Ttt
Oh boy, pull up a chair this is gonna be a good one. Is it ok if I play with my elk bugle while reading this one?
:coffee: And I'm going on my first Elk hunt this fall.........
Joshua, This should be a fun one.
There is a lot more to come.
J-
QuoteOriginally posted by Autumnarcher:
Oh boy, pull up a chair this is gonna be a good one. Is it ok if I play with my elk bugle while reading this one?
A huge X2~!!!
I have a feeling this one will take me away from work during the day...
Ttt
oh boy, I'm hooked :readit: :eek:
:campfire:
:campfire:
:campfire: :coffee:
Ttt
Excellent. :campfire:
This is shaping up as a great story!
:coffee:
:campfire:
:campfire:
:thumbsup:
o man i am so captivated by this story keep it coming man iv never hunted Wapiti before but i can compare your story with a Red stag that is still on the hill that my dad seen and im trying to catch up on keep the story coming. Jhg you have a gift mate you really do.
:campfire: :coffee:
were waiting.........
:coffee:
:campfire:
Ttt
You spin a fine yarn. On my first Elk hunt this fall I know this will be in the back of my mind..... :notworthy:
Tt
:scared: No! Don't stop now! :banghead:
O come on you have me hanging on every word. Dont stop :deadhorse:
Just so you all know, this may or may not be a story, lotsa facts in here, spent alot of time on Bull and Deadman...listen close...I sure am
Ahhhh, yeas... a student of the infamous Charlie Lamb style of story-telling!
Met a few such folks as ole Husky in the years I lived in MT... what national treasures some of them are if you could get them to share all....
Waiting patiently......... :coffee:
Me too :pray:
Great story! Chapters are a little short though :biglaugh: Keep em coming!
Sorry folks and thanks for being patient. It takes time to write and I don't have a lot of that.
Besides, we have all summer...
Joshua
all summer.......oh come on now, dont know if I can take that kind of suspense! Hire out the honey do list, send the kids to grandmas, and lock the doors!
you write a good story....looking forward to it
Got me hooked, love the inclusion of the daughter.
Gee, too bad Joshua dind't start this well before the St. Jude's Auction...after he got us all hooked, he could've raised a bunch of cash for the kids SELLING us the Paul Harvey, "Rest of the Story!" :D
I'll quote someone of yore on here (their's was a reference to waiting 2 yrs for a custom bow, but it fits) and I'll say, "when it comes to waiting for the story to unfold thru the summer: "I'm too old to wait, I won't even buy green bananas anymore!" :knothead: :bigsmyl:
QuoteOriginally posted by Doc Nock:
Gee, too bad Joshua dind't start this well before the St. Jude's Auction...after he got us all hooked, he could've raised a bunch of cash for the kids ...
I never thought of that. The outline and general idea of this story was conjured up while elk hunting last year, so it has pretty much been ready to be written since the season ended. I honestly never thought anyone would be that interested/hooked on anything I wrote, so never considered the auction.
Joshua
Great stuff,
Take your time, the best thins in life are worth waiting for. However, if you wait too long for one thing life passes you by :readit:
I see a lot of similarities between the hermit and the Monarch. Both on top in their day, both handsome at their prime, and both know the mountain they call home...
Somebody pull this hook out of my mouth.
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
:coffee:
I can't believe you are writing as it goes along, that is quite a natural talent. I thought you had it done and you were copying little sections as you let the story fold. I am even more impressed. This is "Gray's Sporting Journal" level so far. I could see a book of short stories in your future. I would certainly love to red it.
:clapper:
A chapter a day? Now thats something to look forward to. :campfire: :coffee:
This is awesome I just bookmarked this page so I can keep up with this one.
Bisch
Ttt
We need more!!!! Great storytelling by the way...
I've been cutting and pasting into MS WORD as you write, Joshua.
It's already 6 pages. You send me an email addy and I'll forward you a typed up copy of it all as posted here, if you want.
Going to make a great read later for me cause with my aged memory, I'll be forgetting what I ready at the beginning till it's over and get to relive it all anew
Excellent... starting to get some Pathos going in here. Thank you for sharing and allowing us to be a part of this great tale!
QuoteOriginally posted by Doc Nock:
I've been cutting and pasting into MS WORD as you write, Joshua.
