Way too excited for opening weekend! Who else has a serious case of the "itch"?

[Recurve-Elk]

Well here I sit.  Four hours before work nursing a cup of joe and daydreaming about hunting.  I think today is the first day that the fever has really hit me hard this year.  I've been shooting the bow pretty regularly again.  Been checking out maps, reading up on elk hunting, and watching videos.  I can say with 100% certainty that elk hunting is by far my favorite thing in life, every year I get more and more excited about september.  I find it funny that I love it so much yet have never harvested an elk.  Its all about hanging out with friends and family, getting up hours before daybreak, the planning, and hunting until you collapse to your bed.  Man I am getting pumped!!

I laugh at how my mind gets completely over whelmed with elk hunting thoughts!

Who else is getting wayyyyyy too excited, and what are you all doing in preparation?

[jackelope]

They have an ointment for that "itch"

 

[Recurve-Elk]

They have an ointment for that "itch"

 

I was going to ask where can I get some of that ointment, but then I realised.  Why would I want this itch relieved.  It's part of my addiction 

[buckhorn2]

Man I am counting the days. My boy has a toutle bull tag so when the wife headed to town I got the elk bugle out and started practicing so far I have the dogs excited and maybe the neighbors. Fun to get the maps out and start planning. Helps the time go by but not fast enough.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Been on my mind constantly lately, although with Elknuts "Playbook" next to my throne, and watching his DVD's, and "Angry Spike Prod." DVD's it is simple to figure out why...
but then, my "significant other" asked me, when are we going camping again ? so , scouting trip is in the works......
Been resetting my 3D's in the backyard, got a bow with one arrow within easy reach, so every hour or so, I go "hit the foam"
Got Huntinggpsmaps put on my 60CSx so I can find State land to access when WH (or HC, SP, whoever) closes their woods to access.
wish it was August already.......

[THEBUGLER]

Im am SO ready for season. Im heading up for the weekend in a few hours to see how far up in the high country we can get till there is too much snow. I REALLY need a mountain fix!

[JColony]

Haven't had a solid night sleep since the special permits were announced.  Got the Muzzy observatory quality elk hunt, can't wait!!!  I think my wife is getting tired of the constant chatter, practicing the cow talk, and endless staring at maps.

[OlympicElkJunkie]

I thought going to the Nuge concert was going to cure that, but the cat didn't scratch that fever. It was a true bucket-list experience though!

[outdoorstoreys]

I went last weekend, ill go this weekend,i am going next weekend. cant- wait- must- be - in - the - mountains.......

[PlateauNDN]

Haven't had a solid night sleep since the special permits were announced.  Got the Muzzy observatory quality elk hunt, can't wait!!!  I think my wife is getting tired of the constant chatter, practicing the cow talk, and endless staring at maps.

Beautiful area and good luck.  This was taken in that area and if you look closely there were about 7 of them off the road about 45 yards and they just hung out in the area for about 10-15 mins.  Didn't see any calves with them or see any bachelor groups while we were checking it out.

[Button Nubbs]

I can't think about anything else

[JColony]

Beautiful area and good luck.  This was taken in that area and if you look closely there were about 7 of them off the road about 45 yards and they just hung out in the area for about 10-15 mins.  Didn't see any calves with them or see any bachelor groups while we were checking it out.

PlateauNDN, you aren't helping matters any!!  Thanks for the pic, I can't wait to get over there.  Buddy and I are planning a scouting trip for the 30th.

[colockumelk]

Haven't had a solid night sleep since the special permits were announced.  Got the Muzzy observatory quality elk hunt, can't wait!!!  I think my wife is getting tired of the constant chatter, practicing the cow talk, and endless staring at maps.

Should be a really good tag this year considering all of the road closures due to the flooding.  Should be pretty easy to get away from the crowd to chase some unpressured elk.

[Tony]

Only 53 days till opening morning but who's counting.

[SemperFidelis97]

Wife is already getting grumpy with all my strategies for next years hunting season, and my Cabelas bill for the year has crossed the 4 digit mark must be getting close.  This will be my kids second season believe it, or not I am more excited now then I ever have been in the past getting the kids out really adds a whole new element.

