Out West hunting partner wanted.

[Thegreatwapiti]

I start every morning by ranging my surroundings. I know this bush is 34 yds away because it was 34 yesterday and 34 on Sunday (I hope it hasn't moved!). I try to have my marks ingrained so I don't have to fuss in the moment of truth. Good luck everyone!

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

Have you ever noticed how squirrels make the noise equivalent to a 600lb elk but elk make the noise of a 1lb squirrel?
Also, how is it possible that I can convince myself that a stump and a rock is actually an elk. I stare at inanimate objects for far too long.

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

2pm and I just settled in for the evening hunt. I went about .25 miles around and circled back to my spot. Trying to keep the wind right and I avoided the bedding area were I busted the animal last night. So far so good. We'll see.

 

[geewhiz]

Best of luck man. If you think it sucks sitting out there by yourself, just imagine being at work like me. ha

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

It happened for a 3rd time. Now that I have settled on a morning hunting spot....a cow came out to my evening hunting spot at 6:23 thi
s morning! Exasperated!!

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

I brought 2 beers with me hunting. I think I might have one of them with dinner tonight. I hope that guy from Idaho doesn't judge me.

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

Day 8 - on stand at 5:30am. Stars everywhere. Much different than 1 year ago when Colorado was recovering from a massive September storm.
Specifically, the forest in the area I am hunting experienced one of the biggest blowdown events in recorded history.
I rode out the storm and woke up in my tent to find that I was completely cut off from civilization. It was the middle of the covid lockdown so I left a message with the forest service's voice mail with my name, phone number and GPS coordinates. About 1 hour later I received a call from the forest service that they knew where I was stranded.
I was informed that I was 9 miles from any exit and it would take a team of sawyers a day or two to cut a line to me.
I had plenty if provisions, so I called my family, told them I was fine, and I went HUNTING.
A day and a half later, I returned to my tent to find a note that the road was clear. Pretty crazy 72 hours. Grateful to be sitting in a pleasant meadow 1 year later. PEACE

 

[BT_NVhunter]

This is awesome following along, love it about a week away from my trip. This is like a coaches pep talk to get me pumped for the big game. Keep it up TGW one of these days your bound to guess right for the spot. Good luck

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

Just had an amazing 10 minute encounter with a cow moose. At one point she was grazing at 14 yds. Got some incredible video.

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

Hey everyone. Just settling in for evening 8.

I am probably super late to the party, but I just wanted to give a shout out to the HuntStand app.

I'm not connected to them in anyway but I downloaded it about 2 months ago when I started setting up trail cams. I am quite proficient with my GPS, but I found this to be a great addition. I have been using it all week!

As long as you have cell service, you can drop a pin on your exact location and then label it (bedding area, game trail, Basecamp, etc. Next there is a place to make any notes.
I found it was super easy to pull it up at the end of the day, drop topo or satellite maps over the top, and use it as a planning tool for the next days hunt!

In the past I might wonder what is on top of a ridge but would never know unless I hiked up to look. Now I can luck at HuntStand and actually see there is an open meadow before I commit to the walk. Super handy!

I'm not super tech savvy and I'm sure there are many other features. I'm just always trying to improve my experience and I'm glad I tried out the HuntStand app this week. PEACE

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

The woods were silent tonight! Making a cheese burger for dinner and listening to the football game. Try again tomorrow!

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

Day 9 - on stand at 5:40. Same location as yesterday's moose encounter. Hopefully we can find the right species today.

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

Just had 2 bucks come in. One was at 8 yds and couldn't figure me out! Got over 2 minutes of video inside of 15 yds. Super intense.

 

[Sitkahoyt95]

This seems a little weird like I’m looking on a dating site but.... I’m 38 with 3 boys and have hunted for about 20 years now. I hunt everything and am really looking for people I can hunt with. I enjoy the company and don’t want to hire guides all the time. I love to learn to be able to teach my boys someday. Reply here or PM me. Thanks and cheers!

id be down as hell im looking for a mentor lol teaching yourself is hard

 

[Sitkahoyt95]

Just had 2 bucks come in. One was at 8 yds and couldn't figure me out! Got over 2 minutes of video inside of 15 yds. Super intense.

man awesome!

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

Night 9
Unless I shoot an elk this evening. This will be my last post for a couple of days.

My son has a football game tomorrow, I owe my wife an anniversary dinner, and I need to recharge my batteries (literally and figuratively).
I'm going to refresh my supplies and be back up Tuesday morning. Probably going to hunt Tuesday - Thursday for the next two weeks in an attempt to fill my tag!

This has been super fun for me and I hope I have provided a little laughter, inspiration and anticipation for you. I plan to keep posting on Tuesday but hopefully someone else will pick up the torch and run with it throughout the season. I would love to hear what's going on with you and your hunts and I really hope to develop some future hunting buddies!

God speed and good luck! Talk to you soon.
Todd

 

[DIYerr]

It happened for a 3rd time. Now that I have settled on a morning hunting spot....a cow came out to my evening hunting spot at 6:23 thi
s morning! Exasperated!!

I see you dip the good stuff.

 

[jeff_gibbons]

This seems a little weird like I’m looking on a dating site but.... I’m 38 with 3 boys and have hunted for about 20 years now. I hunt everything and am really looking for people I can hunt with. I enjoy the company and don’t want to hire guides all the time. I love to learn to be able to teach my boys someday. Reply here or PM me. Thanks and cheers!

Hey Mike, I too am looking for new friends to hunt with. I live in CA and am interested in hunting all the other states you mentioned. I’ll follow up with a PM.
Jeff

 

[fallfreak]

Thanks for taking us along greatwapati!! Don't give up know. We are all rooting for you!!

 

[Thegreatwapiti]

I finished the yardwork, I walked the dogs, and I ate a piece of prime rib. I'm baaaaaaaack!!

Night 10 - Super windy and the colors are changing. Only two cows on my first trail cam from over the weekend.