It's already 6 pages. You send me an email addy and I'll forward you a typed up copy of it all as posted here, if you want.
Going to make a great read later for me cause with my aged memory, I'll be forgetting what I ready at the beginning till it's over and get to relive it all anew
Excellent... starting to get some Pathos going in here. Thank you for sharing and allowing us to be a part of this great tale!
Was thinking of doing the same thing Doc...great idea. Could easily read this under a big pine or aspen waiting for the evening hunt.....
Excellent writing Josh, appreciate you taking the time to share it. :thumbsup:
I agree with Jake. There is a lot of effort being put into this story and I'm glad it's being shared with us. Thanks for the idea of cutting and pasting guys :thumbsup:
Yup, pretty easy... at least with 2 screens set up!
The guys at work drug me kickin and screaming into the 20th Century a while back and now I love 2 screens!
Course, this idea of the 21st century, facebook, twitter (???) and the rest...Not so much! One century at a time!
I've been reading anything and everything about Elk I could get my hands on ever since I was a kid and this is by far the best written story I have read. Thank you for sharing it with us!!!..... Terry
Excellent story Joshua...This story would be enjoyed by even a non-hunter, So its even that much better for the rest of us outdoor nuts! :clapper:
Ttt
You were serious about stretching this out all summer weren't you :campfire:
ttt...... Wouldn't want this one to drift off page 1....... Terry
Great thread!
QuoteYou were serious about stretching this out all summer weren't you
You better hope he hasn't decided to stretch it out until next St Judes Auction :knothead: Terry
Ruh, roh... Hey...it was just a thought I shared as it came to me, AZ!
:eek: :rolleyes:
I'd pay to see the ending but see'ns how he's writing it down as he goes, we don't want to mess with the artist's mojo now... :)
Ttt
here I sit sweltering and yet...I can smell fall in the air!
Now THAT's good writing, bud! :)
Tt
Hang in there everyone. I have the ending in my mind already, we just have to get there..
Joshua
This is great stuff! I am imagining my first ever elk hunt this fall.
Don't rush it..it's too good to end quick! :)
Ruh-roh...here I go setting myself up for more "incoming!" :jumper: :dunno:
TTT don't want this to get lost! :scared: :jumper:
Great stuff Joshua!We have time till the elk season!
keep it coming i love this story
Back-Up-Top. Don't want anyone missing this story. Gooooood Stuff!
:clapper:
ttt
Good Stuff :)
Scoot! You best be waiting at the ridgetop for our erstwhile author to come pokin around for ya!
Now git up there!
ttt
:thumbsup: :clapper: :pray:
Dang thing needs some velcro...keeps fallin off the page!
I hear ya Doc..... We'll just keep bumping it back up..... Terry
WOW!!! I wish I would have checked this out a month ago, now. Awesome writing jhg. I am definately hooked. Can't wait for the next installment. Thank you for taking me to the mountain's, Mike.
:campfire: :coffee: Next chapter :dunno:
Can't rush an artist...they get cranky! :laughing:
Ttt
...ahhh yes.... :campfire: :coffee:
Wow, I just found this thread this morning and it is awesome. :campfire:
Josh, you Gallant young man....!
You just start one more sub-plot after another don't cha!?
I feel like I'm reading an Old Field and Stream where they used to do those "mini-series" stories and you had to wait each month for the next chapter.
Bud, you got so much motherlode to mine on this one, it COULD easy take you all summer!!!
You weave all these threads together, you surely are a master author! Excellent!
Oh...and Thanks! :)
That's what I'm talking about! :notworthy: :coffee: and then.............
Im going to need a copy of this!!
Thanks everyone for the kind words. I always enjoyed the old hunting stories when a kid and I think we never really outgrow that love of adventure or the interest in personal challenge brought to focus by the wild.
BTW, there are revisions/corrections in process as I go along and you may want to wait until its finished if you plan to copy it.
J-
:campfire:
QuoteOriginally posted by jhg:
BTW, there are revisions/corrections in process as I go along and you may want to wait until its finished if you plan to copy it.
J-
That's it! You're outa the will! I got every snibble of posting saved up in a word file.
You tellin us you go back and edit the OLD submissions as you do new ones...
