A Measure of Success

Finally! I found some elk. During my last weekend of fruitless searching, I happened to come across a few elk tracks crossing the trail I was riding on.

When I went home, I spent time looking at the surrounding areas, and I found a remote bowl that looked like it had the cover, water, and grazing. This last weekend Kenny was going to be busy until Sunday, and I was coming back on Saturday night. Since I would be solo anyway I thought I'd go spend some time hiking into some of those remote areas and pack light.

When I got to the area the best glassing point was on a south facing slope. It was dry and scrubby so I headed for the few fir trees on the face. When I finally bushwacked to the trees I found several very fresh deer beds under each tree. The ground was churned up with very fresh tracks. They were perfect places for staying shaded and viewing the area all around. Great minds thinking alike, I guess.
I packed very lightly, optics of course, a sleeping bag and pad, my survival kit, a jacket and hat, and a couple MRE entrees and trail mix, oh and a spoon. I lengthened out one of the deer beds and plopped my sleep gear down. I then found the best shaded spot to view the biggest area and set up my tripod and scope. I was set up by noon, and though I knew most animals would be bedded down, I was desperate to find an elk.

I said a prayer for my safety and that I would perform to my best, using the knowledge I have earned. I know that hunting is not vital to survival in this day and age, but it is a skill and has a level of risk. Furthermore, the taking of life is serious and I want guidance and protection as I go about it. The meat of that animal is a gift and should be held in reverence. I also don't hunt on Sunday, (shoots the heck out of a four day weekend) but consistency is important to me. I don't have a greater rate of success, but it works for me.

As I looked out over the valley I thought I heard the faintest hint of a bull squeal on the wind. Then and there I knew I wasn't going to leave that mountain side until I found every deer and elk in the area.
I studied every groove and opening, every saddle and ridge, going over the same feature time and again. By getting to know the ground, I learned all the deceptive logs, patches of grass, and very convincing shadows that fool and draw the eye. It also helps to look for the changes, or better, movement.
At five-thirty, I noticed a movement in one of the small clearings several ridges over. At first I thought it was another trick, then it moved again, then the light/dark pattern of an elk materialized. It became a cow, then a calf, and they moved down the hill on the shadowed side. Now the flies crawling on me stopped bugging as my focus became laser-like. I started making small circuits with the scope around the clearing. As time passed, more elk started appearing,
then finally, a very big bull. As always, apologies on the pics. The light spot on the left, centered
is the big bull moving. I guessed him as 360" six point. Within ten minutes he had moved through the shady patch and was hidden by a closer ridge. Soon many elk started moving out of their day beds and started grazing. There was a good 340" six point and 3 or 4 five points. Strangely not many cows. It got too dark to see, so I climbed into my deer bed bivouac and spent the night.

Early the next morning, I was awakened by the sound elk calls. They weren't full bugles, just short yelps and squeals. I got up and watched the hills, and as long as they were shaded, the elk hung around. As soon as the light hit, they all faded towards their day beds and stayed there. I stayed put for the whole day waiting watching for the smallest movement. I still heard the occasional squeal but no movement.

Again, right around 5:30 p.m., and shadows covered the my sides of the mountain, they appeared like ghosts. Again I saw the big bull briefly, and right then I knew I had a pattern. This "pattern" is the set of predictable behaviors you need to see before you can go after an animal.

After a couple of hours I packed up and headed home. Now I had a goal and a bull for Kenny.