tick tock........

[DeKuma]

I am dealing with both sides of the coin.  My dad and best friend is not the man he used to be.  It is hard knowing that it is tougher for him.  He just cannot take the hikes anymore and prefers the roads.  At least we still have time together.
My children are showing interest, which gives me hope for the future though.

[boneaddict]

I told you there were emotions involved.  We have lots of camps to come though and I build a pretty big fire to keep my "Ole huntin Partner warm".  I promise you will be honored, and very much missed on this trip, and YES there are alot of memories!

[jeff100]

I can appreciate every post written here so far.  Been there, had that happen at one time or another.

I've been at this stuff for close to 40 years now.  These days, yeah, I still get excited.  Absofreakinlutely.  But what I feel most, is gratitude. 

Having been thru so many of lifes difficulties, major injury/surgery, health problems, divorces (yeah...plural), kid problems, money problems, etc. etc. etc...I'm just grateful, that another hunting season is here again, and that I can still get out there and participate at some level.  That said, and as much as I love hunting and fishing, it's kind of bittersweet once the hunt gets here. 

While I'm preoccupied with the hunt at hand, there is also a lot of time to reflect on 'the sunny slopes of long ago', thinking of old friends/hunting partners that have come and gone.  Kids that have come and gone (grown up now).  Relatives that have come and gone (passed away).  The changing of the seasons and the cycles of life.  What a time of year....Jeff

[xxlx7]

This will be the first year for my family that it will be all of us boys and my dad on a big game hunt together. We have hunted together for the last 15 years, I started when I was ten, we didn't do big game when we were young, but waterfowl was every weekend, and usually a couple schooldays too. My oldest brother then went to college, then joined the boarder patrol, moved to Arizona, and my middle brother and I started hunting big game. I never got an oppertunity to hunt big game with Corey, until we tried for pigs this year, now he is stationed up here, and for the first time, we'll all be out there with our muzzle loaders, tryin to wack a big ol' elk. No mistakes this year, I'm not letting my bull get stolen from me, and if all else fails, the cow tag I drew will get filled. My father can't keep up with us, but whenever we get out there, I still look at him as the strongest fastest most amazing role model I will ever have. I just hope I lead by example as good as my father did with me to my kids. Good luck you all, and safe hunting..

Kyle

[buckhorn2]

I love to hunt with my boys but still remember the very last hunt with Dad. He was 84 and drew a cow elk tag and was able to shoot from a car with his disability card.We had in the back seat of the truck and were able to get close to a herd of elk. My oldest son got in the back and helped him load his gun and it seemed like someone was helping because the elk just stood still. He shot and filled his cow tag and the smile was worth more than a thousand words. We all like to hunt and help the kids and begginers but the old timers still have the hunters heart if not the legs.

[GoldTip]

I love the memories of hunting with my Father since I was at the earliest age.  Nowadays he can't quite keep up like he used to and he certainly can't drag or pack like he used to.  But you know damnit, I think my Brother and I have more fun helping them (Mom and Dad) getting their elk then we do when we get our own.  I love being able to turn it around and do for my Dad what he at one time did for myself and my brother and sister.  I wish we didn't have to and that I could go back and be 30 with my Dad when he was 30 as well, it would have been some hell on wheels huntin boy.

As far as going crazy, my archery elk season starts saturday morning in Idaho and I have rechecked my broadheads in my quiver three times now since putting the new blades in on Tuesday night.  Have packed and re-packed my hunting pack and trimmed out a few things I never use.  I have checked the weather website probably 5 times today alone.  Not sleeping well, waking up at 4am and working out cuz I can't sleep.  Wife starting to give me the stink eye every time I say I gotta check something in my pack.

[boneaddict]

Save one for me.  We'll be over there in a couple weeks.

[jackelope]

tick tock tick tock.....is right. we are gearing up for a first archery elk hunt. i just shot my broadheads and am happy with the results. i feel a lack of confidence because i don't know if i know enough, but i probably do, or do i?? i don't know.
i am looking forward to being in the mountains for a few days. my time in the woods has been limited the last 2 years with my daughter being born. she will be a year old in 2 weeks and we have been very busy with her. mother and father working to make ends meet and daughter being in day care makes it tough to get out in the woods as much as i'd like, but  i wouldn't trade this time with her for the world. hopefully some day i will be making hunting memories with her too, like you other guys are with your kids and have with your dads.

good luck to all this year....don't forget to POST STORIES AND PICS OF YOUR HUNTS.

[bankwalker]

im still not ready. its gonna be coming down to the wire this year. usually im ready by june and just counting the days. this year on the other hand im wishin the clock would stop for a few weeks...not really though 

[MuleySniper]

Good luck guys. I feel kinda lost this year for archery elk. This is the first time I haven't had a scheduled "game plan". I hope to be able to sneak away for a couple two or three days and try to stick one. I'm just so amped for Oregon this November, its all I keep thinking about. I can't wait to start seeing some picks of some antlered critters.
MS

[Crunchy]

This will be the first year that I will be able to do some serious hunting.  I have paid the dues with the wife, and kids are getting old enough 4 and 6 that I can go hunt.  I have the month of September off and head to camp on the 6th.  I will hunt till I drop something or the 17-18. Then I am off to Oregon for a week of hunting elk there as well.  I have one elk in the freezer already for a early permit hunt.  Now I hope to get a little picky, but you know how that goes.  I want to take my first bull, after having 3 cows under my belt.

[boneaddict]

Stepped out on the porch this morning and it was here.  You westside guys might not be able to relate as much but there is a time when the air changes and it is filled with that flavor that scent.  I wait for it everyfall.   There were hints of it with the rains this last week, but it was full force this morning.  The heavy dew on that dry sage.  Crisp star lit morning withthe sun starting to light the eastern sky.    GOOSEBUMPS I tell you.  I sat there and just inhaled it in.  I felt like rippin a bugle.  Hope the elk feel the same.

[Skyvalhunter]

Well with the weather man calling for snow in the mtns this weekend it may be here sooner than you think. I am thinking and early fall and good regular season like we had a few years back with the early snow.

[MuleySniper]

Stepped out on the porch this morning and it was here.  You westside guys might not be able to relate as much but there is a time when the air changes and it is filled with that flavor that scent.  I wait for it everyfall.   There were hints of it with the rains this last week, but it was full force this morning.  The heavy dew on that dry sage.  Crisp star lit morning withthe sun starting to light the eastern sky.    GOOSEBUMPS I tell you.  I sat there and just inhaled it in.  I felt like rippin a bugle.  Hope the elk feel the same.

Even being on the westside.... I know what ya mean about the weather.  Its changing. This is one of my favorite times of the year.
MS

[boneaddict]

What I liked about the westside was the smell of decaying leaves in November, and How I related it to salmon fishing.