philny1
Well-Known Member
Hi
Left for my annual Colorado elk hunt on 10/13. Made the the trip without any mishaps, stopping at the same motels, restaurants etcs. This was our fourth year at the same ranch in the south western corner of the state. Weather was good, but on the way out of Denver where we caught some cold rain, there was some snow in the higher elevations.
We arrived in elk camp on 10/15, this gave us a breather before the opener on the 17th. Weather was warmer than normal, in the 70s. This of course did not help the hunting, elk were not moving. I saw one elk the first morning, got in the oak brush and have no idea what it was,. Third morning saw what I do believe was a bull, was visible from the front shoulder back but could not ID it for a legal bull so I didn't take the shot. Had a deer tag, passed on a couple bucks. Nothing really big, 21-22".
Last day, bout the last hour we got on what we thought was a good mulie. Took the shot at a ranged 580 yds, pretty buck but no better or not as big as the ones I passed on. Nonetheless a nice buck--have never taken a really good mulie.
Then!!! Off to New Mexico. Hunted with Beaverhead Outfitters. This was a horse hunt in a wilderness hunt. Covered a lot of ground, saw several bulls. I tagged out on day four, just as the front moved into the area. At day break we saw a large herd of elk on the ridge parallel to our position . The horses seamed to sense the excitement and there was no problem keeping abreast of the elk for a couple miles til they got in the timber. We tied off, headed out out on foot and a couple of ridges over got my shot at 374 yds.
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He was a big mature old bull, scarred up from fighting and passed his prime
FYI; I'm on the right.
The wind came up as we were coming out, I would guess 30-40 mph. You could feel the horses bracing against it
Some pics of a very interesting room at the lodge
Phil
Left for my annual Colorado elk hunt on 10/13. Made the the trip without any mishaps, stopping at the same motels, restaurants etcs. This was our fourth year at the same ranch in the south western corner of the state. Weather was good, but on the way out of Denver where we caught some cold rain, there was some snow in the higher elevations.
We arrived in elk camp on 10/15, this gave us a breather before the opener on the 17th. Weather was warmer than normal, in the 70s. This of course did not help the hunting, elk were not moving. I saw one elk the first morning, got in the oak brush and have no idea what it was,. Third morning saw what I do believe was a bull, was visible from the front shoulder back but could not ID it for a legal bull so I didn't take the shot. Had a deer tag, passed on a couple bucks. Nothing really big, 21-22".
Last day, bout the last hour we got on what we thought was a good mulie. Took the shot at a ranged 580 yds, pretty buck but no better or not as big as the ones I passed on. Nonetheless a nice buck--have never taken a really good mulie.
Then!!! Off to New Mexico. Hunted with Beaverhead Outfitters. This was a horse hunt in a wilderness hunt. Covered a lot of ground, saw several bulls. I tagged out on day four, just as the front moved into the area. At day break we saw a large herd of elk on the ridge parallel to our position . The horses seamed to sense the excitement and there was no problem keeping abreast of the elk for a couple miles til they got in the timber. We tied off, headed out out on foot and a couple of ridges over got my shot at 374 yds.
He was a big mature old bull, scarred up from fighting and passed his prime
FYI; I'm on the right.
The wind came up as we were coming out, I would guess 30-40 mph. You could feel the horses bracing against it
Some pics of a very interesting room at the lodge
Phil
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