It was an exciting four day trip which started a lil late leaving on Monday afternoon. I was a little tired from flying in from California around 2a.m., but the excitement superseded any kind of exhaustion.
Although I did it, I never understood why I would bring another pair or jeans or any change of clothes. We're camping in the middle of the woods. Showering, changing clothes, or even shaving is not an option. I am proud to say for the entire trip the same pair of jeans and sweatshirt were worn. The trip started out with a constant craving for Jack in the Box. Strange how that is, but I was really wanting a Sirloin Steak burger, and the pops was watering over a chicken sandwhich from the once gross establishment. Luck was not on our side from the get-go with no sign of Jack in the Box as we settled for Dairy Queen and headed up the mountain with the knowledge that the cooler in the back of the truck would now be our primary source for food and nourishment.
The first night(Monday) was interesting. We had no knowledge of the area and concluded where our hunting spots would be based on pops work buddy. With GPS in hand we set out on dirt roads looking for a good place to camp for the evening and where we could effectively "morning hunt" in search for a nice size cow elk or two. Once again our luck was running thin with us as we noticed the batteries going out on the GPS and the map not becoming any type of help for us. We ended up getting so lost thinking we were traveling north when we were actually traveling south and ended up in town. We bought gas, batteries, gas station pizza, and headed back up the mountain. It was about 11p.m. by that time and my head was beginning to bob. We finally gave up with our search for the perfect hunting spot and found a nice little area to park the truck and climb in the back to sleep for a few hours. Day one concluded with no elk and lost in the mountains.
Day two(Tuesday) had it's share of interesting events. A quick dry bagel caked with cream cheese and we were off driving around in search for a nice herd of elk. We weren't mindlessly driving in circles looking for elk(road hunting). We were road hunting on our way to a destination. With the coordinates plugged into the GPS we headed off in the deep muddy ruts of the dirt roads. The highlight of the day was definately changing to color of the truck from Chevy white to spotted mud brown. That day was a continuance of many sign of elk but no visual conformation of elk or any wildlife whatsoever. To sum up day, one would really only have to say one word "lost". We "road hunted" the whole day and found a few spots that we were planning on checking out later but didn't mark them on the GPS so there was little hope to finding them. One place in particular became the goal of the trip to find again. After hunting the afternoon (complete with dry sandwiches for lunch), we set out on a mission to find the "prime" hunting spot we had seen earlier. Although determined and headed for the general direction of this so called "hot spot", we didn't find it by nightfall. We had a good day of combination hiking and road hunting keeping our eyes peeled for any signs of wildlife, but once again, we were skunked out. The night ended in another late night of driving not know exactly where we were at. We ended up back in town to pick up more batteries, some condiment packages, and back into the mountains to find a place to sleep. We stayed closer to town and set up camp at a muddy campsite. Luckily it was late enought that the ground had frozen enough to not have to deal with the sticky mud that covered the entire camp. We set up a fire and roasted spicy italian sausages over the fire.
Day Three(Wednesday) was an eventful day to say the least. We headed up the road to find a good spot for the morning hunt. We found a steep canyon with many signs of Elk and decided that place would be as good as any other spot in our clueless search to where the Elk are. We hiked up the canyon and over a ridge with no avail to any type of wildlife. The morning hunt was nothing less than rewarding with a found Elk shed of a nice Bull Elk. I proudly scooped up the shed and took it back to the truck ecstatic knowing that we wouldn't go home empty handed. For the late morning, we impatiently watched a clearing and cooked up some eggs and sausage to compliment the manly morning we had. The afternoon consisted of more hiking up a few draws and subconsciencely headed to our "hot spot" we had found the day before. By some miracle and the old mans incredible navigation skills we came across the long-awaited spot we were sure we'd see some elk. we hiked up to the top of a ridge to view the valley below and spend the evening hunt hoping for a chance at a shot. As we hiked up to the top of the ridge, a bobcat scurried in front of us and hurried into a den close by. Nearing the top of the ridge a few deer ran through the valley which augmented our hopes of finding an Elk. That was the most wildlilfe we had seen all trip, and despite of the cold wind piercing our light sweatshirts, we were excited. The excitement wore off after a good half hour when our impatience got the best of us and the steaks in the truck were calling our name. Unsuccessfull, we decided to call it a night and try the morning hunt in the same area. We set up camp early and cooked thin steaks, and cooked carrots, while enjoying the brisk evening by the fire.
Day Four(Thursday) we had high hopes in at least seeing an elk in the distance we set off on foot along this ridge looking for any sign of Elk. The ridge ended at a point and a nice draw where we could sit at the point and watch it for a while. A storm was brewing on the horizon and the cold north winds mixed with the high elevation brought an unexpected chill which depleated our patience quite rapidly. Dismayed and still no sign of Elk, we continued on the road looking for a hopeful clearing with a herd of Elk grazing. We sighted a nice ravine in a more desert looking area and decided to stop and check it out. I run over to the edge of a small gully to see what's on the other side when I saw a furry creature run down into the center of the ravine. I looked more closely and saw that the animal was almost catlike. The creature crouched down at the bottom of the ravine in "pounce" mode ready to attack and sat there staring at us. Pops peers over the edge and shouts "that's a mountain lion." Those were good enough words to get me moving back to the truck. Our hopes were becoming more depleated as we headed back to our first area to try the evening hunt there and then decide whether we'd go home empty handed, or stay for one more night of camping and a quick morning hunt before we had to head back home.
As Day four starts to come to a close Pops sees a giant brown figure on the edge of the wooded trees. I slam on the brakes and we back up. Pops puts the giant animal in his scope and shoots. It moved just before the shot was delivered as the Elk hurried away, a near miss from death. We run into the forest in search of the Elk or it's herd but with no avail. As we drive down the road no more than a quarter mile, three more elk come bounding accross the road. I jump out and try to get a shot, but again without much luck. Bummed that we had our chance and we missed, we continued down the road with our eyes peeled looking for more elk. We turn the corner and sure enough a herd of elk come running down the ravine. I jump out of the still moving truck and prop myself up ready to shoot. With so much excitement running through me I could barely hold my gun still. I shot and saw the cow elk drop. Soon after pops came running down and shot one as well. With pure excitement in us, we began the process of cleaning both elk and getting them in the truck and on our way home.
We had a few problems with our successfull kills. Since we both haven't ever gotten an elk before, we didn't take into the account on how large such an animal is. By digging holes so the tailgate could be a little lower and making a ramp out of our bed boards, we concieved a plan to pull and push and do what was necessary to get both elk in the truck. a few hours later we were cold, dirty, tired, and excited at our kills. We celebrated our success by stopping at Jack in the Box for a long awaited meal.
The trip was successfull in every way and will be one of the most memorable ones ever. There is really nothing like spending a week out in the woods with your best friend, guns, and one set of clothes.
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