We made it back to Virginia a bit earlier than planned. And we learned when you fill your tags early you can go explore places like the Snowies and soak in the Saratoga hot springs to ease your creaky bones.
We left the truck about daybreak on the Opener and eased along and found fresh tracks in some snow. They faded quickly, but we changed our course and that made a difference. We had found our way on to a two track in the valley when suddenly a herd crested the ridge we intended to cross and were coming right at us. Our guess was something spooked them and they had been heading right at the sun and we had the wind in our face/favor.
Luck was with us totally and after some decent shooting, we had two big cows down before 8:20. After filling our tags and taking pictures my buddy was blown away by the size of each one and the work we had before us. The knives came out after 10 and I put the truck in Drive and headed for town after 7. We were both spent after a couple trips to the truck and the Jet Sled made it easier, but we wished we had more snow to help with the drag.
Our distance to the truck was over a mile and thankfully not any further since we had two to move. Many have had it worse than we did and I call that more luck for us. Both of us used .270's, me with 130 Barnes TSX's and Mark, Ballistic Silvertips in 130 grains too I think. Due to their sudden arrival in range, I shot from the kneeling position and Mark from prone using his bipod. His shot was just over 200 and mine just under. And boy did we wish we had a bull tag when we saw the brute running with all those cows.
After two previous elk hunts of my own and burning two other tags I never had the chance to hunt, I'll savor this easy hunt and the great opening day. The cow and calf Shiras moose were a bonus on Monday when we went looking for a shady spot to bone out quarters.
This forum made a difference for me and helped convince me to apply and make my time count in the field. Thank you for making the seasons last all year and who knows what we will try next year.
Ranchers Meat Locker in Cheyenne froze our quarters and I recommend them if you want a local processor. Wal-Mart in Laramie didn't have dry ice. Luckily, Ridley's did though and that made a difference for a warm ride home. We pushed through without stops and were beat from the trip, but the meat was fine.
