The Hike Continues Part 3

As we awoke with high hopes for the day, we wanted to get out and find elk.  We loaded up our packs for the morning, a Pro Bar for breakfast and we started heading out behind camp. We hiked up to a great looking meadow and set up in a tree line. Al was about 75 yards behind me calling. We sat for over 2 hours with no bugles or any sight of elk. With the temperatures rising we decided to head deep into the woods to hopefully find an elk bedded down or at least moving through the cool trees. We hiked over another mile behind one of the mountains behind camp.  If you would have told me on day one we would be hiking around this peak I would of thought there is no way I would even think about it. Little did I know we hike way past this peak and climb up even high the next morning. As we hiked we would let out a cow call here and there to see if we could get some sort of response. Through the trees we could see a huge meadow lined with pine trees and aspens. The aspens were still very green and not started to change to the fall colors. As we came into the clearing I spotted a meat pole, fire ring and a few other signs of a old outfitters camp.

We pulled out the map and found a stream to be on the other side of the meadow.  We explored the area and found a very recent outfitters camp. This had to be where the pack horses where coming from. At this point things started looking better. We saw they had elk and this might be the right area. We set up in some trees that gave us a 360 degree view of the meadow. We called and called and called hoping either to get an answer or at least catch something moving to bed. It was approaching 11am and getting extremely hot. We decided to head back to camp  to refresh and reload on water for the afternoon. At camp we enjoyed lunch and relaxed in the shade.  we talked about the evening hunt and what our plan should be.

We decided to sit the waterhole above camp, Al would go farther to one side and I would cover the other side over looking the pond and a few open meadows in the valley. We called almost till dark for  nothing. At this point, I am more of a glass half empty guy and Al is the glass is half full guy. I was a bit frustrated to say the least. Although with Al's positive thinking it helped me to keep pushing on. I knew things could change in a matter of seconds. It was between 5-6pm and still it was very warm.  We sat the high ridge above camp and glassed till dark. The only time I put on my jacket was back at camp once the sun went down. It would get chilly but it was still not what I was expecting. I was worried about being to cold before the trip now I wish I would of had my Southern California gear.

Colorado 2014 Let The Pack-in Begin part 2

As we rolled out of bed Monday morning feeling well rested and ready for the hike we had in front of us. Once again we hit up the free breakfast at hotel to fuel up and we hit the road for the trail head. After the hour or so drive we were at the trail head loading our packs with the last minute items and strapping on the bows. "The Bama Boys" pulled in shortly after us. They had hike in the day before to set up camp and get situated. The told us they made it back to the car just as it started to rain last night. These guys drove 24 hours straight then hiked over 6 miles that day. These guys were not messing around.

"The Bama Boys" geared up quickly and hit the trail ahead of us. We put on our 85 pound packs and started the hike in. The trail was covered in mud which made foot placement very important. We hiked past the spot we stopped at yesterday and headed up steep muddy switch backs. The mud caked up on our boots, with the mud, the weight of my pack and the altitude I had to give it all I had. We found the cut off trail that lead up to the area we wanted to camp. We hiked 50-100 yards at a time and would stop for a breather. With temps only in the mid 50's I was still sweating my butt off.

As we started up the cut off trail we were passed by an outfitter with pack mules packing down a 4 x 5 rag horn and possibly a cow from the looks of the load on the mules. Hopes were high as we must be in elk country. As we hiked on we passed "The Bama Boys" camp and kept on going.  There was little streams and weeps of water every were. We climbed up another hill and I needed a break as Al pressed on another 100 yards or so. He returned rather quickly as he spotted a camp and a decoy about 300 yards away. We had competition in the area. This could have been good or bad as they might push something our way or we could spook something to them.

We hiked up to a small flat spot in the trees and decided this was going to be home for the next 4-5 days. We quickly set up camp, hung our food and then set off to find water. We knew of the stream down hill from us but did not want to carry almost 4 gallons of water up hill. We set off behind camp, a few minutes later we found a nice little stream that was flowing pretty good. We pumped our bladders and filled our spare containers and set back off to camp. The whole time at camp we never heard a bugle or saw movement in the valleys but it was hot. So I did not expect to see much in the middle of the day.

We made the call to not get to far from camp as we were a little tired from the hike in. We found a small pond surrounded by aspens and pines. I set up just inside the tree line and Al took off 50-75 yards behind me to to call. We sat for close to 2 hours. We did not see or hear anything in the 2 hours. I heard Al coming up behind me so I packed my gear and we headed to a high spot to glass. We glassed till almost dark. Then down the hill back to camp. We had dinner, I had beef stroganoff mountain house. It was pretty good. I just should have grabbed some pepper from my food bag. It was off to sleep in hopes of elk in the morning.

