How does one describe the feeling of Colorado Elk Hunting? I’m not sure if I can but I’ll start out by saying I lived a Colorado Rocky Mountain High at 8346ft.Traveling there was the easy part and I enjoyed every minute of it with my friend Phil Patterson. We started out early Wednesday morning with the goal of reachingCheyenne Wyoming. This would be about 17 hours, and 1157 miles. We made good time and settled in around midnight.

We woke up the next morning to find a little bit of snow had fallen. Wedrove to local dinner and had a nice breakfast. We knew we didn’t have far to travel to Craig Colorado, only about four hours away, so we checked out the town of Cheyenne. While there we learned Cheyenne has a festival called Frontier Daysevery year. It looked like a lot of fun and I might have to go back some day.

We then headed out of town towards our final destination of Craig. The scenery from Cheyenne to Craig was absolutely breathtaking. Truly God’s creation. We saw a lot of pronghorn and mule deer too. We even saw many mule deer within the city limits of Craig. We eventually found our hotel, got checked in and decided to drive out and find where Bearcat Outfitters was located. During that time we saw some awe inspiring mountains, ravines, small rivers and discovered later as we followed the road map that we would be right in the middle of it all. What a feeling. Eventually we ventured back into town and found a nice place to relax and have dinner.

The following morning we wanted to do some shopping to see what we could find for our families. We were able to find a place called the Bargain Barnand purchased some nice things. We had a nice conversation with the ladies running the place and learned Seth and Linda Peters, owners of Bearcat Outfitters,are well known throughout their community. Every place we went people knew of them. We also found Mountain Man Processing, a recommended processor of Bearcat Outfitters. I was lucky enough to find out later these guys are really good.

Afterwards we decided to make our way out of town to our outfitter’s location. When we arrived at the gate we punched in the code given to us and thegate opened for us to make our way through. I couldn’t believe it was happening. I had to pinch myself. My elk hunting adventure was about to begin. We still had about three miles to go and the road was narrow with only enough room for one vehicle. Once we made it to the lodge the guys motioned for us to back the truck up to unload our things. We introduced ourselves and met Seth and the crew.

Once everyone arrived Seth wanted to do a draw out of a hat to figure out who was going where to hunt the following morning. Phil was going to “Mikes”and I was going to the “Condo.” With the way the draw worked out I didn’t need to be fitted for a horse, but Phil did so once everyone knew where they were going theguys who needed to be fitted for horses loaded up in the back of a pickup and off they went disappearing into the woods. I learned the “Condo” was an elevated blind and there was another called the “View” which another hunter drew.

Later that evening, after the guys returned from being fitted, we had a meeting where we met Linda, Rita, Klein, Jess, and some of the other crew. Theytalked about what a legal bull was (at least four tines one side or at least a five inch brow tine), how to ride the horses, ammo, gun safety, and then the game plan for opening day. Based on what was talked about our day would start out every morning with breakfast served at 4:45am and then everyone who needed to ride horses would need to be ready to load in the truck heading to the stable no later than 5:30am. The guys who drew the elevated ground blinds would go out a little later in the morning. After getting everything set we finished out the night with dinner, and couple of drinks to help get some sleep.

Day 1: Opening day started with breakfast with the guys. When we finished wegrabbed a sandwich, water, and snacks for our afternoon lunch. Phil and I wished each other luck as he walked out and climb into back of truck. It wasn’t long afterthis before Seth asked us to get ready. The guys heading to blinds loaded into a different truck. Our first stop would be the “Condo”. The “Condo” wasn’t far from the lodge and when we got there it wasn’t hard to find. It was still pretty dark as I walked up the steps of the blind. When I climbed in, it was pitch black. I had to wait until the sun started to come up before I could see the layout inside the blind.Most of the windows were closed so I opened a few to get a better view.

The first picture I took was of the sun rise from the front window of the blind. This was a wonderful beginning to the day. Throughout the morning and afternoon I saw six elk. Four were cows, and two were bulls. They all traveledbetween the blind and the peak of the mountain to my left. I didn’t see where the cows went but the two bulls ended up the top of a ridge around 300 yards away. One bull was a spike and I couldn’t make out the other one very well. He lookedlike he had three tines for sure on top but I couldn’t see any brow tines. So I just watch and enjoyed the view.

