I've entertained fantasies of Western bowhunting for just about as long as I've been bowhunting.
While growing up and cutting my bowhunting teeth on Illinois whitetails I distinctly remember being intimidated by the sheer size of the country.
These fears were eventually forgotten and replaced with an unsatiable yearning to be in the high country. But still the West seemed an out-of-reach pipedream until I attended the Colorado Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society banquet in April of 2009. On the trip I glimpsed my first sighting of the Rockies and the kindling that were my fantasies began to smolder. I had to find a way to see this country with a pack on my back and a bow in my hand. No motorized vehicles, just two feet and a heartbeat.
Three weeks ago I was given the opportunity to see my fantasies to fruition. A business contact offered myself and both of my bosses the opportunity to exclusively hunt his 20,000 acre private ranch. With a young family and too many financial responsibilities I knew I would have to pass. My bosses, however, felt the business owed me a bonus. They offered to pay a little more than half of the cost so that I could tag along. They are no longer my "bosses"; they are my very, very good friends!
We will be pursuing elk the third week of September. The service of a guide was offered but I chose to decline. Instead, I wanted to hunt alone and learn from the mistakes I am sure to make.
I hope to have several great photos (a hero shot in particular) to share in a few loooonnnnngggg months.
Topic: A dream realized (Read 465 times)
