The day that I have been anticipating for the past 11 1/2 months is finally here. Right now I am rolling through Iowa with the Goodwife Irene at the wheel. It will be just her and I - she will be my camp mate in the mountains of northern New Mexico for the next 2 weeks as I seek the elk of my dreams.
We plan to set camp on Monday morning, and the season that I drew opens on the 16th. I don't know if I will be able to any updates here by phone, but will try to post if I can get decent service.
Here we go! This is what I live for! Hoping to hear some elk music ringing through the nights and days ahead :bigsmyl:
Have a great trip.
Good luck. Have a safe trip.
Good luck Whip, we are finally starting to get some weather around here. Temps have dropped, afternoon showers and elk should be getting active. Keep us posted!
Good luck, one of my friends is going there also, he is leaving tomorrow.
Go Whip, Best of Luck. AND You lucky dog! The recent Elk threads sure have been inspiring. If not during your hunt, I'm sure we're in for a good story and pics at some point.
Enjoy as I know you will.Kip :thumbsup:
Good Luck...
Good luck to Whip! Hope you have a good hunt. Be watching for the rest of your story.
I hope you are succesful, but just beibg there with the wife is worth the cost of admission.
Best of luck to you, have a safe trip and take lots of pics. :thumbsup: !
Have a super hunt Whip. I bet you hear tons of Bugling. I look forward to your pics and stories when you are wrapped up and hopefully Elk haulin tired.
Good luck.
Good luck Joe! Hope The Mrs. brought lots to read!
Best of Luck!!
Glenn
Best of luck to you Joe! With the Mrs along, there is no need for Mountian House meals, you lucky son of a gun...Looking foward to the pics and stories. What setup are you using?
Safe trip for you and the wife Joe,
I wish you luck in mountains.
I will look for pics when You return.
Chuck
Good Luck Joe. am excited for you. :thumbsup:
It's great your wife is going with.
Draw Valle Vidal did you?
No, not quite that lucky Mike....
That would really be a dream hunt, but I'm plenty happy with anywhere in the Rockies right about now.
The best for your hunt!Good that you and your wife can enjoy this together. :thumbsup:
Good Luck! I love New Mexico! Gotta get out there hunting one of these days!
Wish you a safe and great trip:)
Good luck Whip !!! We be praying for you and Irene to have a wonderful trip and hunt of a lifetime. Keep us posted when you get service we are hanging on every word....... :pray:
best of luck :campfire:
Whip,
Have a great , safe trip and I'm hoping your dreams come true!
Say hi to Irene.
Jed
All the best bud :campfire:
Good Luck Joe, can't wait for the story... That sounds like a great time.....
two weeks in the mountains/gods country....
I wish you success Joe. Let us know how things go.
Martin
Good luck Whip, hope you get a giant. I am not real familar with the northern part of the state. I don't know what help I could be but, would be willing to try.
Best of luck Whip! Have a great hunt
Whip have a great time and good luck.
Good luck to you Joe!
Here's to great luck Joe............and the hope for a bit of cell service so you can do some daily posts for us!!!!
Good luck Whip! Be safe, shoot straight, and keep your nose into the wind!
Keep us posted!
Kennyb :wavey:
Sounds like the makings of a great trip. Good luck.
Sounds like the makings of a great trip. Good luck.
Good luck, have a safe trip and keep us posted if you can.
May the good Lord keep you safe and guide your arrows buddy.
:campfire:
Go slow and take it ALL in, good luck. To increase the fun of the drive you can practice your cow calling technique which will open up conversation between you and your loved one :biglaugh:
Good luck Joe. We are just filling out our PBS stuff and Karen says she hopes Irene will be going to the ladies luncheon.
Have an awesome and safe hunt...
Best of luck to ya Joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be safe.
Best of luck....... :thumbsup:
Rolling on I76 right now with Irene at the wheel. First glimpse of the Rockies up ahead gives me a familiar tingle in my stomach. :bigsmyl:
Thanks for all the well wishes - will try to update as we go if I can.
Good luck Whip! Keep the wind in your face :thumbsup:
Excellent. Couldn't be happening to a finer gentleman than ole Joe!!!
