I have hunted Elk in CO twice. Several years ago I got invited to join a group that hunts in Wyoming. I started buying points, then got a call that Elk camp was a go for 2026. The group got 3 bull tags, a bunch of cow tags, and several deer tags. They hunt in 45, and have done so for decades. The drive in from the trail head was terrifying, but once in camp, I was very impressed. These guys have thought of everything, and have a heck of a setup.
The area was absolutely gorgeous! Several of us had to go back to "town" to pick up the horses. It was an almost 6 hour ride to get them to camp, but again the scenery made the time pass quickly. We managed to fill a bunch of tags the first week, and all three that had bull tags, got a bull. My friend and I were riding to an evening spot and came upon a bull moose that was in bow range. We were taken by surprise, as was the moose. We stared at each other while I frantically took photos and videos of him, before he decided he did not want to be friends, and moved along. Of course the only Elk we saw that evening was a really nice bull, but neither of us had a bull tag......
I saw a wolf, which was super cool. I saw movement across the valley I was overlooking and assumed it was a muley due to the darker color. I got the binos up as it stepped into an opening, and could not believe what I was looking at. A giant gray/silver wolf, with a mostly black tail. I never expected that! Unfortunately, I was not quick enough with the camera. We had a Marten hang out with us while we were quartering a cow that died in a bunch of deadfall. He circled at about 30-40 yards for a while. I'm assuming he was hoping we would leave so he could steal a snack?
I met a bunch of great guys, and saw and did some things I never thought I would. Overall, the entire trip was amazing. Time to start buying points for the next one!
I grew up a poor city slicker from N/E Ohio. Never in a million years did I think I would ever have the opportunity to hunt big game out West.
If you have never done anything like this before, please do everything in your power to make it happen. It is life changing.
The area was absolutely gorgeous! Several of us had to go back to "town" to pick up the horses. It was an almost 6 hour ride to get them to camp, but again the scenery made the time pass quickly. We managed to fill a bunch of tags the first week, and all three that had bull tags, got a bull. My friend and I were riding to an evening spot and came upon a bull moose that was in bow range. We were taken by surprise, as was the moose. We stared at each other while I frantically took photos and videos of him, before he decided he did not want to be friends, and moved along. Of course the only Elk we saw that evening was a really nice bull, but neither of us had a bull tag......
I saw a wolf, which was super cool. I saw movement across the valley I was overlooking and assumed it was a muley due to the darker color. I got the binos up as it stepped into an opening, and could not believe what I was looking at. A giant gray/silver wolf, with a mostly black tail. I never expected that! Unfortunately, I was not quick enough with the camera. We had a Marten hang out with us while we were quartering a cow that died in a bunch of deadfall. He circled at about 30-40 yards for a while. I'm assuming he was hoping we would leave so he could steal a snack?
I met a bunch of great guys, and saw and did some things I never thought I would. Overall, the entire trip was amazing. Time to start buying points for the next one!
I grew up a poor city slicker from N/E Ohio. Never in a million years did I think I would ever have the opportunity to hunt big game out West.
If you have never done anything like this before, please do everything in your power to make it happen. It is life changing.
Attachments
Last edited:
