addicted

[haskie86]

Just got back from my first ever colorado elk hunt, I can sum the trip up in one word - addicted. Got my first elk (rifle) on my first trip and was promptly told I have been spoiled....oh well I will take it!

[redtop]

Congrats on your first. Hopefully they'll be many more for you. Nice choice of rifle. I really like how well Tikka's shoot and how light they are.

[ElkNut1]

Cole, congrats, way to go bud, looks like a good one!

ElkNut1

[bnsafe]

congrats on your first elk. well done

[WapitiTalk1]

Nicely done! Great first elk. Here's an Elknut forum link you may be interested in. "Elk, it's whats for dinner"

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3064

[>>>---WW---->]

Congratulations on your first elk. Hope you have many more in the future. And a big wELKome to the Elknut Forum.

[Swede]

Congratulations on a fine looking animal. I hope it is jut first of many.

[JohnFitzgerald]

Nice job! Congrats on your addiction. This is probably the only place that comment is socially acceptable!

[Wapiti]

Elk are the addiction that keeps on giving !!! Congrats on your elk !!

[cnelk]

Way to go!
Just so you know there is no cure for the addiction!

[elkmtngear]

Nice Work, Cole! Congrats!

[BRazz]

Congratulations Cole! Great work!!!

Care to share how it went down?

[Elkduds]

Yeah, man! That should be some fine eating. They can be hard to find in the oakbrush, guess that is why they love it in there.

[BRazz]

You definitely have some blood on your hands.

[Glacier Country]

Congrats. on your elk. Oh boy they are so addicting!

[haskie86]

Storytime:

Tuesday 10:00 am found my hunting partner his son and I leaving Maine heading for adventure, yes the same Maine that is 2,345 miles from our Colorado hunting destination. A daunting trek for sure.

Wednesday evening our first real stop, Laramie WY, one last hot shower and warm bed before elk camp.

Thursday secured the needed perishable provisions, arrived at our destination and setup our home away from home. Time to acclimate!

Friday more acclimation, my home in maine resides 50 feet above sea level at low tide....and just a stones throw from the water, how come I didn't see any posts on the forum about bringing oxygen bottles????

Saturday the big day! First elk sighting was just after dawn about 800 yards away awesome! Throughout the day it seemed like every ridge we crested we were just in time to see elk scooting from ridgetops down into the timber below, 3 here 6 there it was great. LESSON TIME: while stopping to eat lunch on an old trail I set my rifle down pulled out my sandwich and water and just relaxed and enjoyed the country for a minute. I mean it was 12:30 elk wouldn't move at 12:30..... here they come 50 yards away two nice cows the expression on their faces seemed to be what the heck are you doing in our trail! Opportunity missed. Day 1 = 12 miles and one tired body now I know what "elk shape" is!

Sunday - Elk Down! - we made our way through some heavily traveled scrub oaks and as we came into a small opening I spotted a head on the next ridge over, looking quickly through the vortex binos it was unmistakable ELK!!!! 3 cows feeding along happily the next sound ended with the first kill for my new Tikka T3 lite (don't tell my wife that I didn't REALLY need a new rifle ) When I finally got to my cow I learned, as stated throughout the forum, that its all fun and games until you squeeze the trigger!

The 39 hour drive home was spent dreaming and scheming about next year!

Thank you all for the vast knowledge that you have made available on elk hunting your experiences, suggestions, and ideas made my first elk hunt unforgettable!