Looking out the right window the view from was amazing. I did not see any more elk that day. When the sun went down the truck arrived to pick me up and we drove back to the lodge. Seeing as we were closest to the lodge we were the first ones back. So we waited for the others to arrive to tell us about their days. It seemed like it took forever for my buddy Phil to show up. I found out later that“Mikes” (the place Phil was hunting) was one of furthest hunting spots from thelodge.

When Phil arrived I could tell by the look on his face that he experienced a thrill of a lifetime. He told me about his horse Scotty, and how this horse was just like a kid. He explained the guides told the riders not to let their horses stop and eat and to try to keep them moving. Phil explained he would pull up on Scotty’s reins but that didn’t stop him from pulling up grass while walking the trail every chance he got. Phil said it was like being with a kid. No matter how much he told his horsenot to, he was going to do it anyways.

Linda and Rita prepared a fabulous dinner along with desert that evening. Our day ended with great stories. Three elk were taken by others on the first day. After dinner we relaxed and had a couple of cold ones. During this down time I was informed I would be going to the stable in the morning for a horse back adventure. They told me once I made it to the stable in the morning I would be fitted for a horse. I was excited and nervous at the same time. I had never ridden a horse so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Phil told me not to worry. So we relaxed for a bit then went to bed early to be ready for the next day.

Day 2: This day started with the same routine as we ate breakfast and grabbedlunch for the day, but this morning felt different…something special. I could feel it. I put my gear on, walked out to the truck, handed my rifle up and climbed aboard.You can only imagine what it was like riding in the back of truck while in the dark. The temperature was in the teens, I had one hand holding onto the truck while going through the mountainous terrain. My other held onto my rifle. We traveledawhile before we came upon the stable.

Once the truck was parked and we were all unloaded, the first thing I noticed was how quite it was, even with all the horses being there. We were ask to wait inthe barn until called. In my case I didn’t have to wait long. As I walked out of the barn I noticed a very large horse. I couldn’t believe his size. His back was as tall as me standing. There was a stepping stool for me to get up onto the horse. So I put my left foot in the stirrup and pulled myself up but even at that it was very hard to throw my leg over to the other side. My stirrups were way to long. Once I mounted the horse all I could think about was, “How in the heck am I going to get down and up again?” Then Jess whispered not to worry about my steed, “He’s a good ole boy.” Klein adjusted my stirrups so they fit my legs. My horse’s name was Hank and before I knew it we started to move out.

Hank followed Klein’s horse and I found out very quickly that I was just a passenger. Which was fine by me. I didn’t know what I was doing. After a short period of riding I started to feel more comfortable and I was able to look up to see the beautiful stars in the moon lit morning. I could see horses and guides in front of me as we traveled the trail to our hunting areas. It seemed like we rode for an hour before coming to a stop. That’s when it dawned on me again that I was going to need to figure out how to get down. I slowly swung my right leg over and tried to find the ground. I was relieved once I did. My first horse ride ever, and I made it!

At that point Klein took my rifle out of the scabbard, tied up the horses and we made our way out into an area that was flat. Then down a small hill until we came across a set of chairs. In front of the chairs was this make shift shooting bench made out of a couple of small logs strapped together. We sat there and watched the sun come up. What a sight to see. I knew then why it this location was known as the “Scenic.”

It wasn’t long before we saw some action. Two elk took us both by surprise. Klein whispered one was a spike and the other was a shooter five point. He ranged them both at 400 yards. By the time I got a chance to see them through the scope both elk traversed across an open area, then went south and disappeared back into the forest. I sat there thinking at this range I’m going to have to put myself in a better shooting position. Things happened fast.

We didn’t see anything else after that and as the early morning slowly passedKlein decided to go and check on another hunter. He said he’d be back later in the day as he quietly stood up and walk away. Time seemed to stand still but I didn’t mind. The sun was keeping me warm, there was no wind and I had the best view a hunter could ask for. I sat there enjoying every aspect of being on a mountain in Colorado.

