Ok folks, my wife Cathy and I have embarked on a 10 day journey that will take us from our home in PA to our final destination, a small town just east of Nucla Colorado. We will be hiking, fly fishing, visiting The Black Canyons of Gunnison, Telluride, Ouray, Moab, and attempting to fill either a mule deer tag, elk tag or both!
I hope to check in each day with photos and a short story of the perfect husband / wife hunting vacation. Along for the trip is my buddy Mark aka straightarrow and his lovely bride Donna. I hope you folks enjoy what we hope will be an incredible adventure!
I captured this insane photo on the plane last night heading to Denver. A photo that is obviously screaming "good karma"!
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/0b27807bd74e730cfdea5f040b65426c_zps556489d1.jpg)
Be safe little buddy!!
:campfire: :coffee:
QuoteOriginally posted by Big Ed:
Be safe little buddy!!
DITTOS Tim, from your "Southern" bud!
Best of luck Tim
All you people who go hunt elks every year better save me one when i am finally able to go!!!
Have a great trip Tim!! Looking forward to the updates.
David
Good luck and safe journey. Looking forward to this one.
Sounds awesome - good luck, Tim!
Have a great time my friend. Look forward to your updates. Jeff
Jealous! Have fun and be safe. Good retirement practice, eh?
I hope you have a great hunt!
Good Luck Tim and Kathy. I hope you tag one of those giant muley's. :archer2:
Good luck to all you,enjoy the beauty of the Mountains they worth the journey.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
A quick morning practice section. You gotta love the view from Mark' s front yard! Today's just a kick back and relax day. Tomorrow we head west early stopping in Gunnison for breakfast and onto the Black Canyons. :thumbsup:
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/a2d6108cf5b8ade59ad47d848691313e_zpsddce6558.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/edb86e619359aeef49f9bc09cef1bee2_zpsda353bc8.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/b131c24f98d19faf35d5a4d2635d0fca_zps563bc135.jpg)
Tim,are you lefty again!
It looks Dave made some good business there!
Hey Felix. Yep, shooting lefty this year. The bow is courtesy of Mr. Webster! Funny thing.....Mark is shooting the bow I hunted with last year! :knothead:
Best of luck Tim have fun and BE SAFE!!!I will be tuned in
This is going to be a good trip! :campfire:
Awesome, looking forward to the pics and such.....
Good luck to ya'll. Look forward to following along on this adventure! :thumbsup:
Good luck and be safe! Sounds like a great time.
Good luck Tim,
I should be in that area sometime next week on an elk hunt also.
Good Luck Tim. Looks Like great Country!
Good luck and have a safe trip!!
I think Mark's form is better. :goldtooth: Good luck and be safe.
:goldtooth: Have fun.......
Good luck, Tim!
Tim,
Have a great time and the best of luck on those Mule Deer.
You guys have me missing the mountains, this is the first time in 35 years I will miss an Elk season in Colorado. I will be there next year (as a nonresident).
Ahhhh Pat, we had your ears burning! Your name did come up during our visit with Tom not 3 hours ago. :laughing:
I was in Ouray 3 days ago. Beautiful country and look forward to following along on your hunt. Good luck!!!
:campfire:
Have a fun, safe and successful trip. Your going to my home area. I lived in Nucla, Montrose and Telluride throughout parts of my youth. I even killed a nice 6X6 bull just outside of the Black Canyon National Park with my bow back in 1993. Enjoy and take plenty of pics.
Chris
Well, we finally made it to our hunting spot late today. It was a long but wonderful day. We made it into Gunnisom around 9:30 for a wonderful breakfast. Following breakfast we headed west to the Black Canyon of Gunnison. Wow, what an incredible experience.
We got to our home around 4 and quickly ran out to hang a few stands. Problem was bucks were everywhere! We did see a few big ones, but just couldn't get a good photo for you folks. Here are a few pics from the evening. We will be on stand at day break! :jumper:
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/b72cb836eabf847b5503e47c1b665e29_zpse7917b40.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/41afa457ed8908f797ae10f665de4020_zpsb3c641c5.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/e26b4927641a26cf0bf207bd1d7b9566_zps51d6c241.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/e0d34339780b52cf21df8cb85b38cc1f_zps3068c5c6.jpg)
Good luck Tim!
