting partner for the next two weeks, Ohne Raasch, and is heading back to base camp as we speak. Looks like a cold front is heading their way over the next couple of days which hopefully will increase the activity and give them many more close encounters.
Here are a couple shots of camp from Joe.
The ol' Prarie Traditions Pyramid tent:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Post%20pics/f2fd66c1.png)
And a view from the tent:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Post%20pics/4a11ea0a.png)
QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
It did work out in the end, but I think my toes are permanently curled into a ball in the front of my boots and I know my butt cheeks got to know each other a little better on that trip!
:biglaugh:
Thats funny right there!!
Keep at it Joe, the action is bound to heat up!!
Joe know the toe crimp walk all to well :campfire:
You are quite the man for passing up that 'big 'ol gal'...now go kill her big, bad boyfriend :) Hunt safe my friend!
Hey Joe were all hoping that things get better for you.If they dont,you might want to think about moving your camp to another location.Maybe find an area that has more fresh sign, or more elk.I hope you dont take that the worng way,im just trying to help.You sound like a hell of a nice guy and a great hunter.Keep up the great post.Thanks for helping me with (my topo . com),good luck! :pray:
This is gettin good ... Hang in there Whip :) Man I wish I was there ...
:campfire:
Whip,
That looks like Sibley Lake. A nice place to camp. Keep with them, at least you are seeing some elk.
QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
The lead cow was a huge old gal. She stepped into my shooting lane perfectly broadside with her head buried, and the other three were oblivious as well. I could see the outline of the front shoulder bones clearly, presenting a perfect inviting target. As I burned a hole in her side with my eyes all I could think was that Jimmy (NoCams) is going to be mad! I was content to watch.
Good idea Joe......if you are going to have to pack out a bunch of meat....especially a bunch of "tough" meat, it might as well come from a big ol' bull!
Best of luck to you guys....check that wallow out again....it sounds like it might eventually be fruitful!
four feet form your nose and you didn't even have to kiss her :bigsmyl:
Only a Quarter mile pack job? What is your success rate at shooting 4 yards? Knowing me that would be an over the back type of shot since I dont practice that close.
Good luck Whip! That sounded like an awesome experience.
Tell it, Whip. Man I love this stuff!!
Hey Joe ... are you out there??? How is the hunt going??? Those of us stuck at home need an update!!! :campfire:
You're right, that is Sibley Lake, but is not where we are camped. Just another pretty WY scene. We are camped about 15 miles west of Burgess Junction off FR15.
A little frustration was starting to set in. Or maybe just confusion. I hunted the AM before picking Ohne up and saw nothing. We both hunted hard in different spots yesterday morning and evening. Nothing. Not a thing. No bugles, no fresh tracks, droppings were all hard and black on the outside. It was like the elk rent was past due and they had been evicted from everywhere we looked two weeks before we got there.
Oh, there was sign. Droppings galore, but like I said all old. Trees everywhere were tore to shreds by bulls, some as big as my thigh. The elk had definitely been here, but they were no longer.
Hunting pressure seems pretty low, considering. I've certainly seen much worse that didn't drive the elk out. Just can't figure it out. So our plan for this morning was to do some driving, hit high spots, and cover as much area as we could with binoculars.
The elk gods got up early though and changed our plans. They threw the switch, and right from the tent we could hear bulls above us. We're not stupid - we stayed right there. Ohne walked up right from camp while I drove down the road and came at it from the other side.
Right from the truck I could hear 3 bulls above me. I headed toward the one a bit to my left and worked my way up the mountain. Not a bad hike as mountain hunting goes. Maybe 1/2 mile and 7-800 feet in elevation.
Just as it was breaking daylight I got to the opening on top. A nice 6x6 was sky lined and bugling up a storm with a couple of cows between me and him. A couple more bulls bugled from my right and eventually a big 5x5 walked toward the cows. The big boy promptly ran him off.
I had the big one within 100 yds at one point, but that was as close as he came. At least 4 different bulls bugled back and forth pretty much continuously until 9am. I tried to get in front of them while keeping the wind in my favor all morning. But they were up and down and back and forth through the bowl we were in all morning and I always seemed to zig when I should have zagged. So close, but oh so far.
All in all of course, it was a great morning. No shots fired, but I'll take that kind of action any day. All I can hope is that this isn't a fluke and is now the start of what I had been hoping to find.
Not sure how often I'll be able to post. And it's hard to type on this stupid phone. But I'll update when I can.
Great stuff buddy....there's a lot of us here pullin' for ya :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :archer2:
Get em Joe and Ohne! Never give up! :thumbsup:
Go Joe! You've found em and got our attention now bring em home!
QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
...her huge muzzle was four feet from my nose. Four FEET! I honestly thought she was going to reach out and take a lick!...
Very cool!
Joshua
:campfire:
Hang in there Joe. Updates are fantastic. Thanks for taking the time to keep us "in the loop."
Sounds like you might be in them now. Good Luck!
looking forward to the next report! :)
That kind of day is what will keep you going for sure;; :thumbsup:
Keep after it Whip! We're pullin' for ya!
:pray:
Good luck Whip.
Hey Joe it was great to meet you the other day. I hope to stop by and see you again this week. my back pack will be ready I got a little workout today with it.
Joe I have a feeling it won't be long now.
Jack
Now that sounds like a great Elk hunting Day. Good luck and I'm looking forward to reading some more.
Keep it comming Joe.Your post is the first thing i look for on Trad,G. :saywhat: :saywhat: :saywhat:
The elk on the mountain above camp may have just been a one day wonder. We went back up the evening after all the morning action - saw and heard nothing, save for one other hunter who obviously had heard all the noise up there earlier in the day.
This morning we decided to drive around to the west end of the unit and explore some new country. We drove down a 4x4 forest road while it was still dark with the plan being to stop occasionally to listen for bugles. When it got light enough to see we would do some binocular work and see if we could find some elk.
On our second stop to listen we heard a bugle up above. Since a bugle in the bush is worth more than two down the road, we gathered our packs and bows and headed on up.
He continued to sound off regularly and it was easy to keep track of where he was and work close with the wind in our favor. We split up, with Ohne going higher. I got into a strip of spruce broken by openings and worked close.
As I eased around a spruce I glanced to my right. A cow at 70 yards had me. After a brief stare down she trotted off and joined the rest of the group. I cow called a couple of times and the bull immediately bugled back, but the herd broke and ran. They didn't go far before stopping, and weren't badly spooked, but sure knew something wasn't right and weren't going to hang around to see what it was.