Colorado 2014 We Came, We Hiked, Then We Hiked Some More. Part 1

We loaded up the truck Friday September 19 2014, with alarms set and all the gear loaded it was time for my last man soda and off to bed. 5:00am came quick. I showered and said my goodby's to my family, I left my house at 5:38. I told Al I would be over around 5:45am I was right on time. We hit the road, with 2 stops for gas and 10.5 hours later we pulled into Cortez. We got our room at Super 8 and headed to Walmart. We picked up our over the counter tags along with a few other items for the trip. We had a good dinner at Jimmer's BBQ and headed back to the room to get a good nights rest for the hike in in the morning. About 12:30 am I caught a flash out of my eye and then heard some of the loudest thunder I have ever heard. It proceeded to rain the rest of the night and into the morning. At that point we decided to to sleep in and get a bankers start.

Once we rolled out of bed we hit up the free breakfast downstairs. As we ate, the Weather Channel was on and calling for a massive thunder storm to come through Sunday afternoon till mid Monday Morning. We left for the trail head around 8 am. We were trying to find a few spots we had previously located on Google Earth to set our camp and just get used to the area we will be hunting in. Once we got to the trail head the Rinehart came out and we both shot a few arrows. We were slapping arrows at 20 yards. Time to beat feet.

 We headed in to the high country, crossed a river and started climbing a trail out of the valley. We found fresh elk tracks in the mud covered trail. At that point things were starting to look up. We climbed the trail for 40-45 minutes or so, the trail just kept switch backing away from the areas we were wanted to hunt. We headed back down the trail to a few ponds we saw on the way in. There was recent sign of elk and beaver all around the ponds, even a huge beaver dam. As the clouds started to billow up from the other side of the mountain. We hiked back down to check one last spot past the first trail we took. The surroundings where beautiful. There were small streams everywhere and one raging river. This is high country elk hunting, I was hooked. We called it a day and headed back to the truck.

At the truck we took our packs off, as we were getting ready to leave as two guys from Alabama pulled in to the trail head. Now known as "The Bama Boys". We all introduced ourselves and explained both our plans as to were we would be hunting. None of us wanted to impede on each others hunting grounds. "The Bama Boys" were going to the right and we were going left, perfect. "The Bama Boys" were great guys and very helpful. They filled us in on a cut off trail that lead deeper into the mountains and that there were a few good water sources higher up. The trail turned out to be the one we were looking for all along. Hunters helping hunters out is not something I am used to being from California. Now that I think of it everyone we met was very nice and helpful. We hit Main St Brewery in Cortez for dinner, I had a great burger and a few man sodas. At dinner time flew by as we set a game plan for the morning. When we got back to the room the sky broke loose and for the rest of the night we had thunder, lightening and rain.I know one of us was up every hour looking out the window hoping the storm would blow through quicker than predicted. It did not.

Burning Boot Rubber On The Holiday Weekend

With Colorado being just around the corner for my hunting partner and I and all the packing and planning to be done, this is the only weekend we could make it out to check our cams. So we set the plan to hit it early and beat the holiday traffic and the Southern California heat. We have had them set in this new location for a little over month. We found some good sign and decided to give it  shot. It could be a bust or we could find exactly what we are looking for, Big Bucks.

The game cams have helped us huge this year. With a 1 year old, work, house work and planning for Colorado, I have been very busy to say the least. I know Al has been in the same position with the family, work and planning for Colorado. It has been tough for us to get out and glass the hills as much as we want. With the use of game cams we have been able to look at new areas this year that last year would of taken lots of time to glass. We have had a few spots that were a bust and a few that have deer just not exactly what we are looking for. So we moved the cams and let them do most of the work. I know this is not a new practice but for us it has helped out more than I could have thought. Instead of spending 12-14 hours in the field we are able to get in and out rather quickly. It helps out with being able to get home and not use a whole day in the field. That time can be saved for hunting.

So who else is going to make it out in the field this weekend? Are you going hunting, fishing, camping or just a day hike with the family. I will also be hitting Gum Grove Park Monday morning if anyone want to get 2.5-4 miles. For most people Labor Day is the end of summer. For us in California it always seems to be summer. If you do make it out this weekend post a comment on what you did. Even if you just stayed at the house and had BBQ.

I know I will be hiking at least 2 days, getting all my gear ready for Colorado and fletching up some new Deer Crossing Archery Hunter arrows for the trip. I bet I will also have some house work to toss in the mix as the 3 day weekend plays out. It seems to never end. In a few days it will be off to Colorado to relax and chase elk. I know those two don't come hand in hand, to me it's a vacation. That will hopefully be filled with bugles and bulls to chase all over the high country.

The Final Countdown Has Began.

