Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Shooting and Hunting => Topic started by: Pat B on June 20, 2011, 01:15:09 pm
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After 5 long years I'm finally going back to the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado to hunt elk with Kenneth(little John) in September. We have both been wanting to get back together for another hunt since our first back in '06 but until now it just hasn't been feasable for me.
Marcia and I have been mulling this over for a while and finally figured if I don't go now I may never get to go again. ::) So, on September 2, I will be flying out of Asheville to Durango. ;D I will be flying back to Asheville on the 10th so we will have 6 or 7 days to play in the high country of those beautiful SW Colorado mountains with my very good friend Kenneth. He's the best(only ;)) elk hunting partner I've ever had! We will be hunting between 9000' and 10000'. As before, kenneth will have camp set up, this time with a wall tent. The work he puts into my hunt is almost unbelievable and greatly appreciated. Now, if we can convince the elk to join us it will be the icing on my cake! 8)
And of course with a special hunt you know I have to build a new elk hunting bow. ;D This time it will be a simple workhorse of a bow. Probably 66"t/t with straight limbs and in the 55#@26" range. I have a nice HHB stave that Greg B(and Pappy) gave me at the Classic years ago and it should make a fine bow for this hunt.
I have a lot to do before Sept. 2 especially get myself is shape for the pack in and a week in the high country. I'll be 61 when I leave so this "getting in shape" ain't gonna be as easy as it was the last time ::) but I guess I'll suffer through it! :D
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I wish ya'll the best of luck up there Pat! I hunted the San Juans with rifle and never laid eyes on anything with antlers. But that was Nov and they were all in stealth mode ;D.
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That's awesome, Pat! I hope you fill your tag this time, but if not the experience will still be amazing. Take lots and lots and lots of pics! ;D
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Paul, I don't need antlers! All I need is a dumb cow and an opportuntiy! :D
Jonathan, just like the last trip the experience in such beautiful country is worth the trip. I will take plenty of pics for sure and hopefully there will be at least one "hero" shot in the bunch. ;)
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Take it from me, Pat, its easier to eat an elk than it to eat the elk tag. Don't ask how I know this. :'(
We are all cheering for you, buddy!
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Pat, you should have named this thread life is hard. I feel real bad for you having to get in shape for something like this. ;D
I know you and Kenneth will have a good time, I hope the elk cooperate more this time.
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Pat you and Kenneth will have a great experience... I hunted elk out of Pagosa Springs in 99. It was hot as it was the first weekend of bow season. We got up to the timber line, around 11,000 feet... We knew this because we had a gps.. Before going on the hunt I was thinking about "how big" of an elk I would take a shot at. After a few days on the hunt I realized that any elk was a good elk. We only saw elk once and we jumped them. They were about 80 off the trail below us. We didnt hear any bugling. It was either too early or too hot or both.
After three days of a ten day hunt I had an experience like in the movie, Saving Private Ryan. I could'nt remember what my 7 month old daughter looked like. I could not visualize her face. It was the first time I had been away from her. Well, the next moring I packed up and left for home. I will always remember what she was doing when I came to the door and she was as happy to see me as I was her.
I havent made it back either. Looking forward to seeing pictures and hoping you get to fling and arrow at an elk. Any elk is a shooter, is what I learned.
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Cipriano, most of the elk were still in the high country(way above us)while we were there the last time. I did see a cow at about 100 yards on another ridge and had a bull bugle from another ridge top. I cow called back to him and he headed down towards Salt Creek bugling as he went. I ran as fast as I could down the mountain towards Salt Creek blowing my cow call at every bugle. I made it to Salt Creek before the bull did and positioned myself for a shot when he broke the wood line....which he never did. Instead he headed down stream just inside the woods, bugleing as he went. Now, that was a blast and made my trip. ::)
Kenneth went back the next wekend and was covered up with elk! ::) Go figure.
Justin, thank goodness for my landscaping maintainance job and the heat this summer. That should get me in pretty good shape if it doesn't kill me first. ;)
John, I have tasted elk tag soup. The $500 bull tag soup variety!!! This time I'm going for the $351 cow tag soup. I'm sure it will taste as good as the bull s...oup did. :D
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Very cool stuff Pat! I wish you both the best of luck and I hope getting into "Elk shape" isn't the hardest part of this venture. One day i'd love to try the same type of hunt...Elk hold something special in my heart. 8)
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Wow, sounds like a great plan. Good friends, fabulous country, and a primitive hunt. Most of us can only dream! Good luck to you
both.
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Lee and Chasing Crow, it was only a dream for me until I went the first time at 56 years old in '06. ;) You gotta dream before dreams can come true! 8)
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Pat,
That's how it was with us.. High country.. And all country in those Colorado mountains is uphill. Even downhill was uphill ::)
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Pat...if this don't work out....and you get the Urge for Deep Canyon Texas Mule Deer...you just let me know...you won't have to build Lung capacity up for this hunt....just start working on ways to combat Heat Stress..... ;D
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Deep Canyon Texas Mule Deer..
If there's room/space let me know too ;D Last time I hunted mule deer was in 91 in Northern California near Mt Shasta.. Back in my youth ;)
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Deep Canyon Texas Mule Deer..
If there's room/space let me know too ;D Last time I hunted mule deer was in 91 in Northern California near Mt Shasta.. Back in my youth ;)
oh....and Criveraille, I make a dandy "Sherpa" >:D ;D >:D
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oh....and Criveraille, I make a dandy "Sherpa" >:D ;D >:D
Lee, well come on down, I have always wanted to climb the slopes with a sherpa, especially a Dutch Sherpa O:)
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Pat, I couldn't be happier for you. I know you'll be grinnin from ear to ear. Can't wait to hear about the stories of screaming bulls. Wish I could be there to watch,video and call for you. Kenneth is a great guy and it's awesome to see such great friendships taking place. Now get back on that stair stepper. ;D
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Good luck Pat. Sounds like a blast!
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Congrats Pat,that is great, I need to do the same if I am ever going to,just keep putting it off and soon it will be to late,good for you that you decided to JUST DO IT. :) :) :)
Pappy
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Congrats Pat,that is great, I need to do the same if I am ever going to,just keep putting it off and soon it will be to late,good for you that you decided to JUST DO IT. :) :) :)
Pappy
Let's go next year Pappy ;D I ain't getting any younger either...