I could hear more bugling further up the mountain, so continued to make my way up. I stayed down slope to keep the wind in my favor and gradually closed the distance. This time I would take it slower and do everything I could to see them before they saw me.
Eventually I could see that I was nearing the end of the timber with open sage and grass above. The bugles were coming from the opening so I eased slowly up until I could see cows feeding and two 6x6 bulls about 75 yards out into the opening. One of them was very nice. And the other was huge!
I set up about 50 yards inside the timber with the wind in my face and a heavily used trail to my left. Everything was perfect if they would just pick my trail to enter the woods on when they were done with there feeding. The sun was already hitting the slope, so I knew it wouldn't be long.
I had only watched for a few minutes when suddenly the elk stampeded off across the open ground. I knew that I wasn't the problem, but figured either Ohne or another hunter had busted them. Once again, oh so close, but so far away.
It turned out that Ohne had seen two other hunters up near the elk. And when we were done we met a couple more that had also been up there. We had found the elk. But we weren't alone.
Aaaaah! So close........
Hang in there Joe. Thanks for the update.
Whip you may have been busted on your hunt but man there's is nothing like chasing elk !!! I love that rush !!!
Keep on them you're a little closer :)
Man I wish I was there ......
I went back to the wallow with the cow close encounter of a couple of days ago. I've figured out how to type up notes on this phone and save them. Then when I get to a spot with cell reception it is simple to copy and paste the notes to post on TG. Cool! That will be a lot easier than trying to post it all while sitting there.
I came to hunt the wallow again a couple days ago. When I pulled in there was already a truck parked there and since I didn't know where the guy was I left. The strange thing is that in the bed of his truck was a gorgeous 6x6 rack from a bull. The head was attached and appeared to be at least a few days old, so I don't think he killed it here and was packing meat. Maybe he was deer hunting. I don't know. But tonight I parked alone so had higher hopes a bull might show up. No such luck though. Not even the cows came back.
Went to explore a new spot this morning. I had talked to a game warden and he said people had been seeing elk feeding in the openings. And I actually saw a small herd coming out to the edge on evening as I was headed back to camp.
They must be spirit elk though. I found very little sign of anything but mule deer. In hindsight, we should have gone right back where we were yesterday morning. Even though there were other hunters at least there were definitely elk. I think we need to start worrying less about what everyone else is doing and focus on where the elk are.
I don't like seeing other hunters any more than the next guy, and I won't knowingly try to cut someone else off. But dealing with hunting pressure is just a fact of life when hunting public lands.
We are prepared to carry in a spike camp if we could find a place back in that held elk. But so far, even when we do venture deep we haven't found any evidence that is where the elk are. We've had our best luck so far in the more accessible areas.
We still have plenty of spots to check though. So will probably alternate between trying new areas and hunting spots we have found elk in before.
Joe - It was great to hang in your camp for a few days, and nice to meet you Randy. That's one comfortable camp you have. After I left you I went to another area I knew in 37 and hunted that evening but it was dead quiet too, except for the moose I heard bawling. I did see a cow standing right off 14A but she wasn't in my zone. Figures. Then I packed back into our camp (3000' vertical) for the rest of the week. We did see elk but clear over in an area that you darn near needed a helicopter to get to. They just started bugling on Thursday, and we packed out on Saturday. Too bad I can't hunt for 3 weeks like you! There weren't hardly any guys on the east side so you might want to consider that.
The elk in Wyoming are not like I've seen in Colorado, they all must be piled up in a canyon somewhere. We had 200 in our area the first week, too bad we hunted the second. Anyways thanks again for the hospitality and good luck for the rest of your hunt.
Whomever coined the phrase "Here today gone tomorro" had elk in mind. Thanks for taking us along Joe!
Couple of shots from Joe...
Wallow
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Post%20pics/544f235b.png)
Some of the thick stuff
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/Post%20pics/77e037aa.png)
I told Joe I had a feeling the next pictures I got would have a lot of antler in them!
Randy Burtis stopped by again today for a visit. And to show pictures of his monster bull! What a beast!! Trying to check threads on this phone is a long slow process so I haven't been able to keep up with all that happens around here. Didn't know about Randy's success - I hope $any of the rest of you are out making it happen too.
Tonight I went to the north side of the mountain that held all the elk (and hunters) yesterday. Hoping to find something a little more secluded that I might be able to hunt without worry.
I did find them too! Saw two bulls, a spike, and a bunch of cows. Nothing in a spot I could work to with the wind tonight, but it gives me a great option for a morning hunt.
Little by little, hopefully we can put the pieces together.
Back to the same spot again this morning. I've been into elk all morning. Had a bull bugling below me and worked my way to a point above him where I had the wind in my favor. As I sat waiting to see which way he would go a cow popped out into an opening 30 yards away. Followed by a calf, 3 spikes, more cows. Here they come!
The bull was behind them and continued to bugle. One cow ended up coming within 5 yards and had a 5 minute stare down with me. When she left I eased down closer to the opening and set up for a chip shot when the bull followed.
The only snag in the plan was that some of his other cows took a different trail to my left. I could hear them calling and him bugling, obviously coming up the other way. I needed to move uphill to keep the wind in my favor. As soon as I did two cows saw me as they were coming down a trail right to me. Dang!
They apparently just ran back to the herd because the bull continued to bugle. They moved back a couple hundred yards and then stopped. I couldn't safely close the distance so I just stayed back and listened.
The bull continued to sound off, but it got less and less frequent. As I sit here typing up my notes it has now been 1/2 hour since I last heard him. They hadn't moved, so my guess is that they are bedded for the morning. I think the smart move is to back out now and hope for a better set up later. I don't want to push him out of this draw.
Whip thanks for this thread and reports...I get to elk hunt and work at the same time :)
I am glad to hear you are getting into the elk now Joe. As long as there are elk around it is just a matter of time and opportunities!
Good luck!!!
Dan
How cool, Joe.......... a play-by-play elk hunt! Take it easy and you'll get your opportunity.
Keep on them it won't be long. :campfire:
Randy Burtis stopped by again today for a visit. And to show pictures of his monster bull! What a beast!! Trying to check threads on this phone is a long slow process so I haven't been able to keep up with all that happens around here. Didn't know about Randy's success - I hope $any of the rest of you are out making it happen too.
Tonight I went to the north side of the mountain that held all the elk (and hunters) yesterday. Hoping to find something a little more secluded that I might be able to hunt without worry.
I did find them too! Saw two bulls, a spike, and a bunch of cows. Nothing in a spot I could work to with the wind tonight, but it gives me a great option for a morning hunt.