Biggest deer I ever saw in my life was just west of Gunnison, walked across US50 in front of my truck out by the first Blue Mesa bridge, his rack was 30" wide if it was an inch...what a brute he was.
The Sidewalk Cafe still open?
Eric
Good luck to you boys! Those look like some great deer.
So Tim, is that the same Black Canyon where the longbows that are so popular out there come from? You may have to investigate :D
Looking forward to more brother!! Good luck!!
What a great trip. A dream hunt for sure. Good luck to all! Can't wait for the updates.
Good luck to you all.
Thanks for inviting us along, I'll stay tuned in.
:campfire: This is gonna be good, Best of Luck Tim!
Hey Eric....I believe this is the Blue Mesa bridge area you were referring to. Here's a photo of my wife and I just after we crossed the second bridge heading to Gunnison.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/01073380fcbe6289bd2b6aa777124af2_zpse3105f3c.jpg)
Not sure about the Sidewalk Cafe. We ate at a real cool place just off the main drag. Here's a photo of Mark and his bride. Lots of nice mounts throughout the place.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/7337aadce897deb74618bc2a65b7996f_zps996a2d9b.jpg)
For those that have not been to the Black Canyon here is a pic of Mark and I at one of the overlooks. A definite must see. That's the river in the top right corner of the photo.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/186c6d8b56e2af06567be8a01cb16a83_zpsd4b15e63.jpg)
Not sure about Black Canyon longbows. My wife's along so I have to be on my best behavior. :confused:
:thumbsup:
:campfire: This is gonna be good, Best of Luck Tim!
:campfire:
Ahh..Tim ya got me "Jonsin" for the Gunnison country.
Last I knew the world record Bull Elk was still hangin in the Conoco gas station in Crested Butte, worth seein if you get up that way.
The Sidewalk cafe was on the main corners in "Gunny" where you turn north to go to Crested Butte, it was the local hangout in the mornings.
Been about 10 years since I was there last....things are always changing.
Have a great trip!
The morning started off slow, with quite a bit of wind. The wind that tends to spin at all angles. Here's a pic of my stand location. I was in the cottonwood to the right.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/02768d290df09830522395cf85ee5826_zpse349ac58.jpg)
I was hoping to catch them coming out of the field in a slight draw or catch them coming through in back of me out of a series of alphalpha fields. Here's my view as the sun came up.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/516d5a2bb879c8d422c6a7a30d57d693_zps5e83c9cf.jpg)
:thumbsup:
I will admit I was a bit antsy on stand. Funny how out of sorts we are the first day out of a new season. Nothing ever seems to jive.
I was looking to my left half dozing when I heard a real quiet sneeze. I slowly stood up and glance cover my shoulder, just in time to see nothing but antlers moving through. They were only 25 yards away but dead in back of me with no chance of a shot through the cottonwood clutter. Here's a poor photo of the last buck moving through. If I had to guess there were 9 bucks in the group with the first couple being real nice!
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/713c80d3dbe86751d263d2caf35fa3de_zpsb5b23d07.jpg)
They all moved out and across the field. So close.... :(
About 20 minutes later several does came through in the same area. I got a couple pics of these guys as they picked there way around. They definitely knew something was up and the wind was doing me no favors.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/0163a06ad768ada80812698728573a69_zps6e8a8300.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/45de0c3bba17c397da3a74d674876309_zpsb6aba25e.jpg)
Tim, hope you and Cathy have a great hunt/ vacation. I would like to see a pic of a big fat elk with you sitting next to it with the bow and arrow that did the job.
Great Photos Tim.
Good luck on the rest of your trip.
I'll be watching this thread very close. Great job so far with the pics Tim! Good luck and I look forward to hearing from you and Mark!
Great pics. Keep it coming and good luck.
:campfire: :pray:
Good stuff Tim, keep it coming. All of the Cool Springs Gang wishes you the best of luck!
Tim,
Enjoying every minute so far, gotta love the almost ever present swirling winds.
Thanks for sharing your hunt/vacation.
