That's how they roll!

[2MANY]

I recently had the pleasure of dealing with Western Life Outfitters.

Honestly it was something a little new for me.
I've been fortunate having had the opportunity to spend 3 weeks each hunting season of my life in do it yourself back country camps. Wall tents and wood stoves are nothing new. I've worn out pair after pair of Danner Bob soles in the nastiest country the Cascades and the Rockies has to offer. I like to go hard and come back to a comfortable camp.

For me............. the fun is in the chase.
Because I've been fortunate and grown up in an aggressive, pack in, back country hunting family I've managed to kill some quality animals. Over the years some of my blood thirst has waned.  I don't subscribe to the saying, "don't pass on one the first day you would shoot the last day." In my eyes shooting one ends the chase. Don't get me wrong. If I saw a bull on day one that was better than the bulls I've killed in the past.........I wouldn't hesitate to kill it. Until then it's all about the chase.

The blood, sweat, and tears involved is the measure of the hunt.
It's the numerous snap shots in time of this and that that you don't forget. The bull suddenly appearing. The flies on both your hands and face while you grip your bow. Memorizing the yardages to this stump and that log as you wonder how the bull can possibly cake that much mud on himself. The cool breeze that you feel on the back of your neck. The squirrel making a ruckus in the tree above you. The smell of rutting elk as the wind swirls. The sound of horn smacking brush as you admire just how an animal that big, with that much bone on it's head, can travel over blow downs and between pecker poles so damn fast. The looks on the faces of those who shared the experience with you. Moving on to the next one. If given the chance.....The memories will multiply.
It is what you make it.

Over the years, I've struggled to find companions who are willing to extend the chase. A hunting partner who is willing to go hard day after day is hard to find. One who is willing to pass bull after bull to experience another great day is even harder to find. I've only found two who were compatible. One is my father and the other is the woman I married.
Most people don't get it.

Because I'm a little set in my ways, I was concerned about heading into the back country with some people I really knew little about. I had talked to Scott and Dave on the phone and did my best to express the fact that I was in it for the long haul. When I met Scott at the trail head I remember saying, "I wish we were staying in here for 2-1/2 weeks". I clearly remember feeling like just another dude the Blues would wad up and spit out in a couple of days. Of course no one said that but at this point in the trip no one knew each other either. (The only reason I'm not still there is because the season ended the 19th. If I had it to do over I would spend the entire season on the inside.)

The camp and food was great.
Dave arranged Larry as our cook. Larry was a perfect compliment to our camp. So was his food. No smoked mule here folks. Nothing but the best, gourmet food to ever grace a camp. Leaving camp before daylight and arriving back after dark every night made having a great dinner ready a real treat. Without dinner being ready each night the already short nights would have been longer and our motors would have surely seized up.
Thanks Larry.

Dave and Sas run a top notch camp. They work hard at making your experience a success. Their mules are among the prettiest and best working stock I've ever been around. They operate in some of the best elk country in the state.

The hunt was epic.
Everyday our efforts were rewarded with bugling bulls and close encounters.
Scott, Tracy and I excelled as a team and we were all in great shape.
For 10 days we hunted daylight till dark and passed on some very respectable bulls.
Three bulls had our undivided attention but in the end their desire to follow their cows ultimately saved their lives.................Day after day.
I can honestly say we left it all on the mountain.

Western Life Outfitters was great and I would recommend them to anyone regardless of their expectations or experience level.

All that being said I still have yet to get to what I really want to say and that's a sincere thank you to Scott.
NWHunter is an elk's worst nightmare. He brings his "A" game everyday. He's a master caller. He can get around the hills like a sheep. His knowledge of elk is exceptional. His personality and sense of humor is enjoyable. His work ethic is unparalleled. He's in all ways prepared and striving to succeed. It was a true joy to be able to share one of the best elk rut hunts of my life with him. He exceeded every expectation for a hunting partner and saved me a huge learning curve in an area I had never set foot in.
As the saying goes.................When it comes to elk....................He's the man.
   
THANK YOU SCOTT!



 

[BigCutty3]

Enjoyed the write up Brett.  Sounds like you are fortunate to have had some incredible adventures in your hunting career.  Im jealous, never been on a backcountry elk hunt.  Sounds like a blast.  See you on the river in a few months, kid and I will be chasing local blacktail and ducks for awhile until then.  Brodie

[mtncook]

Wow,,    Thanks for the review Brett.   As real hunters know,  there is very little the Outfitter has control of, the food and camp really being the only things.  We do our best to make sure all the variables run smooth.  The guides and cooks we hire are as good as we can get.  Scott has been with us for several seasons.  Truly a pleasure to work with him.  The report he gave of you and Tracy was also as good as it gets, ready to tackle any situation at any time of the day.   The other guides had similar encounters where bulls were passed on or missed and even killed.  That is hunting and real hunters can end a season knowing they gave their all.

Thanks
Dave  mtncook

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

 

[jackelope]

Great write up, 2MANY. Glad you had a great hunt. I hope to experience one of Dave's camps one of these days myself.

[Timberstalker]

Awesome write up.

[2MANY]

NWHunter even called in this snake.

[2MANY]

Just a cool Picture.

[Timberstalker]

at least it isn't steep.

[2MANY]

Before you know it you might be cooling your feet off.
Especialy when it's 85 degrees out.

[2MANY]

You might even get a little red in the face!?

[2MANY]

Pull up a tree and chill out.

[2MANY]

Enjoy every moment you get this season.
Times like this go bye bye way too fast.
Good Luck!

[rosscrazyelk]

Very cool.  And you are right Scott knows elk.

[trophyhunt]

Someday!!!!!!! Great write up, thanks for sharing!