Back From CO. (pic heavy)

[Cyclic-Rivers]

It was a very quiet morning so I headed back to camp and decided I would sit the wallow I found a few days earlier with all the rubs in the afternoon.

I sat for about 3 enjoyable hours. There were not any fresh tracks in the bottom and the hole had dried up but I was 2 miles in and sitting it out.

along came a thunderstorm and I headed out. Luckily Ron had met me at the road with the truck or I would have had a wet 3/4 mile up hill walk to camp.

Here is a picture from that evening.


   

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Originally posted by T Sunstone:
Great story telling, feels almost like I'm there.  I wanted to make it out this year but had a knee bothering me til June.  That jay type bird you mentioned was probably a Magpie.

Hope you get out next year and your knee heels soon.  We saw a bunch of Magpies also. Didn't get a picture of them either.

I think it was a stellar Jay.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Here I am displaying Chuck from Two Tracks', Mora knife and wool can coolie.

They were both very useful on the trip. Thanks again Chuck      


   

Good thing there was a silver can in the can cooler or I would have lost it. Don't know what kind of camouflage it is, but it works.     :eek:

[Rob W.]

I think everyone should be required to take this many pics on a hunting trip!

Good stuff!  

[Cyclic-Rivers]

On the last day I decided to go to the top of the mountain to an area that had looked good to me.

Whils't sitting in my hide, I heard a Bugle.  Not just any bugle. It was a little bugle which made me think it was more real.

20 minutes later it was closer, about 1/2 mile away in north facing dark timber.

Quickly, I threw on all my stuff and closed the distance by 400 yards. I dont know a darned thing about elk hunting but they say its like turkey hunting.

I checked the wind... Good... then set up beneath some pines and started cow calling.

[ron w]

That one photo of me with the valley in the background........I was looking for stick to poke my lungs back down my throat  

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I wasn't going to tell anyone Ron.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

There wasn't any answer from the elk for over an hour and a half so I packed back to camp.

[2treks]

Great read Charlie. Them items look right at home in your hand and in the mountains. The camo is what we use in our Wool vests. It does work good,Thanks.
That is some fun you had. Thanks for taking us along.

Chuck

[IndianaBowman]

Welcome back Charlie and despite slow elk hunting it looks like you and Ron had a great trip.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

The last evening was probably my best.

As I left camp to find the Ponds once and for all I neared the turn in the road and saw a grouse. This was the first day of grouse season.  Game on...

A little cat and mouse ended up in a swing, miss and broken arrow.

She only flew a short ways and I pursued but lost her. I know she hid somewhere but seemed like she dissapeared.The Game warden said The grouse pop was down due to the beetle kill. this was the 2nd grouse spotted all week.

I made it to the Pond Location and felt Good about it. There were fresh tracks and poop. Heavily used trails and just a nice place to be.

I found one pond and not the other,however I know it's there somewhere.


     

I just had to:

   

There was moose poop here too along with a very very heavy trail leading to the water.

   

[robslifts]

wow great story so far

[Bud B.]

Thanks for taking us along. Awesome photos!!!

[VTer]

Charlie, great thread and pictures. You hunted very close to the area we were in back in '00. Were you near Big and Little Agnes mountains? All those "rubs" in that picture are actually where the moose strip the bark with there bottom teeth for food. Or they appear to be the same as what the moose do to trees around here.

[awbowman]

This is awesome guys!  I leave in three days for my first elk hunt.

[leatherneck]

I dont think this is over just yet.  

Awesome pics Charlie!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

On my way out of the wilderness, I saw movement up ahead.

Unfortunately the pictures didn't turn out great but I crossed paths with a young chocolate bear. I was about 30 yards, and could have closed the distance to about 5 if I wanted to. He was very vocal and just the coolest thing I have seen in a long time.


   

     

  Here he is moving away from me

   

   

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Here are a few pictures to share.

   

And Fortunately Stumps are always in season.

     

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Unfortunately, No animals were harmed during our trip. Under our circumstances I didn't expect to! but we learned a lot about elk hunting, I had a great time with a great Friend.  

We then had a 30 hour trip back to NY and now I will be looking at everyone Else's adventures with awe.

I was shocked that this trip with 2 guys can be done for about 1,200 bucks. I had saved for a little over a year for it. It could have been much cheaper if I took shortcuts (like only buy a cow tag).  A special Thanks to our Friend John for making it a reality.

Most people who have always wanted to do an Elk Hunt,it's not as far out of reach as you may think. yeah, we didn't kill anything but, timing with weather wasn't great, and no one in camp knew what to do, if you pair up with an experienced elk hunter, you could see more animals than we did. Also as far as the cost goes, once you are there, you are there whether for 5 days or 3 weeks. you then only pay for food.

Maybe Ron will chime in with more of his hunt.

But here is one last picture to leave you with.

   

[steadman]

Very nice story. Elk hunting is just that.. hunting. Great pictures as well. Good luck on your next adventure out here