The theme of today was "wind"! :dunno:
A constant 20 mph wind held true right up to the last 45 minutes of daylight. Despite the bright sun and steady wind I still climbed up into my stand around 5:00. A stand that should produce a nice opportunity come morning, but as far as an evening stand.....I doubt I will sit it again. A little too much direct sunshine, but still a very active night.
I wasn't on stand long before a pair of twins came bouncing through. An hour or so later I had two does walk right go me. I took some nice photos and enjoyed their company for a good 20 minutes.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/36c4a64c91a0eaba37c2662195a2ac80_zpscefaf4fe.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/09b3ca0a74224a486a7134bf31ff7c52_zps1e756113.jpg)
Just as the wind died down I caught movement behind me as 3 bucks jumped the fence and skirted me by about 50 yards. The first buck was a nice one and I was able to get a good photo of him.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/123cf14eaba05d4d37212b1963cd5200_zps3ee86f78.jpg)
Later that night Mark said that 3 huge bucks were headed right to me, but for some reason I never saw them. The wind was not real good and I only had about a 30 yard window where they would miss my scent line. Oh well, tomorrow will be here soon, I'm heading to bed.
Tim..I'm waiting for that Schafer to sing the "Tune"..I am very envious of your hunt, and thanks for sharing..great pics/story! Shoot Straight!
Here's hoping for a great morning sit, good luck!
Good luck Tim. You are safe on the Black Canyon bows. Mike Hays named his bows after the canyon, but he builds them in Pueblo, on the SE side of the state.
D.P.
Great pictures thanks for posting.
Me, my wife and my two daughters are planning
a Colorado trip, but we are also planning to forget
to come back.
Only if I could talk my wife into moving west!!!
QuoteOriginally posted by Big Ed:
Only if I could talk my wife into moving west!!!
Amen to that!!!
Tim and Mark,
That big buck I shared the photo with......he was hammered this morning in the black timber across from my house, now there are only 9 left on that private piece. :(
Cold morning on stand. I was cold walking in so I kind of knew what I was in store for before I climbed up. Not that 50 is cold but I had very little on. The steady 15 mph wind definitely had me reaching deep into my pockets.
I'm hunting a pretty decent funnel and most of the deer that pass through I can either see or shoot, maybe 70 yards wide. I've seen a few nice bucks go through the area the past few days and a ton of does. There must have been a ladies convention this morning because at least 20 does came through! A bad morning for bucks, just two little skippers.
I hesitate to jump to a whole new area, since I'm seeing double digit deer numbers each time I hunt. It's really easy in / easy out with minimal scent issues. I have another stand hung not 50 yards away from my first that allows me different wind options. I hate to leave deer to find deer, so I'm just going to exercise a little patience and wait the boys out. :dunno:
Good Luck,Tim! Loving the ride-along.
:campfire: :coffee:
Good luck Tim.
Patience TIMMY SON Patience!!! Get um buddy
Mmmmmmm...... Colorado!
Keep it coming mate....
ak.
I'm enjoying following along too...Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
This is awesome. Thanks a lot for taking us along.
:campfire:
Keep it coming Tim...BEST OF LUCK TO YA hope ya stick a big one!
I am enjoying this brother!
:archer: :)
Enjoy those cool temps Tim!! Very hot and extemely humid at home. Worst humidity we have had all summer. Enjoying your adventure. Thanks for sharing.
:campfire:
This evening had 20 minutes of pure adrenalin!
About an hour into my evening sit I noticed 3 fawns fiddling around about 75 yards away. They were feeling good jumping around in the high grass, not a care in the world. All of a sudden they all snapped their heads up. I never did figure out what was going on but within a couple minutes the field edge was full of deer! I counted 9 bucks and at least 15 does.
They seemed to be pushed by something. All I know is that 4 of the bucks were big, I mean real big! I wanted oh so bad to get a picture for you folks but I just couldn't take the chance. I really thought it was going to happen. The lead doe jumped the fence and came right to me. The wind was perfect and she walked by a 8 yards. From there......well things just fell apart. The 4 big bucks decided to go wide of me by 50 yards and took every deer with them. So disappointing, I just stood there.
The good news is most of the deer should come back through in the morning. :pray: Off to bed.
