Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Colorado Elk 2002

I haven't posted much about the hunting and fishing aspect of my life, I think I was afraid I would offend someone, and honestly I just didn't want to deal with that. Although that isn't fair to those who want to hear about it, so this is what I will do. When I talk about hunting and fishing I will give you a warning, so if you don't want to read it then you don't have to.

*Beware hunting images below

This is a bit long.......

Back in 2002 I had the opportunity to go to Colorado on a guided Elk hunt. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, and it was awesome. I don't know that I would go again myself, but it is something that if my boys are interested in doing then I would help them go.



Like I said, it was a guided hunt, I had two guides, plus my Dad, and three days at the ranch. I should say that this was originally Dad's hunt, but after making the booking for it, he changed his mind and that is how i ended up going. Since it was to be Dad's hunt originally and C was an infant, Mom and Dad came with me.

The first day that we arrived, I was to shoot, they wanted to make sure that I could (any hunter) accurately shoot before they let you go out. The last thing they want is a wounded animal; that is the last thing that any hunter wants. We all want a clean fast kill. After that we got settled in and ready for the next morning.

The second day was hunting day, we got up early, had a bit of breakfast and were out the door while it was still mostly black outside. We started hiking and just kept going up. We heard the elk calling and started to smell them, while is sounds funny it is true. We heard several breaking brush as we hiked but still after two plus hours no site of one. Then in a small clearing we saw a massive bull. There was no good shot though and when he spied us he was off.  Another hour or so into the hike we found another bull, he was upwind and in a great spot, so we stalked him a bit to get closer, and in a better position.  One clean shot.



After the guides were done with there part we took him into the meat processor to have the meat cut and  wrapped. They quick froze it for the long drive home and it was packed in dry ice.

I feel very fortunate that I was able to go on such a hunt. The horns hang on the wall of my living room today, and are quite the conversation piece when people come over.

3 comments:

  1. That is an AWESOME bull! Congrats! And love the fact that you have a baby with you in the picture! Great job! =)
    -Gabi

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  2. I think that's fabulous! I didn't grow up in a hunting/fishing family (no moral qualms about it, but it just wasn't a hobby my parents were into) but I sort of wish that I had been. My husband did learn to shoot and hunt as a kid, but has not been able to the last few years between college and then work duties that didn't let him get away on the weekends for hunting. Now he finally has a job where he does have weekends free and I would love it if he could get an elk sometime! And maybe take me with him and teach me how.

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  3. You're fantastic!! You really do it all :) I'm technically more of a city girl, or at least that's how I grew up and no one in my immediate family ever hunted (we lived in the suburbs of Chicago, lol) but..... on my Mom's side of the family in Southern Illinois, nearly everyone hunts. It was literally how her family survived when she was growing up and they still all hunt.
    This was interesting to read. :)

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