Enjoy. Be safe. No need to wish you having fun. That already started... :)
Good Luck Joe and be safe.
Reading all these updates and such. . . Well it is making me want to grab my stuff & jump in my vehicle and head out for Colorado. I don't think work or the wife would like that though. Good Luck Joe, I will be waiting for your post.
Good luck with your hunt! It will be extra special with your wife in camp. I just returned this weekend from Colorado, and already I miss the high country and everything that goes with it. Keep us posted.
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
I hope you have a safe and successful hunt Joe! ...and take lots of pictures for us...
Good luck cant wait to see the pictures of the terrain and the big elk of your dreams. :thumbsup:
Good luck brother, be safe and tell Irene hi.
Sept 12th, a better day, you should be getting close to base camp. Good luck to you two and Irene be patient you know how he gets with that that first bugle.
Joe, have you uploaded your pics yet???
were waiting!!!!
I know, I owe a story....
My sister--in-law passed away 9/22 - funeral was yesterday, so that has had me tied up. Plus when we got home I found our computer needed immediate surgery.
Ended up buying a new computer in addition to getting the old one repaired. I'll be picking up the computers later today, but it will take a bit to be up and running full speed again. Too hard to tell a story and post good pics on this darn cell phone...
Also, Doug Campbell and his wife are stopping for a visit tonight. I know I'm just full of excuses, but I will eventually bring this one back up!
Sounds like your plate is full Joe. We can wait. Get your business tended to then give us the details. Sorry for your loss.
QuoteOriginally posted by leatherneck:
Sounds like your plate is full Joe. We can wait. Get your business tended to then give us the details. Sorry for your loss.
Same here Joe...take care of what needs to and get to the story when you can.
Looking forward to it. :campfire:
Sorry for the loss Whip. Can't wait for the tale.
Sorry for your loss Whip..... heading to the funeral home myself tonight, a friends uncle passed. Hug Irene for me and Mason and we will be waiting for the tale...... :coffee:
Whip take your time brother...looking forward to the tale and the pics :campfire:
I love New Mexico! :archer: Shoot Straight! :archer2:
Joe,
I've been thinking about you & Irene....
hoping that wouldn't happen. My best to you and your family.
Joe,
So sorry to hear about your loss.
Julian
Sorry for your loss, Joe. Looking forward to the story as your time allows.
sorry to hear that Joe, yall will be in our prayers.
ethan
Joe sorry for your loss,you and you family will be in my prayers.Take care
I was going to look this thread up as I thought I might have missed the story.
Take your time, we'll all still be here. You have some serious issues to get through.
Sorry for your troubles.
Sorry for your loss Joe.
Joe, Sorry for your loss... Ken
OK, finally getting somewhat back to normal. New computer is up and running, photobucket upload complete. I guess it's time....
This year marked my fourth trip to this area of New Mexico. I had a streak to protect, having previously taken 2 cows and a bull, I thought I had this spot dialed in. I had plenty of experience here, and knew exactly where I wanted to be come opening day.
As was the case a few years ago, I would be accompanied by Irene as my camp mate, and would be hunting on my own. While she doesn't hunt, she thoroughly enjoys remote mountain camping.
The day before we were scheduled to leave home we had a call that my sister-in-law Judie had been admitted to the hospital. She has been battling Amyloidosis for the past nine years, and knew her way around hospitals very well, so this wasn't anything new. But with an average survial rate of less than 2 years she had already beaten back the odds dramatically, so we always worried. We decided to go ahead anyway and just make sure to stay in touch as best we could.
We arrived on the mountain a few days early. The season that I had drawn a tag for was only 7 days long, so I wanted to use a few additional days to do some scouting and acclimate to the altitude. We found our preffered campsite unoccupied and moved right in.
Talking with a group of hunters who had the season prior to mine had my hopes soaring. They reported seeing and hearing elk every day, and thought that we were camped right in the middle of the best activity. On my first morning scouting I came across a small group including these.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/NM%20Elk%202011/NMElk2011-49.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/NM%20Elk%202011/NMElk2011-50.jpg)
:campfire:
I kept in touch with my brother by text messages and occasional phone calls, and fully expected that we may be headed home any day. But as she had done so often in the past, Judie just kept hanging in there.
