My 2013 Hunt Planner (short version)

[Triplebhunters]

I had a daily planner all written out as to where we were going to camp, acclimate,scout,and hunt. So when my boss gave me an xtra day and half off work I was extatic. (Thanks Dan and Ralph). Picked my wife up at work, went home packed truck and off we (my wife Debbie, our dogs Dirt-bag, Delilah and myself) go. Ahead of schedule, nice. Cruising through Nebraska Friday night idiot lights flashing! Found a Chevy garage and motel, and back on the road noon Saturday. Sunday morning we pulled camper out of storage and headed up the mountain. Monday I was back to original schedule.



The days after were as planned, spent time with short hunt trips, scouting, and spending time with my wife, ( my wife doesn't hunt, but loves the atmosphere of a hunt and camping ) while building my strength. Seeing lots of elk( bulls and cows ), helped an older gentleman pack out a bull, which built confidence and excitement.
One day I was in the dark timber cold calling, move and cold calling. Then started toward a meadow that I planned to hunt till dark, walked out of the timber and heard a bugle to my left. Awesome I thought, they are loud tonight. I let one rip out of my Mini Chuckler and heard one strait up and one slightly to my right, so I ripped out another one and the one toward my right cut me off. Adrenaline started pumping. I'm looking in direction of the sound and here he comes, his antlers thrown back,out of the timber jumps a fence and through the small meadow I just walked into. Wow I remember dropping to my knees,(don't recall knocking an arrow) at full draw I'm lining up level thinking this is going to be one of those frontal shots I've read about,( hearts racing as I type this, I'm still pumped ). As he is coming to me I'm trying not to look at antlers and just focus on target, totally tuned into every step he makes its a quarter to shot, I tell myself that at his next step when he picks up that front leg release. I heard a thwack then look at his head as he turns and runs back the way he came. He try's to jump the fence as I'm cow calling and he couldn't jump it,he then follows fence another fifteen yards or so and jumps accross. Through my head was all types of emotions. The WOW. I gave thanks to The Lord. I thought about putting an arrow in the ground where I was standing. I thought now what am I going to do with him jumping the fence. So I went and looked for blood, followed that to where he jumped fence. Videod blood trail ( will post that when I figure out how to ). I stood by fence abs shaking, thinking everything Ive ever read about private property, the fines, being held up at gun point, etc. So back to camp I go, it's dark when I get there. So I use my secret password as i get there. My wife comes out while I'm gearing down, I asked her to count my broadheads and she says three so I asked how many I had when I left and she replies fourrr, as the rrs come out the smile comes accross her face, and the "did you get one". Time for hugs then the private property story. And we jump in truck to attempt to find a landowner. Use gps to find property directly accross from marked location. Gates are up, so we make plans to go to division of wildlife when they open, happy that's it's cold out at this point. Spent the night taking everything out if pack that isnt needed, resharpening sharp knives. Still couldn't sleep. Relived the events over and over till I fell asleep. Woke up and headed for division of wildlife, have to love them people. They made the nessasary calls for me and back up the mountain we go.
This is the part of the hunt Debbie loves. We craw through the fence and I start tracking, Debbie reminded me that was what she likes. So I put orange flags in branches every two steps. Looking over my shoulder and following line of orange tape and back forward and there he was lying on other side of down tree. I pointed and Debbie lifted her head and saw him, what a moment to share. One of lifes best. We snap a couple pics.



Didn't dwell on pics much, we had work to do and time was ticking by. Debbie was a lot of help (thank-you dear) , tying legs, handing me knives, moving meat as the sun moved, and dumping chilli powder. Off we go we had five big bags of meat and the head,to take back through the fence, to the trail, and to the creek where we staged the meat to pack out, the head we hid.

Dave


Debbie

Now the pack out. "Debbie's famous words we are in this together", I will come in every trip. So we strap a quarter on me, Debbie takes the packs, and away we go. We get to the trailhead about 9:30 first night, Debbie's newest phrase "I can't do this we will find horses". Up to camp,cool meat, eat, sleep, wake up and up the mountain I go. Debbie looks for horses. No success there. Third trip that second day Debbie comes in with me and packs my day camp, while I grab another load about 8:30 pm. still about two miles in but hiking out we run into a couple women and dogs coming in. I make the joke about them packing out rest of my elk for a few. The reply was they would if they didnt have an emergency. They asked if we saw the people they were looking for and away we went. Next morn back up to cashe by the creek and a quarter was gone. No bear tracks. No mess like an animal had just eaten dinner. Hmmmmm. So learned that lesson.
Thanks must be given to all that supported me in doing what I do:
Starting with The Lord above that makes beings what they we are, and the country we find them in.
My wife Debbie who does way more than I could ever mention to make my trips a success. Introduced me to archery,and camping. She's my camp cook, runs errands for supplies etc. my tracker.
My family for supporting me as well and for them enjoying the taste of my harvest.
My boss at work (whom is an up and coming elknut) who gives me xtra time off work to chase my dreams.
My friends who congradulate me
The division of wildlife that answer the phone and answer questions and stand at the roadside giving advise.
And we cannot forget the ElkNuts that give advise and design gear for our comfort and education.
Thank-you
Triplebhunters
Dave

[WapitiTalk1]

Great bull! Congratulations. Really enjoyed reading your hunt experience from beginning to end; thanks for taking the time to share your adventure.

[Swede]

Great story Dave and congratulations on a fine bull.

[Elkduds]

Congratulations on the bull, and thanks for the tutorial on tracking wounded game onto private property. Clever use of technology. Your wife is a keeper, as well. I hope whoever stole your quarter gets CWD.

[Triplebhunters]

Thanks guys. First bull,well first elk. My wife whom typically just loves to hang out asked me last night "what if we both get an elk some year". More homework for me now.

[ElkNut1]

Dave, a huge congrats bud!!! Great Story, adventure & wife! I really enjoyed your sharing it, I felt I was re-living the hunt through your eyes, very cool! Thanks.

ElkNut1