Ramblings of an insomniac elk hunter

[Ripper]

So here I am wide awake thinking about elk season that starts tomorrow. Been laying here for a couple hours now, drifting in and out of consciousness. Dreaming about where I want to go, what I might see. My thoughts go back to prior hunts, what went well, what I should have done.........Anyone else out there in a similar situation! I'm sure I'm not the only one.

[Ripper]

So, later on this morning when I get off work, early of course, myself and another member of the forum will be heading down to the Castle Rock area. I'm sure we'll be alone since no one else knows there are elk down that way. We'll scout out some area's we've hunted before, then look for new spot's that may be worth a shot. Going to be down that way for 3 day's, then if we end up without an animal I'll be headed back next weekend. I drive a big red Chevy truck with a matching canopy, so so if you see one with 2 bald guy's in it come on over and say hi. I'll pull out my Coleman stove and brew a pot of coffee. Of course this can only happen mid day, otherwise I'll be in the thick stuff or watching the edge of a clear cut.

[Selkirk]

I've been losing sleep lately thinking about late whitetail hunting in unit 113.  I saw a real trophy last year and he's been messing with my mind.  Good luck.

[shoot-em-dead]

UGhh I can't say that I've had insomnia- but elk fever has set in for me. Good luck

[Ripper]

These last few days before the opener are always the worst! I wish all my fellow hunters out there good luck, and a reminder to be safe. Nothing is worth risking your life or the life of others. DO NOT USE YOUR RIFLE SCOPE AS BINOCULARS!!!! I see it every year and it makes me cringe.

[jtw]

I've been waking up in the middle of the night thinking, "Did I pack my X" then remembering I did and going back to sleep.
I'm taking off after work today to meet up with my dad in the Gifford Pinchot. He's camping out there today to get us a good spot.

[billjr64]

 I`ll be in the Coweeman as well, it`s going to be a tough hunt this year as I have not been seeing many bulls like in years past. I think the 2500+ cow tags the WDFW has been giving out is finally having the effect they were looking for. Good luck out there. Bill

[jtw]

Almost forgot, good luck everyone!

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

save a few for me ripper as i still have a few days to go hunt late season archery.     Good luck!

[RifleRidge]

Almost forgot, good luck everyone!

 , Good luck to all !

[Ripper]

Maybe I'll see you out there Billjr. We usually split our time between Coweeman and Winston. Last year we saw elk everywhere but could never get a good shot. I'm sure the big boy's are around, you just have get in the thick of things and find them! I have 2 1/2 hours to go before I can leave work. Come on Come on................Oh man......I think is slow................. So let's start an unofficial pole for the people who stop by this thread. Given a choice, would you rather take a nice typical or a gnarly non typical? I know most people would say either but that's not a choice here. I like a lot of character in deer racks, but there is something very regal about a big perfectly symmetrical elk rack. So I'm going with typical.

[Elkrunner]

I can never sleep until I am sleeping in the fresh air of the mountains.  The last week prior to a hunt is horrible for my sleep patterns.

[Button Nubbs]

Oh I feel for ya ripper. 2 years in a row my elk season ended on opening day. I guess I shouldn't complain but 5.5 hours of elk hunting in 2 years just aint enough for an addict. I am already frothing at the mouth for sept to roll back around  

On the typical/non typical thing I'd have to say typical unless it a true non-typical TOAD! But to be honest "3" is fine with me!

Good luck to all you mf hunters! I hope to see some toads!

[Elkrunner]

Oh I feel for ya ripper. 2 years in a row my elk season ended on opening day. I guess I shouldn't complain but 5.5 hours of elk hunting in 2 years just aint enough for an addict. I am already frothing at the mouth for sept to roll back around  

On the typical/non typical thing I'd have to say typical unless it a true non-typical TOAD! But to be honest "3" is fine with me!

Good luck to all you mf hunters! I hope to see some toads!

I wish I had the problem..want to trade next year?

[billjr64]

 I`m a meat hunter so any legal bull for me{3 point or better}. Of coarse if I have a choice I`ll take the legal bull with the biggest body, horns just go on the pile with the rest of them, I find alot of shed horns every year, and kill my share of bucks and bulls. My pickup is easy to recognize, red 06 tacoma with a work box in back{fire extinguisher and spill kit decals}, usually you`ll only see my truck parked at an intersection somewhere near my hunt, although I have no problem shooting them from the road.