I swear I had intentions to go deer hunting! I got a call from my hunting partner Friday that was already in the mountains and sitting on 4 bull elk in a very good spot to hunt. Well, I guess we are going elk hunting. Friday was my birthday so I got to camp, set up the spotter, watched the elk feed out into a nice basin and cracked a bottle!
Not a bad way to spend a birthday. Opening morning we were at the trailhead by 5:30. Unfortunately a father, daughter and son were already there waiting to hike in. We talked for a brief time and learned they were going in a completely different direction. So we set off on our own way with plenty of time to get where we needed to be without being in a hurry. As we set up for the last 1/2 hour before shooting light on the backside of a ridge, we started to hear elk bugle within what seemed like 500 yards just above us on the plateau. Alright, game on. We got ourselves ready for the last few minutes till legal light and we hear a large commotion. It sounded like a jet taking off. Stampede! Somebody came up the other side of the elk, with their scent blowing right at them. The elk ran by us at 40 yards and all we could do was watch dumbfounded. They took off 10 minutes before we could shoot. I lost count at 40 animals and didn’t make it half way through the herd. They ran across the valley and we watched most of the morning as they ran across the mountain range getting shot at. I guess that’s what you can sometimes get hunting public land, get in the perfect position only to be ruined by some one else. Spent the rest of the day looking and hoping the huge herd didn’t take every elk with them. Luckily we spotted several more small groups in the area but never could get on them before the day light went away.
Sunday we hit all the spots where we usually find elk after being pressured opening day. Small dark timber that most people wouldn’t think would hold elk. We got into some cows in what can only be described as a hell hole. So thick you can’t see 15 feet.
Unfortunately we were a little too loud and jumped them at 20 yards without ever seeing a body. Discouraged, we slowly made our way back towards the truck. We had dropped of a second truck so we don’t hike through the same terrain twice. On the last piece of timber, on the last mile of 17 miles that week, I spotted some really yellow grass in the timber. I pulled up my binos to confirm that it was just grass. Yep, really yellow grass. Then I saw the grass turn it’s head to reveal antlers! It’s unbelievable how well their coats can blend in sometimes, even at 70 yards. I slowly put on some ear muffs (I hunt with a break), chambered a round and picked out a small spot just behind its front shoulder. At the pull of the trigger he vanished instantly into the timber. As I pulled down my ear muffs I could here him letting out his last breath. Bull down!
Sometimes persistence pays off! Never give up! Nothing brings more joy to me than getting an elk. I am enjoying all the things I plan to make with him. Burgers, Mild Italian sausage, Breakfast sausage, Brautwurst. Who knows, I might make some chorizo! While pulling off his back straps, I pulled a broad head out of his spine.
This reaffirms my thought on not using expandables. I think a fixed blade would have severed his spine. My two hunting partners and I made quick work of butchering him up. I loaded up the two front shoulders, strapped on my rifle and we headed on out of the mountains. I have been using the Fhf gear rifle sling and can’t say enough good things about them. The rifle just doesn’t move when strapped into the back and I can quickly remove when I need to.
I am hoping to make it out this weekend for a day. Going to be a big change going from 70’s in the afternoon, to snow and single digits.
We ended up only finding two sets of deer tracks after 10 miles of hiking. Neat area, seems odd that the only animals in there are goats, grouse and bears. Also got to watch this guy for a while. He was very interested in me. 
Pulled stakes and went to another area a little lower. Area had great grass and water, but again didn’t cut a single track in the area. Did find a decent black bear, but it was on the move with no chance to catch up. 
Two areas striked off the list. Spent the first night in a tipi, tried out some new gear and hiked till our feet got sore. Great weekend in the mountains. We will be switching tactics and trying an area on the other side of the mountains next weekend. The quest continues.