Where's my willow switch!? :bigsmyl:
:campfire:
:readit: This story started out good and keeps getting better!
I found this story at the wrong time, 11:30 pm. It is now 12 and i better stop for tonight. This is great and i am only a couple pages into the thread. I can't wait to read the rest and hear how it ends.
Great story jhg I am glade you shared it with us.
The Family and I are planing an August trip to NW Montana to see family and to start scouting for a future Elk Trip............This realy is lighting the :campfire:
If you keep this up it will rivel the leangth of the HH Post :clapper:
:campfire:
Ttt
:goldtooth:
I love it................
Awesome, Joshua.
Son....you do spin a tale... mighty fine, mighty fine...
Joshua, what an incredible story ( so far ) :bigsmyl:
TTT
ttt
:campfire:
ttt
Man, this thing is like a icey slope on a steep mountanside, jus keeps slipping to the wrong page...
:campfire: Chapters are to short and to far apart...lol........ :biglaugh:
TTT! Just trying to remind jhg that we're still waiting,lol. Love it jhg! Keep it coming please.
Up for the night!
More soon- been swamped...
Joshua
:coffee:
Tt
:nono: You should know better than to stop there! :nono:
Great story, love reading this!
David
Excellent... Grandpa, indeed!
Son, you've been in those places more than one time, felt that damp dank earth in your nostrils and the exertion pulling at your arteries... to be able to pen such graphic scenes.
Thank you for taking us along... When you're ready... :) Like I said, you've got enough sub-plots running in this to keep it alive all summer!
A novel in the making... :)
Ttt
You are, indeed, the Monarch of word crafting. Were you once an elk?
Very good, very good indeed. I am really enjoying this story.
:bigsmyl: THANK YOU!
I can even see it happening! Keep it coming :thumbsup:
Your writing is like watching a runner hitting his stride down the home stretch..... Good stuff..... Terry
I can smell it, see it, and tast it..........
Well done "O Weaver of Words" :coffee:
Good stuff sir! :clapper:
WOW :clapper:
Joshua... you are a very good writer. That is apparent by the many people that are following this story so closely. thank you for your time and effort. I am enjoying your story completely!
:campfire:
:readit: I'm going to go into withdrawl....need more of the story :saywhat: :coffee:
ttt for an excellent read!
Waiting impatiently here... :help:
Another GREAT installment... Thanks!
ttt
Keep it coming mate. Beautiful writing.
Ttt
Ah nuts.......now I have to wait for more :thumbsup: But each edition has been worth the wait!! :notworthy:
Well, I just corrected some of what I just wrote. So read again :0)
J-
:thumbsup:
I am just happy to wait.
:campfire:
Man oh man, This is an awsome read. THANK YOU!
I can already sense I'm going to have an emotional "crash" when this is over!
Wonderful read and nicely dovetailed one to another!
:)
Enjoying this very much. Thank you
ttt
Have to keep this one on the first page methinks
I'm elk scouting the next couple days so nothing until Monday the 18th.
Joshua
Well I guess that's a good excuse :biglaugh: ...... let us know what you see! Hope it's the Monarch!!
Every installment is well worth the wait!
Well, it's the 18th :campfire:
Seriously though, this is among the most enjoyable reads I have ever found.
How was the scouting trip?
Ttt
GAME ON!!!!!!
:archer:
I closed my eyes and I was there.....cool !!
Is it just me or does this story keep getting better?... Terry
It most certainly does !!!!!
QuoteOriginally posted by AZStickman:
Is it just me or does this story keep getting better?... Terry
I Don't think its just you! :readit:
Back up... i'm getting goose-pimples, but don't want it to end!
ttt
QuoteOriginally posted by jhg:
Down, down, down. Down the mountains steep slope toward the archer...
I could not get this part out of my head while looking at the mountains on my drive to work this morning. Down, down, down. This is good Josh, I can't believe I just found it.
Ttt
Bravo!! :clapper:
I was on the edge of my seat for that whole segment.........well done! :notworthy:
Wow I can't wait for the ending.
As much as I hated waiting for the next installment, I am hating even more that it is almost over,lol. You should write a book. Fact or fiction, this story has had me on pins and needles the whole way. Thank you jhg, Mike.
Well, done, Josh!