Here's the only pic I could get for you folks.....
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/e5f653ee643ae2d5da252756ec8daba1_zpsf4732b07.jpg)
So close! You'll get one don't worry. How's the action been for Mark?
Mark has been seeing a few, mostly young bucks and does up close and the larger gents at long distance. Remember, we are both born and bred whitetail guys so these mulies are a whole new game. In some ways their similar in others not so. I'm concentrating on the funnels and pinch points, hoping to catch them moving through. The big difference is mulies seem to bed wherever it suits them at the moment, whereas the whitetails like the thick stuff. I've hunted mulies 3 times over the years so my knowledge is very limited. Stalking or still hunting in this region of CO can be difficult due to the slight topography changes and the fact that I've yet to see a single buck, most have buddies which is more eyes and ears.
Mark's wife Donna made it clear last night that someone needs to put a deer on the ground for the freezer.... :scared:
I love this thread. Thanks for sharing. Good luck
:campfire: :coffee:
Thanks for sharing Tim. Good luck.
Good luck Tim. Only a matter of time :)
I hope no news is good news. I am glued!
A frustrating morning hunt today. I really thought the bucks would come through, but it just never happened. Only one little skipper that shows everyday and a dozen or so does. I sat until after 9 and than hung a new stand for the evening along an edge we've seen the bucks travel along the past few nights.
Here are a couple photo opts from the morning sit. The first is a Clark's Nutcracker. Pretty cool bird with an incredible Colorado blue sky.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/4a94a864c5a0a10e06482911cd585513_zpsf10e7515.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/96e6da84c23c30fa10abaff0acf56f68_zps485d12e4.jpg)
Another of my girls....that always walk by me no matter where sit.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/dd64d00bad227182c15f7cce1ca6c5b0_zps7b5681ff.jpg)
Ok folks let's stray away from the hunting for just a bit an venture to something very cool.
The gentleman we are staying with and his lady friend are very well respected in the Native American culture. Bill is considered a fire keeper and Nancy is a healer. One of their very close friends, Myron recently passed away. Myron was also very active in helping to maintain the ancient culture and history. Myron owned a piece of extremely rural land on the Utah Mesa. He lived their on and off and had hand built several structures, keeping with his Native American history. Cathy and Donna had the privilege of visiting this very special place.
Here are a few photos from their visit. Cathy did not feel comfortable taking photos of the medicine wheel or inside the sweat lodge but she said both locations were very special.
This is the main home.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/939fb8581642163c450987dd135aedf3_zps9069de34.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/0c8ed2a47f3158ebcae3e0bbf53c3493_zpse369aa0a.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/83ffd6f2ca0726c31a24b13c517d61e8_zpsf4b48ffc.jpg)
Here's is a pizza oven they constructed.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/21a4302f1092f60db127937586700969_zps4aaa6bef.jpg)
Here is the outside of the sweat lodge. Cathy and Donna did go inside. They had to crawl in and enter the circle from the west.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/3ede9a5546454f807621c7bf2b7832a0_zpse95095ca.jpg)
The last structure Myron was building was an updated main house. The workmanship was incredible with all the materials coming from the land, with the exception of the glass. Unfortunately he never finished, hopefully Bill will move forward with his friends project.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/4811a6f6467fabffce3dce6ec85497ac_zps58d1f6ea.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/00765c4946c20a15dad7c1f0df5338b0_zps2e5cc1ee.jpg)
Amazing construction!! Very cool pictures.
Tim That is really Neat!
Good luck with the new stand. Hopefully those 4 legged lady friends will find some boyfriends under you this time.
Great stuff Tim :thumbsup:
Thanks for sharing that..
Kind of reminds me of a Hogon like the Navajo make.
Your correct the home is a Hogan.
Very interesting.
I love this thread!
Wow, that traditional homestead is awesome. Enjoying your hunt along as well.
Great stuff Tim! Your trip is so much more than just a hunt, and very interesting. But of course it is still a hunt, so I am sure hoping that part comes together for you soon!
:campfire:
Mid-day yesterday we all decided to take a ride into Telluride for lunch. For those of you that have never been to Telluride, forget the whole Hollywood image. Yes, it's an extremely wealthy area but without a doubt one of the most beautiful scenic towns in America. No matter which direction you look your "wowed"!
