It's been a long time old friend. 12/3 pics and 12/6 a must read ending

[Fish4Fun]

6 X 6, I hope you have a hunt of a lifetime, and don't worry your Dad will be with you all the way. Even though we have never met, we have a common bond of our best hunting buddy passing away. After my Dad passed we stayed off the elk mountain for 15 seasons. But, knowing he would want us to hunt them again, we went back just as you are about to do. Trust me when I say, you will know he is there with you. There will be a new feeling in the air, that first morning as it breaks daylight. A feeling that only you will know, enjoy that feeling when it happens. When the music starts and the dance starts, this time it will be a once in a life time slow dance.

Good luck and enjoy the dance

[ridge line]

 Holly smokes I literally had to go get my wife to read the rest of this to me. I lost my grandfather which was my elk hunting mentor for 30 years @every year I carry a piece of him with me so I feel like he's still with me. Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us. IT touched us all . Good luck @ smoke a big one

[Glockster]

6 X 6, I hope you have a hunt of a lifetime, and don't worry your Dad will be with you all the way. Even though we have never met, we have a common bond of our best hunting buddy passing away. After my Dad passed we stayed off the elk mountain for 15 seasons. But, knowing he would want us to hunt them again, we went back just as you are about to do. Trust me when I say, you will know he is there with you. There will be a new feeling in the air, that first morning as it breaks daylight. A feeling that only you will know, enjoy that feeling when it happens. When the music starts and the dance starts, this time it will be a once in a life time slow dance.

Good luck and enjoy the dance

Fish...how was Pumpkin Camp this year?  This thread reminded me of your stories and mine on some of that common ground up there. 

[phishisgroovin]

i just hope he gets a piece of that elk i told him about and where he hangs out.
that guy is a beast for certain and since its so unlikely i will ever be able to chase him, 6x6 now knows where to go. and its a easy drag out too lol!

[MtnMuley]

Amazing post 6x6.  Can't wait to see the pic of the big ole boy and the smile on your face.

[scout88]

wow this story gave me goosebumps! the best of luck to you friend and bring home the backstrap. your dad will be guiding you every step of the way.

[Fish4Fun]

Fish...how was Pumpkin Camp this year?  This thread reminded me of your stories and mine on some of that common ground up there.  [/quote]

Glockster, I didn't go up this year, I have enough meat in the freezer with a beef and then the mule deer opening day. One of our newest Pumpkin Camp members went up and killed a spike opening morning off of my old stand. That makes 5 elk in 4 seasons now for the revamped Pumkin Clan, and a grand total of 37 bulls for our camp over the years. As I read the opening post from 6 X 6 here, it brought back all the memories from 4 years ago. My brother and I had an elk on the ground 30 minutes after daylight that year, guess the old man was smiling that day. I am hoping 6 X 6 is given the same chance my brother and I had that morning. When 6X6 scores his Old Man will sit back and smile, as all of the old elk hunters congradulate him and tell him that he taught the kid well.

6X6 you have no idea, how many of us have walked in your shoes and are your biggest fans right now. Your Old Man is sitting at the fire right now watching the show with the rest of the Old Timers.

[Glockster]

That's great news Fish! 

I was out blacktail hunting on Sunday, the snow was lightly falling.  I thought about how cool it would be to sit around the elk camp fire, sipping some whiskey while listening to the old timers like your dad and mine and 6x6's.  ~Man, what I wouldn't give for one more campfire!

[HUNT]

Great read!  Good luck on your hunt!

[asl20bball]

Wow. That's about all I have to say...and good luck to BOTH of you.

[Vees]

6x6, elegantly written.  Makes me grateful for the years I have left with my dad.  I agree, one of the best posts this site has seen.  I think you've got a lot of people rooting for you on this hunt.

-Vees

[rosscrazyelk]

I wish that good things happen for you. great story as well

[Furee65]

I had a hard time reading it to my wife without getting all choked up but it was very touching especially since i can remember the first time stepping into the woods with my father and the lessons learned while in the woods. I have an older half brother who wants to make the trip back to Elk City Idaho and spread his fathers ashes where his father used to pack people back into the elk camps on horseback in the 50's-60'.  I wish i was around back then based off all the old photos and stories my brother and mother tell me about his wonderful father. Thanks again for posting this great read 

[brew]

awesome post...thank you....I've always kept a special spot in my heart for both my two and four legged hunting companions that I have lost and wish to share a special moment with again.  That is my definition of Heaven.

[MLhunter1]

Great post I will be rooting for you to find that monster.  I saw him up there during deer season, he is huge, not sure if its the same one everyone is talking about but hopefully you find him.