I was not sure right thru to the end and had to re-read the last paragraph... I wondered if you might make it that once at full draw, the archer counted coup and smiled, let down and thought,"Gotcha"...
I've often wondered if I got such a chance, whether knowing that magical monster would no longer be there, if I could actually go thru with the shot.
Only ONCE got the chance to land a magnificant trout --and as I contemplated that pool without having that big ole buggar, I couldn't do it and had to let it go... later someone "kept it" but hey...I went back and got to "try" a few more times for a "re-match". it was exhalirating!
So I've often wondered, could I follow thru if I had the chance on something like the Monarch?
I likely will never know.
Thank you, Josh for this wonderful read and thank you for allowing me to feel ever pine needle and smell all that I once knew out West in your well-penned words! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
:scared: IT CANT BE OVER ON THE FIRST HUNT OF THE SEASON. ITS ONLY THE END OF JULY!!! WHAT WILL I DO FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER!!! :clapper:
Ttt
Lots of story left everyone- don't bail on me now!
Holy cow..........I thought that was the end.......Ya-hooooooo!!!!! :thumbsup: :notworthy: There's more???Excellent!!
What a great read..... :notworthy: :notworthy: :clapper:
David
Best thing I've read in quite awhile!
I would like to place an order for the upcoming book,lol. Hope this helps with the all the hoopla it takes to get a book into print! Sooooo glad it's not done yet! Thanks Josh. Mike
I knew it couldn't be over. :jumper: The daughter hasn't joined him yet.
:campfire:
It's 100 degrees in So. IL., but for a moment I was in the mountains today. Thanks for a great read!
WOW,a joy to read and ready for more!
keep it coming your doing a great job!!
Joshua you are doing a stunning job here. I just came off bushwacking expedition up here in Maine with 97 degree heat. First thing I did after a cold shower was to see if you added anything.
Thank you I look forward to more.
sweet! I thought there must be more and for once I was right!
Doh!!! :saywhat: :eek:
Got me, Bud! good job... had me all the way actually! Now I gotta go read the part where the big bull went down hill and was disquieted... I think ya skillfully led me astray, ya stinker! :)
You're developing this in true Charlie Lamb style and there are so many other "threads" of your story yet to be intertwined...
I'm over joyed that we got more to look forward to!
You go, Hoss! :)
TTT
man sure is good reading wish i could tell a story like that
Excellent read, thank you so far. Keeps me on the edge of my seat waiting for the rest.
TTT
Very good read, Joshua. Thanks
ITS NOT OVER!!!!!! :readit: .......except as the readers we dont know how thick the book is :confused:
After he shot the bull i wanted to just run down the hill and :knothead:
You have us hooked and right where you want us...............on the edge :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Excellent! Waiting for more...
ttt
Break time is over.Time for your daughter to get after the monarch.
Great storytelling,one the best I've read in a long time.
QuoteOriginally posted by turkey522:
Break time is over...
Tough crowd! ;0)
Hey, I have my own Monarch to get ready for...
With story telling like this it will be worth the wait.Good luck chasing your monarch when the season opens.
Ttt
Buddy, you got skills is what I'm sayin! :thumbsup:
Really? That's where your'e gonna leave off?
I guess I'll be back ;) :readit:
YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! :scared: Here comes a spike, I cant resist!!!!!! Iv never been good at being patient :dunno:
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK......when you get the time ;)
You can't just make up that stuff in such detail without having been there and done some of it yourself!
Might not have been the huge antlered bull, but...you done been there, done that a time or two to provide such descriptive insights!
Excellent stuff, bud! You said "all summer." I'm holding you to it!!! :)
I hope this thread goes as long as that HH bug one! Would that not be a great story? LOL Thanks JHG! Mike
Well, I'm caught up putting it into a word document also!! Ready for more!!!! :thumbsup:
AWSOME :campfire:
Joshua, Great tread. Love your style of writing.
ttt
Great,when you can see it,it's good and this is good. Keep it up,can't wait for the next installment. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
ttt
Holy Mackerel!!
Thanks so much!!
Nathan
Tt
This is making me really really ichyyyyy... less than a month to go...GREAT STORY
Lots more to come.
Just read it all up to here...
Wonderful!