[YoterHunter]

if your at the 4 diget mark at cabelas. you need to shop else were for the same products. and be around 2 diget mark.   good luck on your hunt.

[Sliverslinger]

I remember one of my Drill Sergeanta in basic training, Drill Sergeant Fry... he had a massive half inch gap in his teeth and he spit through it whenever he spoke and he spoke like a madman from swamp people. I was supposed to be standing at attention and I thought for sure he'd never notice but he did...

"I uh say there... you.. yessah you mudda f#$%a, private haaeeiill (hail), tell me, pleeeeze oh *&^% tell me... what is the life-a-time of a dagum mother #@$% itch?"

 (Me) "Drill Sergeant?"

"I'm a askin the queshuns here F#$% stain... what is the life-a-time of a @$% @#$%@#$% @#$%#@$% @##@$% itch?"

(Me) "I do not know Drill Sergeant."

"Well how the @#$%@#$ in the @#$@#$ are you ever #$%#%^&^ going to find out if you@#$%@#$%ing scratch it?"

Apparently, many years later I have the answer... if the itch is elk hunting, it never dies, even when scratched. I'm already going nuts ready for the season to start.

[kalamasasquatch]

not only is my wife already tired of my constant talk of hunting but im pretty sure the forest service is tired of my calls pestering them about when they are going to get the damn roads opened up so i can access my trails. i have about wore out my hunting movies and tread mill since the weather has been too crappy to hike/run/bike my backyard hills.

[briancorneal]

Google earth, garmin basecamp, google maps, wdfw go hunting, and blm....check.  still missing part of the puzzle: muddy boots, sweaty brow, and burning thighs, and a butt sore from glassing. 

[D-Rock425]

I can't wait just starting digging out all the hunting gear.

[christopheri]

It is all I think about and has been for the last month. Fine tuning my bow, getting supplys together, planning, looking at maps, calling the bio, talking to the USFS about logging, roads, and trail conditions, driving my wife nuts. Packing and repacking my hunting pack. Not to mention getting my hunting buddy and my nephews on the same page....
 I think I will sleep when I get to camp...

[longknife]

I thought going to the Nuge concert was going to cure that, but the cat didn't scratch that fever. It was a true bucket-list experience though!

Thought that was the back strap fever,,,

[akirkland]

We go to the dunes down in Oregon every August for a week or so. I usually pack everything up upon returning then. This year is a bit different.Most of my stuff is packed up and ready to go. Started buying food and drinks already. My birthday is in the middle of August so the sweetie buys me any last thing items i may need. As far as the itch goes... Ive been scratchin since the draw results came out!

[runningboard]

bought a new tent yesterday & planning on going to my campsite soon & do some "improving", bought a planner type calendar and trying to plot where, when, method for me, my wife & kids.

[MIKEXRAY]

Only just now getting a "slight " itch,   no permits & to many spike bull only units. I know how you guys feel though, I have driven my wife insane with my getting ready starting in February. Hope everyone has a great season. Mike

[iRem]

Yes got the itch and can't stop scratching it. My wife sure wants me to stop scratching.  I can't stop thinking about hunting period! I have some pretty good connections, and very time I think I have a plan some one calls me and tells me they just saw a 4 x 4 blackie. Just when I thought I would just go out and go on a meat hunt some thing else pops up. Now I have access to some private property with a couple big blackies and elk. Bada Bing, Bada Boom I think I might try for a double early archery! Can't wait, so now I will go out and purchase another camera to do some extra scouting.

[dreamunelk]

And I thought I was the only one with the itch!

[johnnyaustin44]

Thought scouting would help but it only made it worse seeing all the elk.  Hopefully it comes quick

[BOWHUNTER45]

Thought scouting would help but it only made it worse seeing all the elk.  Hopefully it comes quick

Well if you need help thinning a few let me know ...

[mulehunter]

Only thing I am exciting read your story this coming fall than being lay on bed most of summer doing nothing.     Because I have bad injury from concrete work. Honest.... I really want my old body back.  Sad thing that I get to see all Bulls thur window.     I wont be able to hunt this fall.   

Can't wait to read all good stories.  Good luck to u all. Shoot stright.

Mulehunter. 

[MLBowhunting]

I am right there with all of you.  My season starts Aug 27th and it's taking forever