NYBUCK Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 Ok I will try and cover as much as possible and hope I don't bore you ...... We left on Friday September 14th and drove straight through to Walden Colorado. A long drive but with 3 of us it wasn't too bad. We did stop at Cabelas in Sydney Nebraska and I spent way too much money. Oh well. We got our liscense and decided that it was only 3 pm so we might as well go to our hunting spot and set up camp. Here is my home for the next 7 days ..... Here is Waynes home ..... And of course Johns Home ..... This is the three of us at Cabelas ..... Wayne, myself, and John .... Well the first day, Sunday, we were pretty excited. John went off on his own (he hunts with a long bow and a good guy. Wayne and I hunted together for the first 4 days. We called all morning, heard a few distant bugles but nothing came in. At noon we went to check out a couple wallows that we saw last year and where I saw a big bull last year. We even set up a decoy that Wayne bought ..... As soon as we got set up and started eating lunch, the skies turned form blue to a dark grey and we got soaked. Then the sun came out and dried us out a little. We decided to head to the dark timber. We stopped a few places and called. The last place we stopped at it was extremely thick. Wayne and I both called a little and the next thing I knew I heard a big crash and running throught the brush. I could see a nice bull coming along the ridge. I stopped him 3 times with my "hoochie mama" call but each time he was behind a tree. The last time, all he had to do was go 10 more yards and I would have had a 15 foot wide shooting lane and I would have had a 40 yard shot on a broadside Colorado bull. The wind was in my face and everything was perfect, except he decided to turn and go crashing over the mountain. Gone. We waited 15 or so minutes and then I went up to Wayne and said that was absolutely awesome. The first day and we called in a bull. It was going to be a good week, so I thought. Shortly after that, the skies let loose again, this time hail. And I mean big hail. We tried to find cover but it didn't help much as we got pelted with theese large BB's. Wayne even took out the decoy and we used it as an umbrella. If anyone could have saw us they would have laughed there butt off. Some of the hail ... We were soaked again so we headed up the mountain and stopped to call a few more times then called it a day. Back at camp we died out and as soon as we got done with dinner it hailed again. We were in our tents by 7:30 and never came back out. It rained most of the night. The second day we headed up the hill with lots of hight hopes. We heard a few distant bugles again and moved around and called all day. Nothing. No more bugles. At about 11 am we set up and called and I looked over my shoulder and there stood another hunter. I went and talked to this guy who was from Michigan and he was already depressed at the lack of sign. He said he was with another guy and there were two more hunters camping in the same spot as them. Nothing else the rest of the day. We got back ate dinner, and just like the night before he skies let loose once again. It rained, and I mean it rained hard all night and into the morning. We didn't even get out of our tents until 11 am (eastern time). We hiked, called, hiked and called some more to no avail. Here is some of the areas we were hunting. Some spots were pretty open .... Most of the spots we hunted were very thick like this .... The third day turned out pretty nice except the wind was gusting about 20 35 mph all day and everyday after that. Each day it got warmer and warmer until it hit 75 degrees. Way to warm for elk to be moving good. We had a low the first mornig of about 32 (most mornings were in the mid 40's) and highs in the 70's and very windy. You could not even here each other call. This day we also heard a bugle, well we thought. It turned out to be other hunters and we actually "bugled" them in. There was three of them. We talked for a while and they were saying how they haven't heard any bugles. There were there two weeks ago and the elk were going nuts. GREAT :w00t: The week before was muzzleloading season and the one guy, a local said there was a lot of pressure. He also said there were more bow hunters in this area than he has ever seen. We knew of 10. Lord only knows how many more were in there. It is a big area but when the elk get spooked they shut right up, so I am told. We attribute some of this to an article written in North American Hunter that stated this area was one of the to 10 hot spots in the country for elk. By now we were pretty discouraged. We hunted hard for the next 4 days but never heard another bugle or even saw a cow. I did manage to see a bull moose the second to last day that got my heart pumping. Like I said each day got warmer and warmer and made for real tough hunting when your hiking at 10,000 to 11,000 feet. We went this week becuse we thought they would be more vocal. I think the pressure dove the elk out and the warm, windy weather kept the ones that were there locked down. Now don't think that I am complaining, becuase I know that is hunting. I just know I will not be going back to this area anytime soon. We still had a great time and just camping and hanging out with these guys made it all worth while. Wayne and I had some good laughes and we worked our tails off. The country alone is absolutely beautiful. We saw mule deer, antelope (on the way out), a pine martin, sage grouse and numerous squirrels and various birds. There is nothing like the Colorado Rockies. Here are a few pics from the area ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYBUCK Posted September 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 I will add a few more pics ...... On the way out, we got stuck in traffic fr a car fire ... Here are me and the guys in our hunting garb .... Wayne .... John ..... Myself in my Mossy Oak ...... Myself in Realtree AP .... We had some small fires at camp, nothing like the smackdown, but there is something about a nice little campfire.... We had a camp bird, looked like a blue jay that we were feeding .... Oh yeah, and one ugly hunter .... me I was bored We did see a few rubs, just nothing real fresh ... The first night after we set up camp, wayne and I took a ride and come around the corner and saw these free roaming cows that are all over in the wilderness ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYBUCK Posted September 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 One last thing .... On the way home John needed to stop back at Cabelas again, and yes I spent more money, I heard a page over the loud speaker for David Blanton to come to the front of the store. I couldn't believe it so I went up there. Sure enough there he was talking to some lady. I went up to him and waited until he finished talking and intoduced myself. He said he was just coming back for Wyoming on an elk hunt with his son and stopped in to pick up some stuff. We talked for a while, and let me tell you, he is a great guy. I could have talked to hime forever. I did manage to get a couple pics with him. BTW he made me feel better, they didn't get an elk either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 Let me be the first to say thanx for posting your story and fotos. Makes me homesick for my mountains and elk camp. Looks like ya had a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 Very good story with great pics. Tough luck not getting into the elk, but it still sounds like you had a very enjoyable time. :D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfletch7441 Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 That's a great read, and makes me want to head for the mountains myself. Too bad you didn't get one, but looks like you had a great time anyway. Thanks for sharing. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 WOW Jim!! What an adventure, plus you got to meet David Blanton. Thanks for sharing with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 Very nice, Jim. Thanks for sharing all the pics and stories. Nice bonus to meet David Blanton, eh?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 That is a great story and pictures! Sure is some beautiful country! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 I know it is sad you didn't get an elk, but at least you got to go!!!! I would LOVE to go out there, even if it's just to camp. Great story and pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beagleboy Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 Great story and pics. Some of those pics were beautiful. Sorry you didn't tag an elk but atleast you had some great friends to share the great experience with. There are some people that would just love to hear an elk bugle (including myself). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest outdoorgirl Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 Well it looks like you guys had a good time....it's all about the outdoors and leaving your worries behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted September 25, 2007 Report Share Posted September 25, 2007 Super story Jim .. NO Elk but what an adventure.. the country out west is just awsome... :cool: At least you didn't have snow and mud to tend with,,, and to say the least Steve B.'s mountain pass driving .. :eek: THANKS for the adventure and the GREAT pics .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCH Posted September 26, 2007 Report Share Posted September 26, 2007 Great story and awesome pics, Jim. Thanks for taking the time to share the hunt with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted September 26, 2007 Report Share Posted September 26, 2007 great pics of an excellent hunt. too bad luke had to shed some tears on your story... lol. luke has been whimpering for a year from going over the same mountain passes you went over. except he had a highly experienced mountain driver, with a zero accident record. you reading this, luke... lol glad you had a fun hunt, and were able to top it off with meeting david. he's quite a guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_MD_ Posted September 26, 2007 Report Share Posted September 26, 2007 Looks like a great time, I'm jealous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTF Posted September 26, 2007 Report Share Posted September 26, 2007 This was a very good read. Hooking up with Blanton at the end had to put the icing on the cake for ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted September 26, 2007 Report Share Posted September 26, 2007 Very cool Jim! You are a lucky guy to have met Blanton! Also cool you were within 40 yards of filling your tag. Great story and awesome pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 26, 2007 Report Share Posted September 26, 2007 Great story and pics. We met David in Nashville earlier this year, he is a great guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportsman2500 Posted September 26, 2007 Report Share Posted September 26, 2007 Man what some awesome pictures there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted September 26, 2007 Report Share Posted September 26, 2007 great Story and pictures, bummer you guys didn't get an elk, but like you said, it is part of hunting, and the time spent with good friends is just as good as bagging one...ok..almost as good looks like a beautiful area you guys were in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muff Posted September 27, 2007 Report Share Posted September 27, 2007 great story and great pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted September 27, 2007 Report Share Posted September 27, 2007 Looks like one heck of an adventure alright Jim. Great pictures. Sorry you guys didn't get one, but that's hunting sometimes, eh. Awesome trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted September 27, 2007 Report Share Posted September 27, 2007 Soundsl ie you had a good hunt even tho you didnt get anything. Great pics sorry you couldnt nail one while you were out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted September 27, 2007 Report Share Posted September 27, 2007 Great story and pics, that looks like a very fun time! Too bad you didn't get an elk, but when I think of hunting trips, being there and experiencing it is the hunt, and getting an animal is a bonus. That's neat you got to meet David too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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