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Wow Pat, I just stumbled onto this post. I am getting excited and about ready to make a trip up to the hunting area. Not too long now and it will be here before we know it. Not too many weekends left till time to get the camp set, maybe I will rollup the walls of the tent so bears can come in and check it out with out destroying things. Just need to get the tent ( 14'x16' ) repaired around the stove pipe hole. This tent is not bug pruff so I hope the hornets and yellow jackets will leave Pat alone as he seems to attract them and has a reaction to them. I am also going to set up a shower so we can keep down the human scent and not be hunting elk while smelling like a locker room. At least my shooting seems to be no worse than normal and yesterday I centered a hay bale elk first shot at over 30 yards so I mostly need to work on the getting into shape thing also, more mountain bike riding (cardio and leg work). I also need to work on my bugling and cow talking techniques Pat also. Yep every one who has bow hunted elk knows that any elk on the meat pole is a good elk, and I will take any shot at any legal elk. I don't mind getting lucky the first out and have to kick back doing meat packing and camp chores duty. Hope the animals cooperate and we can pack out two animals, cant wait to make more elk chilli, and elk camp chicken fried backstrap. Kenneth
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Mmmmmm, chicken fried elk backstraps! 8) It is coming up quick, Kenneth. I can deal with the bugs too. My last tent wasn't bug proof either. ::) It was ne Kenneth had used for a foor storage tent and a bear decided it needed a back door. :D
...and a shower? Boy, that might help. ;D
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;D sounds like fun let me know if y-all want another i hunt from horse back but im a pretty good stalker too. Trying to set something up with Gstoneburg to get him up to hunt Elk .
Katt
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Pat and Kenneth I hope you guys have a great hunt, wish I was doing it myself. The San Juan mountains are some of the most beautifull in Colo. I lived north of there but worked down in Durango and Silverton all the time, really loved it. I never connected on an Elk when I lived there and hope to go back and do it before I'm as old as Pat ;)
Good luck, guy's and enjoy the time together.
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Keenan I really do wish you could make it and help out with the calling. That is one thing I have never perfected. I hope you and LuLyn have a big year.
Pappy, yes you are going to have to hunt the high country, and the sooner the better. I am sure your son would love to take you in Wyoming.
Katt, where do you live in Colorado? We use horses for packing camps and meat.
Eddie, you are right about the San Juans being nice country, and also any one needs to hunt back country elk before they are as old as Pat, hope you can make it out some day.
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Pat: Congratulations on your up coming hunt! Its not your age that can be the problem. Its that rarefied air thats hard on a low altitude fellow! I am a lot older than you and I live and hunt in the high country so not having enough red blood cells can be a problem. The wolves have our elk and deer hunting messed up as the big herds have been chased out of the traditional areas and because they are concentrated in certain hunt areas it is almost impossible to draw a tag. Like winning the lottery. There is hardly anytime during the day that we can't see white tails from the house and I never drew a tag this year. I still have a lot of fun with calling the bulls. Its been my experience that more bulls a driven off than called in by inexperienced callers. The cow call is a lot easier to master and works just as well. Looking forward to some elk down pictures and a story in the PA mag. Good luck and good hunting. A/Ho Joe
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Katt, we're gonna do it. Starting my exercise program today.
Good luck Pat.
George
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That sounds great Pat. I hope to do it some day myself. My wife and I are headin' up there in 2 weeks to do some fly fishing and mountain climbing in the San Juans. Hope the best for y'all on your upcoming adventure. God Bless
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Joe Man that is too bad about the wolves, it is not a good thing to have more predators than prey. We have no wolves here that I know of, but golf courses and urban sprawl in the wintering areas is what hurts our elk. At least we can get over the counter elk tags but have to draw for everything else.
George Hope you really do get to come out and experience a wilderness hunt.
Pete Hope you enjoy your trip. Didn't you post a while back about going to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison? Never been there but I bet it is beautiful.
Kenneth
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Kenneth, you'd love the Black Canyon. The company I worked for had an office in Gunnison. I used to get to work up around Tin Cup. We would just camp in a little campground near there that had a trout stream flowing through it and save out motel money.
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Sounds like my kind of camping, I have always been an industrial tourist type.
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;D Little John I live east of denver bout 6 miles from Bennett Got a old but good hunting horse. Let me know. >:D
George will figure out tags later this week when i have a few minuets. ;D
Katt
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;D Little John I live east of denver bout 6 miles from Bennett Got a old but good hunting horse. Let me know. >:D
George will figure out tags later this week when i have a few minuets. ;D
Katt
I can almost smell those Elk straps slow cooking over a spit!
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>:D A little maple and honey.......Yummmmmmmm >:D
Katt
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Chicken fried! ;)
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Pat , doubt I will ever get to make a trip like this so take a bunch of pic's. Sure glad you are pulling this off.
wolf watcher said he is older than you. Just how damn old is he ;D?
Lane
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He's OLD!!! :D ...but he has lived the life all his life. At least I live at 2600' so it won't be as bad as if I lived at sea level. ;D I still have to work on my stamina and get used to my 60# back pack. ::)
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I wish you the best of luck Pat. I am so glad you are getting to go back to your dream hunting grounds. Like you said, you have to dream it first to make it happen. Good luck buddy.
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;D 60# realy we need to talk lol ;D
Katt
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Katt, more or less?
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Pat, we will get you in there somehow without the 60# pack. Maybe Kathie can run us in and take the horses home till needed, or it would be real sweet if I could think of someone ho would like to go camping for a week and do some horse wrangling/camp tending. But get into decent shape anyway and I will try to also. Luckily your primary stand will only be a moderate hike from the camp with only one good uphill haul, should take an hour or so if you take your time and take it easy, just don't be like me, I have two times gotten there 5 minutes too late and just as the bulls were exiting the shooting lane and heading to where ever elk go. Practice those 20 yard downhill shots from a kneeling position and try to get some of those elk fever pills. I am going to try and get up there this weekend.
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Pat: Just to put your mind at ease, I can report that the bull elk are holding up their part of the deal. They are already sporting some big ole velvet racks. It has always amazed me at how fast they grow. Saw a bull the other day with some three foot horns, wide, tall, and pointy! Having someone pack in your base camp is the only way to go and then having them pack out the meat! If I lived there I would volunteer to be your packer and camp tender! Hunting in the high country, the swirlly wind is not your friend and it will bust you in a heart beat! Hope you can have some success! A/Ho Joe
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Pat, remember what Joe said, about the wind. Mornings are fairly consistant but after 9 or 10 am you have about 2 or 3 minute intervals between a swirl will hitting you. Don't forget the black pepper for the hornets, misquote nets, and the thermocell.
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Sounds like its gonna be a good time with good company! I sure miss those Colorado mts. So u gotta post photos! Best of luck to ya!
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I agree...pics MUST be mandatory 8) Best of luck to you all!
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I will definately have my camera with me.
Kenneth, I'm not a basket case yet! :D I will carry my share. Going in is the easy part! :D I had no trouble getting around out there either. I got up and down those hills pretty well. I was rather pleased at how well I did...until I sprained my foot! ::) ;D I don't have the stamina I did back in '06 but I can still cut the mustard. ;)
Joe, it's already a successful hunt! I get to go!!! ;) Everything else is gravy.
