John. Phenomenal story. Perhaps even more meaningful to me as I am 9 days into a 12 day hunt in Colorado (my first in that state). And I have yet to see an elk. Yet, I'm having a great time. Quality company makes all the difference. As I lie here in my sleeping bag typing this on my iPhone, (crazy the places you get reception out here), I think I just heard my first bugle! Let's hope Mt Sopris, the fourth place we'll have tried produces a sighting. Normally I'd be disgusted with myself for surfing the web in the wilderness, but reading others threads and especially yours has helped keep my chin up in a physically and emotionally challenging, but rewarding hunt. Thank you, and so sorry for your loss.