So I had a different muzzle elk season this year. I have been solo in camp for several years but this year I brought up three guys I know through work. Two of them experienced hunters but first time elk hunting and the other this was only his third time hunting and first elk hunt. He was to stay right with me on my stand. Opening morning we had a bull bugling just above us and he finally came in – a nice 6 point. Later another bull came in that I could not be sure he was a spike and just after that a spike came in but no shot. Then at about 3 I blew a shot at a spike that had come in from behind and was about 20 feet away. Sunday a bull came in first thing and my new hunter did not shoot, but when I saw it as it left it was a clear spike – opportunity lost. Later in the morning I heard an elk above our stand. Finally 30 minutes later I saw brown and then it stepped into sight. I could not see its head and had to take a couple of steps to the left and it was cow – cow tag about to be filled. I had to step back to the right to see the body. Now while I aimed carefully I did not hit where I planned, but it piled her up where she stood. I got her quartered and headed out for packboards and game bags and told Kelly to stay on stand till I got back. At about 4:30 I had just got to the end of the skid road with the game cart when I heard a shot. When I got to the stand, he had a spike down. Not bad for a first elk hunt and a new hunter. Then the work began two elk to get out. Mine was on the game pole by dark, and the spike was out by 11 on Monday. The other two guys with were still hunting hard, and since I was done I cleaned up and parked the truck in the shade, put the seat back and tried catch a nap. Then I had something profound happen. After awhile I heard a noise and sat up. A gal was walking down the road past camp and she came over to the truck and said she was turned around and was not sure where her camp was at. I told her to hop in and I would give her a ride. She introduced herself; her name is Becky. From her description I headed out the wrong way from my camp and finally she said she came across a cattle guard and under a leaning tree over the road so I turned around and had an idea of where her truck was – she had come a long long ways. On the way we were talking and she told me a little about herself, had two kids to get home to pick up, had lost her husband a year and half ago who flew helicopters and just general conversation about her kids and some of the things she had done and of course some hunting stories. I was so taken by her character and strength. She is a truly dynamic and inspiring person. We finally found her camp and she thanked me for like the tenth time and I dropped her off and headed back to my camp. I was about half way back when it dawned on me that she had to be Colokumelk’s wife. A quick search after I got home and that is the case. Their camp is just two camps above mine. It was an honor to have met her. So if anyone that reads this knows her personally, please pass on my regards and tell her that I wish her well. If i would have realized who she was at the time I would have done that in person when I had the chance.