This weekend Kenneth and Kathie(his wife) rode in the area we will be hunting on horseback just to check it out. Preliminary reports are positive. 8)
Keenan tell me about black pepper for hornets. I've used it on deer carcuses to keep the flies off. With a sinsetivity to stinging insects and alergic to paper wasp stings I'm always interested in anything to deter them.
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september 2 should be awesome brother. great time for calling mature bulls , before they get cowed up... best of luck to you brother i cant wait to see the harvest pics and pics of the bloodied shafts. Happy hunting Hawk a/ho
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Thanks Mike. I'll take your medicine with me on the hunt! ;)
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Pat, if the hornets are around the black pepper really helps. You'll need about three large cans of pepper to do an elk but alt least one will help. I always do the gutless skin and quarter method. Just have your helper sprinkle pepper right on the meat as the skin comes off. You always peel the outer casing off your meet when trimming up so pepper doesn't effect the meat.
Up here I have seen the yellow jackets eat right through the bags to get to the meat if you don't have it peppered. Thats when I started making my bags from better material and using pepper. ;)
If you don't know the gutless method just give me a call and I'll walk you through it. It's by far the best way for back country packing, very easy to bone out while keeping the meat clean.
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Pat, you know I would never worry about you pullling your share and a bit more, but we will still try to take it as easy on our selves as we can even tho we are far from basket cases.
Keenan, we will for shure use the pepper on the meat but I think Pat thought that the pepper would protect the hunter from an angry swarm of hornets, another huntingg buddie once got into a nest of them with a horse and it wasn't pretty for my buddie or the horse.
Joe, too bad you live so far away it would be an honor to have you in our camp any time. I bet good medicine travels with you.
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Pat .. Josiah and i both drew high country bull tags again this year ... for the same area where my bow broke on the giant old warrior. i may get a chance at him again if he is still alive and breathing or better yet Josiah get a chance to loose feathered death at an old warrior bull..that would be the icing on the cake. i can tell you brother that early or pre rut bulls respond well to aggressive cow calling. but go easy on the bugling except to locate bulls. happy huntin brothers.
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Mike,best of luck to you and Josiah on your upcoming hunt. Sounds like you have an awsome area gain. I can't remember but wasn't you hunting a private ranch on that hunt and wasn't it for sale? If I remember corectly also it was more typical of Wyoming rolling hills and scattered pockets of timber, lots of sagebrush. A lot different terrain than we have here in the San Juan. I am excited for you you and Josiah. Kenneth
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same area but the ranch has since sold...we are hunting the higher ground this year lodgepole timber and rocky crags on national forest. hoping for enough time off to get some serious hunting in. I hope you guys get some old warrior bulls to fall in love with your calls, and cant wait for the harvest pics after the hunt.
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Good luck Pat! Be safe, and have a great hunt!
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A short video is on this site for the gutless skinning method. They leave the bone in on the video, but I remove the bone. A guy told us to leave the bone in and the meat would be better. I disagreed and suspected the heat in the bone would cause spoilage quicker. We removed the bone from all the meat except one hind quarter. It was warm weather when we got the elk down. Guess what, the only meat that spoiled was the quarter with the bone in.
Check out the video at elk101.com
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Thanks for the link, NC. It was very interesting. 8)
I had to disable the link however because of it's commercial values. Folks that are interested can still find it the way I changed it. ;)
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Where abouts are y'all going to be huntin' Pat? When my wife and I were up there week before last, we passed thru Units 26 and 27,and they had a sign posted,"Limited Elk" .Do y'all know if that means what it sounds like it means? Just wondrin' . God bless
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Pete, we'll be north of Durango in the San Juan Mountains. This is only my second trip out so I'm not the one to ask. Maybe Kenneth knows or someone else. You might also check the Colorado Wildlife website.
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I envy you Pat, I also respect the fact that you're able to do that type of physically demanding hunt. Due to health problems I accepted the fact that I'll never be able to experience hunts like I see on TV hunting shows and the type you're doing. What a great memory you'll have to tell others and to remember in your old age. I wish you the best on your hunt, I hope you're blessed with success. Be careful. Can't wait to hear of your adventures.
VB
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PeteC, I believe that means a "limited number of elk tags are issued in that unit"...I have not seen that sign before, but I know some units are called limited elk units, referring to the number of tags available for that unit...????
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Happy for ya Pat,and bummed for me.
I lived in the mountains of Colorado for 4 years and I know all the ranges almost as good as the back of my hand. If your going north of durango then I hope you guys are going deep into the weminuche wilderness. Ahhhh...sigh. im gonna miss her this year. :'(
I was supposed to go out this fall but my wife got pregnant and her due date is to close and I don't wanna be that far from home so close to her due date.
And, oh the taste of freshly butchered never been frozen elk meat,me mouth is watering and I just ate.
Have fun soaking up the juans
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I was supposed to go out this fall but my wife got pregnant...
lol, Blackhawk you make it sound like you had nothing to do with that, LOL >:D
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Sept 2 is right around the corner Pat.
Good luck to you and Kenneth as well.
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Thanks Glenn. I got my plane tickets the other day and will get my license on line tonight. Won't be long at all now. ;D
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How you doing Pat? bet your starting to have some restless nights in anticipation :o >
Kenneth you are a fine man to be helping put together the hunt. I hope you both are blessed with more elk then you can pack ;D
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Keenan, I got my plane ticket last week, my cow tag last night, hiking hard each evening after supper and getting my shooting zeroed in. I'll be sending my bows, arrows and packed backpack out to Kenneth's sometime next week and Sept 2nd I'll be en route! ;D 8)
I think Kenneth is trying to get my cardio up...he called the other night and said his boss called and said he was on standby for a possible loss in pressure at a site in TX. We put everything on hold...the next morning Marcia called me at work to say Kenneth had called. All is good and back on track...so the adrenaline has begun! ;)
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Thanks everyone, yea I can't wait. I am working 14 hour days to get caught up with an important oilfied project that needs to be complete by sept 1st and go hunting the second. I am just short on help so they need to get me some as I can not be responsible after the 1st. At least I don't have the Texas problem on top of all the other stuff. Got the gear gathered and am shooting well so all I need is a chance to do some camp packing and setting up. I have been so tired from work I have no energy for getting into shape so will just have to wing it. Kenneth
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Once we hit the high country both of our energys will kick in. Something about that mountain air!!! ;)
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Just as exciting watching from the outside for the anticipation of the hunt for you both. Getting some of that mountain air in the lungs will always do a body good!
