Salt of the Earth...... Seasoned Elk Hunters

[WapitiTalk1]

Although there is some seriously good stuff out there in this modern day that will help the younger, or those just starting their elk hunting career a bit late in life, to shorten their learning curve in their elk hunting endeavors.....I always pause to give the "old salts" a bit of gratitude when I think about it and remember where a ton of elk hunting information comes from. You've been through all the changes in this thing called elk hunting we love so much. Season setting changes (yikes), bag limit changes (whoa), in the elk states; how to deal with the "anti's" as they slithered out of their apartments and into our hunting areas; the introduction of a non-native wolf species into our beloved elk woods; crazy diseases becoming prominent (CWD, Hoof Disease); the rise of the media forms (not all bad obviously) touting "how to hunt elk" scripts and videos (watch this Pr...s video and you'll be golden  ); yet you still continue to evolve, persevere, kill elk and very important in my mind, pass on what you have learned through many, many years of experience when asked. I just want to pause a second and thank you seasoned cats for where you've traveled, what you've experienced, what you've seen, what you've persevered, and the fact that you continue your annual quest to match wits with the greatest of the North American big game animals, the Wapiti. Gentlemen, I salute and thank you! RJ

If you have a story (or stories) of how one of these old salts I mentioned have helped you along the way, please share it.... The old guys seldom ask for anything in return for their assistance, but its always nice to give them a prop on occasion. 

[Watimberghost]

Very well said

[lamrith]

Although there is some seriously good stuff out there in this modern day that will help the younger, or those just starting their elk hunting career a bit late in life, to shorten their learning curve in their elk hunting endeavors.....I always pause to give the "old salts" a bit of gratitude when I think about it and remember where a ton of elk hunting information comes from. You've been through all the changes in this thing called elk hunting we love so much. Season setting changes (yikes), bag limit changes (whoa), in the elk states; how to deal with the "anti's" as they slithered out of their apartments and into our hunting areas; the introduction of a non-native wolf species into our beloved elk woods; crazy diseases becoming prominent (CWD, Hoof Disease); the rise of the media forms (not all bad obviously) touting "how to hunt elk" scripts and videos (watch this Pr...s video and you'll be golden  ); yet you still continue to evolve, persevere, kill elk and very important in my mind, pass on what you have learned through many, many years of experience when asked. I just want to pause a second and thank you seasoned cats for where you've traveled, what you've experienced, what you've seen, what you've persevered, and the fact that you continue your annual quest to match wits with the greatest of the North American big game animals, the Wapiti. Gentlemen, I salute and thank you! RJ

If you have a story (or stories) of how one of these old salts I mentioned have helped you along the way, please share it.... The old guys seldom ask for anything in return for their assistance, but its always nice to give them a prop on occasion.

Well said RJ! 
I personally want to thank you specifically for taking this clueless flatfoot under your wing to learn me a thing or two about hunting.  It has been an honor sharing elk camp with you.  I had never seen an elk or fresh elk sign before you started helping me 2yrs ago.  Now I have called them, heard them respond, seen them, smelled them and even had elk turds bounce off my head while walking the trail.

None of that would have been possible without your help. 

[7mmfan]

RJ also helped me this year with a half hour long phone call coaching me on calling techniques for my quality elk hunt. He also went into the theory behind them, and how to figure out what the bull was saying and how to properly respond. I was able to implement his wisdom and call a bull right into my lap the first day of my hunt. Thank you so much for the guidance!