A hunting we shall go, 2009 Colorado elk

[Missouri Sherpa]

Jeff,

I needed a vet the past few days.  One of my good pack horses has pneumonia.  My vet was here a couple of days ago to do health inspections and make out travel papers for this trip and things looked good.  The horse had some mildly increased breath sounds bilaterally but was afebrile.  I told the vet I noticed this horse had a cough the day before.  Yesterday the horse is major sick, rapid breathing with contractions, coughing up green phlegm, did not take his temp.  I have been giving him 3 million units of IM PCN the past two days and he is better but I don't want to rely on him to get me up the mountain.  I have another horse that has developed arthritis in his shoulders.  I have been giving him IV Legend and he is better but not going to be fit for the trip.  I am going to be a horse short for this trip.  I can load em up a bit heavier and we will get to camp but I hate to have too bulky of top loads, just asking for trouble.

I did the main part of my grocery run today and did a little cooking.

 

Some of my favorite camp fare,  Shrimp, chicken and cajun sausage gumbo with rice.  Easy fixins that will warm you up on a cold night in elk camp.

I have help too.  Thor is a 98 pound boxer.  He is my constant companion, especially when I cook because he knows good things fall his way from time to time when I am in the kitchen.


 

I have been busy with horses putting loaded packs on them and getting some miles on them.  I think we are about ready horsewise.  I need to repair some broken straps and lead ropes from my training practices but pretty much ready to go equipmentwise too.   I still have to pack my clothes, camp boxes, arrow and bow boxes and get a couple dozen broadheads ready for me, my son and Eric.  I will wait to load the trailers until Al gets here.  I have meetings to attend after work on Monday and Tuesday so there isn't much time in the schedule between now and when we leave Friday afternoon.  It will go by fast.

[Shaun]

Doc, you could have used a vet on your hand last year too. I bet that knife cut on the finger left a mark and I know Tippit carries a stapler in his kit.

I have some of the last of Eric's elk thawing for a final home meal on Tuesday night when Jim gets here. A supper of elk roast to remind us to pick a spot. We are heading out Wednesday morning to break trail down I-80.

[Missouri Sherpa]

Shaun,

I am down to a couple of packs of ground elk.  I probably would not have that if I didn't hide it from Jacob.

Good luck, I know you guys will have a great trip.

[elkbreath]

Love it!  Something I'd love to do sometime too.  I've only packed in on foot and out by foot (five toed foot).  Always wanted to do this way back in somewhere.  I get "in" about six miles by foot, that is a haul.

Good luck and keep it coming!

[Son of Texas]

Good luck Guys, Can't wait to hear the stories and look at all the pics. Ya'll have a save trip!!!!!

[jcar315]

Great start to a thread I can't wait to see the updates. That grey Shrew really looks nice. Fred the mule is from Peppy San Badger?! WOW!!! That must be some mule. Can he cut cows too? They have some really nice cow horses down on the King Ranch.

[Missouri Sherpa]

Jcar,

Thank you on the Shrew, I enjoy having it.  Fred has not even had a saddle on him yet as I have been too busy getting my horses in shape for this trip.  He is only two and I will have time to get him started under saddle this winter.  Jury is out on what he may be capable of.  I don't have any cows to work so Fred will be getting trained to be a packmule and trail riding mount unless he proves to have some fault I am intolerant of.

[Guru]

Good Luck to you Sherpa, and please take care of Al, he might be afraid of the dark ...yeah right!          

Go get'um guys!!      

[Homebru]

JDB,
Best wishes on the elk hunt.  I got the opportunity to spend a week on a mule last August in Utah and cherish all of those memories.  The mules were fabulous in the mountains and the guide claims, as you do, that they work harder on less fuel than do the horses.  I can't wait 'til I get another opportunity to tackle the mountains on a mule.

Best wishes.
homebru

[Al Kidner]

Flying out in the am people!


 And yest Guru.... I am afraid of the dark!

[pathdoc]

Sherpa- I've read your September stories now for a few years and can't wait for yet another.  This is the first year in 15 years that I will be unable to hunt elk with my bow...like many others, I'm going to be living through your hunt and through the elk hunts of others who appreciate the importance of posting their hunts for others.  Best of luck to you and the boys and can't wait to read all of the stories that you accumulate in your 2 weeks in the hills.  Take care and follow through!

[Guru]

  Good luck buddy.....we'll get together some day        

[razorsharptokill]

Man I love these threads! Good luck to you all.

[Shinken]

Bring it on!  I am ready for an update from the wrangler hisself - MO Sherpa!

Have a great hunt in CO!

Shoot straight, Shinken

[Missouri Sherpa]

And so it begins....


I picked up Al at the Airport at 23:30 last night.  He has the day to rest up from his journey.  We have a huge new Bass Pro Shop that opened up yesterday and he can kill a couple of hours there while I go to work.  We will begin to load the trailer tonight in preparation for our westward departure tomorrow afternoon.  The days have been long leading up to this day, getting everything squared away for the trip.  If I don't have it in the truck and if I don't haul it up the mountain we will not have it, so I hope I haven't forgotten anything important.  

We will have some good conversation, maybe a wee bit of Makers Mark and a thick Steak at my favorite steakhouse this evening.  I anticipate elk season like a kid at Christmas and this year was just as bad as any.  I am ready for my vacation to begin.  More later as things develop.

[Morning Star]

Looking forward to your posts.

[bloodyarrow]

   

[Joseph]

Have fun!

[bohuntr]

Waiting for the updates!!! Have fun boys!!! I know MO Sherpa will take lots of pictures and I  like everyone else here am really looking forward to the stories and the pic's.  

[pine nut]

Yahoo! Get 'er goin' and the best of luck to you.  I can't wait until you get back with......
the rest of the story!