Wade drew an early cow tag for rifle because he can't pull enough pounds yet on his bow. It's a 3 month season so no time pressure but Lulyn and I got him out for one day a few weeks ago. I called in a small bull and played with him for a while but know cows that day. We are going to try to get back out on Monday and see if we can get him in on a cow. ::)
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Thanks Keenan, I hope you, Lulyn, and Wade a good season. When does your archery season open? My wife Kathie and I are heading up tomorrow morning with two pack horse loads and get camp pretty much set up. Will have to make one more trip before our hunt to take in food and finish up the camp to be ready for our hunt. The last couple of mornings have been a little cool and makes it feel a bit like hunting weather. I do need some of that mountain air and primitive bow hunting. Kenneth
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Kenneth, Our general bow season starts August 27th and Wades hunt started August first and goes clear through to the end of Oct. I'm going to get camp set up soon as well. Nothing real deep in the wilderness though. Still having some back issues and I think the horse ride in would do me in. Also Wade is getting his tonsells out on the 22nd so he's going to be sore for the first part.
Going in our lower area that we've hunted the last few years. Not as much elk but I think I have that area figured out fairly well now. There is so much snow this year that several areas are still in excessable and the mosquitoes are severe as well.
Keep us posted on your hunt and best of luck to you both. Keenan
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Kenneth, when you say cool, how cool are we talking ??
I'm wishing for some cool mornings myself here in VA.
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Glenn, When I asked Kenneth last week about the weather he said the temps where he lives were in the high 80s to 90s (but that is dry heat! ::) ). When I talked to him this morning it was raining and cooling down a bit. Up in the mountains it can be 10 to 20 degrees cooler. He and Kathie were heading out this morning on horseback with 2 pack horses to get "stuff" into where camp will be. They will take the food and his cloths in next weekend so when I get there we can walk in relatively light. ;D
A guy on TredGang the other day said he was somewhere in the Colorado high country a few weeks ago and the temps went from the 80's down to the 40's with 2" hail within a few hours. Up there you have to be ready for anything.
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Yep Pat is right, The high country can drop down to freezing in a heartbeat. We were up at the Newberry Crater here in Central Oregon last Monday and it froze that night. Mid eighty's the next day.
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Below freezing sounds pretty good to me right now!!!
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Best of luck to the both of you! I met John at one of the Classic's a few years ago, and he is top notch! Good hunting and stay safe!
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Long day yesterday Packing and scouting. The horse packing went well with no wrecks and I was well pleased with the scouting session, lots of fresh sign and you know that a herd are using the area, even tracks at the tent site. Was cool, about 50 degrees we used the heater a little going up and comming back down, warmer at mid day. It can be downright hot during bow season on the sunny side of the mountain or freeze an elk quarter at night time. Got the biggest part of the camp gear in and will make one more trip before Pat gets here with food, clothes, grub boxes, and incidentals. Got the bear pruff stash fixed and all our gear up out of harms way. Time will fly for me as I have a big deadline to meet at work by Sept 1st and Pick Pat up at the airport on the second. We will be in camp before dark and ready to hunt the next day. Will have to resize the pics if I can figure out how as the forum won't take them. Kenneth
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I couldn't ask for better hosts than Kenneth and his wife Kathie. This is a friendship that came from PA in 2005 or early '06 and has gotten stronger ever since...even after Kenneth had to pack my gringo butt out of the mountains after I sprained my foot pretty badly on that first trip.
Thanks Kenneth. You have made my hunting dreams come true and now for a second time!
I got my license in the mail today, almost have everything(packed Backpack, bows and arrows) ready to ship out to Kenneth's house, hopefully on Wednesday and am continueing stregnuous walks every evening and working on my shooting. The next few weeks will whiz by in no time and before we know it, we'll be hearing and smelling elk and preparing for the shot. 8)
Thanks Kenneth and Kathie. See ya'll soon!
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Thanks Pat for the kind words, you are a good addition to any hunting camp and welcome any time. Pat has given lots and lots to primitive archery and this is my way of giving back. Also back when this all began Pat was the only one to say an elk hunt would be his ultimate hunt when I asked in a P.A. post what would be your dream hunt. Thanks Primitive Archer Magazine for this forum where friendships are formed. Let the games begin. Kenneth
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Oh I have to thank my wife Kathie, I could never have gotten all that packing done in one day by my self. Also she is making up a big bunch of trail mix from her dehydrated apricots and other home grown ingredients for us to take. Even better she will load up the horses and pack gear and bring them to us when we need to pack an animal out to the road. Thank God for all the great wifes. Kenneth
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A great wife is truly a gift isn't it.
I sure am getting excited to see pictures of this trip. Last time you guys told some great stories and showed us some beautiful pictures of the mountains. That is the next best thing to being there. I wish I was joining you two. Im in good enough shape to handle it, so of course I don't have the time. Isn't that the way life works. :-\
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Thanks Primitive Archer Magazine for this forum where friendships are formed. Let the games begin. Kenneth
well said Kenneth!
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Justin - I wish you could make it also, I know you are the real deal and would make a good hunting partner.
Sonny - You are right, P.A. is a very good resourse and should not be taken lightly.
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Oh come on, Justin. You know you can find a few days tucked away somewhere! ;) Nice and cool up in them mountains!!! ;)
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Next year Pat. I have one year of this tail chasing, circle running left to go. Next year I do enough hunting to make up for the last 3 that I haven't had time. ;D
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Hey Justin, do you have a rubber mask of your face so I could stand in as your "body double?" >:D
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Pat, I know how cool the mountains are, I have been doing a few roofs at just over 8000 feet for the last two weeks. Then I get home in the evening and it is still 105. ???
Ill be in the mountains putting a roof on a cabin the weekend you get to Colorado. I also have a 22 mile marathon training run that weekend. Dang that makes elk hunting sound fun.
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;D ;D Sweet dreams are coming! Keep us posted boys we are watching on the edge of our seats, ;D
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Justin, a marathon runner would be handy to have in camp. You could just run around a small herd and drive them past the hunters shooting lane. L.O.L. Kennrth
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I know yall are getting excited,I am just hearing about how the plan is coming together. :)Good luck shoot straight and keep us posted. Life is VERY good. :)
Pappy
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Justin, a marathon runner would be handy to have in camp. You could just run around a small herd and drive them past the hunters shooting lane. L.O.L. Kennrth
Im all over that.
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If i get the opportunity to put an arrow in one you guys will hear me from where you are! ;)
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I guess that answers the question about if we need walkie talkies. You areright Pappy, life is very good. Kenneth
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I am dead beat from working and trying to get all my work done so we can get gone on this trip. Makes me hesitant to shoot any thing right away and have to go back to work packing meat. I guessPat will probably mess that up and shoot a big one first morning. Well that will be ok, he can have camp chores. Just funning, Pat I hope you get the biggest one on the mountain. Kenneth
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I'll take the first one that gives me an opportunity. ;D
Sent my pack to you today Kenneth. Should be at your house Monday or Tuesday. It weighs in at just under 40#. Bows and arrows going out tomorrow morning so they should be a day or 2 behind the pack.