Little by little, hopefully we can put the pieces together.
Back to the same spot again this morning. I've been into elk all morning. Had a bull bugling below me and worked my way to a point above him where I had the wind in my favor. As I sat waiting to see which way he would go a cow popped out into an opening 30 yards away. Followed by a calf, 3 spikes, more cows. Here they come!
The bull was behind them and continued to bugle. One cow ended up coming within 5 yards and had a 5 minute stare down with me. When she left I eased down closer to the opening and set up for a chip shot when the bull followed.
The only snag in the plan was that some of his other cows took a different trail to my left. I could hear them calling and him bugling, obviously coming up the other way. I needed to move uphill to keep the wind in my favor. As soon as I did two cows saw me as they were coming down a trail right to me. Dang!
They apparently just ran back to the herd because the bull continued to bugle. They moved back a couple hundred yards and then stopped. I couldn't safely close the distance so I just stayed back and listened.
The bull continued to sound off, but it got less and less frequent. As I sit here typing up my notes it has now been 1/2 hour since I last heard him. They hadn't moved, so my guess is that they are bedded for the morning. I think the smart move is to back out now and hope for a better set up later. I don't want to push him out of this draw.
It is gonna be, " Pay Dirt " , just any day now...... I can feel it Whip !
Whip, this is awesome, from a bow hunter unable to hunt this fall, thanks for the play by play, and GOOD LUCK! I will be checking this whenever I can get on the net.
I'm sitting on a mountain side right now in one of the most remote spots I've been to and I have cell service. Time for a break so I'll try a post.
Last night I set up to glass a canyon. Didn't see much until a bull bugled within a few hundred yards of where I sat. I worked within 150 yards and saw him with 11 cows but could get no closer and they headed the other way.
This morning I'm back to what is becoming "my spot". I call it Knife Ridge and from up here I can see and hear into two different draws.
As soon as I got here this morning I could see a group of 4 cows in one draw and 9 in the other. Both seemed alone at first but after watching for a bit a beautiful bull stepped out and started gathering the bigger herd.
Looking back in the other draw I saw another herd of maybe 10 or so being tended by a smallish 6x6. This second group was in a much better position and the wind was perfect. The other bull with the nine cows was below me and getting the wind in my favor would require a long circle to try to come in from below. But he was huge! A long circular walk would do me just fine....
By the time I made it down where I needed to be I could tell from the bugles that he had moved them out of the meadow and into the timber. I came to a spot above a small steep sided bowl and figured they would come either above or below it. I set up on the top side and guessed right.
I could hear the bugles getting louder and closer coming right to me. Before long cows were slipping by me at 40 yards. I was right on the edge of the bowl and hoped he might stay on the downhill side of the cows.
Branches were breaking and he was screaming as he tried to maintain control of his women. Suddenly a small 6x6 trotted past at 10 yards. Too fast for a shot. And besides, I knew the big one was right behind.
He came through at about 25 yards but moving fast as he tended the herd. I had the bow at half draw, but the shot never came. He gathered the group and moved them back the way they had come.
Can I get any closer without a shot? I don't know, but either way, this trip is getting good. This is the stuff of my dreams for the other eleven months of the year.
As I sit here typing this I am still hearing sporadic bugles and chuckles from a bull below. I think it is the same one as yesterday, and the day before that. He is a loud mouthed very vocal boy, but he has picked a bedding area that is very tough to access undetected. He moves into it with the wind in his face so it is not possible to set up there and wait. I think it's best to just bide my time and wait for the day he does something different. It's good to know he has a pattern though.
Can't wait to hear the rest of the story and see the "hero" pictures. Great job and thanks for sharing.
Oh boy, ..... almost!!! You're living the dream, Joe. Good for you.
:bigsmyl:
:coffee:
Cool stuff Joe!!! Thanks again for keeping us posted!
Whip, I could almost hear the brush popping and fell the cool air. Great story. Good Luck.
Won't be be long now Joe.
Jack
Excellent Joe! We're ready for the shot! Keep us posted.
Great updates. Thanks for taking the time and effort to give us the feel of the elk hunt. I'm just amazed you have cell service, when we head over the Bighorns we never get a signal. Good luck.
Whip, I check on this thread six or seven times a day. Looking forward to the hero pics with a big stinky bull. The smart money's on you, friend! Enjoy (I know you're soaking it all in) and be safe! :wavey:
:clapper: :coffee: :coffee:
:thumbsup:
Remote hillside... middle of nowhere... cell service...
You better not be sitting in some Starbucks, snapping your spandex and clacking your Birkenstocks! :readit:
This thread is about all that is keeping me sane these days. Whether you get the bull (oh, Glory!) or not (more believable, and just like my hunts) I thank you for the excellent writing, and the pure adventure of your hunt. I have a hard time imagining seeing that many animals in a day!
Killdeer :wavey:
QuoteOriginally posted by knife river:
The smart money's on you, friend! Enjoy (I know you're soaking it all in) and be safe! :wavey:
Absolutely!!
Joe,
My money is riding on you,keep at it and keep us all posted on your progress !!
Hope that bull enjoyed possibly his last night with the cows.... Mr Whip is about to disconnect his pump station ! Hope you issue him a parking ticket in the morning Whip ! Thanks so much for taking us along.
After a long day at work...This is very cool and exciting!! Thanks Whip!!!!
Benjy
This really is a great thread!! Thanks a bunch for taking us along with you. Too hot to hunt here so this has become my fix the last couple of days. Keep it coming!!
There were supposed to be some new pics from Joe, but there must have been some technical difficulties. All that showed up were some doubles.
I think he (Whip) is getting closer to the moment of truth!
Shoot straight, Shinken
It's about 9am as I type this update. I'm sitting in a small sun soaked meadow resting my weary bones. The crazy bugling of the morning has finally died down. Seems that happens a little earlier each day. Maybe it has something to do with the full moon.
Last night we took a longggg ride on the atv to get back to the head of a remote valley. It's the back side of the mountain top I got myself rim rocked on last week.
I walked out to a narrow saddle between two large draws figuring it would be a great spot to listen from. I was right. I was on an open ridge top overlooking the dark timbered bowl below. I couldn't see down into it, but I sure could hear.
As soon as I got there I heard a great commotion of crashing and banging of breaking branches down below. My first thought was elk, but then I could plainly hear loud and unmistakable grunts of a bull moose.
Just to see if I could get a reaction I let go with a couple of plaintive cow moose moans. Boy, did I get a reaction!