Thank you, and continue as the mood hits you.
Killdeer :wavey: :thumbsup:
A Gallant story, Josh Gallant!! :)
Josh
I am glued to the screen each and every installment....superb!!!
Thanks for sharing!
I feel like it must be said at least once more: Thank you!
I appreciate all the thoughtful comments. It helps me keep going when I don't fee like writing, which is most of the time. I have to work. But nothing gets done unless you do it.
I think I mentioned I have the ending in my mind already. We just have to get there.
Next years story will be called "Clash of the Titans"
More adventures with The Archer, his daughter and of course, Husky. I'll think that one up while elk hunting this fall. Already have some ideas... ;0)
J-
Well done JHG... You are a very talented writer and I appreciate you "sharing" your gift with us all. Indeed, it is a joy to read! Thank you...
I wish I knew someone in the printing biz! How great would it be to be sitting on a mountain side hunting for any Elk and reading this story from start to finish? Pretty great in my opinion! Thanks agian JHG. Mike
I plan to publish the story, so please refrain from taking it to a printer.
Joshua
Thanks again. I know what goes into the writing, and appreciate your sharing of your story.
Killdeer
No Josh. I meant that I wish I knew someone that does it so that they could do it for you,lol. And I can't wait til you do get it out there for us. I did not mean I was gonna do it, sorry for the confusion on my end. Mike
Amazing story! I wish I hadn't found this until it was over, I can't stand waiting for the next chapter..
Somehow we will have some simple copies made for tradgangers for next year, regardless. And thanks.
J-
Joshua this is a very fine read and I look forward to each installment.
Really cool reading!!!!
Like the others... can't wait!!!
Cheers
J-F
I'm still copy and pasting each installment into a word document... up to about 8-9 pages already! LOL...
Great thing about getting older is till this is done and all copied, I can go back and start reading it all over and it will be brand new.
:help:
Monarch is a Bully. Sounds as if no one has taught him to share :readit:
Great Story, I could see this playing out and yearn to do so.
QuoteOriginally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
Monarch is a Bully...
He has been at both ends of the contest. He knows the score.
J-
Great story! Keep them coming.
C-R,
He's a Zen elk...he knows fighting is a sin, so if yer gonna sin, WIN!
:biglaugh: :nono:
Nobody or nothing fights to lose!! Lets get this off the third page and up top where it belongs! Oh yea ......great job, it gets better and better! :notworthy: :campfire: :coffee:
Doc,
Did anyone ever tell you that you look like Ernie Kovaks?? Am I giving away my age by that comment?? OMG, I am old!!!!!!!!!!
NOpe. Been told I looked like a variety of things, animal and mineral, but never ole Ernie!
I knew that I knew the name...but had to google... and then seeing his mug and some of the routine's he'd become famous for, it came back.
He died just a few years after I got outa high school. But lookin at your profile, I still got ya by a few years! Ya pup! :) :)
:campfire: :coffee:
I hope the monarch will be still there when the season starts,maybe....
ttt
TTT
:coffee:
ttt
Tt
Interesting ....can't wait for more :thumbsup: :campfire:
:bigsmyl:
Josh-Awesome! Yet again,lol.
Charlie- Love the signature...but, I find it hard to relax after a posting such as this one,lol.
Tt
Deja vu-I've had a similar conversation with my daughter-and she doesn't hunt!!
Great story Josh! But there is only one problem. I am off to find my own monarch on the 25th of this month. Be in S. Co. when the season opener finally gets here. I am not sure I can wait until I return on or around Sept. 9,10 or 11th to see if the story is continued or wrapped up!
Good luck to you my traditional bowhunting brother in your quest to locate your own monarch this coming season.
K.C.
Tt
Don't worry K C. I got ya.
Besides, I can't be thinking about THIS bull, when I am hunting mine...
Joshua
Wow!
Don't you DARE rush this baby. Matter of fact, I never want it to end. I guess it's gotta, or she is gonna be up there hunting forever, a granny in the crannies.
Killdeer
JHG - This is getting better with each written word... Well done!
Your story telling skills are amazing....... :notworthy:
:bigsmyl: :thumbsup:
:bigsmyl:
Don't know from squat, but something in my gut tells me we're being allowed a peek into something a bit more personal and familiar to our talented author's life story than a intricately woven story of many stories past.
