I traveled to northern Colorado for an opening week high country elk hunt Red Feather Guides and Outfitters. The adventure involved lots of horseback riding, hiking and calling. Here is a pic of the mountains to the east of Red Feather property near Gould.
(http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/tradarcher1949/view20from20Red20Feather20for20tg_zpsf7a54b4f.jpg) (http://s778.photobucket.com/user/tradarcher1949/media/view20from20Red20Feather20for20tg_zpsf7a54b4f.jpg.html)
On Saturday Aug. 31, horses were saddled and pack mules were readied for the two-hour ride from the trailhead to base camp near timberline and the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area.
(http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/tradarcher1949/horses20getting20ready20tg20pic_zpse8374766.jpg) (http://s778.photobucket.com/user/tradarcher1949/media/horses20getting20ready20tg20pic_zpse8374766.jpg.html)
After the ride up the mountain, the horses were cared for and I limped to my tent on a really sore knee and a bruised behind. Accommodations were pretty comfortable, especially the cots. Food was great and so was my hunting partner, Dan Pirrallo of Steamboat Springs. Later that afternoon, we hiked up the mountain and had a bull elk encounter with no shot taken.
(http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/tradarcher1949/just20arrived20at20base20camp20tg_zpsdaebe41e.jpg) (http://s778.photobucket.com/user/tradarcher1949/media/just20arrived20at20base20camp20tg_zpsdaebe41e.jpg.html)
Left camp at 4 a.m. Sunday in black on horses for a ride up the mountain. We had three elk encounters (cows and 4x3 bull) at 20-30 yards but potential shots were quartering to, so no shots were taken. Spent the rest of the day hunting back down the mountain to camp.
Here is a view from camp to valley below.
(http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/tradarcher1949/view20from20camp20for20tg_zps241de22a.jpg) (http://s778.photobucket.com/user/tradarcher1949/media/view20from20camp20for20tg_zps241de22a.jpg.html)
Climbed aboard the horses at 4 a.m. Labor Day to seek elk in another area of the Zirkel Wilderness. Once again, it was pitch black in the timber and I couldn't see my hand in front of my face, although I could barely make out the head of my palomino horse that I was on. Clambered up and down steep, rocky slopes, crossed streams and a bog and eventually arrived at our destination at about 6 a.m.
Here is a pic of base camp.
(http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/tradarcher1949/artsy20pic20for20tg_zps8c6c11fb.jpg) (http://s778.photobucket.com/user/tradarcher1949/media/artsy20pic20for20tg_zps8c6c11fb.jpg.html)
:campfire: I love stories about horseback hunts.
Great story! Don't stop now!!!
I followed rookie guide Adam up the mountain for only about 200 yards when he turned in the gloom and whispered that he saw a bull just ahead. I moved in front of Adam but couldn't see anything. Apparently, the bull had moved off before I got to a good vantage point.
We moved laterally and then up to get the wind in our favor. Shortly, Adam turned and whispered that he saw elk close-by. I moved into a better position, knelt among some small spruces and watched the small opening to my right (I'm a lefty).
Adam softly cow-called and and almost immediately an elk came walking toward us across the opening. When it turned downhill and passed behind a large spruce tree I came to full draw. As it came out into the open, it turned my way and looked directly at me. I held my 50-pound Morrison ILF recurve for an eternity before I eased back down. The elk didn't spook, though. When it turned and started walking downhill again, I realized that it was a calf. It stopped again at about 20 yards and presented a broadside shot. I again drew my bow, anchored, picked a spot and loosed the arrow.
I immediately saw a red spot appear on the animal's arm pit as it bolted down the slope. It stopped just 25 yards later and stood there. A few seconds later, it tipped over on a log and was done.
Although he wasn't the monarch of the mountain I dreamed about, this elk is a trophy to me. After six prior DIY hunts for elk that did not afford me a shot at a legal elk, I was very pleased that I came through in the clutch with a good shot on this fine animal.
This was also Adam's first guided harvest, so good for him.
BTW, the meat is wonderful.
(http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/yy70/tradarcher1949/tom20and20elk320for20tg_zpsaf0743ff.jpg) (http://s778.photobucket.com/user/tradarcher1949/media/tom20and20elk320for20tg_zpsaf0743ff.jpg.html)
Awesome job and story!
Congrats!!
Nicely done!!! Thanks for the pics Joe
Congrats!
:archer:
Congrats!
Bisch
way to go!!
You'll have some very tender eating this winter! Congratulations and thanks for taking us along on your hunt. Hunting with horses sounds like quite an adventure. Nice pictures, by the way! :thumbsup:
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Great story !
Congrats..
Congrats!
Congratulations, Tom! Good shot and well done.
:clapper:
Congrats! Great post. Great pics. That is as fine eating as ur gonna get.
Great story - gonna write it up for the magazine?
I am so happy for you. That is fantastic!!
Awesome, I think Id have shot it too. Bet it eats great.
Thanks, guys!
LimBender: Yes, I'll have a story with more pix in the Fall TradArchers' World magazine that should be out in early Oct. I'll post a pic of the cover elsewhere. Mike Vines' story about his DIY mule deer hunt also will be included, together with a tribute to Gail Martin, a couple of how-to stories and more hunting adventures.
Congrats on gettin it done! :thumbsup:
Congratulations Tom! Some of the finest meat on the planet right there!
Horseback hunts are an adventure of their own - glad you had a great time.
What a great adventure! Thanks for sharing and Congrats!
Yummy, good going.
Congrats Tom,thanks for sharing.
Leland
That's a great story! :campfire: Thanks for sharing and congratulations. :archer:
Congrats! :thumbsup:
Well done Tom, that's the way to get that "monkey" off your back. Excellent table fair. :clapper:
Awesome, great job!
Congratulations! That should be some fine eating!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
Congratulations Tom! Some of the finest meat on the planet right there!
Horseback hunts are an adventure of their own - glad you had a great time.
My thoughts exactly! Congrats!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :notworthy:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Congratulations Tom! That's some beautiful country and a fine elk. I'm looking forward to the next issue for some more good reading.
-Jay
Congratulations! I love to read about mountain hunts.
The horseback part of this hunt was almost as memorable as the elk encounters. The rides in the dark thru timber were almost spooky and kept me alert, as I had to react to situations by "feel". I actually came to look forward to leaning back in the saddle and "walking" down the really steep, rocky trail or leaning forward to scramble up the slope. It helps that I had a really good horse, too. All together, this was a really fun adventure.
Good for you Tom!
Someday I hope...thanks for taking us along until that time comes.
Woooohoooo!
Congratulations!
killed my first calf in 1966...they only get bigger from there...CONGRATES!!!
:thumbsup:
Great hunt and congratulations!!
That's awesome! Calf elk is the best eating animal around IMO.