Immediately the crashing and grunting started heading my way. I ducked behind a small spruce and gave a couple more calls. On he came straight toward me, grunting every step of the way.
At 80 yards I could see a massive rack coming through the brush. He stopped a couple of times to listen, but I didn't make another sound. On he came right at me grunting emphatically with every step.
He stepped out from behind one last spruce and was on a track that would bring him within a few yards of where I stood. At 8 yards I snapped a picture and then quickly waved my arms. That was cloe enough! I thought all they might find is my stomped up corpse but at least there would be a photo to recover.
Fortunately, he bolted away instead of fighting. He stopped at 30 yards and turned back to see just what the heck that thing was. Satisfied that I wasn't a cow (lucky for me!) He continued walking around me, still grunting as he went.
I have some absolutely incredible pictures, but none on the phone, so'll you'll just have to wait. I don't know a thing about judging moose scores, but this boy was immense. Big wide palms and extremely long points up front. I can't wait to show you.
This morning of course I was back to "my spot". Before I even got there I heard bugling down below in the same meadow as yesterday. I didn't even bother trying to get to a point where I could glass them. I knew exactly what to do.
Today they were coming up to bottom side and I found a great spot to sit with shooting lanes in three directions. The elkj were out of the meadow early and into the timber below me. There were at least four different bulls screaming insults at each other. One to my left, one straight below, and two to my right. Grunts, screams, bugles, chuckles, glunks - they were making every sound in the elk vocabulary.and it didn't sound like they liked each other!
A few cows popped up to my right, and a couple more directly below me. If this can hang together it is the perfect set up I have been waiting for.
I first heard the cows to my right suddenly turn and crash away and then noticed the puff of breeze on the left side of my face. Just one little swirl and they had me. They ran back to what sounded like the loudest and baddest bull. He and the others continued to carry on for awhile and seemed to be trying to keep pushing the cows up the hill. But they would have no part of it and it wasn't long before the bugles got further and further away.
It wa still early so I went up anbd over tghe ridge into the next draw hoiping I could catch that one boy on his way to the bedroom. I saw one large herd far below feeding on a hillside. But well out of consideration for me. A bugle from the opposite ridge had me headed that way.
I worked my way just above the bedroom, but didn't hear anything else from below. Working my way uphill a bull sounded off straight above. The wind was dicey for an approach from that way so I circled around to at least get it quartering for me. I eased up as close as I dared and he continued to bugle from the same spot. I hoped he might move downhill, but eventually he went quiet.
Had the wind given me away again? I waited 15-20 minutes with nothing. I tried some gentle cow calling and breaking of branches with no response. I figured it was over and he had snuck out for parts unknown.
Easing up to the area I last heard him I hadn't gone 70 yards when he exploded out of a tangle and crashed away. I think he had already lain down for the day and had simply stopped calling when he did.
It's been 45 mintes here without a sound, so I guess time to head back toward the truck. I'm getting real tired of saying this. And I'll bet you're tired of hearing it.
So close!!!!!!!!
Good luck Whip, persistance is the name of the game. :)
Keep after it Whip!!! :campfire: It'll happen soon buddy and in a blink of an eye too :)
Joe your time is drawing near.
Jack
Good luck! We are still pulling for you. So close will eventually be real close! Go get 'em!
Good luck to you Joe! i can't wait to see the pictures that you took to go along with this thread. i have some images conjoured up in my mind thru your words that will have to suffice for now...thank you for taking us along! :)
:campfire:
How have I missed this thread for so stinking long? This needs to be turned into a classic when the final update has been made with one tired/successful guy is smiling behind a big bull elk.
Keep at it!............ Persistence Pays!
You have had a successful hunt even if you don't know it yet...keep at this is what it is all about
What I meant to say is you inspire.....and through that insperation you achieved success
As Killy m entioned back a ways... I can't imagine having that many close encounters. What a incredible experience...especially after it seemed to be so barren early on the trip.
Congratulations for all the incredible success you've ALREADY had and I, Like others am pulling for you to have more luck and blood on your hands!
Your hunts all ready a success Whip :)
:wavey: :coffee:
pulling for you, Joe!
Hang in there. Can't wait to see the moose pics.
Thanks for the updates too.
Joe this thread is like reading a book,im loving it.Thanks for the update.Cant wait to see your photos. :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
:wavey: What a great hunt!!
Good stuff Joe, looking forward to your next update!!!!! Good luck bro!!!
This is scary.I had a dream last nite that Joe stopped by my house to tell me He didn't get a elk and then He an Ohnie started a debate on eating hamburgers.Should I seak help :o
You definately need help, but I knew that before your dream. Hope your dream is wrong too!
Last night was slow. Where bugles rang in every draw 12 hours earlier only the wind made a sound. With no music to chase I glassed and did see a small group of cows, calves, and a spike come out to feed in a meadow. But no bull appeared to escort them.
This morning was more of the same. Sitting in my glassing/ listening spot it was like the entire mountain side was deserted.
I did spy one group of elk far below me but so far away I couldn't even tell if a bull was with them. Most likely there was, but they were beyond the limits of this old guys physical abilities. I could probably get there all right. But what if I did kill one? I know my limits. Might have to try to find another way in there though.
About 7am I did hear a single bugle below. With nothing better to do I dropped down and worked my way to the edge of a meadow. A young 5x5 with a calf were feeding 150 yards out. I hung back hoping to keep my scent from blowing out in the meadow. But before long it must have drifted out to them because he raised his head high and trotted out and away fro me with his nose in the air.
Five minutes later another bugle rang out just ahead of me. But this one sounded suspiciously unelk-like. I sat down to wait and sure enough two hunters came sneaking along just inside the timber. So much for my secret spot.
Those of you who have commented that my hunt is already a success are absolutely right. This is the pinnacle of hunting to me, and if I manage to eventually take an elk it will only be frosting on the cake. Don't get me wrong, I love cake with frosting as much as anyone, but no matter what happens from this point forward this trip will go down as one of my most successful.
hope ya git lots a frosting on your cake , good luck whip.
Keep after'um "Whip". I have a feeling there is one out there with your name on it. :archer2:
Sounds like you need to invite Randy back to camp. That guy is an elk magnet :notworthy: :D
OK Whip, enough is enough! Go for the frosting and lets "git R done"; we're all pullin for ya. Been great so far but the best is yet to come.
Whip+++frosting = ??
Ok...now there is a gruesome picture of blood whipped frosting, but hey... if that's what it takes to ice yer cake...go fer it! :saywhat:
Find them bugle boys of Company B. (Bernie knows that one)(anda couple of other older pfarts will too)
This is great Whip, can you hear the second bag of popcorn popping..... When you do get to put the frosting on this cake it sure is going to taste good !!! Good luck my friend !!!
