The view from our "stand" in the upper aspen patch.

The "Sagehen Ridge" and the oakbrush that grows on it.

TEmbry, he is not getting it mounted. He has other mule deer mounts that are bigger, but it is a nice buck for sure.

GMMAT and fastbucknut, you guys are absolutely correct. The most important reasons for this trip were fulfilled, overfilled really. However, my father stated that this is the worst that the hunting has been there in the 30 years that he has been going there, so my frustrations with the hunting are well founded. Imagine coming in every day completely exhausted both mentally and physically from dragging your butt all over this mountain (elevation 10,135 feet) and barely laying eyes on an elk all week. Trust me, it gets old. Would I trade it? Not for the world. These memories are irreplaceable.

Now excuse me, I have to go ice the turf toe I developed in both big toes. (Unfortuantely, I am serious).

Now I just have to get ready for Montana in two weeks...

Jim,

I've been looking forward to having you return and reading up on your hunt as well as the pictures. Thank you for sharing it with us. Hunts are just that, hunts and despite of the animals or lack there of, it's what you make of them. Like GMMAT mentioned, you experienced something some of us never got to or won't. I've never had that with my father. Cherish it.

There will be other hunts, some successful, some not but be thankful we CAN experience them.


EDIT: Chris, I mean Jim, my piss poor memory and I know it's Jim, hell I don't know how I said Chris, probably all the contest forum this that and the other things. MY apologize brother.

Like Rob said cherish every second of it. Both my parents left before i was a year old. I didn't have a father that wanted to show me the ropes or to spend time with me. he even refuses to come see his first born grandchild. I did luckily have my grandfather to get me into hunting and tournament fishing. fishing was his big thing. My greatest memory is the year that i took my 120" buck. I did all the scouting and everything on my own. I had made him proud.

Trust me regardless of the lack of game you and your dad will cherish moments like the ones you had more than anything.
We should all enjoy the moments we have with our family members whether it be hunting related or not. I know from experience that you never know when it will be the last day you see them.

It's too bad that the hunting wasn't very good!!!! To mirror what GMMAt said, one day you will look back on it and the memories of hunting with your father will be all you remember (Good hunt or bad). I lost my father back in 2000 and I can remember the hunting that we did together vividly, however the hunting seems faint in my memory...Awesome story thanks for sharing!!!

"unbelievable explosion of the coyote population." = a fun week of coyote target practice!!!!
Personally, I would have a blast "re-tuning" my hunting grounds. Dont know what the limits are out there, but in my state its 30 coyotes.

I think you just answered your own question. Like Rob said, it's a hunt and it's what you make of them. Your dad got a nice buck andyou had a string of bad luck... it happens. Notevery huntcan be a trophy hunt!

P.S. That huntingground is probably more beautiful than any hunt I'll every be on, cherish what you have, and don't take it for granted. I live in PA and I won't ever see animals like that and my father doesn't hunt. Be happy for what you have in your life...

Sometimes it is best to get away from hunting a little while and relax...if your too stressed out your not enjoying the fact that your in such beautiful area of the country and still hunting with your Dad....some of us would love to go where you have been and to have their Father still with them! Not trying to lay a guilt trip on you.....just jealous that I'm not thereby that beautiful mountain hunting along side you! [&:]

Chris... Who TF is Chris???And I thought we shared a moment in PA

Anywho, I think you all are misreading what I am trying to say (or I am miswriting it). I had a great trip, a great vacation, but it was a horrible hunt. It is kind of like saying you went to a baseballl game and had a great time but your team played horrible.

Trust me, I value ever second that I spend on these hunts. However, they are hunts and the goal of any hunt is to get into and kill game. Like I said, I had a wonderful time and a fantastic vacation, but the hunting was horrendous.

My father is pretty much my best friend and he is my only hunting compadre.I don't know, I guess I just don't know how to explain it other than to say again... GREAT TRIP, TERRIBLE HUNTING.