Tag Stew, Back from chasing elk part II

[elk ninja]

Well, I gave it away in the title, busted once again.  

Part one is here:  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=108200;p=1#000000

My lovely wife allowed me a couple more days up in elk country so I headed up to find a seemingly empty mountain, devoid of elk.  Rule number one of successful hunting is hunt where to animals are.  I essentially had an evening, a full day and a morning before I had to be headed back to town.  I did nearly get a shot at a mulie doe (I am getting more and more amazed at not seeing, in the seven years I have been hunting this mountain I have yet to see ANY mule deer buck...), and I did peg a spruce grouse.  

At any rate, the scenery is great.  I discovered a couple more springs on the mountain as well.

Next year I'll be more fit, shooting straighter, more knowledgeable and harder of mind.

Its a bit hard to see, taken through my 10X binos at an unknown zoom on the camera, but there's a deer there for sure... right below Seclusion Spring, high on Notellum Mountain.


Zoomed even closer...

[elk ninja]

The skies were much clearer this time.

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All the while, you have to stop and notice the small blessings as well.  The aspens were just starting to change.
 

And the wildflowers were still out.  

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Hero shot, minus the animal:

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Some mid day gear shots while I rested and ate lunch.

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Scenery, scenery, blah, blah.... Just kidding, I love this place!  For someone who hasn't experienced big, wild places like this, it is difficult to convey the expanse and grandeur.  
 

[elk ninja]

Bull elk mane hair on a rub.  The camera would not focus on the hair no matter what setting I used.

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And down below in the sage flats:

[elk ninja]

Still working on uploading my video journals... I have tried photobucket, vimeo and youtube and they are all taking way to long.  I think it's my internet connection, but I'll get them up sooner or later.  

Thanks for taking the journey with me, I look forward to a winter of reminiscing and rehashing and learning from my mistakes so next year is more successful in terms of meat.  

Now, on to my local deer specific season....

[Bernie B.]

Enjoyed your photos!  You really have some great country for hunting.  Thanks for sharing!

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

[Jesse Minish]

Great pics! Any late season elk for you?

[ron w]

Went out west for Elk the first time this year.....no Elk but,     great time and beautiful country.....thanks for sharing!!

[steadman]

Great photos!

[wtpops]

Thats Tag Soup, stew has meat in it.    

Very nice its been a long time sence ive been in country like that thanks for the photos.

[Gen273]

Sorry about the tag soup, but thanks for posting the pictures.

[centaur]

I hope to not join the 'no elk' club; heading back up the mountain tomorrow for a few days. Dang elk read the regs, I feel sure.

[elk ninja]

Thanks guys.  No late season for me.  The Sawtooth "A" tag used to have a late season rifle (or was it any weapon?) cow tag, but they did away with it.  I think that's why I have been seeing bigger bulls the last couple years, but at any rate, my season is effectively over as I won't make it back up before the 30th.

[stykbow67]

Awesome pics of the country,I'm also enjoying a little Humble Pie with my tag soup this year, Maybe next year! Thanks for sharing!
Steve

[snag]

Really dislike the taste that tag soup leaves in your mouth!

Great pics! Looks like you had the benefits of beautiful scenery anyway.

[Shinken]

Thanks for sharin' the hunt and the photos!

Shoot straight, Shinken