We found a small tucked away deli and had a few sandwiches, walked around town and than headed over to the "free" gondola ride up the mountain. These photos are fantastic but still don't come close to showing the incredible expanse of the area.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/af5eb1841d507e4abf9c209bbdbf26bd_zps1787a236.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/6327d3166ef295f2985699aa9530e1b8_zps6306bce6.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/5c24f41b36920130fe26d0f619247d98_zps914cd4ea.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/eabee3d9f32aaedd6c5ab40cafb81e49_zps03c51b11.jpg)
Enough sight seeing. Get ta KILLIN. Bill
Very nice pic. Like the page 6 pic. Very interesting . Thank You
May life's simplest things bring you the greatest pleasures!!
That's a good looking couple right there
Come on Little buddy!!! :pray:
Hey! I can see Oprah's house from there. :)
It looks like you are having a grand adventure. Good luck at getting one of the big boys close, but regardless, it seems like it has been worth the admission.
Beautiful. I was in Telluride ( To Hell You Ride) this last winter for skiing. There's a big herd of Elk that comes down into the valley near the town every winter.
The man goes to lunch with a pretty lady and disappears! Come on my man Tim, you got me anticipating a hero shot of a velvet horned beast. :readit:
Sorry Izzy .... I'm back, took a little detour to Utah :knothead:
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/3c2cfd64f50c37cfdeb77cfd306c52ae_zps3dafc5b4.jpg)
Mark on the other hand had half a dozen big bucks come through at 59 yards, just too far. He had one heck of a show and got an ok pic of one of them....unfortunately not the big one.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/8d6f5fe7a3eb5defda97bb75d5b89356_zps85c7c2ad.jpg)
I miss Telluride. My father and I worked on one of the large buildings there in Mountain Village. We live in a condo at the base of lift #9 during the week while we worked on that job. That was in 1992. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
Chris
I'd like to say the highlight of the trip was when the big guy gave me a 20 yard shot but that just doesn't seem to be how things are playing out. It's Friday morning 5:28 and Mark and I are pretty beat up and tired. We both have a great spot for the morning sit that is as good a spot as any. The bucks have really seemed to shut down the past few days and we are not sure why. The does are as plentiful as ever.... :dunno:
This will most likely be our last sit as we start to wrap things up. I will say, and I'm sure Mark will agree, one of the highlights was Moab in Utah. Moab is one very special place and I will surely be back with my kids. The landscape in the Arches National Park are insane and I would recommend it for everyone's bucket list.
I could go on and on but again, I'm headed out for one last crack at a buck. We are both in provider mode so any buck with horns is going in the freezer, Mark could really use the meat.
The next set of photos will blow you away. Here's a couple teasers, please check back later for more. This is my wife enjoying the best sunset of her life. A view she will not soon forget.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/f29d0ab0a9fa841532da12a942887286_zps570c6f85.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/9f90caf7f381acaf7a6e824d861cd9b6_zpsf88002ab.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/a79ab562908743ae7798b2bc78568780_zps40f0d159.jpg)
QuoteOriginally posted by Tim:
[
unfortunately not the big one.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/8d6f5fe7a3eb5defda97bb75d5b89356_zps85c7c2ad.jpg) [/QB]
That guy is big! If that's not "The Biggun"!I think he would given me a miocardial infarction!
Marks text message.....7:07. Buck down!
woo-hoo.....cant wait to see!
Ok.....I've got some free time to get caught up. Mark does have a buck on the ground and a very unique one to say the least. I'll get back to that shortly.
Yesterday we woke up in Moab to a wonderful breaks fast by our hosts a Castle Valley B&B. We pulled out of there early and headed back to the Arches NP for a few hours of hiking.
The first trail took us in a few miles to the Delicate Arch. Incredible! Period!