Great stuff Joe. Can't wait for the pictures to compare to the vision...
The weekend has sure brought an onslaught of hunters up for one last try at the elk. Last night we checked another area that we hoped might hold some holed up elk.
I worked my way through a fairly gently sloped drainage and was not finding much at all in the way of fresh sign. It was a nice calm evening though, and I was enjoying the walk without much hope of finding anything. As soon as you let your guard down though, you know what happens.
I walked up the edge of a meadow not being nearly as diligent as I should have been. I rounded a slight bend and there was a bull out in the middle of it. How could I have missed that??? He had seen my movement but after a short stare simply continued on his way across the meadow. He wasn't a giant - but a nice sleek looking 5x5, and plenty big enough at this point.
After he disappeared I quickly set up and tried some of the most alluring cow calling that I knew how to make. My pleas were ignored though, and he didn't return.
Continuing up slope I wanted to make my way to the edge of a shear drop so that I could glass the opposite mountain and listen for any bugles that might come from below. As I reached the edge I ducked to go under a low hanging branch which caught my pack and made some noise. From just out in the opening that same 5x5 busted out from behind a spruce tree. Twice in a matter of 20 minutes I had blown it on the same bull!!!
Carelessness cost me big time. I know better, but it's easy to get lazy.
Fourteen days into this trip and I am physically and mentally feeling the toll. With the influx of other hunters in the one area we had been finding elk we decided today would be a good day of rest.
We did drive some roads at daybreak stopping occasionally to glass and listen. But we gave the old dogs a rest and stayed in the truck.
We drove to town to replenish supplies and toss some stinky hunting clothes into a washer. It sure does feel strange to wear street shoes and walk on level concrete. I feel out of place.
Our hope is that after this weekend the majority of hunters will have called it a season and headed for home. We'll try to give it one big last push.
Hey Norbert, how's it going? How was NM? I haven't been able to keep up on checking threads with this phone - is there a story on here somewhere???
Just got back and I sure am tired! No thread at the moment...really enjoying yours.
Keep it up Whip, I wish I could find the time to do what you're doing but thanks for taking us with you :)
:campfire:
Joe, this is good stuff. As i read it i can place myself there as all that you write is happening. Wish you the best of luck!
Last night we took a ride to look at some different country. We found even more camps than we had in our original area. Maybe there were elk there. But we decided not to start over at this point and headed back toward familiar surroundings.
We drove an old two track up on top of the mountain behind camp. We hadn't been on that far up top before and figured to sit and look and listen the drainages to the east.
I walked out to a point overlooking a long drainage and just sat and enjoyed not working hard for a day. I did hear one bull with an extremely deep and raspy bugle coming from on top of a dark timbered knob on the other side of the drainage. I could see two of what I thought were cows filtering between the trees on the edge of a meadow. Hmmm, I wonder if they'll stay on that hillside all night?
Although it seemed like a bit of a long shot, I decided that if I ever hoped to give it a try today should probably be the day. It was a steep drop down into the canyon and then an even steeper climb up the other side.
Just before reaching the bottom I needed to cross an open sage flat and I was moving along as quickly as I could in the semi darkness. I looked up and just across the other side in a small opening stood two light colored bodies.
Putting up the binoculars I could see it was actually 8 or 10 elk and they had me pegged. Even with the binoculars it was hard to see clearly, but one was a huge bull. The top points extended far above the massive main beams which swept far over his back. I have seen some big bulls this week, but although the light prevented a good look I think was the biggest yet.
I sat down where I was and the elk worked their way up the opposite slope. They didn't appear to be overly spooked, and as they entered the timber the bull bugled a few times with his deep raspy roar. Maybe they would calm down and forget the movement they had seen in the dark.
Making my way up into the timber I worked as carefully as I could trying to anticipate the direction they might head. But I never heard or saw a thing, and knew before too long that I had probably blown this mornings hunt before it really even started.
I've been sitting here for the past 1/2 hour typing on this and hoping for one last bugle of the morning. But it's getting to be that time where it isn't very likely anymore today.
Joe .... I certainly have been enjoying your posts. I have not been on a "big" elk hunt in years but your story has brought me back to the high mountains once again and I can hear the bugles and smell the great outdoors. There is nothing like hearing a big bull bugle in September. Wish you the best of luck on the remainder of your time there. Be safe and thanks for taking us along on the wonderful adventure.
Thank for taking the time buddy....good luck!
Good Luck again Joe. It was great hanging out with you.
the memories recorded here exceed anyting I've known in 30 yrs of hunting...MT, VA NY or pa.
Best wishes for a bloody conclusion, but already, you've WON!!!
Joe i have to take my hat off to you.To be able to hunt elk and almost get a shot, then stop and type in a thread so we can all be on the hunt with you!Thats what makes this thread so additive.Like Guru said,thanks for taking the time.SHOOT STRAIGHT. :thumbsup:
Joe, truly appreciate the effort to keep us updated with your "diary."
It ain't over till it's over!!
The past few years I have been getting further from my journal, in order to live more fully the events of my hunts. Following this, which you have been most gracious to spend the valuable time afield sharing, I guess I should try to be more diligent in my recordings during the hunt.
Not for any audience, mind you, but for when I get old and forget who I am, I will have these neat stories to read.
Glad you got to town to "revel in the level", it makes the contrast of the mountains so much sharper. The tent smells better now, too, I am sure.
Killdeer :campfire:
You're right about the journal Killy. I normally try to keep one on my hunts. This is the first time I've tried it in this format, and I'm finding it enjoyable. I know that often I ramble, and go into far too much detail. I hope it hasn't gotten too boring to follow my thoughts as they occur.
Going back and reading my journals years after the words were written is like hitting the remote control to start watching a movie. The images and memories come flooding back in great detail as I relive some of my favorite times. And like it or not, someday that's all that we will have left (if we have anything at all) is our memories. Age will eventually catch up with each of us and the adventures we are able to enjoy now will no longer be possible.
I do think you need to consider the audience as well though Killy. Your journal entries are some of the most eloquent and thought provoking of any I have read. Please do share occasionally.
Last night I was back to the old hot spot. I seem to see elk other places, but nothing like this one.
My plan was to work my way around the bottom side of a large meadow I had seen elk feed in repeatedly. The first part of my walk was an easy stroll through mostly open grass with scattered patches of trees. Perfect chance to do a little stump shooting along the way.