I'll be dead tired when I get in to Durango. Will be getting up at 3:30am our time(1:30am your time) to catch a 5:30am flight and get to Durango a little before noon your time. Most of that time sitting on a plane or in the terminal(2 layovers). Don't know if I can hike in that day. We both might need the rest of that day to just chill and get stuff together. We can make that call when the time comes. Two weeks from Today!!!!! 8)
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Best of luck of luck on your trip...can't wait to see pictures!!!
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Bows and arrows went in the mail today! Won't be long now. 8)
Thanks Lowell. I will have pics to show after Sept 10.
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yall are some lucky fellas.
good luck hope yall score
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PAT BEST OF LUCK TO YA HOPE YOU GET A SHOT I GOT BACK FROM SCOUTING THE OTHER DAY THE BULLS ARE STARTIN TO PLAY IN THE WALLOWS AND THE VELVET IS ABOUT OF ON A LOT OF EM THEYR STILL AT 9 TO 11000 FT HERE WHERE WE GO IM HEADIN BACK THIS WEEK WAITING FOR STRINGMAN AND JR TO GET HERE HAVE A GOOD ONE BUDDY BROCK
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You too Brock.
We'll be between 9000' and 10000'. Kenneth and his wife went in last weekend and found lots of fresh sign and a small heard. I think they were going back in this eekend too to finish up the horseback packing.
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Pat, while you are in Durango, go to Denny's and have a cup of coffee and say hi James Cooper. My brother in law owns Denny's and his son is a manager. Both are named James. ;)
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PAT A HEADS UP FOR YA IT S RAINED EVERY DAY HERE FOR THE LAST 5 DAYS LOOKS LIKE IT WILL AGAIN TODAY EVERYTHIG Has been dampen d good where im hunting so alll s nice quite under foot hope ur gettn some down that way to im headin up again tmw with a load brock ;D
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Pat is the Irene going to mess you up at all? I sure hope not. Best of luck to you both.
Brock, it's still dry up here. Might get some afternoon T-storms Wednesday and Thursday hope so. It's like walking on popcorn.
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keenan it s been dryin out we had a lotta rain all summer none the last 30 days or so we had a good storm this afternoon lighting thunder now looks like well get more tonite it s rellley gettin cool now was 41 this am haha when i got up at 6400 ft bulls startin to squeek a bit think theyr gonna come in rut early this year cuz of the weather hope u guys have a good hunt up there too ill be headin north aftr this trip for another hunt then maybe cut some juniper have a good one bro brock
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You to Brock. What part of the North? Don't forget the top side of good size branches works well on the Juniper
Pat sure hope that nasty storm alters it's coarse for you all.
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Keenan, if we're lucky we'll get a good soaking rain from Irene but there is a better chance we won't get any at all. It would take more than a little class 3 huricane to keep me from Colorado! ;)
Thanks for the weather report, Brock. I'm hoping for cooler and a little rain won't hurt anything as long as the elk cooperate. ;)
I'm kind of feeling lost. Everything that's going with me has been sent and I have nothing to mess with. ???
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Pat, Marcia may be thinking different. ::) Lulyn likes to get me away from all the "Stupid Sticks" LOL
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Made anothertrip in to the hunting camp yesterday, Got our food and my hunting clothes in and stashes hopefully in a bear safe location hanging from a rope tied between two trees. Got pretty wet doing it as our rain slickers were over our saddles. One lightening struck so close there was no time at all between the flash and the report, that will make you jump. Did not get the tent up yet but at least no bear will be ripping into it to snoop around, we can do it when we get there or put up the small tent for the first night if need be. No time to scout but will just have to trust in it as we are pretty well committed to this spot and I think it will be good. Pat, Kathie said there is a heavy package at the post office to be picked up so must be your pack, she will get it tommorrow.
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Home sweet home! ;D I can smell the air in my mind. And wool overshirts. I like that!
Thanks for the pics. ;) ...and for all the work you guys are doing. 8)
Boy, that pack got there quick. I guess the bows and arrows tomorrow or Wednesday.
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keenan im in the roosvelt natl forest between walden steamboat way back in there :laugh:seen that huge moose again wish i had a tag but not gonna happen dang my luck :'( seein some bear sign kennth last time i was down there we had bear sign all over b safe watch for em told my boys bring pistols been havin plms here in no colo game fish shot one the other day for biting 2 campers it s raining lite now news says u guys may get some down there ha hope u do have fun brock
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Pat, your pack, bow tube, and arrow box are all here and in good hands. Put in a 14 hour day yesterday and sure am beat from it but can see the end of my project and on deadline before our hunt. Sure am going to enjoy some time off to do the things we enjoy. Not too woried about the bears unless one claims our kill before we can get it to a safeplace, just dont want one to get into camp and tear stuff up. Two years ago one made a new door into my tent and re arranged the furniture before the hunt, several years back one tore up my camp and ate all my food while I was out hunting. I think Keenan has an intresting bear story. Oh the mountains in the pictures are the mighty Weeminuche wilderness. The largest, most remote, most rugged area in Colorado with the hardest to climb 14er in Colorado. Kenneth
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kennth now i gotcha haha i know about where ur at haha now u know why i carry a hand gun all the time u rember my buddy ed wiesman haha lol u know the rest of the story :-X sure do miss bein down there that area was home for me as a boy ur country sure does look a lot better than here weve had so much pine beetle kill somtime it just makes me sick to look at thing s have a great hunt get some rest and get ready for the fun bro ,, ok kennan out w the stoy lolol ;D brock
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Great pics Kenneth. Lulyn took one look and decided we need to get our horses up in the high country soon, Getting very close for guys.
Brock , Everyone's heard my boring ol stories. :o Besides not sure witch one he's talking about. The night something was panting very heavy right beside our tent. Or Maybe when the side wall of the tent pushed in in the middle of the night. Then there was the 9 yrd bear. But this is Pat's thread and we are all eagerly waiting for those stories. ;D
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Glad everything got there OK. Open the bow tube. Elkie is in there for you with her new "look" and the Medecine bow is in the tube too. In the arrow box there are 3 fluflus made from black walnut shafts Ken75 sent me and feathers from Matt. A couple of those are for you too. Try them all and pick the ones you like.
One of the tents Kenneth was talking about is the one I slept in last trip. It was well ventilated!!! ;D
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That wasn't very nice Kenneth, those pictures have given me cabin fever. Now I am really wishing I was there. :'( :'(
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There's still time, Justin. Put that roof off for another week. They will understand. Kenneth brought the big wall tent for this hunt so there is plenty of room! ;)
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I hear you Justin! Beautiful pictures....I made three different trips hunting in Colorado, and they all three were successful! Oh, no animals taken, and only one missed shot. But successful from just having the privilege of experiencing such grand mountains. Hearing the bulls bugle always sent shivers up and down my spine! That sound has got to be the wildest sound in nature.