Openng morning found me headed a little further up the mountain to one of my favorite spots in the world. I had seen numerous elk there, including at least one very nice bull. There hadn't been any other hunters camped up there earlier, so I hoped to have it to myself. However as I pulled up to my planned parking spot I found a camper had set up apparantly late the day before. Continuing on to another spot I found another camp set up. Further again was a truck parked. Where did all these guys come from????
I finally found a secluded spot to park, and headed on in. But I wasn't alone, and after encountering other hunters a fewvtimes and no elk, I gave up on that spot. No worries, I had plenty of back up spots to try.
I continued to hunt hard, but had trouble locating elk. I would occasionally stumble across a cow or two, but that was about it. Bugling from bulls was very minimal. Elk sign was very sporadic, and mostly at least a week old. I tried every spot I knew of, and just couldn't seem to find good concentrations of animals.
Before I knew it I was down to just a couple of days left to hunt. Other hunters that I talked to were all reporting the same results - very few elk seen, and little to no bugling from the bulls. It seemed that things were running behind the normal schedule - even the aspen trees had failed to show any of their normal golden hues.
As I headed to a totally different area one afternoon I drove by my old favorite spot. The camps that had been there previously were gone! I don't know if they gave up early due to success or lack of activity, but I had to give it a try.
I wished that I had more time. I did find some elk, and even had some very close encounters. But it came down to the final day all too soon.
The morning of the last day of my season I worked my way through the aspens. The elk were scattered, but they were there. I saw two different 6x6 bulls, but couldn't close the gap on either. A number of encounters with cows and spikes were equally unproductive. As the morning activity eventually wound down it was time to head back to camp.
I sat down against a log to take a short break, and hadn't been there for more than a minute or two when I noticed the body of an elk filtering through the aspens. One more chance!
I eased up in the direction of its travels as far as I dared, and then waited to see what might develop. Standing behing an aspen tree I watched as the fat spike worked closer and closer. After pausing behind a group of trees he continued on directly at me. Now he's getting too close!
At 15 yards he finally turned so that he would pass me broadside, and as he walked behind a small group of aspens I brought up my bow and started putting tension on the string. I was at half draw as his head and then neck emerged into the clear. Two more steps and I would have a perfectly wide open shot.
And then, just before taking those final two steps, with no hesitation what so ever, HE BEDDED DOWN!!
With his head facing directly at me 15 yards away, I was frozen at half draw. I didn't think I could even lower my bow without detection. My knees were shaking, my arms were quivering, and I was afraid he would hear me gasping for breath and hyperventilating. Why did he have to pick that exact spot for his bed??
All I could think of was to see if I could get to full draw and take a step to my right to clear the trees for a shot at his chest. Would he be confused enough to hesitate long enough for me to get a shot?
I'll let you guess the answer to that question...
I still had the final evening to hunt, and after all the activity of the morning, I of course headed back to the same spot. On my way I would pass a high spot on the mountain where I could get cell phone reception, and retreived a voice message. My brother and his family had made the difficult decision that hope for Judie to pull out another miracle was gone. It was time to remove the machines and allow her to be with God.
When I was here three years ago I made a decision that someday my ashes would be scattered from the cliff in this picture. I couldn't think of a better place to spend Judie's final hours with her.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/NM%20Elk%202011/NMElk2011-46.jpg)
We didn't see any elk, but we had a good time together. I think she enjoyed that evening.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/NM%20Elk%202011/NMElk2011-84.jpg)
Although my trip ended without a cooler full of elk meat, it was another successful trip to my favorite state. No hero pics this time. Just some random photos to carry me through until the next time.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/NM%20Elk%202011/NMElk2011-47.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/NM%20Elk%202011/NMElk2011004-1.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/NM%20Elk%202011/NMElk2011-71.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/NM%20Elk%202011/NMElk2011-87.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/NM%20Elk%202011/NMElk2011-58.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/NM%20Elk%202011/NMElk2011-69.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/NM%20Elk%202011/NMElk2011-54.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/NM%20Elk%202011/NMElk2011-75.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/NM%20Elk%202011/NMElk2011001-1.jpg)
Some great pictures! I really like the 1st one. Thanks
Thank you for sharing with us.
