Some know I drew Peaches Ridge early rifle tag (without ever seeing the unit, for those that it bothers
). I have been watching success numbers, odds, my age, and having been rolling the dice on long odds the last 3-4 years. My lucky year, I drew with 15 points. This was the final catalyst to make my decision to retire.
I managed 3 scouting trips to try to learn the area. Tips and suggestions were coming in from a few helpful individuals. Some choose to complain about anyone applying not knowing the area, I respect that opinion. For those, read no further if you are concerned with the outcome and any further stress
, none of us know the outcome yet. For those that have provided tips and assistance to someone you had never met I have a different level if respect for.
Normally, I would have my son, and recently son in law to hunt with. Circumstances have prevented that from happening which makes it a bit of a bitter/sweet experience.
One of the last days of scouting, I dropped by another HW member YellowDog and his brother camp, and was invited to see an area they were hunting. We spotted elk and I watches those while they pursued some that were bugling close by. The offer was extended to help me get mine.
Using my scouting info and relying on the wealth of info from HW members, I have seen a lot of country. I have passed on a couple that didn't get the blood pumping.
I confess I did tap out one afternoon. I had checked. on a lead from hunters who were leaving, regarding a good bull they had seen. It required a hike of a few hundred yards thru blowdown, and then dro]ING a 300-400 ft down a rocky ridge to overlook a clearing. I think Rtspring tried to steer me clear of this. To avoid the Sunday crowd I decided to return. The closest and best view required dropping a little further down the ridge, to a large rock outcropping with a large notch big enough to set in. When I got to it, it became evident the last 6 feet horizontal and 4 ' vertical was highly questionable. I sat and debated my options. A viewpoint 20' to the side offered a view of 1/2 the clearing below, or the rock notch. If I chose the notch, I knew the 1st step before proceeding would be to deploy my personnal locator beacon. Seeing how that would appear premeditated, I chose the lesser view. Then I had time to study the options if I actually killed an elk in that hole. Not knowing if a trail even existed (none on a map), another 400' in steep elevation drop, a mile to nearest road, dark coming, warm nights, 70 degree days. 15 minutes before the magic time, I turned and climbed out of the hole.
More to come, gotta go play.
