It was amazing. The place looked like a feed lot--tracks and turds everywhere. The land owner had pics of her yard full of elk, even drinking from the bird bath. Small trees in the yard had been destroyed by a bull or two with over-active hormones. We scouted, and it looked the same dang near everywhere, especially at the water tank. It looked like it would be way too easy, and over way too quick. There were some clouds, but the lady said "it thunders and lightenings, but we get about 6 drops of rain and it quits.".

The high desert was in a drought, and elk were herding together at her alfalfa fields and water tank, in spite of the rut being way behind schedule. Then, before we really finished setting up camp, it started raining sideways. It rained every stinking day, and sometimes at night. The dead, dry grass greened up immediately, and crap started popping out of the ground. Everything bloomed. You could almost watch stuff growing.

With the newfound water supply and browse, the elk totally changed their habits, or rather went back to what they would normally have been doing before the drought--except going into rut on time. The other guy stayed, hopefully he'll score. I came home because my mom's birthday is tomorrow, and her health is poor--we act like every birthday, holiday, etc. could be the last we have with her, and it well could be. She was sent home to die 14 years ago, but has managed to hang on.


A couple of tips. This was my third big hunting trip (two for elk, one for moose) that cost a lot of time and money and were screwed up by the weather. If I get to go again, I'm going to try to have at least 8-10 days I can dedicate to hunting--not including travel, taking care of meat, etc. When you only have a few days, a little bit of screwed up weather can ruin your chances.

Also, if I travel again, I will rent another mini-van. I had gobs of room (stow-and-go middle seats), even for 3 huge coolers, all sorts of clothes, extra crap, etc. The Grand Caravan rode great and got excellent gas mileage. Unlimited mileage was nice too--put the wear and tear on their tires and motor instead of mine. I oringinally rented a car, then was able to upgrade when I picked it up for much less than the listed price. Around $560 through Alamo, but I had to pick it up at the Memphis, TN airport. About 2 hours from me, and on the way anyhow.

That's the long and short of it. If I could have gone a couple of days sooner, or maybe if I had been able to stay a few days longer I'd have a freezer full of elk--no doubt. Had a good time anyway--hunted my butt off, and learned a lot.

Chad