About 1/3 mile from the truck I took a shot from within a small group of trees out to the edge of the meadow. The shot hit the leaf I had aimed for and skipped over the hard ground out into the grass. As I walked forward to retrieve it I looked ahead and there were two cow elk out feeding about 100 yards away. Whoa! I wasn't expecting to see anything here!
They hadn't seen me, so I just stood and watched. Two eventually became five, but no bull. Eventually the cows started feeding away from me over a rise. And then a small 5x6 strode out from the other side and ushered them on their way.
I did meet up with another hunter a bit later, but never was able to relocate the elk, and didn't hear a bugle all evening.
This morning I headed back to my favorite meadow. Even with all the hunting pressure around here this meadow seems to have elk in the mornings more often than not. This morning was no exception. As I came within hearing distance a welcoming bugle made me pick up the pace.
I could see a few cows grazing out in the opening. Occasionally the bull with them would bugle, but not very often. Definitely not as vocal as last weeks encounters.
I took a guess as to where I thought they might enter the timber. I guessed it right - as they left the meadow the bull let out a scream to let me know they were on their way. I needed to stay back away from the edge due to the wind, and once inside the timber they could either travel east or west. I was set up to the east. They apparently headed west. I didn't hear another bugle or see a thing.
Eventually I concluded that I had been stood up, and slowly made my way over the next ridge into another drainage. As I crested the rise I could see elk in a small opening in the bottom of a nasty steep ravine below. There was a bull with them that had a fairly large and tall set of antlers that swept high above his head, but the main beams ended with the tall fourth points.
The steepness of the ravine, along with the fact that the wind was wrong and the elk appeared to be moving away made my decision and easy one. I headed uphill to see if I could find some more accessible and approachable animals.
That ended up being the last elk of the morning. Very quiet today, and I can't help but wonder if the heavy hunting pressure has been the cause. Hopefully they just went quiet for a day or two, and will be back to screaming insults at each other tomorrow.
I'm feeling bad for my partner Ohne. He doesn't shoot traditional gear, but is one of the best and hardest hunters I know. He has had bad luck on this trip though, and with only a couple of exceptions just cannot seem to see or hear elk. That gets tough to keep your spirits up, especially when I seem to be constantly running into elk where ever I go. Hopefully that has changed for him this morning.
Keep at them Whip. Elk are by far the most emotionally, and physically challenging animals I know of. You guys are doing great. Thanks for the updates, it's good to still "be on the mountain" through you!
Ohne is a good dude and a hard hunter. I know how it can mess with your mind when you are busting your hump and not getting into animals... Good luck guys!
Rome wasn't built in a day Whip ! Just think of the experiences you are making ! Gotta go, me and Miss Faith got a date.....
I think you're getting tired Joe you're starting to talk about getting old. Remember you're just seasoned and as the years go buy you'll be well seasoned and that my friend means you are getting better as many will attest.
I really enjoy the deails Joe. For all us "arm chair" elk hunters it really stokes the flames.
Thanks again for taking the time to share.
Thanks for the updates Whip. Keep after it.
Whip, staying sharp that long has got to be tough! If anybody can get it done, I know you can. What a trip already, though. Keep after'em brother.
Day by day Whip you're trimming the odds in your favor ... great stuff :)
Last night I thought I would go sit in the meadow that always has so much morning activity. My plan was to take a Montana cow elk decoy and place it where it might be seen by anything entering the meadow.
Shortly before getting there I heard a bugle come from above and behind me. I sat down where I was and waited for more to give me some kind of indication where they might head. A half hour of sitting produced no other elk sounds though, so I continued on with my original plan.
If you've been following this thread all along you can probably complete the rest of the story by yourself. I saw and heard nothing in the morning meadow. I left a little early to start heading back to see if I could catch anything out along the way.
Sticking my head over the top of the ridge I could see seven cows and calves feeding. And a decent 6x6 bull standing uphill from them not 100 yards from where I had stopped to listen on the way in.
I'm as tired of making excuses as you are reading about them. But what it boils down to is sooner or later you need a little luck to fall your way. Make the right move or decision at the right time. And so far I have had a problem doing that.
This morning was just another excuse in a long line of them. Back to the morning meadow, this time with Ohne in tow so that hopefully he could get in on a little action.
As we approached the ridge overlooking the meadow we could hear what sounded like two different bulls below. We eased into the timber to get in place above them and see what would develop when they were done feeding.
It was still mostly dark, especially inside the woods. There is a reason they call it dark timber. We hadn't gone 30 yards when a sudden crash and a flash of elk hide through an opening informed us that the game was over once again before it even started.
We heard a couple of departing bugles and that was the end of that. What the heck were they doing in the timber so early? The bull(s) were obviously still in the meadow.
The window of opportunity in the morning seems to be getting smaller each day. When I first got here, on the days I did see elk, it seemed like you might have at least three hours to work with. This week after the first hour or so it seems to be over. I really think the moon is a factor.
Time is no longer on my side. The season only runs two more days. And we talked last night about the possibility of ending it tomorrow. We'll decide today what to do, but either way, the end is not far off.
I'd like nothing better than last minute success. A cow would be wonderful at this point. But I know as well as anyone what the odds are. All I can do is give it my best until it is done.
Hell of ride so far Joe, keep your chin up and nose into the wind. I've always said that the best elk are the ones I've killed on the last night of the hunt (twice) because I got to hunt every day and still came home with meat.
Joe
Keep it up man, your hard work will pay off! Great hunt so far and as usual even better story telling!
You got it Joe the moon is playing its game. With no weather they can see all night. The bulls are up and playing and the cows are headed to bed.
Good luck I know you can do it.
Joe,
I hunted area 34 for 10 days without seeing an elk; this morning, I went to a close to town antelope and whitetail area, and down at 5500 feet were 14 elk; a big herd bull and his cows. They aren't playing by the rules. :banghead:
QuoteOriginally posted by centaur:
Joe,
I hunted area 34 for 10 days without seeing an elk; this morning, I went to a close to town antelope and whitetail area, and down at 5500 feet were 14 elk; a big herd bull and his cows. They aren't playing by the rules. :banghead:
Sometimes I think they can read and they get the regulations and someone tells them where all the hunters are. :banghead:
Whip, just keep plugging away!!! Last minute is better than nothin pal :thumbsup:
come on Joe don't make my deam true :thumbsup:
Stick with them Joe! I think tonight's the night :thumbsup:
Keep at it Joe!! You never know when luck will be on your side!
