I had great hopes after last year's elk hunt.  I had a fairly close encounter with a nice bull.  Although I had messed up ligaments in my leg, rehab went really well eventually.

My son went out a month ago to do some scouting in the same place, and everything looked good.

We arrived a day early, bought my six hundred dollar tag and headed out.  Only to find ten trucks and trailers where last year we found only one truck and trailer.

People were friendly but I didn't drive 1000 miles to contend  for hunting spots with approximately 30 other guys.  We were planing on backpacking and they had already made two trips with six horses.

So we moved to another spot where we were alone.  No trucks, no horses, no hunters.  No elk. (Just kidding)

Matt had one close encounter with a bull but no shot .  I had a very nice mulie buck with in 10 yards or so but no tag for him.

In the end, I had a fun week with my son in the Colorado mountains, but still have not closed the season with an elk in the freezer.  Hopefully we will have another year to try it all over again!

So so common.  Where we hunted (over the counter area) the parking lots looked like the state fair was happening.  We saw other hunters here and there. We move to some less obvious spots where there weren't as many hunters. Less elk too... It's ok for me as I know it tapers off quite a bit as the season ages. But for my guest from out of state. It's over. Week 1 over.