New member intro from the west of the west

[Norcal-Noodler]

Well I guess I could be in Hawaii but I'm hailing out of about as far west as you can go without swimming - Santa Cruz, California
Anyone else from out this way ?

Total noob who has killed a bull and a cow over the last couple years but off a lease in Colorado with a bunch of guys. We did a lot of sitting in ground blinds and some pushes over the property. This was a great way to catch the bug but not my cup of tea. Although it was very productive ( 9 and 10 elk down per year plus deer) I'm not going back.

I live with my lovely girlfriend and her daughter along with my trusty shorthair Milo and we all love to go out hunting and camping often - everyone has a bow and Jade even just got her first micro bb gun for christmas. I also free dive and neighbors often see us loading up guns and coolers or cleaning abalone or fish in the driveway ----- We are the bane of this conservative hippy community

Last year we all headed out for 5 weeks of messing around including opening week of pheasant in South Dakota, Jordens first doe deer in Wyoming, and a bit of elk hunting for me in Colorado PLUS we both got the worse fevers ever which we spent in the confines of our little trailers shaking and sweating for days. Glad it wasn't a tent !

The family is planning on a similar trip this year but much shorter - Leaning towards 2-3 weeks in Wyoming since we both started accruing points last year. I just put in for the General Elk Tag for Wyoming and Jorden is looking for a nice buck antelope this year as well. We have a big truck and a tiny little trailer (which has some good ground clearance) I figure that will put us in some gorgeous country and some great experiences -

I'm interested in both archery and rifle season and plan on backpacking this year even if solo, I am trimming so much fat from my pack over the last few years including a new Exo pack which needs some blood on it. Interested in hunting partners and any and all helpful information. Expect a post in the Elk Hunting Partner wanted ads and lots of questions.

Here is the crew

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[Norcal-Noodler]

Also I'm just over the hill at age 40 - kinda robbed the cradle with the girlfriend (good catch though)

We are avid mountain bikers and Jorden was a chef at Pebble Beach (now owns her own catering/private event business)
We eat very well !!!

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[WapitiTalk1]

Great intro Noodler; that's a fine looking team you've assembled there. The top pic with your glassing partner is priceless. A big welcome to the WT forum mister! Please pull up a log by our campfire, a beverage of choice, and chime in whenever you wish. Keep an eye on Swede and Indian Summer, they're prone to shenanigans. Swede likes to throw things down from high up in trees and IS has been known to mess with the stability (likes to saw legs part way through) of the campfire stools... not sure what to do with those two . Again, welcome to the forum! RJ

[Indian Summer]

You have been accepted by 2 girls and a dog so you must be an ok guy. I love your enthusiastic attitude. It's good that you have a couple elk hunts under your belt. I'd say you're right on track and ready to go DIY in some real mountains.

Welcome aboard.

[Swede]

Welcome to the forum Norcal. It is good to see you here in camp. I like your idea of leaving the ranch hunts behind and doing it yourself. The folks here are helpful and will share a wealth of knowledge. We learn a lot from each other. We like hunting where we are free to do what we feel like. Good luck on finding a partner.

[pd]

Very nice looking dog. It is not my place to comment about the girl, but she sports a great gun, so she must be a fine lady. Welcome to you all.

The only problem with where you live is the drive to wherever you hunt. And what exactly are "conservative hippies?"

[Norcal-Noodler]

Thanks for all the response -it's great to be here

As for the lady she makes some good grub - hopefully some of you can enjoy around the campfire one day.
(The food that is !!!)

The drive is long but isn't it for everyone out of state ? I have 13 pts in California for an Antelope,
I think the drive is well wirth it for the lady to bring home some horns. I'm going to Alaska next year -
is that closer ????

Come out to California - I'll introduce you to as many conservative hippies as you would like.
I've studied permaculture and worked on a few farms - picked tons of veggies, eggs, and slaughtered a
lot of animals. I think I have this farm/hunt to table thing figured out but others seem to find it barbaric.
More elk for me and more money for the Safewsy butchers from the dang hippies.

[elkstalker]

Welcome to the forum! It's a great place to share the elk hunting bug, looks like you've been bitten!

[Trophyhill]

Welcome aboard!

[GobbleFarmer]

Welcome to the forum!