Here's Cathy I showing just how small we are.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/d033a0ac7cb43ea49b6dd83482e36b65_zps40235dfb.jpg)
Some very cool Ute artwork, or petroglyphs.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/deb0eda3c2a4878690195cf19855d710_zpsaeaf6bac.jpg)
I could post pics all day but I'd like to get back to the hunt. Here's a few more. My advice....just go there yourself, you won't be disappointed.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/093f005809044888288666410cb73b96_zps4b06eeaf.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/f572d7893a3af53e6797782bf118f569_zps4a90ea86.jpg)
As I said, this would be our last hunt. We walked in together and setup only 100 yards from each other along the fence row where Mark saw the nice group of bucks a couple mornings back. Not long after sunset we had 5 does started making their way from the green fields toward us. 500 yards behind them were the bucks....and what bucks they were. Yes, the pic above was a small one! :eek:
The does walked right up to Mark as this guy headed my way. I'm not sure what setting I used on my camera but this looks more like a painting than a photo!
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/111417cf84ddb1eeaa72a22c2111aa03_zps5bdba887.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/5e2d7863b12174d4beb767b8581b6ab3_zpsb518d08f.jpg)
Everything got kind of weird for the next 10 minutes or so. All of a sudden the young buck perked up his ears and took a few steps back. The does that were under Mark hopped down towards me and looked back at him. A few seconds later all the deer took off back where they came from. :dunno:
My hopes faded as the large group of bucks keyed in on the activity and changed their direction. Not a minute later a coyote came ripping across the field. Another minute passed and two hunters walked out of the woods not 150 yards from me! :deadhorse: Talking about the highs and lows. The two gents saw me waving and melted away. They were intent on looping the bachelor group of bucks that "were" headed my way.
:(
Come on Tim, time to bring this story home! Loving it!
In Ouray, CO having lunch. I'll tie up the lose end later today! And maybe catch a few trout tomorrow.
Awesome stuff Tim! Can't wait to hear the rest of the story.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :clapper:
In Gunnison having dinner. Tired but getting it done. 3 more hours of Tarmac.
Tim The Pic of your wife at Moab Is AWESOME!
I took a road trip through the southwest and spent time at Moab, Zion, Mesa Verde and the Arches. That is an awesome Area for sure. Your pictures bring back memories.
I look forward to hearing how the rest of the hunt went.
Dang Tim. Wish I had known you were going to Gunnison. I have a cousin living there who is a Biologist at The Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Great guy who would have loved to share a beer with you. I've been there a few times over the years. Awesome area.
Enjoy the rest of your time out there.
Back to the story .......
It was 7:07 when a Mark's text came through, "buck down"! Remember, I was only 100 yards down the fence row from him and the only bucks I saw were at least 300 yards away. So what he shot or where it came from was a surprise to me.
His next text to me was along the lines of "oh ---- I think I screwed up, this deer looks sick"! I sat still for the next 10 minutes and another text came over, "correction, this buck is ------ up, may not be edible"!
A minute later he said, "I'm on the ground".
I slowly came down my tree pulling my stand and steps. I walked down the fence row to find Mark pacing in circles, visibly upset. The deer was laying at his feet not 8 yards from his tree. The deer was a mess.....nothing but bones, warts, swollen cysts, open wounds, damaged eye, rubbed off hair down its entire back and feces all down its tail end and back legs. To be honest it wasn't that it was gross, it was very sad and at the same time a blessing.
Mark put it very well when he said, "this was the best deer I've taken and the worst". He really didn't want to take pictures and was beside himself about what to do. Folks this deer was in extremely bad condition and I was concerned with handling it and or the arrow. We did what was best and would like to keep that personal.
Here are a few photos, so sad.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/850676adbd5b03c561e8800166359a30_zps535ff3b2.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/de00a5c7301424deeb0d046e1db86549_zpsdfbb52c8.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/6263a1ff05aee96533919d4f7a0e52e9_zpsfbaa35a9.jpg)
Tim,
Brother that is one sad looking deer, I would not have been able to make myself keep that deer for consumption.
Putting it down to end its suffering would have been the right thing Mark could and did do.
I have never seen anything like that.....very sad. Mark did that poor guy a favor. Looks like a great trip overall though! Thanks for sharing!
WOW, it almost looks like cutaneous lymphoma in cattle or some kind of fibroma, I've seen this in dairy cattle.
Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Sad for the deer but you did the right thing. Still a trophy.
Hopefully Tippit chimes in and give us his professional opinion.
