My very first dream hunt for elk!!!

[stickbuck]

Hey guys and gals. I posted this a few days ago on Rokslide and also wanted to post it here. So just before the New Mexico deadline, my mp.hunter talked me into putting in for deer, elk, and Barbary sheep in the state of New Mexico. I have grown up hunting my entire life in the state of Washington and have never hunted out of state so this was a huge step for me. I decided that since I was going to put in for the draw that I would also put my wife Katie in for deer and elk. Figured that would lessen the amount of grief that I would get from her. Well, it actually worked until she logged into our credit card to pay some bills. Well, that took a day or two for her to get over the initial shock. Needless to say, I am still hearing about it. Fast forward to the end of April when the New Mexico draw results came out. It was just before 6am and I quickly logged into her account and both deer and elk showed red on the screen. Shoot! I was really hoping she would draw. Next, I logged into my account and of course all three species showed red too. I was definitely bummed, but the thought of $2800 returning to our credit card wasn’t going to hurt my feelings.

Fast forward to June 4th. This is when the story turns in a totally unexpected direction. Just before 6:30pm, Katie is sitting in the living room opening the mail while I was cooking in the kitchen. She said something about an envelope from New Mexico. I told her it was probably just some sort of junk mail or a receipt documenting our refund. I told her she could toss it or shred it like she normally does and she quickly asked if I cared if she opened up. Of course I was okay with it so she did. Katie calmly asked me to come into the living room and appeared to be holding something. I asked her what it was and she said that it was a carcass tag for bull elk. No way I told her! How is that even possible because I logged into the website and it even showed red. I quickly call MP Hunter to explain this new predicament and he is beside himself too. He asked what unit it was for and I told him 2nd archery in unit 12. He just about lost it when I told him. He was in total disbelief as well. I logged into the department’s website and now it shows my elk permit as green. How did this even happen? I still have no idea and just like others have said, who cares! Time to get prepping and e-scouting.

From everything mp.hunter told me prior to submitting my application, unit 12 2nd archery would be an amazing hunt. Not a super high density elk unit, but it was an extremely good unit when it comes to producing giant bulls. Unit 12 definitely didn’t lack great genetics. I quickly started pouring over websites and social media and was completely overwhelmed by the pictures of bulls I was seeing. 370’s?!? 350’s?!? Even bulls scoring north of 400!!! Having never killed a bull bigger than a 5x5 raghorn, I knew this would be a special experience. To top it off, my 74 year old father Dave is going to join me on the hunt. This will make the experience one that we will enjoy together and something we will never forget.

Now, with just over a month until the 9/15 opener, I am quickly starting to feel the pressure building. It will be a 1400 mile drive from my home in Bothell, WA. We will be leaving on the 12th of September allowing us a day and a half to travel and enjoy the trip. Hopefully we will arrive near Quemado at a decent time on the 14th so we can set up camp and begin scouting. Still on cloud nine and I don’t think that this has fully set in. Thank you all for reading this. I will post pics and videos throughout the trip. Looking forward to an incredible time in the elk woods!

-Matt


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[pianoman9701]

Wow, what a fantastic tag! The best of luck to you. I hope it takes two of you to carry out the head and antlers.  Updates are necessary from camp.

[slowhand]

Tagging along for the ride. I can't wait.
As a man who pulled one of my dream tags in the past. trust Me when I say... Give it absolutely everything you got... 110%
Enjoy it!

[vandeman17]

Awesome news matt. Stoked for your adventure!

[mburrows]

Best of luck to you sir, that looks like some awesome country to chase elk in

[trophyhunt]

Very cool!!  I’m going to have to talk to Mike though, he never told me to put in!!! 

    Best of luck, enjoy every moment!

[stickbuck]

Awesome news matt. Stoked for your adventure!

Thanks Adam. It is going to be quite the trip. Just a little different drive this September than we’re used to.


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[stickbuck]

Very cool!!  I’m going to have to talk to Mike though, he never told me to put in!!! 

    Best of luck, enjoy every moment!

Better get in the draw next year Jerry. His free consulting is hard to beat! Lol


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[stickbuck]

Heading out the door in about 7 hours to start the 1,400 mile journey to unit 12 in New Mexico. I’m guessing it is going to be a sleepless night. Here we go!!!!!


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[steeleywhopper]

Have a safe journey and a great hunt!

[Jpmiller]

Good luck, sounds like a fantastic time!

[mp.hunter]

Good luck, no. Fighting with your ol man should be epic


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[stickbuck]

Good luck, no. Fighting with your ol man should be epic


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Hahaha. He’s been a good co-pilot so far. Just passing through Baker City.


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[LDennis24]

Following! Good Luck!

[idaho guy]

Following have a great hunt 👍