I'm sure yall will have a great experience, even if taking an elk doesn't happen...but best of wishes to you that it does! I'm really looking forward to pictures and stories, the next best thing to being there ourselves! ;)
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Thanks Brock, Justin,Keenan, and Greg for your support. wish we could turn it into a totaly Primitive Archer community hunt. Maybe next time. Pat I did open the bow tube this morning and what a splendid suprise, Elkie is to die for with her new looks. The rattler skins of yesteryear were beautiful beyond description, but the rawhide with its primitive hunting mural is just too much. I just love it more than any thing. I liked the cane handle wrap on the old Elkie, it was gorgeous to look at but really love the feel and grip of the new handle. could not wait to get home from work to try her out and she shoots perfectly with my hunting arrows and dead quiet. I shot the medicine bow also, what a treat. Took pics of both and will post later. Oh Kathie got our trail mix made today, looks to be about 20 pounds worth, really good stuff. Man oh Man, if I wasn't pumped for this hunt I am now. Kenneth
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Would like to thank you fellers for sharing your adventures. Kenneth, you and Kathie live in heaven and have the good sense to know it.
Pat it looks to be an over the top trip and I gotta say it seems you fit right in with these fine folks. But all of you please remember the most important thing .....Post plenty of pictures !!!!
Lane
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Lane, on my first trip out to hunt with Kenneth we had never met. He asked once on PA "What would be your dream hunt?" and I answered that I had always dreamed about hunting elk. Kenneth called me a few days later and asked me to come out and hunt elk with him and eight months later I was out there. My daughter was freaked that I would head out to a wilderness area with a guy I met on the internet...a possible serial killer! ::) I think Kathie may have thought the same thing about me, the serial killer, coming into her home but she never showed it and we all hit it off very well.
Well, Kenneth wasn't a serial killer(me neither ;D )and we became very good friends on that trip. He and Kathie treated me like I was part of the family. Being able to go back out and seeing both of them and spending time in the high country with my high country mentor is quite a thrill and treat for me. 8)
Kenneth, glad you like Elkie's new look. I think the pictographs tell our story! 8) Even the fox we saw going in last time got his fill!
here is the new look that Elkie is sporting these days...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/Tradgangtradebow001-1.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/Tradgangtradebow002-1.jpg)
...and the kill...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/Tradgangtradebow003-1.jpg)
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Now that might just be the coolest decorations on a rawhide backing I've ever seen!!! Awesome work (as usual) Pat. Did you sinew the bow under the rawhide too?
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Well Pat you beat me to posting the pics but I think yous are better any way, Man what a sweet bow, just can't belive the graphics, what medicine. Nice job and I can't thank you enough. You are truly a master at any thing I have seen you do and have given more to primitive archery than any one I have ever known. It is an honor and pleasure to hunt with you. Kenneth
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The idea of pictographs was mine but my wife, Marcia came up with the design and the drawings. She drew the pictures with pensil and I traced them with India ink...and added the red!
Lee I had so much trouble getting sinew to stick(completely sinewed twice) that I guessed Elkie didn't want that look. Now she has only a deer rawhide backing.
Kenneth, I think she shoots as well as she did with sinew and at least now she will be less affected by wet conditions(moisture). Sorry to upstage you. ::) I'm getting excited about our hunt! One week from tomorrow!!! 8)
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>:D Figured id chime in and wish you guys the best of luck on your hunt. BTW love the bow. Headed up tomorow to set up spike camp for our hunt going to be a bit further north and east of you. LOL. Maybe next year ill get with you guys and join the party sounds like fun. Got the pacs out today. will post pics as soon as we get back.
Katt
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Thanks Katt. Have a great hunt.
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pat let us know you or kennth if ya got outta there brfor the storm just talked to my guys there ready ... >:Dnow i find out i gotta deal with a damn bike race closed hwys and such so checkin maps to see if we have a alternate route to go up gonna be a pain gettin to our area looks like brock
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Not long now Pat, this is opening morning and I am getting ready to head off to workl Looks like I will make my deadline by the skin of my teeth. How is the huricane expected to affect you? I shot Elkie again yesterday just before dark. The first shot wasa perfect kill shot at about 25 yards and then a couple of not quite heart shots (lack of focus on my part). Then I did a couole of chores and came back and took one more shot and it was a perfect shot as well at 29 yards so put her away and called it good. She shoots my hunting arrows perfectly and quieter than I thought was possible. Oh I added to her name a bit it is now Elkie a.k.a. Every picture tells a story don't it. Oh I weighed her in at 61-62 pounds at 28" so that is perfect for me and you are right she does shoot every bit as good as before and ready to get bloodied up here in the very near future. You are way too good, thanks a lot. I might try to run up to camp tomorrow and check our food stash and maybe try to get the tent set. Kenneth
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We are not getting any effects from Irene. Could use a little rain but I'm not complaining!!! ;D
Maybe Elkie will live up to her name this trip. That would be way cool. 8)
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Pat,
You sure you didn't see that on the ceiling of a cave!! ;D Very nice!! 8)
The excitement of your hunt is rubbing off on me and I'm not going anywhere!! :) :'(
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Pat, no trip up to camp today but got some much needed rest and some work done here aroound the place and gathered up last minute short list items. I might just be being optimistic but I just know God will smile on us in a very positive way, Elkie will live up to her name and you will also have your dream come true. Aim small miss small. Kenneth
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A well diserved rest I'm sure!!! See you on Friday! 8)
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Good stuff here! Yall have a great time!
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Thanks Greg. If we don't, it's our own damn fault! ;D
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Awsome pics.you can feel the excitement. What a dream come true just to be there!!! Good luck and enjoy ;)
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8) some pics of spike camp and so on. >:D
Katt
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Come on guys, your killing me. About 12 years ago someone took out my fence and my horse got out and was hit by a car and had to be put down. He was 13 and I had raised him from a colt. This was also right after I had lost my dad. He and I spent so much time in the mountains riding, he was one of my best friends. Shortly after that I sold my other horses. The thought of you guys elk hunting without me doesn't bother me so much as seeing you in the mountains with your horses. There is nothing like being in the mountains on a good horse.
Maybe next year I will volunteer to haul everything to camp just so I can come and ride. :'(
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I'm out of here guys. I'll have pics and stories when I get back after Sept. 10. :)
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Wild lookin country there Katt, looks like he Sangre De Christos, Have a great hunt an I hope you have good luck too. Pat will be here tomorrow and we are off, pics and stories later. Justin why don't you make a trip out and we will do some back country riding, and I have a to die for trout stream far from civilization and full of fish, did not get to make it this summer and am really bummed about it. Kenneth
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>:D Thats the divide as the background for the bow pic lol. Were hunting just north of the Henderson mine. Tough trails beautiful country we are rite up on the divide 12500 feet gota love Colorado. Headed back up tues or wen. The Elk werent starting rut yet when we were up last weekend. Had to come back down new baby granddaughter born Tuesday. ;D Had to be here for that. Hope u guys have fun and get a couple down.
