Broke the jinx

suburbanirma · September 11, 2013, 12:16:00 PM

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.

suburbanirma · September 11, 2013, 12:22:00 PM

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.

suburbanirma · September 11, 2013, 12:28:00 PM

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.

suburbanirma · September 11, 2013, 12:35:00 PM

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.

suburbanirma · September 11, 2013, 12:42:00 PM

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.

Bill Shepard · September 11, 2013, 12:45:00 PM

I love stories about horseback hunts.

Son of Texas · September 11, 2013, 01:10:00 PM

Great story! Don't stop now!!!

suburbanirma · September 11, 2013, 01:11:00 PM

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.

Matthew Bolton · September 11, 2013, 01:27:00 PM

Awesome job and story!

bruinman · September 11, 2013, 01:29:00 PM

Congrats!!

JoeM · September 11, 2013, 02:14:00 PM

Nicely done!!! Thanks for the pics Joe

Will Cocke 2 · September 11, 2013, 02:16:00 PM

Congrats!

Mudd · September 11, 2013, 02:19:00 PM

September 11, 2013, 02:35:00 PM

Congrats!

Bisch

joe ashton · September 11, 2013, 02:38:00 PM

way to go!!

Bernie B. · September 11, 2013, 02:42:00 PM

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!

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

Pat B. · September 11, 2013, 03:10:00 PM

Great story !

Congrats..

VictoryHunter · September 11, 2013, 03:19:00 PM

Congrats!

knobby · September 11, 2013, 03:26:00 PM

Congratulations, Tom! Good shot and well done.

Guru · September 11, 2013, 03:30:00 PM