Good Luck Big Duane

Champlain Islander · 09-09-2008, 02:42 PM

Just wanted to say good luck and be safe on your wilderness hunt for elk. I hope you get a big one. Are you camping?

Big Duane · 09-09-2008, 03:48 PM

thanks !

4-5 miles backpacking into 8500' steep, toughwilderness area. Myself and an out of shape Texan - gads I don't know how this is going to go but should be a heck of a good time.

Anytime you're backpacked in, there is an element of uncertainty, and challenge, and adventure that can be had no other way.

watching the unbelievable star-sky at night, waking to clean fresh mtn air, hearing a bugle, seeing mule deer, grouse, pine martens and quaking aspens ....experiencing theRockiesis unlike anything else I've ever done

Big Duane · 09-09-2008, 03:49 PM

looking for another one like this

Champlain Islander · 09-09-2008, 04:00 PM

Slammer Duane. I saw that one a few years ago when you loaned it out to another poster.

Good luck on the back pack in. I know you are in shape so that won't be a problem. I hope your buddy does OK. Nothing wrong with carrying a 100 pound quarter for 5 miles but a 200 pound hunting partner is another story. My buddy bought a place near Fort Garland which is the town were we usually stay at a motel then commute up to the mountains on the private ranch we have access to. We will have a wall tent set up on the edge of a wilderness area about an hour away in case we need to hunt some pub lands. A pack in hunt would be the way I would do a bow hunt. Perhaps one of these years before I get too old I'll try that.Are you goingtrad or taking the compound?

bergall · 09-09-2008, 04:23 PM

I'm jealous..... Good Luck !

Big Duane · 09-09-2008, 08:04 PM

I drew a Muzzle loader tag. I've drawn 3 before, killed a 5x4 and a 5x6 and chose not to shoot on the third hunt (passed 3-4 bulls)

So I'm pretty confident, but its driving 1,000 miles into a place I've not been in a year, backpacking in on our back, spending 5-6 days in the elements, hunting places I've never been and don't know if the elk are even there, on their terms, with who knows how many other hunters (outfitters, DIY'ers or nobody ... who knwos ?) ....... in a 4x4 or better unit ..... to even FIND elk much less kill one is a very hard thing to do

just the hunting experience is worth it all - I've killed enough elk, don't have to kill any more to be honest

vc1111 · 09-09-2008, 10:01 PM

Good luck old friend.

CalHunter · 09-10-2008, 01:59 AM

Good luck Brad and be safe.