I am very sorry for your loss. Prayers for all concerned.
Your photography is awesome!
God bless,Mudd
At some point over the last couple of years I told Joe that he needed to let me borrow his Golden Horseshoe. I'd hunted that unit before and for him to go 3 for 3 in there is strong. Well, I'd forgotten all about that comment and when I texted Joe from WY after I'd shot my bull, his reply "I want my Horseshoe back!" Boy did that crack me up.
Joe, seeing your reverance for the opportunity to just spend time in such a wonderful slice of elk country makes it clear....you ARE the Golden Horsehoe.
Good show, my man, good show.
Beautiful Country, Joe. Thanks for taking us along. You do it right. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great hunt! Thanks for sharing.
Sorry for your loss. Condolences to your family.
Great photos, looked to be a wonderful hunt. My thoughts are with you and your family. :pray: There is always next year!
Thanks for sharing John,sorry for your loss.
Sounds as if you had a good hunt Joe. My condolences to you and your family. God never makes it easy to lose a loved one.
So sorry for your loss and thank you for taking the time to share your trip...
I'm with you Whip, I love New Mexico and elk season.... no better place to be in September...
Great pics and story Joe. Sorry for the loss.
Joe, Karen and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. Thanks for taking the time to post. You always do a great job.
Awesome story and pictures! Sorry for the loss of your sister-in-law...
Thanks Joe, I always look forward to your hunts. Great pictures and commentary! Sorry for your loss.
:wavey: Welcome home. Thanks for the tell Joe. Great write up. I laughed out loud when I read "HE BEDDED DOWN!" Like you I didn't see that one coming!
Sorry for your loss brother.
Thanks Joe, from the pictures it looks like a great place.
Well, I am thinking the elk was gone before you could get into position. Next time give a little cow call, whistle, or whisper, "get up you ...."
I have had similar situations, and being so close is more of a disadvantage, especially when they are looking at you.
Best wishes to the family.
Pretty heavy stuff all around. Thanks for the view. All.the best to you and Irene.
Thanks for the hunt Joe. My deepest sympathies to your family.
Thanks for sharing your trip. Sorry for your loss.
Awesome story and pictures Joe.
Thank you for sharing with us.
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family
Great read Joe I'm very sorry for your loss.My thoughts are with your family. :pray:
Nice story & pics Joe. Sorry for your loss.
Man Joe I like your attitude about hunting when things get slow. That is some beautiful country. What big town are you closest to in that country?
My condolences to you and your family.
Sorry to hear the passing of your sister-in-law. Sounds like you enjoyed your hunt. I love that spooky tree pic and remember you posting it in years past.
Randy, it's north of Sante Fe, which would be the nearest big town.
Jerry, you have a good memory, or maybe I've just posted pics of that tree too often. It has become like going to visit an old friend when I walk up to him.
Thanks for a tale well told. Condolences and prayers.
Bittersweet Joe, all the way around. Glad Irene was with you.
Joe, very sorry for your loss and thank you for the story. I am not sure if it was the drought or what but everywhere here the rut was a little behind. This weekend they are really rolling of course now that season is over. Thanks again...Shawn
Could almost smell the sage and mountains in those pictures.
Looks like a great place to be as you remember your loved one and her passing. When my Dad went to be with the Lord I found comfort in His creation.
Thanks for the story.
David
I'm sure that time with Judie wasn't just wishful thinking... had an experience or two of profound "presence" of dear friends...and then later learned that was just about the time when they'd died.
What a beautiful place to have said your good-byes.
Prayers for Peace for your whole family. As my Uncle, dying of bone cancer whispered to me, "Even Death is God's perfect healing".
Thanks for sharing such a precious moment and a very neat hunting experience. Glad you're home safe! Just got my internet back up and running myself!