My son, Jim, moved to Jackson, WY in 2008 to pursue his career as a flyfishing guide. He also pursues the local elk, mulies and antelope when he has the time. He bagged a few good ones with the '06 last year,and now that he has those under his belt, I'm hoping he picks up his bow a bit more. Anyhow, he convinced me to apply for an elk tag and after a sucessful draw, the plan began.
On August 20th I loaded up the truck, threw in the wife and daughter, picked up my buddy's trailer that was overloaded with household stuff and tools,(it put a strain on the Cummins), and headed west for Libby, MT, where he is going to live out the rest of his days. Lucky guy. I hope to join him in the near future.
Took Route 2 across MT. Man, there's a lot of grasshoppers out there!! I think they're made of crazy glue. There were so many jammed in the radiator the truck started running hotter.
After a couple days recovery, we headed south to Missoula to give my daughter a sense of what's out there should she decide to go to graduate school. Stayed at Ruby's for the night, then started for Jackson Hole the next day. Met my son at a local watering hole where a lot of guides go after a day on the Snake. It was good to have the family together again.
Put my girls on their planes heading east on the 30th, AND GOT READY TO HUNT!!
Jim had half day trips on the first 2 days of the season, so we had to be out of the woods by 11:00. Mornings were cool, low 30's, afternoons were close to 80. The first day we went up Dog Creek a couple miles, heard a bugle, saw a branch-antlered bull about a mile away, and headed his way. Ran into a small bull moose on the way. Never saw him again, but we did see a spike and a couple cows. This pic is the kid pulling away from the old man to see what's in the draw ahead.
Never try to keep up with a 23 year old. I didn't have enough water, got dehydrated, head was pounding. We were at 6-7000 feet. And,I didn't have my caffeine fix. Took a cocktail of tylenol and advil that night and turned in.