Thank you guys!!

[swmoelk]

I just have to say thanks to all the guys on this site. I did my first ever elk hunt, backpacking trip, out of state hunt,and trip into the mountains this year and it was an amazing week. I was in central Colorado the second week of this month and we had a blast. Within two hours of leaving the trailhead I had an arrow nocked ready to draw until a feeding cow magically turned into a spike at 50yards . I caught up with these two spikes later that day and watched one come straight in and bed down at 43 yards AFTER my partner dropped his trekking pole. I also got within bow range of 3 different mulies (no tag). The mountains just blew me away but that was some very fun hunting, slipping through dark timber and scrambling around granite filled creek bottoms. I am addicted without a doubt. I never made it into what I would call the real "elk" and only heard one locator bugle right at dark one night. With that said I totally underestimated the vastness of my area and what shows a mile on the topo turns into 6 miles on foot. I considered this hunt a successful trip even though I didn't get a shot opportunity . I learned so much and am already counting down until next year's hunt. There were several guys on here that helped with everything from gear choice to map reading to my actual location and I can't thank them enough. Paul set me up with the playbook and a sweet pair of vipers, Jeff outfitted me with one of those crazy slip systems and a lot of others just gave me advice. This was diy in a wilderness area and I never saw another person once I left the blacktop. Thanks again everyone!!!!

[LckyTylr]

That's awesome!

Brings back memories of my first elk hunt. I'm from the east coast. I'm sure that if I'd been less distracted by the "sight-seeing", I'd have done a better job of hunting. Elk country is a magical place to be. Next time, maybe the timing will be better and you will hear the chorus of the wapiti . . . now that's truly moving when it's at its peak.

Glad to hear you had an enjoyable experience.