Category: Hunting

Today we left for the school section, south gate at daylight in the chained-up truck, due to yesterday's drifting snow (didn't want to get stuck a 3rd time). Ben went high, David hiked the valley finding deer and moose tracks crossing the stream. Then, in the large, north most meadow appeared dozens of elk tracks! The elk had been feeding during the night in the big meadow, moved to an upper meadow and continued to feed (along with quite a few deer), then continued in a vast stream upward through an aspen grove and into the Douglas fir forest. From there I lost them, but Ben saw quite a number of cow elk……

Bens Personal Log: “Having a game plan I started up the hill, which turned in to two hills, and finally the meadow. It was of course empty. But I found through the woods a single trail of elk tracks which quickly turned into more than what my tracking sense can handle. I was on to a herd! I deviated from the original plan opting for a steep climb up Bull Mountain in hot pursuit. I found a steaming scat, urin soaked beds numbering more than fifteen, and my breath waning. I made it to 9,750 feet to a beautiful meadow overlooking the entire valley. Still no elk. I descended to meet what I thought would be a wide trail of tracks by found only scattered tracks of twos. I followed one and found a cow elk popping out her bed, darting a few feet and looked to see what startled her. I stood watching her motionless as she then laid back down chewing her cud. I snapped a few twigs after watching her to see what I would have to do to get her to pop up again. I was about a hundred feet away before that happened. She darted off and I followed more tracks, leading to elk inexplicably standing in them! Another one darted off. I kept crashing through the woods mimicking an elk and came upon a large brown rock with a dead tree trunk laying on top. I looked want it again and it had fur! Only a moment more and she, and her friend, also strode off. The last elk of the day bounded out of sight before I could flip the safety off. I didn't get my bull elk but I had a great time learning more about them and taking in the winter-wonderland views that is Colorado this time of year”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High winds (25-30 mph) and drifting snow occasioned a trip to Laramie to replenish our gas cans, milk and have brunch (Ben's treat) at the Prairie Rose (a 60's style family owned breakfast restaurant with a lunch counter and tables frequented mainly by locals). The food is good, the coffee replenished continuously, and we are served by cute and friendly college girls (Laramie is the home of the University of Wyoming).

Back from Laramie (we didn't get stuck on the drifted-in county road) Ben and I geared up for the afternoon elk hunt. Unfortunately we did get stuck in the FJ (wind low drift had crusted over) and David had to walk back to the cabin the fetch the truck and pull us out.

Determined not to get stuck again, Ben and David chained up the truck for tomorrow's hunt.

 

 

 

Waking up to a snowy world! 11 degrees and 7″ of powdery new elk finding snow. It took us an hour and 10 minutes to make the 45 minute drive, due to snowy/ blowy conditions. We were pretty much the only truck on the road. At 6:40 we started hiking up our secret ridge off FR182. 7″ of snow, 11 degrees and sun just coming up.

The sun came up and our mountain became a world of pristine white covering the earth and trees, and a deep blue sky surrounding two orange clad guys.

After walking over a mile, we saw no tracks or animals, so we turned our tracks for home. Within a few minutes, while puzzling over some phantom tracks, there were genuine elk tracks with elk standing in them! First, a very dark colored cow appeard on the trail ahead. She had neither seen, smelled or heard us, so made her unhurried way down the side of the ravine. The boys quietly scrambled to bring their rifles to bear. Next another cow passed by, then a spike (illegal- too young) bull and finally another cow. We waited in vain for the Bull-of-Our-Dreams to show up, but he never did……

 

After lunch the wind came up and created a ground blizzard of blowing snow. Ben and I tried to drive to the school section on Bull Mountain, but the visibility was so poor and snow became so deep (on the uphill section of Mountain Ridge Rd), that David decided to turn back rather than potentially getting stuck and asking Sally to risk the poor roads after dark. So, we spent a quiet night at home, hoping for better weather in the morning.

 

 

Up at 4:30 am for the drive to State Land near Glendevy by sunrise (35 minutes via 80C). 45 minutes after sunrise, Ben saw two cow elk (we both have bull tags) and I saw 3-4 elk (legs and bodies – probably cows) a bit later before they escaped on to private property. Disappointed there was no bull, but seeing elk gets our adrenaline going!

Back for lunch, Ben takes Sally on an elk (and possibly lost map) hunt near the cabin.

After Ben and Sally's hike, Ben and I went on a scouting mission to find elk. We checked a spot at Vern's cabin road (LOTS of elk and deer tracks), and ELK RIDGE (BIG ELK TRACKS). But the highlight was mama and calf moose tracks with the moose standing in them!

Meanwhile, Sally inserted 22 wooden painted stakes (pictures coming) to keep us from falling into the ditch. Super Sally also prepared Bison Stroganoff for dinner! Ben: “Elk camp would not be the same without Sally”. David agrees!

To morrow we will find ELK,,,!!

 

The Elk hunting buddies have arrived!

 

Wednesday Morning: 4″ snow, 29 degrees, wind howling – beautiful!

 

 

Up at cabin for maintenance work today. While I worked my tail off cooking their fish, serving hot buttered rum, making Eggs Benedict and caulking the siding, the ladies rested up from yesterday’s tough day of fishing.