THIS ONE'S LONG
I could shoot myself.

Right place, wrong time.
The any legal weapon, bull elk hunt is over (my permit). Hunting is a learning experience, but it's no consolation when you've already hiked x miles since the start of the hunt and no success. No less in terrain that can leave blisters on your feet and muscles aching for days. I had salivated for this hunt over the past 2 years, and fell short.
First weekend. Thought if we hung tight we'd get a few migrating up the canyon from all the pressure below (2.5 miles in and out). Saw track that had already come through. Thinking wow, this is starting early. Temp is 23F with wind chill. Wind is in our favor. Since some have already come through, let's break over the main ridge slowly down wind and track a bit then call. Found the second spot (additional 2 miles and now I am flirting with private property). Managed to call in a Bull Moose for hells sake but no elk!

Moose scared me to death, thought I had a big black bear over the lull, given the size of the track 20 yards back.
Yes, I called in a bull moose with an elk cow call.
Okay, let's circle around, got to catch something. Nope. Wind still in my favor except for the occasional shift. Knowing my luck I was 100 yards out in heavy timber and a bull smelled us when the wind shifted. Additional 2 miles.

Lunch time: start the vehicle and warm up for a bit, take a short drive to check for track across a road 3 miles away. Nothing there. Must have missed something. They zigged when I thought zag.

Back out: Now I am going deep. Drag my hunting partner 3.5 miles in with snow, wind, wet. Luckily this is semi-flat terrain. Partner asks me, "I'm curious to know what your limits are." I think about it, and realize that I have none (dumb?). Willing to sacrifice myself for the sake of getting one. I reply, "me too."

It's now 5:30PM and I am starting to think about setting up a makeshift camp but I can see that I have worn my buddy out, he's cold and tired.

Let's call it a day.
Next day I am flying solo. Couldn't say how far I trekked, but now I am sore and tired. Whatever it takes. Nothing again, but the park ranger said that if I go to a particular spot tomorrow morning, I could be in good shape.

Next day, still solo: Almost vertical climbing, lot of miles for one day. Another hunter sees me and we circle the timber 600 yards apart to see what we can flush. Nothing.

Next weekend, campout above Kamas, partner back. This is the real agony for me. Sign everywhere no more than 24 hours old. Waited, waited, waited....... They have to come back at some point, they bed and feed here. Nothing, now it's dark and can't come back out. What I realized is that there was convergence on the water source and remembered that elk might not come back for a few days, especially if they're being pressured.

NEXT YEAR, I AM GOING BACK TO THE LAST SPOT!