Katt
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Congratulations on the new granddaughter katt ;)
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Any body heard from PatB or Little John ???
Pappy
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I've been watching here impatiently to hear some news too!!
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Maybe Pat and Kenneth are trying to figure out how to get that monster rack off the mountain. Pat has a flight tomorrow so we should hear from them today or in the morning. If it were me I wouldn't come down off the mountain until I had to check in at the airport.
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I put Pat on the airplane this Saturday morning and he should be in North Carolina about now. The hunting was the toughest I have ever seen it and our area seemed to be almost empty of elk. We did hear a few distant bugles but fresh sign was almost non exzistant. I don't know where ehe elk went as they were there earlier but I was working so much that I never checked back on them the last few weeks before the hunt. The trip went off without a hitch with beautiful mild weather, beautiful country, good camping and excellent comaraderie. I am bummed out as I just knew that Pat was going to have his chance. We never seen another hunter during our week long hunt till when we were packing out and met a muzzleloader on his way in. Pat did see a wolf from his stand and really was excited about the sighting. Here are a few pics till Pat can post his. Pat is an excellent companion for such a wilderness adventute. kenneth
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I made it in this evening about sunset...and what a beautiful sunset greeted me back home. Once I clear the cobwebs and the airline finds my back pack with all I couldn't carry on the airplane( hand made knives, tomakawk, side quiver, etc...and my camera) I'll post pics and tell stories(can you believe a wolf at 30 yards 8) ). Kathie(Kenneth's gracious wife) downloaded all my pics to her computer last night so if the unthinkable happens, at least we still have the pics and memories. ;)
What a FABULOUS trip and adventure!...and I did better physically at 61 than I did at 56 in 2006. 8) I think my true hunting soul is in the Southwest or at least elk country. I feel natural in their environment and Kenneth has given me the chance to realize it and the guidance to persue it. 8) Thanks to you Kenneth for the opportunity and the friendship. 8) Both are greatly appreciated and cherished. And thank you Kathie for getting up so early on Saturday morning to get me to the airport. ;) I owe you one! ;)
It's 9:24pm in the high country of the Salt Creek drainage and we would be finishing supper, having a taste of Canadian whiskey and planning tomorrow's hunt just about now. I think it will take me a few days to get over the withdrawal. I can't believe it is already over. :(
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Hope you recover your possessions that. stinks when the airlines loses ones stuff >:( sounds as if the trip has done your sprit well...while an elk would have been nice it has been a great thread and I wish to thank you, and every one else for the story and the pics ;)
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It was my pleasure, soy! ;)
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Man that looks like a great time! From the picture looks like pretty Elky country for sure, it is amazing how they can just be gone like that. No matter how much I think I learn an area and the Elk in that areas habbits it never fails that something can change in no time. Man Pat I hope they find you bag! Keep us updated on how that turns out, look forward to all your pictures! I am also beggining to realize this year being my first year hunting with a stick bow that it is a definate handycap vs my wheel bow but it just feels so much more rewarding even being out there with it in the woods even if I am not succesfull, its also just fun stump shooting here and there while out in the woods when the Elk arent around to be found :D
Josh
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Pat, I can't belive they can loose our stuff more often than not. Sure glad you did not trust the airline to get your gear to Colorado. I am like you and still going thru withdrawls from our hunt. Couldn't have been better other than the scaracity of game. I will try to get some of the pic's off the other camera down sized and up. I will be up next weekend and still try to help Elkie achive her destiny you will be with me all the way and the shot will be for you. Kenneth
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I sure wish y'all had seen some elk,but it sounds like a heck of a good time. God Bless
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My pack got here this afternoon so all is good. Camera was here all along, wrapped up in my ugly brown wool sweater. ::) Got 122 pics so as soon as I can get them edited and on Photobucket I'll post them.
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Cool! glad to hear you got your pack!
Josh
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After Kenneth and I parked off the side of the Forest Service Rd we loaded up out packs, grabbed our bows and arrows and headed for the Salt Creek Trail Head. A few steps out I looked done to see this knapped stone artifact. It looks like the point of a knife because of the assymetrical design. Anyway I thought it was a good omen so I carried it in my pocket for the whole hunt....
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/stonepoint2011elkhuntfind003.jpg)
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This was the travel route to my stand each morning. The big pine just left of center is the General and at this point I begin the climb to the ridge and on to my stand...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011091.jpg)
...once you got over the steep part it mellows a bit...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011066.jpg)
...then around the side of the ridge...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011049.jpg)
...and down towards the stand area...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011048.jpg)
...with pretty good sign...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011052.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011046.jpg)
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Once in the stand this was my view. Lots of elk trails come into this area like the spokes on a wheel. You can see how barren the ground on the other side of the creek is...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011033-1.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011030-1.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011031-1.jpg)
This was gonna be my rain shelter if a thunder storm threatened. The earth under the overhang is devoid of plants and is bone dry to about 2' back...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011084.jpg)
...and the wolf! 8) What a thrill. In this hard to see pic I took the pic just as he was turning to go to his left down the creek. At this point he is about 40 or so yards. About 2 hours later he came back up the creek and passed at about 30yards just on the other side of the creek below me. By the time I got the camera he had vanished.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011100.jpg)
...and a few visiters...
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Kenneth makes a comfortable camp. He had stashed the tent and other supplies a few weeks ago in bear proof hanging bundles between two trees so we could travel relatively light going in. ::)
Setting up the wall tent was new to me but interesting. Kenneth cut solid deadfall for the ridge pole, shinnied up a big tree and he and I hauled up the 6" pole and he tied it off to the big tree. The other end of the ridge pole was propped between the X poles and lashed securely. Once done with a few more additions we had a home for the week.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011018.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011019.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011022.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011023.jpg)
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The tent was very roomy. Kenneth had a kitchen set of in the right rear of the tent...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011020-1.jpg)
...the wood stove and wood just inside the front door on the left...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ColoradoElkHunt2011021.jpg)
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Glad to hear you made it back,sounds like a great trip,sorry about the lack of game but that is not what make a trip good.It is so much more. :) :)
Pappy
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Pat: That wolf is probably why the elk were gone! I have had it happen to me more than once! Not only do the elk take off but they are on red alert and that makes for some really tough sneaks! The elk here are in very large herds and out in the open as much as possible so they can see any approaching danger. The wolves don't kill the bison, but those old bulls that choose to spend the winter out in the mountains have an attitude and that makes them mean! Add some grizzlies and you have a Yellowstone eco system hunt! It looks like you had a good time and that is what its all about! A/Ho Joe
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8) Well just got back from Elk camp didnt see much a lot of sign heard a few bugles. Had about 50 Moose in the area the whole time. got a shot at a cow unfortunately i was 40 yards out and shoot from the horse,only missed by a couple inches but it was enough. Going back up after muzzle loading season ends. will post some pics later.
