Okay Fellas! Here's my elk 2009 story (long)

What a great read! I loved every minute of it.

That right there is what its all about. What a moment for you two.

Congrats on the great hunt and wonderful elk.

 

Helluva grat story and congrats on the bull!

 

I've got to tell you, that is one of the best hunts I have ever read anywhere. I'm glad you included the packing in and out of your elk because thats missing in most videos and stories. Great pictures also! I am amazed at how your elk was so dark because of the wallow. Congratulations on a very successful elk hunt, nice bull!!!!

 

One thing I would like to point out is Waid and Steve maintained the "hope" and stayed positive throughout their entire hunt. Attitude is everything when hunting these elusive monsters. Go negitive and you might as well pack your bags and head home! There are no water holes to hunt-elk simply bend their neck to drink-anytime. Hunting is a matter of laying down boot leather (day one thru hunt's end) and when you get the opportunity it's a brief 50 second window. You had better be ready! Waid was-he's a quick learner! Congrats buddy!

 

Waid and Steve: Thanks for sharing your hunt story and Congratulations on your nice bull, and I believe your first bull. Your photos and writing allowed me to feel the excitement of your hunt, and the difficulty of the pack out. Great read ! Elk hunting in Colo, does it get any better ! You are a great mentor Huck ! HH in Pa

 

Awesome, awesome story buddy! Very well-written and great photos to go with it. I was hanging on every word and I already knew the outcome!

Well done, and I'm glad you included the part about evenly dividing the meat; sounds like a GREAT friendship you guys have!

 

Congrats on a fine looking Bull , What a fantastic story and hunt . I'm sure i hunted the same area last year , man i cannot wait to get back their .

 

Grilled some up this evening with my secret seasoning, they were GREAT!!

 

You're right! That whole day was just awesome!

 

Jeff, I'm hoping to make the trip next year. I'm already looking forward to it!

The only wool I was wearing was my socks and they were a wool/blend.

I'd like to have some GWW but...
Our outer layer was fleece from BPS. It actually worked perfectly and was very comfortable, also it was not very expensive. That camo pattern is the only one they offer in that fleece. It actually blended very well in the woods up there, even in the snow. Steve and I both commented that we couldn't see each other unless we were moving.
For our base layers we wore Enduraskin. One of the days (3rd, I think) I wore a mid layer. I got hot when I was on the move. It stayed between 25 and 30 most of the time. The Endura/Fleece combo worked perfect for me in that temp range. I'd add a mid layer again if it was very windy or the temp dropped to the teens.

Hope to see you in elk camp next year!

Waid

 

Thanks again Will!
I don't know how ready I was. I wasn't expecting the trees to come alive like that! :D
I did learn though....."try" to be ready for anything.

 

Thanks Greg! That means a lot to me for you to say that.

As for dividing the meat evenly..., Steve is like my brother and he earned every ounce of that meat he took home. He nearly shot it himself and he made an extra trip up and down that mountain. I wouldn't have had it any differently.

 

Awesome story Waid, I'm still kicking myself over my choice not to head to that area!!!! Sounds like a GREAT HUNT, and an AWESOME BULL!!!

 

Thats what I'm talking about, Awesome story and a great bull, Congrats.

 

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

I cannot wait to experience those thrills...and hopefully the pains of success...just a great story...

 

Congrats, i can't wait till i can do that some day.

 

For those of you that "want" to go but haven't yet decided to go, plan it now! Stop talking about it, and go. Set a date, save your money, and go!

We drove 20 hours to get there. We slept in an old tent I bought from wallyworld. We ate cheap. We had a blast and each day was great even though we didn't see many elk, and even when we were cold & wet.
The biggest expense was the tag and fuel.

Oh and now the taxidermy bill. :D

Just being there was worth every penny.

Waid

 

Great elk txmm. Are they not an amazing animal. I'll never forget taking my bull elk with a bow. He was the first one we heard scream, came in and screamed down my neck. What an awesome animal. I wish I could hunt them every year. Congratulations.

 

Thanks Rob!
Yes, they are truly amazing. If he would've screamed while we were that close to him, I think we would've passed out! Steve told me he had a bit of tunnel vision during their stare-off.

 

Great story Waid! I was at the lease all weekend and missed it earlier. I'll be making the trip next year. I got "permission" from Carie. Russ,(Kanga), and I will be riding out together. It sounds like a great time. BTW, are you on a Tx lease this year?