Keep at it and enjoy it for in a few days you may have to work agian. That stupid moon has mest me up more than once. All but one of my elk I killed have been within the last two days of the hunt. Good luck. :campfire:
I'll take last minute success over the first day anytime. And I've had it happen often enough to know I never give up until it's over.
I'm set up right now on my favorite listening glassing point where I can cover parts of two different drainages. Hoping within the next hour or so to hear a bugle to go chase until dark.
Great attitude to have Joe! Hang in until it is over. Good Luck!
"It ain't over until the last fat bull bugles!" Go get 'em.
Sure beats being in this durn apartment, with the world whizzing by at 65mph outside my window. Between this and reading some David Peterson, I have had some lovely escapes!
Thanks!
Killdeer
(I gotta get back to emailing alerts to my elk friends.)
You are right Whip..... lots of success is just catching a break at the right time. The errant wind cost me several bucks last year that were headed right to me. Prayin you catch the break you need bud !
:campfire:
Bring it home Joe! :archer2:
Whip, Whip, where are you? I bet he's packing out meat!
Last night I headed for my ridge top to listen a glass to start the evening. I waited there for the air to cool and then using the gentle evening thermals worked my way into the next drainage with the breeze in my face.
I got to the bottom of a long narrow meadow in which I had seen elk feed during the early evenings a few times before. But nothing showed this night, not even a bugle to kindle my hopes.
This morning I headed back to my favorite morning meadow. When time is running short on a hunt it is natural to fall back to those places that have proven to be the best. Hunting is a game of playing the odds, and I had seen elk in this meadow on almost all of the mornings I hunted near it.
I hadn't gotten more than 400 yards or so from the truck and was walking through the edge of a stand of spruce. At the top edge of the meadow ahead I noticed a strange looking dark spot. It was still more night than day, and the light was poor. Even through the binoculars I couldn't make it out at first. But then it moved, and the light colored body with dark up front said elk.
I stayed where I was and as each passing minute allowed me to see a little better antlers appeared on top of its head. He seemed to be alone.
It has become apparent that the elk around here are very call shy. We have tried it a number of times, but mostly it seems to drive them away if they can't see the source of the calls. I thought maybe if this bull was alone it might be my best chance yet to have one respond to the call.
Simple mews and more plaintive estrus whines brought no more than long curious look from the bull though. After a time he melted into the timber behind him without a sound.
Continuing on to my original destination the morning meadow turned up empty. One of the few times it has let me down, but elk aren't quite that predictable.
Easing over the ridge I spotted elk feeding in the same meadow I had sat in last night. I wasn't sure what they were and whether there might be a bull with them. But they were elk and that was good enough for me.
Making my way across the side hill to put myself in position for an approach from below them I noticed movement through an opening ahead. Elk? Deer? No. Another hunter was slipping through the timber ahead of me. The joys of public land hunting.
With no other elk sighted and no bugles heard I had nothing else to try but to still hunt my way back toward the truck. After all, the bull from earlier in the morning was likely still in that timber somewhere. The odds of us crossing paths a second time were slim, but at least it gave me a chance.
There is no such thing as walking silently through this dark timber. It hasn't rained since I got here, and the forest floor is littered with crunching pine cones and needles with every step. I stay on game trails as much as I can, and I stop more than I move to watch, listen and smell. If an elk is up and moving maybe I can see it before it sees me.
A sudden crash forty yards ahead informs me that I am an amateur at this game. Even at that close distance I didn't catch a glimpse, but the breaking timber sounded like the way I have heard elk run off too many times before. As I stand listening the smell of elk wafts down to me and confirms what I already assumed. I had most likely bumped an elk from its morning bed.
Holy smokes Joe, seems like you can't buy a break! Hang tough and don't give up. Everything can go from bad to great in a flash!
:campfire:
Keep at Joe.
Hang in there Joe!
I can tell Joe is hunting hard; he's been awful skimpy with the pictures to post...
Hang tough, if it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would get done.
I liked the idea of teaming up with your partner, try to change the luck my uncle used to call it. Because you're right - at some point you need some. What a trip so far, for this Eastern boy at least, your story telling has me in camp (almost).
Elk hunting is tough business. This trip has been an mix of feast and famine. There were days of nothing at all, and on others I had by far some of the most incredibly exciting moments of my entire hunting life.
The drive to hunt elk, or more generally for me, any type of hunting in the mountains of the west, is hard to understand. It is extremely physical and difficult.
Long days, short nights. Steep lung busting climbs to the top of a ridge, often for naught. My body is feeling the pain, but all the major parts still work. Nobody will ever say that I have an athletic build, but after three weeks of the mountains I feel better than I have in years.
During the months leading up to this trip I rode my bike diligently to get in shape. Went on a diet and lost a bunch of weight. Researched every angle I could think of with phone calls, emails, and map study. Even made a summer week long scouting trip.
We tried to have one decent meal each day, but as good as tuna fish on soft tortillas is, it got old eventually. I miss home cooking.
The battery operated shower works pretty good, and we cleaned up daily. But I do miss porcelain.
Three weeks without seeing my wife and I miss her terribly. Last year I was gone for a month and promised I wouldn't go that long again. This year I tried three weeks and that is still too much. I'll put it in writing here that future trips will be shorter so she has proof to show me if my memory fails and I try to schedule anything like this again.
But now it's over, and I'm in the truck headed for home. All of the above just to produce a few all to brief moments of excitement.
Was it all worth it? Was the trip a success? Come on now, I think you know the answer to that.
I didn't originally intend for this thread to go into so much detail. But as it evolved into what it became I really enjoyed sharing my thoughts here. I always enjoy coming back to camp and sharing stories of the day and this was kind of like that.
One thing I did hope to accomplish with all of the writing is to try to convey a little of what hunting elk can be like and encourage those of you who haven't tried it to create your own dreams and go make your own memories someday.
Thanks for coming along. When I have a chance to regroup at home I will put up some of the pictures I have.
What an awesome story, felt like I was with you the whole way and many moments felt like I was reliving my own CO hunt that ended on the 20th.
Have a safe trip & thanks for taking us along!
Joe,
Great hunt & great story. Thanks for taking us along. You'd better stop and pick up a Kindle on your way home for Irene as she's probably finished everything at the library :D Doc
Joe, Thank you so much for taking the time to document this hunt for us that were not able to make an Elk hunt this year. I followed your threads every day hoping that you would score. I, my friend (even though I've never met you face to face)have hunted elk since a Colorado tag was $25 for nonresidents and have yet to score, so don't feel too bad. You've seen elk and been in the middle of the best part of hunting. Just being in the mountains is a great asset. My trip two years ago I covered 63 miles in six days on foot and never saw an elk. Job well done.