Katt
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I think you are right Joe, I think a pack of wolves can reduce the size of an elk herd by a bunch in a few years. There was plenty of sign in Pat's stand area a few weeks ago and not a single fresh track passed by his stand in the week we were there or for a few days before, so those elk went somewhere. We were the only hunters in the whole area so it was not human hunters that sent them out of the area. The fish and game dept, will probably say there are no wolves but several people I have talked to say there are and that enviromental groups and such have released hybrid wolves because they feel they should be there or people get tired of the wolf pets and dump them out like unwanted dogs. Well a few wolves can be neat to see or hear in the back country but an abundance has never been good for wild game populations or domestic stock. Pat, your bows and arrows will go out today. Thanks for shareing this hunt with me. Kenneth
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Looks like you guys had a great time for sure. Very nice camp Kenneth and some great looking country. Sorry to hear that the elk were scares but it's always very hard to beat good times with good people in an awesome setting. Thats the true gold! Kenneth you and your wife have sown some good seeds in your days. It's inspiring stories like these that birth the drive to step out and do the same. And when you find people like Pat and Marcia to share liefs adventures with ,,,,,,,,,well it just doesn't get any better.
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Keenan, Kenneth does set up a comfortable camp even down to the #30 wash tub for bathing. Too bad we didn't get a pic of that! ;)
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Pat , you in a washtub with nothing on but your beard makes for a disturbing image :o
Fellers I have tried to keep up a little bit on the wolf re-intro but I live in South Carolina. All of my "facts" come in my magazine subscriptions. How bad is it and Pat were you legal to kill a wolf ? Realize you didn't just wondered if you could have.
Lane
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Lane, having a wolf 30 yards from me and he didn't know I was there was the thrill of the hunt. 8) I don't know what the wolf hunting regs are in Colorado.
I never thought about killing him. I felt honored to be in his presents. I'm an Easterner, go figure! ;)
This was the only wolf I saw and it was a total surprise. Kenneth had heard them once and a while over the years but hadn't seen any.
The wash tub worked great to bathe in. ;)
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Lane: Its hard to tell from Pat's picture, but the wolf looks a lot smaller than the Canadian wolves we have. It would take me several hours to tell you the impact they have had on the game and livestock in the three main Mountain states around Yellowstone. They are on the endangered species list as are the grizzlies and can not be hunted in Wyo. Idaho has by far the most of them and they along with Montana are going to have limited hunting for them this fall! There has been an ongoing battle with several groups over the years and the court costs are eventually paid by the tax payers. This is a subject that may border on being too political to discuss on this forum so I hope I have not crossed the line with this discussion. The ironic thing about the wolves is that they are awesome predators and beautiful animals. We just want them to be controlled like all the rest of our wildlife. A/Ho Joe
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Thank you for the response. It seems a bit strange to ask about an animal and then belatedly realize the question could be construed as political. What I was asking was how the wolves affect people living with them around. May be somewhat fatalistic on my part but I have given up on the right and wrong that I can't control.
Do dogs go missing? Are people aware of where their young children are? Is that a valid concern? Are mules ever bothered on a picket line?
I do a good bit of critter calling and have had dogs, feral and pets, respond and I am always glad when they run cause I don't want to shoot someone's dog. Guess I asking how you would feel about a wolf. Or rather how you think most folks would feel.
Gonna leave your thread alone now Pat. Don't get a chance to ask these questions often.
Lane
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E Donnald Thomas had a good wolf story in his book, Long Bow Country. His consensun was that they do not need to be totally protected or hunted to extinction but can co exist in the wilderness and be a hunting opportunity as well as other big game. I do not know what I would have done if the wolf had offered me a shot opportunity, but would have been like Pat in that it would have been a highlite to the hunt. It definitely adds to the wilderness experience. Kenneth
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Joe, the wolf I saw was about 50# to 70# I would guess. About the size of a German Shepherd. I only saw him for about 15 or 20 seconds each time. He was steady moving with his nose to the ground. I probably couldn't have gotten a shot had I wanted to shoot him. Maybe with my 12ga and OO buck shot!
Lane, we were in a wilderness. We didn't see another person for over 7 days while there.
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Pat: There is something that gives a primevil feeling seeing a wolf up close. I don't get that feeling with the grizzly, just one of awe knowing how tough, strong, and smart they are. A two year old sub adult male wolf can weight 175#s and many adult males will go over 200#s. I have had 9 of them pass right through the yard and several came by the barn to feed on a dead deer. The griz will respond to gun shots and both will sometimes come in to elk bugles so you have to be careful when you are hunkered down trying to bugle or cow call. Lots of misinformation about them, like they only kill the weak, ill, or lame animals. If I could do only one thing concerning the wolves, it would be to tell the public the truth so there would be a better understanding of why they need to be regulated for their own good as well as for the people that live in this corner of Wyoming! I have three horses in a huge mountain pasture here on the ranch and try to see them every day which is near impossible! One misconception is that the wolves will kill off all the coyotes! The best thing that ever happened to the coyotes, bears, and birds is the prey animals that the wolves kill and abandon. During the season of the pups in the den the pack will kill an elk or moose and only eat enough to take back to the den to regurgitate to feed the pups. That leaves a torn open almost whole carcass for the other critters to feed on. They can increase their numbers by 25% per year which is so much more than the moose or elk. I can tell you that being out in the hills and listening to a pack howl and talk back and forth is a real thrill. Unfortunately they are a big problem and just need to be regulated by the state Game and Fish! Sorry about the long dialog, but want all my PA friends to know some of the truth about our brother hunter the Canadian wolf! A/Ho Joe
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Thank you sir.
Lane
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My wife and I got to see the last red wolf that was introduced into Cades Cove in the Great Smokey Mountains a few years ago. We were heading down one of the two cross roads when we saw it out in the middle of a large pasture. It was about 400 to 500 yards away but could tell by the way it moved what it was. My wife stopped the car as we watched it. A bit later she turned off the car, the wolf stopped and looked directly at us then was gone. We asked the ranger about it and he told up that that was the last one left and they were trying to trap it to relocate it somewhere else. The next week they did.
The wolf I saw in Colorado looked to be at least as big as the red wolf or possibly bigger.
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Pat, the Red Wolves you guy's are getting are being raised on St. Vincent Island and the Green Swamp in Florida and sent to other states. Look's like you had a great hunt and I'll be at Cade's next weekend.
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The red wolves they tried to reintroduce were either shot, hit by cars or the pups got parvo.
My wife will be out of town next weekend so I'll be keeping the home fires going. Are you coming back up later? Wade was asking about coming to Chris' sometime too. Is Steve coming down for it?
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Chris was going to call Steve. I'll be back up during rifle season. I'm going bowhunting in Tenn. in November.
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At Pappy's? Twin Oaks, a place for all seasons!!! ;)