Back From CO. (pic heavy)

[straitera]

Keep it coming Charles. Great stuff! Let's get to the killin! I've never shot at an elk. Thanks much.

[Mike Theis]

Those poppers look great! I showed my wife, she said "I can make you some of those."  Wow, thanks for the inspiration Charlie!

I hunted Wolverine Basin and the area around Lost Ranger Peak in the early 90's before the great Routt Blowdown. To scout the area, we backpacked from Buffalo Pass to the Seedhouse campground the year before. I would really like to see some pictures of what it looks like now, after that blowdown. Heard the widow maker snags are every where.

Great story!

[Doc Nock]

With the storms and falling trees, it sounds that you guys had some GREAT LUCK whether any animals were harmed or not!

Just reading about 10,000 - 11,000 feet gives me a headache!  

[KellyG]

Thanks for sharing with us not lucky enough to get to any wild areas this year.

[Jesse Minish]

 Looks like a great trip!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Originally posted by Doc Nock:
With the storms and falling trees, it sounds that you guys had some GREAT LUCK whether any animals were harmed or not!

Just reading about 10,000 - 11,000 feet gives me a headache!    

Great Luck just being there!

Also, I did have a headache for the first 3 days. I imagine it was the altitude but my sinuses were all wacky too.

[Jack Shanks]

Charlie and Ron,

 Great adventure! Brings back fond memories of my many Colorado trips from years gone bye. Been 18 years since my last elk hunt there.

[finq]

What a great thread.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

On day Four, Ron and I decided to hunt down a creek on either side.

The good news and bad news; It was beautiful and Deer sign was abundant.

About 1 mile into the area, I finally saw elk sign, albeit old, elk sign none the less.

I found a fresh moose bed loaded with moose poop and then I found it!  Water, Standing water! There wasn't much, may have only been from the rain but promising. It was in the bottom of a wallow and surrounded by rubs. There were a few tracks in the mud (one Huge one) and the wallow was surrounded by Old rubs.

   

   

     

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Also saw this on the Creek hunt!

I know people who would think I would carry it out but I left it as it was!

   

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I wanted to mention. On Day 3. I tried to take another approach into the pond area I was after. There were people parked near there and I decided to give them room.

I hiked to the area I saw my first rub and slow hunted through there.

That's when I heard a distant bugle!  Followed by a close one.  Later that day I ran into the other guys at our camp. They were the close bugle, answering the distant one (which was probably also hunters).

2nd attempt to find the ponds = Foiled.

Also at camp later that day we ran into a guy who was formerly from Syracuse and now lives in Fort Collins. He passed on a shot at a bull that morning because he didn't have time to get it out with other family obligations.  He showed us on a map where he was seeing Elk. It was about 5 Miles in on the other side of the Continental Divide.

[adkmountainken]

Charlie,
     ya got to post the pic of Ron with the mountains in the back ground, thats about one of the best pictutes i have ever saw!!!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

That's comin Ken. Be patient.

On the Afternoon of Day 4 I decided to hunt back up about 10,000 feet so I headed up the mountain.

I went into the woods only about a 1/4 mile when I found this:

   

Not only Fresh --- Steaming fresh and, smell. I thought I smelled bad      I could smell this pile  from 30 yards away.

I must have just missed this big old Bear. The Scat was the size of my boot.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Here's another pic.  I managed to find 7 more piles abut none this fresh and large.

   

[cacciatore]

Thanks for sharing your hunt.For sure I'll miss my early elk hunt this year since my mother has some serious health issues.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

100 yards where I found the poop....

I was still hunting up the mountain trying to make it back to an area I discovered the morning before.

There was a shelf in front of me.. wind is good. I was moving slow... step, look listen, smell....wait....step, look listen, smell....wait....step, look listen, smell....wait....

I poked just my head above the shelf/ bench area and jumped a solo Elk.  It was bedded about 30-35 yards from my position. I never got a great look at the animal but couldn't figure out how it busted me.

until I climbed up on the bench.  the wind was traveling in completely the opposite direction. Probably why the animal chose that spot for a bedding area.

   :(    :D

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Feliciano,

I hope your Mother heals well. Sorry to hear and hope you can make elk meat next year.

That brings me to my next picture:

   

we had a friend have to back out of the hunt due to a family emergency.  As well as 2 other Trad gangers much earlier due to a tornado.  I guess many people would have cancelled the trip but Ron and I decided to ditch expectations and make this a glorified camping trip. maybe even learn something along the way.

Here I am thinking of those less fortunate and those recently departed.  I am taking the time to send up some smoke for them. Also sporting my new to me CLS arrowmaster quiver.

[adkmountainken]

AWESOME pic bro and that pipe is now my gift to you!!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Thank you Ken! I will cherish every filling.  It's not only a very nice pipe, it's even more special as a gift.

[adkmountainken]

not a problem bro, karma ya know....
you have no clue how much i enjoy this story and pictures, i am a HUGE photograpy lover and you my friend have more skills then ya ever let on! can't wait to sit down with you and Ron and hear the stories in person.  i fear my hunting time this year will be limited due to the condotion of my dog Norman as he and my wife need me close to home, its hunts like yours that i will read, re-read and triple read to get the heart pumping!