Joe thanks for sharing this whole experience. You certainly have stoked the fires within. Thanks tom
Loved the diary format and will say yet again thank you for taking the time to update it.
Gives someone who has never hunted elk, like me, just a tast of what is all about.
Joe,
You were a big help for me on my first elk hunt and you still keep stoking my fire. Good show brother and thanks for taking us along.
Hey Joe, thanks for taking us along! An elk hunt is something i hope to do before i get too old to do it. i can't wait to see some of your pictures when you get back and have time to post them! :thumbsup: :)
Again....thanx for taking the time Joe :clapper:
Joe, Skyler and I enjoyed this adventure....everyday of it! Thanks for taking us along with you. Be Careful on the way home.
Joe,
Thank you for letting us share your camp and stories around the fire.
I would definitely say your hunt was a success. You were in elk a bunch and to me that is a lot of the fun.
I am sure you are exhausted and ready for a hot shower, comfy bed and home cooked meal.
Thanks again and safe travels home.
QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
The drive to hunt elk, or more generally for me, any type of hunting in the mountains of the west, is hard to understand. It is extremely physical and difficult.
The quote I've heard is "elk hunting is the most miserable fun you can have." You can't really describe it well to those that haven't experienced it.
But, you have to be careful who you choose to hunt with.....we had one guy leave us a note in camp this year, while we were out hunting, that he was finding his own way home.
homebru
Joe,
Thanks for taking the time out from your hunt to keep us posted on things in DETAIL.I really enjoyed it.
Enjoyed every word, Joe. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
Thaniks Joe. It was good to read someone elses journal while the hunt was in progress. Well done! Looking forward to the pics!
Joe, you can't do any better than your best! Be careful on the way home. I'll be driving a lot tomorrow myself--give me a call if you need to stay awake.
No failure, what a wonderful adventure. And adventure it was, the chance is all we could ask for. See ya soon buddy!
So Whip...... Guess it will be beef jerky at Compton this year ! Should have shot that cow you could see the shoulder bones in the first week ! Dadgummit !!!
I have always dreamed of elk hunting but never got to go till now. As others have said, it was almost as if we were there looking over your shoulder the whole time. Your thread was the first thread I read everyday, hoping you nailed the big one.
Remember the line in, " Lonesome Dove ", when the reporter from the newspaper told Tommy Lee Jones, " They say your a man of vision Capt' Call ". Then the director gives us the whole movie in fast forward as Capt' Call replays it all in his mind. I know how hard it is to come home empty handed on a long grueling out of state hunt. But just remember the visions you had while experiencing it all bud. Lots of us may never even get to hear and feel a bull bugling at dawn in God's western masterpiece.
Be safe coming home and rest your weary bones brother !
Great adventure, Joe! You have a wonderful way with words and painted beautiful "mind" pictures of scenery, wildlife and the entire experience. Bravo!! Tom
I read this thread every morning from Afghanistan before the network would get blocked for the work day, awesome trip. I was reading reading an article about Glen StCharles the other day and he was speaking at a Pope and Young banquet and he said, "remember it is about the hunt, not just the killing." and it sounds like your hunt was one of many memories, thank again for sharing.
Well Joe, reading the responses you have gotten and especially from butler, I would say this was a very successful hunt in ways you might not have thought.
Joe,
Thanks so much for taking the time to take us along... it has been a GREAT hunt!
Wayne
One day in the wilderness, beats the best day in the city.
Thanks Whip for the great trip :)
This has been a memorable hunt Whip!
There is always next year and the elk will be there waiting for you.
Thanks for takin' us all along! It was fun!
Shoot straight, Shinken
Very, very nice ...
Thanks for sharing this adventure.
Fred
Great thread Joe, your thread was for me this year, the closest I got to the mountains.
Next best thing to being there.
Thanks for taking us with you.
Maybe not much meat in the freezer, but you've got a truckload of memories that will feed you for the rest of your life. Great stuff, Joe! Thanks for one of TG's best-ever threads. :wavey:
Whip, thank you for this post. It was great. Next time buddy, next time for sure :campfire:
Thanks for all the nice comments - they really make me feel like this thread was worthwhile and it was fun to have you all along.
Another 8 or 9 hours of driving and I'll be home. The drive back is always somewhat bittersweet. But it's always interesting to see different country. The pheasants in the fields and ducks in the potholes this morning as we roll through South Dakota were incredible. No wonder so many shotgunners head out here every fall. I saw more pheasants this morning alone than I have in my entire life.
The memories made on this trip will be with me for the rest of my life. Already as I sit here riding down the road the images and sounds I experienced keep rolling through my mind. My cup is full, and I feel good.
Oh, and Jimmy, no regrets on not taking the shot on the cow earlier Bud. If I had killed her I would have missed out on some of the best parts of the whole trip. I'll see what I can do about bringing some corn fed WI whitetail backstraps to Compton for you.You'll just have to make do. ;)
Thanks for all of the posts Whip, I really enjoyed it. :thumbsup:
Joe, Thanks for sharing an awesome trip with us! Good Stuff...
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Joe, Sounds like you had a lot of exciting times on your elk hunt. You worked hard for the encounters you had and sometimes when things don't work out the way we think they should one can rest easy in the fact you gave it your all. As they say in athletics, "When all was said and done you had left it all on the mountain." It does however tend to leave a burning hunger for the next time.
That will work Whip !
Do to some back problems I was unable to make my annual trip chasing elk this year.Thanks to your story I felt like I was with you on that mountain chasing elk.
Thanks Joe, I enjoyed your hunt a great deal. Elk hunting... hours and hours of hard work, some tedium, a fair amount of Advil, a heavy dose of lonesome for the family, (If the Mrs. can't make it), the constant blessing of enjoying elk country and if fortunate, a few moments of absolute heart pounding exhilaration that makes you do it all over again next year and sometimes you make meat! God knows I love it and obviously you do too. Give yourself a little time to decide about next year. :thumbsup:
Thanks for sharing your hunt in such detail Joe! I was hoping you would connect on a big bull but it sure sounds like you had a heckuva experience!!!
Thanks for the details and for sharing your experience. I've only chased elk once, and I doubt that I'm able to again until I hang up teaching. You took me right out into the mountains and I could hear, feel, and smell the action. What a great time. Thanks, Joe.
Andrew
Some more hunting stories
That was an incredible story to a great hunt!
Thanks Whip!
I have been elk hunting on 3 occassions and this story brought back some fond memories. I loved the detail and thank you for sharing this Whip.