Today marks the final count down till Al and I leave to Colorado. To say I'm not excited would be a lie. The front room has turned from my son's play area to Elk Head Quarters. I have began laying out my gear, checking my lists, and making sure my bow is 100%. I will be shooting as much as I can in the upcoming weeks and pushing myself just a little harder.

When Al and I planned this trip it was almost 2 years ago, it seem so far away. Now with limited days left I feel like time is running out and I must recheck everything once or twice more. With the mix of emotions from excited, to knowing I am going to miss being home, to a little scared. I have never been backpacking this long.  I still cant wait. The texts and emails fly back and forth between Al and I, and it never seems to end.

My gear has been slowly coming together. I have my menu laid out which Mainly consists of Probar for Breakfast, Trail mix, Jerky, and summer sausage for lunch, Mountain House for dinner and Snickers or a Pats Back Country Brew. My pack will be between 40-50 pounds plus my bow. I can not wait to get camp set, and have the first afternoon and evening to familiarize ourselves with the area. Plus who know we might just get lucky and be on the Elk that afternoon. This will be a trip of a life time that I will never forget. I have one more trip to Bass Pro to get the remaining pieces and just to walk and site see with the family. As the time ticks down to D-Day I will keep you posted.

My 2014 hunting bow is.....

Hunting season 2014 just got a little better for myself. I will be shooting the 2014 Prime Defy at 70 pounds of pure knock down power. I shot a variety of bows at the beginning of the season and I finally decided on the Defy. After shooting my Centroid for 3 years I was happy with how the Prime shot and felt in my grubby little paws. Since I loved shooting my Centriod, I decided to stick with Prime. Prime makes a great bow and I am a strong believer that you get what you pay for. That being said, I shot a few Strothers this year, My hunting partner has 2 and they were great bows at a great price. If you have not shot a Strother check them out. The Prime just felt right. If you are in the market for a new bow, shoot every bow, from as many manufactures as you can.

I was finally able to pick up my bow last Wednesday from Archery Outpost. I had Conner install my Peep, D-loop, rest, and sight. Once he got everything dialed in I was ready to take my bow home.

2014 Bow Setup.
Bow: 2014 Prime Defy 70# in Real Tree
Rest: AAE DOA Full Capture Fall Away Real Tree
Sight: Montana Black Gold Custom Vengeance or Ambush Single Pin
Stabilizer: B Stinger Pro Hunter Maxx 8"
Arrows: Deer Crossing Archery, Hunters and SD Hunters 300 spine
Fletchings: Blazer Vanes
Broadheads: G5 Montec 100 grain
Release: Scott Little Bitty Goose
Quiver: Tight Spot 

2014 Prime Defy

2014 Prime defy

The first day at the range with my new bow was a success. I was shooting really close to where my old sight was sighted in. I was off by about 6-9 yards. I will be changing out my Vengeance to my Ambush sight. I have grow more accustomed to the single pin Since I have shot one for 2 seasons. My first end at 40 yards was a little low but the grouping was not bad. This bow shoots extremely flat and fast. I am always impressed with the products from Prime.

First End at 40 yards off by a few yards

At the end of the night I was very pleased with my new bow. I will swapping sights today and getting my quiver mounted. After that 3-5 days will be spent at the range or behind my office shooting. I want to be dialed in for Colorado. With only 58 days left till we leave, I have my work cut out for me. I am confident I will be able to get everything tuned perfectly on my new bow. I have been shooting a good amount this year so I am confident in my form. I just need to get the new bow sighted in. I just have to get over to Archery Outpost, chronograph my bow to get my feet per second, then slap on the right sight tape and I am dialed in to 100 yards. I should have all that done by the end of this week. I have a great feeling for this upcoming season.

Hiking and Checking Game Cams.

It's been a little over a month since Al and I set our trail cams in a spot we wanted to scout, we finally have a weekend that we can check the cams. Al will be at my house at 4am tomorrow so we can make the drive to the trail head (about 45 minutes). Then we will hike the 4 miles to our cam location. The area we set them looked promising and we a hoping to find some big deer. Depending what is on the cams, they will either stay up or we will pull them and get to a new spot. Once that decision has been made it's a 5 mile hike back to where we had our cams set last year. We are going to hang a new one up in this spot to see if anything is left over from last season. We saw 3-4 sets of fawns during hunting season, hopefully they have grown into a few nice bucks. After that, it's back out the last 3-4 miles to the truck where cold water, a protein shake, Pat's Back country and my bow will be waiting. We should have a little time to shoot so we will set up a few targets and let some carbon fly. Then it is back to the house to enjoy the rest of my Saturday. If all goes to plan we should be home by 1 or 1:30pm. It is going to be in the low 90s by mid morning so we want to get in an out. All in all we will hike about 12 miles for the day while most of my buddies are recovering from the night before.