Thank you for allowing us to peek.
Joshua, thank you so much for sharing this gift with us. God has blessed you with a wonderful creative mind. Can't wait to read the rest. Blessings.
ttt
Tt
This building to a great end..... :clapper:
:clapper:
Win.Loose. or Draw.
This has touched so many levels of emotion and raw human nature I'm transfixed with each new installment!
Thank you, Josh for this excellent read!
Outstanding Joshua!!!...... Terry
QuoteOriginally posted by Doc Nock:
Don't know from squat, but something in my gut tells me we're being allowed a peek into something a bit more personal and familiar to our talented author's life story than a intricately woven story of many stories past.
Thank you for allowing us to peek.
Agreed Doc...agreed.
:archer:
Too good to be on the 2nd page! TTT
very nice story, you have a true skill there
:campfire: :coffee:
TTT!
Thanks for taking care of us before opening day sir! Anxiously awaiting more.
You mentioned that copies would be available and I would like to get my name in on two copies please and thank you. I'd be happy to pay for them and postage just let me know.
God bless you,
K.C.
Tt
Joshua...... I was hoping I would get to read another segment before heading up to the high country tomorrow for my Deer / Turkey / Lion hunt. I, like Killdeer, and many others I'm sure, find your writing so good I don't want this story to end...... Thanks for taking the time to share this with all of us and good luck on the mountain this year!!...... Terry
The last segment is later today so check back.
J-
:thumbsup:
Tr
Tt
So now I'm on the edge of my seat........
Joshua,
I won't second guess you, but you wouldn't do this to us, would you-counting coup??
Summmer ain't over yet! He said it would take all summer! :readit:
Tt
O BOY
HUH? Didn't see that coming! More PLEASE..........
Tt
Can't wait until next season Josh! I hope she gets him. Wow! Wow! Wow! I haven't been on the edge of my seat like that over a story since Big Dan and Lil Ann were chasin coons through the Ozarks. Thank you very much Sir. Mike
:clapper:
Thank you very much Josh! Bravo, bravo!! Thank you sir for pouring out your creativity for those of us that have been following your story.
God bless you as you head out this elk season to seek out your own Monarch. I for one will be looking forward to catching up with the Archer and his daughter after the long awaited bow season.
Shoot straight my LW friend!
K.C.
Marathon finish, love it, great story. Goes to show it aint about the killen so much as it is about clensing the sole. I too will look forward to the next installment of this story.
Thanks for a wonderful ride and an excellent tale!
Excellent :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
WOW!!!!! Thank you for a wonderful read!!
Josh, Great read, Awesome tale. Thanks
:clapper: Awesome Story :clapper:
:notworthy: :notworthy: Until next year and a new chapter, stay well and hunt safe!
:clapper:
Well done....
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
I loved it!
:thumbsup: :notworthy: :campfire:
Well done Josh :thumbsup: :clapper:
That was incredible!! What a wave of emotions you took us through. Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to read more of your work, you are truly a gifted writer. Good luck to all this season!
Such Power.
Such raw energy and emotion.
I sit here before this screen hoping nobody at work will see the tears welled up in my eyes.
I'm at a loss to fully understand where these emotions come from.
Having had to make some tough choices in life that resulted in no kids of my own...and seeing the years fade and not having that "connection?"
Or the pure raw energy that coursed thru my veins with the hunt?
Or having to see myself further down that path knowing my own age has already robbed much of the "someday" dreams that this old body might not allow anymore?
Doesn't matter. Each of us was drawn in and related in different ways and at different levels.
Joshua, that was pure poetry in motion. I don't know where you had go to emenate that level of emotion and feelings, but we all thank you for taking us along for the vicarious ride.
Excellent! May all broken relationships be so mended and with time, all hearts revealed so healing can begin!
Beyond excellent,Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
excellent story
doug77
Joshua, excellent journey. Thank you my friend.
Shick
Thank You and Well done! Maxx
Bravo! Well Done Josh. :clapper:
You brought-up emotions I didn't know were there. I have a daughter 9,000 miles from me that I haven't seen for 16 years. Oh, to share a hunt with her and maybe make things right between us.