Around noon I decided to have some lunch and that’s when I noticed a couple guy’s quartering out an Elk down in the valley. It didn’t take them long, butlooked like a lot of work as they loaded each quarter onto mules. It wasn’t long after that Klein showed up. We sat and enjoyed each other’s company while glassing for elk. After a little time Klein decided, once again, it was time for him to head out and check on another hunter. This time he said, he wouldn’t be back until after dark. He told me to just make my way back up the hill and follow the ribbons until I got to the trail head and he’d meet up with me there. There wasn’t much I could say but, “Ok, see you later.” Once Klein left I started to really scope out the area. My farthest shot was out to 420 yards, with my closest being 265 yards. The yardage looked deceiving and I’m glad I had my range finder.

I could see an elk trail going through middle of the open area which was 350 yards. I figured my best shooting opportunity was going to be at 300 yards, which Phil and I practiced shooting prior to coming on our hunt. I felt pretty comfortable shooting out to 400 but that was a long ways away. I thought I really didn’t want to chance that. I made up my mind, any shooter 350 yards or less I was going to let the lead fly. I also looked for hypothetical follow up shot areas just in case an elk ran into any of those areas after my first shot. I did that all afternoon. When 5pm came around I knew if anything was going to happen it was going to be between now a 7pm.

I started to put myself in that frame of mind. I put my ear plugs in, and put my hunting jacket on and continued to watch over the whole area again and again. Sometime after 6 pm I saw something brown. I knew it was around 300 yards andwas standing between 2 pine trees. I knew it was an elk, but was it a cow or a bull? And if it was a bull, how many points did he have on one side? As I moved my rifle into position I looked through the scope and I could count one, two, and threewith a “y” on top, making him at least a five point and legal. I refocused on his shoulder and as he was getting ready to take another step I squeezed off a round.

I could see through the scope as the elk hunched up and picked up his right leg like I hit him in the shoulder. He then ran down and back into the woods below. I knew it was a good shot but I didn’t know how good. Elk are though. I’ve heard stories that it usually takes more than one round and I was only able to get one off. Needless to say, I was little worried. I was also experiencing a rush like no other.

Each hunter had a radio to call in case we shot an elk or if we had an emergency. I turned my radio on but couldn’t say much because of the rush I was still feeling. It took me awhile before I could relay my situation. Klein repliedback on the radio. We talk back and forth just a little bit about which way the elk went and rough location. He responded by saying, “Sounds good, sit tight, be there shortly after dark.”

After dark Klein called back on the radio asking me to climb back up the hill and to the flat area, and he would meet me there with the horses. I made my way up the hill which was much harder than I expected because it was very slippery. Once I made it to the top, Klein was waiting there with the horses. Klein had located a stump for me to get back on Hank. He moved Hank into position and then something unexpected happened. Hank lurch forward and knocked Klein right off his feet. I could instantly tell something was wrong with Klein. He was in an enormous amout of pain. Something happen to his knee and he had a hard time standing back up. I asked if there was anything I could do to help. He said to just give him a few minutes.

While he was trying to recover he began to explain we needed to go and find my elk and we couldn’t leave it overnight. I nodded and said, “Ok” as he explained. He told me we were going to have to go down a steep hill, cross a creek,and travel across a ridge into the general location. From there we would need to track him, and after recovering him we needed to come back up the same way. He looked at me and asked if I was up for it. I thought for a few seconds thinking to myself, “Man what did I get myself into?” Of course I couldn’t back out, we had to find the elk. So we moved Hank back into position and I climbed aboard.

We moved across the flat area first, stopping at the edge of the hill we needed to go down. I have to admit I wasn’t ready for that, but down we went.Hank slipped a couple of times but never fell, thank God. It seemed like forever before we made it to the bottom. Once there, we crossed the creek and stopped for a short period before going across the ridge and back over to the other side.

When we started to move again Ol’ Hank passed under a bunch of trees, and I had to dodge a few branches before we made into a clearing. Once there, I could tell we were close based on the trees. We found a spot to get off the horses and walked up the hill, and over to the two trees I marked in my mind where the bull entered the woods, but everything was so much taller than I imagined it would be. Once there, Klein looked at the area and notice fresh tracks. I looked for blood but didn’t see any, which made me worry even more about my shot. Klein continued for a short period, then stopped and turn and said, “I think we are going to have to stop tracking and come back tomorrow.” I thought to myself, “What? That was a long ass ride down, and I’m not sure I want to do that again.” Then he turn andlooked at me with a big grin as he shined his light on my elk. Needless to say I was in a little shock. The elk was a magnificent old bull. I had no Idea how big he was. I felt at that point I had just won the lottery!