Well went had a semi successful hunt. my friend and i packed into pine creek basin(way in) almost to twin lakes and made camp after a 5.5 hour ride in some beautiful coutryside.
got out the spotting scope and started looking. found 13 cows and one rag horn at about 14000ft. i said...those elk are safe cuzz im not going up there in that scrabble for no elk!
we both had bull tags. we hiked friday and scouted the area and found no fresh sign at all. everything looked a week or 2 old atleast.
my buddy has bad diabetes but is only 165 pounds, from las vegas so the altitude was killing him and the extra labor was causing his sugars to be very erratic 400 one hour then 40 a few later!! didnt want him to die so opening morning i told him "go sit up on that ridge and get a good view off both avalanche chutes to the east and west....i went a few milesin along the trees and tarted still hunting back towards him...
about a half mile from where he should be i hear 2 shots! i said hmmm wonder if that was him?
he calls me on the radio and says "dude i love you!" you gotta come see my 6x6 bull i just shot!!
So i load up the 2 frame packs and head to the top about 1400 ft about camp....30 minutes later i walk over to a guy with the biggest grin on his face, shaking and nervous and twitchy!
he had just shot his first bull..on his first elk hunt...on the first morning! 50+ inchesfrom tip to tip! 6x6 rocky mnt elk! i said bud that is one ice bull...he is wiiiiide
so now the work begins for me...i quarter the thing out and we star packing it down the avalanche chute! yikes this was a scary trip i must say. 1/4 on gps from camp but also a quarter mile above!!
steeeeeeeep is the best word or maybe cliff describes it better or maybe death trail?
any way we got all back to camp and had some dinner and went to sleep.
i we didnt see another animal until we came down off the mountain. wedneday we went to buena vista to stay and got up early went to a game area outside of town...200 elk in a heard and one BIG bull. had him in my crosshairs at 400(easy shot for me) and was putting pressure on the trigger when cow ran up and stpped directly behind him...they stepped into the tres together! no shot!!
i literally broke down into tears when i got back to the truck... not ashamed to admit it...this was a very emotional hunt for me...it took its toll physicaly, mentaly and emotionaly to the point that i am not sure i will ever hunt elk or anything else again...it was both fantastic and terrible at the same time but i feel like i am ready for a psych exam.
anyway hers a pic of the country my best pal and the bull that was meant for him!
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