The official 2025 Wyoming elk hunt for Dave N thread.

[Hem]

Good call @Dave N
Safety first.

 

[WildWill]

Tony and I are grabbing some dinner and getting things cleaned up. Unfortunately, we BOTH decided that I need to call it. We spotted a couple dozen elk and drove around to where they were headed. That side of the ridge had the wind going like that famous Chinese guy HO LEE CRAP! Snow covered as well. By the time we got there nothing to be seen. It was up there in the hurricane that I had a bit of an issue and it was very life threatening if we were going to be stuck there. I was fairly nervous but Tony told me that he was actually scared. Not a good situation. We made it back out and after talking about it I'm heading home and FINALLY getting checked out for my health issues. It's just too dangerous to push any more. I'm going to write a wrap up when I get home and get settled. @Addicting will head down for his antelope hunt from here.

Thanks for following and for all of your support!

My dad died sitting in his chair having a heart attack refusing to go to the hospital at 69. Go get yourself checked out and take care of yourself Dave that granddaughter of yours wants to get to know you.

 

[INMT]

Thinking about you Dave. Safe travels home. Take care of yourself.

 

[Addicting]

Quick update on the burb. We beat the living hell out it and she took it like a champ. The roads today to glass were as sketchy as I’ve ever done. Grease mud, washes, snow, ice, Kia swallowing potholes, and rocks, Did I mention rocks?

 

[Addicting]

I was fairly nervous but Tony told me that he was actually scared.

Just a point of order. I was not scared of the environmental conditions. I was scared that you went down in those conditions and were not getting up. There was nothing I was going to be able to do where we were besides a SOS push. I have a full emergency kit with me. But that first aid kit and space blanket ain’t doing anything up there. No way to start a fire in that weather either. I would have had to leave you exposed to get help.

It very quickly was turning into a life or death scenario. One where you have to make choices that no one wants to make. That is why I was scared.

 

[Dave N]

Just a point of order. I was not scared of the environmental conditions. I was scared that you went down in those conditions and were not getting up. There was nothing I was going to be able to do where was besides a SOS push. I have a full emergency kit with me. But that first aid kit and space blanket ain’t doing anything up there. No way to start a fire in that weather either. I would have had to leave you exposed to get help.

It very quickly was turning into a life or death scenario. One where you have to make choices that no one wants to make. That is why I was scared.

That's what I was meaning.

 

[8andcounting]

There will be other hunts. Or atleast the possibility of other hunts . Good call on heading home . Get healthy . I really wanted this to end with you and a big bull elk but more importantly I think even those of us who have never met you in person just want you to be safe and to get well . Kudos to addicting and the others they helped Dave out with this hunt . You all did well no matter the outcome .

 

[npaden]

Sorry it didn’t turn out with an elk on the ground but sounds like it was a success in many other ways.

Public land elk hunting is tough and Wyoming in late October can get dicey.

Here’s to you getting home safely and getting healthy.

 

[Bullshot]

This elk hunt seems like it went off great. Great scenery, adventures, good food, good company, miles driven, miles hiked, elk, moose, and deer about. Everyone made it out.

If killing an elk was the only measure of the hunt, it would'nt make sense for many of us, and probably most non residents, to even attempt it. But by going elk hunting, we all get to do and see things that 99% of people never get to say they have done. So well done Dave and team. Had fun following along.

 

[bowhuntmontana]

@Dave N , I think you made the right call. I know you were concerned about not messing up your knee or yourself to the point where it would affect other more important things. It takes a lot to know when to safely call it, and you and @Addicting made the right call. There are very few easy elk, and I know you all put in the work and tried like heck to find a way to make it happen. Keep your chin up and head held high - you did what 99% of people wouldn't even try. I loved getting to hang out with you guys in camp, enjoying the food, the BS, and the camaradarie. Safe travels back home, and good luck @Addicting on the antelope hunt.

If I get back up there for a cow hunt in November, I'll post the details here.

 

[devon deer]

Damn Dave, first time I've logged in for months and got this news, that sucks, get home and get fit, since my last trip over I've had a stent, and today I'm having an MRI on my knee, we have things in common...getting old!
Such a great bunch on here helping you out this far, there is always next year.
Cheers
Richard

 

[Brittany Chukarman]

As a 72 yr old hunter I know you made the right call. You have to listen to your body and accept your limitations. But, you got to experience a western mountain elk hunt with some good dudes and different species of game spotted. That's a win in my book. Now get yourself healthier for more adventures.

 

[Browning Rifles]

Damn. I have followed this deal since day one. Dave N. Thanks for letting us join in with your journey. Western mountains are mountains. Illinois treadmills and hills are Illinois…… Hope I can go hunt when I am your age. Like dsnow said you guys spent more time in camp eating than you did hunting. I hunt and hike my ass off to kill one elk every year…but when the chips are down I just go sit my ass down in elk country and hope for the best. Buzz and Kirk are elk killin mfers but the thing I’ve figured out from them is…. Hunt hard and hunt all day. Best bull I killed was last year while helping a buddy blood trail a wt buck he wounded. Shit happens when you are in the mountains.
I am not giving you hell but damn.. we wanted you to kill an elk . Cookies don’t do it.

 

[Addicting]

Hope I can go hunt when I am your age. Like dsnow said you guys spent more time in camp eating than you did hunting.

You have no idea what your talking about. Way to be an arm chair dick. Is criticizing others fun for you?

 

[NoWiser]

You have no idea what your talking about. Way to be an arm chair dick. Is criticizing others fun for you?

No good deed goes unpunished. You sacrificed a good portion of your hunting season to help someone out. That says a lot about you. Now go enjoy your antelope hunt.

 

[Salmonchaser]

Well done Team Dave.

 

[buckbull]

But were any tents shanked?

 

[Addicting]

But were any tents shanked?

Just one very soiled porta john. Lol

 

[Browning Rifles]

Sorry, didn’t mean to sound like I was criticizing anyone at all. Just disappointed you guys didn’t have more luck. I’m sure you hunted as hard as you thought you was possible. Been hoping so much that this story ends with Dave N hands wrapped around a big ass bull.

 

[Addicting]

Sorry, didn’t mean to sound like I was criticizing anyone at all. Just disappointed you guys didn’t have more luck. I’m sure you hunted as hard as you thought you was possible. Been hoping so much that this story ends with Dave N hands wrapped around a big ass bull.

You’re failing to see that wasn’t the goal. It would have been a byproduct of the goal. The goal was camp, food, and friends.


Realistically the chance of success on a public land elk for Dave was low single digits. There was a lot of negative factors at play for an already low harvest percentage. The fact that we saw elk and he got to try and make a play on them was a win.

Celebrate the win.