It's about time.....***Final update***

[JLS]

Thanks for sharing a really cool account of your hunt.  Many of my bowhunts mirror what yours was here, roller coasters that don't always have the story book ending, but provide memories forever.  I had several encounters last week turn out bad because of last minute wind shifts that only lasted for a brief moment, but long enough to be a deal breaker.

I wish you well on your move, and remember that it's not all that far from Pennsylvania to Colorado!  They have elk too....

[jackelope]

......and remember that it's not all that far from Pennsylvania to Colorado!  They have elk too....

Hah...You're about the 5th person to tell him that.

I see a CO elk hunt in our future.
 

[jackelope]

Now that the permit info has been posted I'll share part of my story and some more pics. Mainly some scenery pics.
About 2 weeks before season started I had the misfortune of having to tell Fanatic that there was a fire in the unit. For me, i felt like i was like having to tell him his dog died. We tried to stay positive but it was hard with pictures of huge smoke plumes, messages from others on here telling me about the fire growing, roads closing, etc. anyway. 2 other friends had this permit too and I could tell panic was setting in. All the work scouting, trail cams, learning roads, miles on trucks, all down the tubes. I'm writing all of this as a testament to sort of make a point. These guys all worked their butts off to get this hunt done and do the best they could to make it happen. I'm done flapping my gums.
A common theme. Headed down into the dark stuff.
 The rainstorms sent some serious gully washers down these hillsides. A lot of the fresher sign got washed away.

Sunrises and sunsets were a common theme.




Fanatic in a common pose. Staring at the GPS.

[jackelope]

More.




I called this fire in only to find out it was a controlled burn.

[JLS]

......and remember that it's not all that far from Pennsylvania to Colorado!  They have elk too....

Hah...You're about the 5th person to tell him that.

I see a CO elk hunt in our future.
 

Or Montana, or Wyoming, or Idaho....

[wlandrum]

Great stories and good memories.

[smartazz171]

Sorry it's tag soup but you hunted hard and were into bulls!  That's hunting.  My dad pulled a peaches tag last year and ate tag soup also.  Hope you still had fun.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

  Good luck on the East coast!!!!

[Elkpiss]

Good effort Fanatic, any seasoned Elk Hunter can attest,  I don't care which unit on the planet nothing is a slam dunk... The day you believe a good unit is a gimme hunting Elk, your going to get kicked in the nuts by the elk gods and get hit with humble pie.... Its about the hunt not the kill...  I am only 30 but the older i get i appreciate just being out there and at camp.. I have killed several bulls but appreciate the hunt more then the kill..  .. Again Great Effort!... 

[Elkstuffer]

Like Coach said "you left it all on the mountain" and probably really nothing else you could have done. Mother Nature dealt you a pretty low blow otherwise things may have turned out very differently. I have a feeling your next elk endeavor will be a successful one. Good luck to you in Pennsylvania.