bigeasygator
New member
All,
Just got back from a second season drop camp hunt in the Flattops Wilderness of Colorado. This trip was, in many ways, a lifetime in the making. My uncle Vince floated the idea of doing an elk hunt for his 50th birthday and as the resident "expert" I took the lead in planning the hunt. This would be my eighth elk hunt, and of the previous seven I've been on the most memorable for me was my first -- a drop camp hunt in the Flattops Wilderness. Elk camp is elk camp, but for me there's nothing that tops the feeling of riding a pack train in miles from civilization and living in a canvas walled tent for a week surrounded by some of the most incredible country you can set foot in.
Invites were extended and it got to the point where we actually had a group of eleven going. The eleven would have to be accommodated in two camps, which was the only negative of the trip (the two camps were obviously better for hunting success, but the social aspect took a slight hit). Months of planning via email, phone calls, and text messages flew by and before we knew it, we were on the highway headed for Meeker, CO -- seven of us from Louisiana and four from Pennsylvania. We arrived in Meeker a day after we departed, and after a night of drinks, food, and some laughs together, we hit the rack in anticipation of the next days ride into the wilderness.
We met the outfitter, Tel Gates of River's Bend Outfitters, at 7:30 the next morning. In my camp, affectionately known as the North camp (think Blue and Gray, not dials on a compass), we had my uncle Vince, my uncle Chris, Vince's friend Benny, my buddy David, and Vince's friend Sam (who would fly in a day later).
Here's the crew waiting to saddle up. From left to right, me, Vince, Benny, Dave, and Chris
This would be Vince, Chris, and Sam's first ever elk hunt, and everyone's first pack trip (with the exception of me). The months of planning helped ensure we didn't have too much stuff going in, but everyone was amazed at the loads the horses would handle.
With the two camps, we had something like 13 pack horses to load up. After a few hours the gear was packed and we were saddled up. Here's the wild bunch ready to roll!
The ride in was a few hours and left an impression on the greenhorns of the group. The trip was definitely starting out on the right foot...or in this case, hoof!
Just got back from a second season drop camp hunt in the Flattops Wilderness of Colorado. This trip was, in many ways, a lifetime in the making. My uncle Vince floated the idea of doing an elk hunt for his 50th birthday and as the resident "expert" I took the lead in planning the hunt. This would be my eighth elk hunt, and of the previous seven I've been on the most memorable for me was my first -- a drop camp hunt in the Flattops Wilderness. Elk camp is elk camp, but for me there's nothing that tops the feeling of riding a pack train in miles from civilization and living in a canvas walled tent for a week surrounded by some of the most incredible country you can set foot in.
Invites were extended and it got to the point where we actually had a group of eleven going. The eleven would have to be accommodated in two camps, which was the only negative of the trip (the two camps were obviously better for hunting success, but the social aspect took a slight hit). Months of planning via email, phone calls, and text messages flew by and before we knew it, we were on the highway headed for Meeker, CO -- seven of us from Louisiana and four from Pennsylvania. We arrived in Meeker a day after we departed, and after a night of drinks, food, and some laughs together, we hit the rack in anticipation of the next days ride into the wilderness.
We met the outfitter, Tel Gates of River's Bend Outfitters, at 7:30 the next morning. In my camp, affectionately known as the North camp (think Blue and Gray, not dials on a compass), we had my uncle Vince, my uncle Chris, Vince's friend Benny, my buddy David, and Vince's friend Sam (who would fly in a day later).
Here's the crew waiting to saddle up. From left to right, me, Vince, Benny, Dave, and Chris
This would be Vince, Chris, and Sam's first ever elk hunt, and everyone's first pack trip (with the exception of me). The months of planning helped ensure we didn't have too much stuff going in, but everyone was amazed at the loads the horses would handle.
With the two camps, we had something like 13 pack horses to load up. After a few hours the gear was packed and we were saddled up. Here's the wild bunch ready to roll!
The ride in was a few hours and left an impression on the greenhorns of the group. The trip was definitely starting out on the right foot...or in this case, hoof!
