One thing I have always wanted to try was hunting the mighty wapiti. So I decided about two years ago to go on a elk trip. Since I had never hunted them an outfitter seem the way to go. I called around and went with T bar M out of Durango Colorado. Steve the owner was very patient with me and we set a date. This hunt was a pack in with horses and camping in some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. We camped at 9500 feet and hunted above it and below.
Come on now there was more to it than that!
On your first trip out we where talking to four or five different Bulls when two spikes and a three by four showed up. The wind was swirly and the spikes spooked leaving the bigger one. All where under thirty yards. I was going to try the three by four but a tree and the wind took care of the opportunity. The next day we called on a big bull but it got to about fourty yards and would come any closer. For someone who had never seen a live wild elk it was pretty exciting.
:coffee: I think there's more to the story!
Bernie
I'm in....
i'm following Corey's lead.. give us the rest of the details.. :)
Yea.,.and???''
Come on...... we're waiting! !!!!
:campfire:
...and then along came Jones... :biglaugh:
Maybe he's typing this via smoke signal!
You know here at TRADGANG we hate cliff hangers!!!
The weather got a little warm during the next couple of days. We had only one setup the following morning. The bull never showed himself. The next morning we heard four Bulls we setup on the closest but he went quiet. After awhile one of the ones that was around the hill got closer. I thought he was coming to the call but when he got to about 80 yards I realized he was chasing a cow around. They soon went back the way they came screaming all the way. He was a very nice bull I was still shaking when we went to set on a stand for the evening.
Yeah, this is getting old. I will look at a few other posts and come back next week.
Just finished the second half of the 26 hour drive. Time for bed. I'll be back tomorrow with some pics and the rest of the tale.
:campfire:
Thanks for the story, Brushwolf. I will happily be patient to read your tale.
Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!
A few pics.
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_32.jpg)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_33.jpg)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_31.jpg)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_30.jpg)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_29.jpg)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_27.jpg)
(http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k592/jet26photos/Mobile%20Uploads/image_26.jpg)
:thumbsup: :campfire:
On Monday we called in a really nice bull. He took his time coming up the ridge but we watched him the whole time. He finally made it to me and stopped in the wide open. Broadside he stood there looking at me. I thought the game was over so I decided to take a shot. My arrow looked really good spinning toward the bull only to fall short right before it got to him. I didn't realize how far he was he had looked much closer. Steve told me later that he thought the bull would have probably made pope and young. That made the miss hurt just a little bit more but at least it was a clean one.
Now I just had a couple days left before it was time to go. So the next morning we hunted a ridge we had been hearing a bull on. It wasn't long before we had him coming. At thirty yards I watched him completely tear apart a tree that was an 1 1/2 thick. He screamed several times and pawed the ground. He put on a real show and had me shaking harder than I have in a long time. Next thing I new he turned and headed to me. The bull was behind some small bushes but broadside at less that 20 yards when I thought he clear I came to anchor.
Now this is where I am supposed to show you all a big bull on the ground and I would love to. But a branch that I never seen will keep me from doing that. I was heartbroken as I watched the arrow sail down under the Bulls feet. I have to admit I had a place all ready picked out for him on the wall. That was one of my mistakes something I shouldn't have done. With the week all most over I end up seeing 12 bulls and 4 cows. I didn't get an elk but it was a success in my book anyhow. I survived the high altitude and the bear. He came in to camp one night and tried to run off with a cooler. I seen some big beautiful country and had a great time. Thanks for letting me tell my tale for it was an adventure for this eastern boy.
Thanks for sharing your trip!
Beautiful pictures of your wonderful time. Good for you!
By the way, Ohio is not east, we are Midwesterners. That means west of those who really are easterners except we don't have mountains. :biglaugh:
Just being up in the mountains is worth it....
,,Sam,,
Yes Sam, but after four trips, it would a nice ending to come home with some backstraps; rack or no rack.
QuoteOriginally posted by SAM E. STEPHENS:
Just being up in the mountains is worth it....
,,Sam,, [/QUOTE
It is I agree 100%. It was a trip I will remember for a very long time. Hopefully I will get to redeem myself some day.