I had a meeting with my boss and let him know I was headed for burnout if something didn't change. I had several vacations on the calendar for October and told him I really needed to be gone when I was away. We talked about some strategies to keep things rolling while I was gone, and he agreed to support me. I put in a good effort over the next few weeks, trying to focus on worrying less and just controlling what I could control.
My next trip was an over-the-counter elk hunting opportunity that was likely going to be difficult. The elk had been hunted for a number of weeks prior (both archery and gun seasons), the weather was clear and warm, and the moon was full. Not exactly ideal, but I was excited for a vacation and a chance to chase a bull. I decided that the condition I left things at work would have to be good enough, and headed home to pack and prepare for an early departure.
The trip was scheduled to run Wednesday through Saturday. I traveled Wednesday morning and early afternoon, set up camp, and headed up the mountain to scout for the evening. My first few glassing spots yielded nothing. As darkness was starting to settle in, I set up at my last glassing spot for the evening and started looking.
I hadn't been at that spot for 30 seconds when I spotted elk. Three cows, and then...
A bull! And a good one! Not the type I'd be interested in passing up. My heart began to race as I began plotting my approach. I didn't have much time to get over to him. I'd really have to hustle. Oh, and the wind... it was terrible. I'd be approaching with the wind right at my back. The more I thought, the more it seemed like a bad idea to race for him right at dark. I'd just gotten here. If I could relocate the herd the next morning, I'd be in way better shape.
At the same time, this might be the only herd of elk I'd see all hunt. I was torn. And I needed to either make a decision quickly, or let indecision become the decision. Ultimately, I decided to let the opportunity go in hopes of creating a better opportunity later.
I calmed down and sized up my target.
He wasn't quite as big as I'd first thought. Maybe a 5 point or small 6, but on a hunt like this, he was still an easy shooter. I knew where I'd be in the morning.
I watched the herd until the light ran out, then headed back down to camp to make dinner and preparations for the morning. As I settled in for the night, visions of the bull in my head, I realized I was feeling about as happy as I ever have. Maybe I was finally remembering how to let the stress go and just be.
I'll confess, a nice bull elk can help a person do that.
My next trip was an over-the-counter elk hunting opportunity that was likely going to be difficult. The elk had been hunted for a number of weeks prior (both archery and gun seasons), the weather was clear and warm, and the moon was full. Not exactly ideal, but I was excited for a vacation and a chance to chase a bull. I decided that the condition I left things at work would have to be good enough, and headed home to pack and prepare for an early departure.
The trip was scheduled to run Wednesday through Saturday. I traveled Wednesday morning and early afternoon, set up camp, and headed up the mountain to scout for the evening. My first few glassing spots yielded nothing. As darkness was starting to settle in, I set up at my last glassing spot for the evening and started looking.
I hadn't been at that spot for 30 seconds when I spotted elk. Three cows, and then...
A bull! And a good one! Not the type I'd be interested in passing up. My heart began to race as I began plotting my approach. I didn't have much time to get over to him. I'd really have to hustle. Oh, and the wind... it was terrible. I'd be approaching with the wind right at my back. The more I thought, the more it seemed like a bad idea to race for him right at dark. I'd just gotten here. If I could relocate the herd the next morning, I'd be in way better shape.
At the same time, this might be the only herd of elk I'd see all hunt. I was torn. And I needed to either make a decision quickly, or let indecision become the decision. Ultimately, I decided to let the opportunity go in hopes of creating a better opportunity later.
I calmed down and sized up my target.
He wasn't quite as big as I'd first thought. Maybe a 5 point or small 6, but on a hunt like this, he was still an easy shooter. I knew where I'd be in the morning.
I watched the herd until the light ran out, then headed back down to camp to make dinner and preparations for the morning. As I settled in for the night, visions of the bull in my head, I realized I was feeling about as happy as I ever have. Maybe I was finally remembering how to let the stress go and just be.
I'll confess, a nice bull elk can help a person do that.
