The last day in elk country is always the hardest. I hit the trail just after good light. I immediately find a cow and calf track. It’s not the significance of seeing the track but that I am reminded I am still walking where the elk do. I keep on the trail, calling and looking.…

This is day number 5. It rained most of yesterday evening and last night. Thankfully, no thunderstorms like the first night here. This was an easy, peaceful rain. Perfect for sleeping in a tent. It was like rain on a metal roof. I stayed in until 6:45 this morning. I needed that after yesterday. I…

Today, I hit the trail at daybreak again. I was first in and pretty certain no one else had come in later. I didn’t pass up an opportunity to call or keep my eyes open for the prey. In the first meadow that I could see above me, stood an elk. I knew before I…

I do not let the thoughts of success consume me, nor do I let failure define me. Both are very important and both inspire me.  Yesterday I scouted and hunted this big drainage. I bugled without reply. I side-hilled to find no sign. My legs ached and the bottoms of my feet burned. Very discouraged…

Did someone beat me? Am I hungover? Why am I so hot? What time is it? This was a rough morning. It was late morning, and the sun had my tent feeling like a tanning bed. I rolled out, got to moving, then started to feel much better. Except for the hunger. Nothing to eat…

The sun breaks the darkness for another morning on the mountain. I woke and knew immediately this wasn’t going to be a quick roll-out. My old climbing gear was a little stiff, but nothing a good stretch wouldn’t take care of. Unfortunately, no coffee due to the fact I was now down to about 2…

I want to back up to share a few details. Typically, I do not share details or specifics of where I hunt. However, I will on this one because if there’s anyone reading this interested enough in going, they should. One will definitely find out how tough they are. This place is as wild and…

The dark faded as the sun made way for another morning on the mountain. It was a cool, quiet morning as we crawled out of our tents. I had a good morning stretch and a cup of coffee before I stripped my pack of nonessential gear for the hike up the hillside to glass a…

For nearly a year, I planned and prepared. In mere hours, I realized it wasn’t enough for what we were about to encounter. From the last small town to the end of the forest service road was about a 3-hour drive. It was well after dark, and we could only see what the headlights illuminated.…

I find myself sitting in the truck just before break of dawn, on what will be my last day. This mornings bitter taste of defeat is strong like the smell of a rutting bull elk. Though, I smell nothing due to the fact that I blew dust all in my face while closing the back…