Good Luck this season, I hope you run into a Monarch on your mountain.
great job!! Thanks for the ride.
Cant say it any better than Smokin Feathers, "Thanks for the ride!"
Bravo!! :clapper:
Nathan
Thank You. I got goose bumps still.
What a treat!
I have been wanting someone to tell me a good story, and here you came, traipsin' through my computer screen. Happy endings for everyone, even the Monarch.
Thank you!
Killdeer
This is the best sports writing I have seen in many years. I mean that a bunch as I grew up reading Corey Ford, Alistair McBain, Havila Babcock, Archibald Rutledge and Nash Buckingham just to mention a few.
Your spinning of words and placement of characters is exquisite. I was drawn further and further into the multi personality plot of man, place and animal. I have literally hung on each installment.
You are gifted.... Do not let this lie below the surface of who you are. Continue to put your "minds tales" in print... please, at least, so an older guy can read stories that are not presented in "bytes" and live a life (although vicariously as I likely will never get to hunt elk again) with characters deserving of our attention.
My God this was good.......
This has been GREAT ,Thanks!!!
Great job of writing. I think hunters, more than most sports people, realize that at the end of a successful hunt something usually dies. Sometimes it's a better hunt when you've been challenged, didn't make the kill, but came away with something even better.
Keep these stories coming. There is so much garbage published that it's a treat to read something really good.
Ron
Oh my goodness, this was head and shoulders above any thing I have read in a long time. You are an extemely talented wordsmith, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your gift with us.
The sub-plots in this is amazing, when is the next season? Please don't make us wait a year!
Bravo, :campfire: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
A beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it with us. Keep up your writing. There was an intensity to the story that we all felt but it was developed, not telegraphed. Really fine writing.
Thanks for an excellent,be looking forward to next year.Good luck in your own quest for the monarch this fall.
My self and my best friend are going up to Elk camp today to get thing set up and this is the best way to start the day. Thanks for a great read!!!Now to find my own Monarch. :thumbsup:
Well done!! I can't wait for the next installment, even if I have to wait a whole year.
Joshua, thank you for such a gift. I couldn't wait to get home to read and re-read your story. You are blessed beyond measure. This was elk camp for me this year. Thanks.
Absolutely incredible! You can sure paint a picture with words my friend! I am soooo glad I waited until you were finished to start reading--the anticipation would have been rough.
Goes to show how memorable hunts don't have to end with filled tags. I have countless memories with my father. Memories carrying recurves that don't revolve around antlers and longbeards. I'm also starting to add some with my wife and our daughters, 5 and 3 y/o.
Great story Josh. Thanks for sharing.
Manolito
Josh I don't know what else to say except Wow! That was an amazing story. I look forward to the archers adventure's next year.
Thanks everyone for the nice words.
And don't forget, the archer arrowed a really big bull opening day...
Joshua
I hope to follow in his foot steps next Saturday. And it really does not have to be a Monarch.....
Thanks Joshua!!..... I didn't get to read the end before my hunt and really enjoyed knowing I would be able to have this finale waiting when I got home. With a hunting world full people pretending to be something they aren't it is refreshing when the real deal comes along. You my friend are "The Real Deal".Very few ever achieve what you do through your writing. Thanks again for sharing this with all of us..... Terry
Great story from A to Z.
TTT. In case you missed it.
Did miss it, thanks for bringing it up. Epic story thanks for writing it. Sitting here watching my 2 yr old put her fishing waders on to go fishing, too bad the water will be frozen till may and ther is 2 ft of snow on the ground. Maybe I should look into a bow for her now just so she has it. Either way great story, time to go blow a few bugles and make the neighbors even more suspicious.
Josh, I know I'm late but it was well worth the wait. Specialy since I just read right thruogh it no waiting. It was outstanding, I was so glad you left the bull, there should always be the majic and secrets of a mamoth bull and the mountain to draw us back. Can't wait fot thier next adventure.
To the top for anyone who missed this, and for all those people who cannot wait for elk season!
I enjoyed the story can't wait for the next installment.
Thank you for your time, efforts and talents. It was an enjoyable read. I don't know how I missed this before, but I got the benefit of reading it straight through while recovering from the flu. Just what the doctor ordered. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
I think I even shed a tear. Great !
SO EXCELLENT!!