Personally I think Mark did a good thing for this deer to end its suffering. Even leaving it for nature to clean it up is not a bad thing as nothing in nature is wasted. In my eyes it is still a trophy as it was humanely put down. Your pictures of the trip are gorgeous-spent 4+ years in NM so these pictures bring back memories for the wife and I. Thank you for bringing us along.
I think Mark has made some good works: the clean shot and taking down a hill deer that can infect others.
In Europe when you kill such kind of animal you have a prize with another free licence plus preference points for the next season. They are called sanitary kills.
Wow...that is one sick critter..you did him a favor for sure!
I would let the CDOW see it.
I'm curious as to what that is.
Congrats Mark, Great Thread Tim and Pictures.
Gotta love photo bucket.... :mad:
Thanks for sharing Tim!
David
Well done to you both!
How come I can't see most of the photo's? I am using my smart phone.
QuoteOriginally posted by MnFn:
How come I can't see most of the photo's? I am using my smart phone.
I am using a computer and can't see a lot of them either for some reason. :(
Great hunt bud, thanks for sharing. I miss out west.
Can't see pictures either!
Same here - no pictures... I've enjoyed following your trip west, but the pictures aren't coming through on my computer.
Bernie
QuoteOriginally posted by Bernie B.:
Same here - no pictures... I've enjoyed following your trip west, but the pictures aren't coming through on my computer.
Bernie
Same Here........ :dunno:
Tim you have exceeded the free bandwidth limit on Photobucket. You can create another account and repost the pics or upgrade.
Sorry for the delay folks but when I got to just about the end of our trip Photobucket said I exceeded my limit on photo viewing capacity and flagged every picture. It's a new month in their eyes so I'm good to go once again! I was just too cheap to spend the $30 upgrade..... :dunno: ......
Back to the story.......
Tim,
Thanks again for sharing your western adventure with us.
Mark definitely did that Deer a favor by putting it down.
This was the first time I've ever really planned a "hunt / vacation" and I will say it's very relaxing. Friday morning was spent packing for the trip home.
We pulled out around noon and planned to stop in Ouray, CO for lunch. Ouray is a small quaint town that sits right in the middle of a tight mountain valley. Another Colorado gem everyone should check out.
3 hours later we detoured north through Gunnison for what I thought was the nicest town setting of our trip. A small ski town, Crested Butte! Wow, what a gorgeous town! Mountains all around with a beautiful trout stream right down the middle. It was getting late so we didn't stop, just cruised on through.
We arrived back at Mark's around 10 pm very tired and mentally wore out. The next day would be spent relaxing, talking about the trip and enjoying the friendship. Mark and I have known each other for 27 years. Since we met I had raised two kids and he'd become a grand pop. You wonder where time goes.
Cathy and I flew out Sunday morning and headed home to Pennsylvania.
Here's a few of my favorite pictures from the trip. 10 days of perfect weather, quality wife time, great times with friends and a bit of hunting to even things out!
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/06075dd5400ce94dfeac4c443fe8595e_zps05fb2e69.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/bc09aafb6ae9ba5c8150b7b05fea004e_zpsdc511c72.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/ace7100121eb85db74b545148092e844_zps61ceecbb.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/e6c399e865e1b7d9b7d9edcc3895fa41_zps9bd2f878.jpg)
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/648a41a8e48e6c8dd1ed0d1d51705355_zpsbf583531.jpg)
Thanks to everyone that came along!
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/811e54d6772fa7b14bf46278867a0236_zps5e0880ec.jpg)
Gosh, Tim...you do know how to love life and live it!
Congrats!
When I get settled in TN, you and Kath come by to see me on your way somewhere, eh?
:)
It would be our pleasure Dave. Good luck my friend.
Tim, I was out there the same time. We drove through the Black Canyon on our way to Montrose was our first stop. We then explored areas below telluride, Lizard Head, San Juan's for two weeks. It was a great time. I passed on a bull at 18 yards because of fading light. I cannot wait till next year to make some changes. I did come home to Delaware in mid August and tried to email you. Crabbing was terrible this year. Next adventure will be Mid October when we will be kayak fishing the Gulf of Mexico.