Today I felt the tug... the little tickle that never really goes away. I figured a couple of pictures from Google images and a story or two from this forum regarding last years successful hunts would assuage the longing, perhaps pacifiy the unrelenting craving to be in elk country hot on the trail of a herd. Unfortunately it did not. It's the beginning of March for crying out loud, and I'm already doing the math.
How many !*^$#! days? How long until I can chase the elk again? Really? 6 fricking months? I wonder what happened to that monster of a bull I ran into way the heck up in the middle of nowhere, miles from the nearest road or trail? He was at well over 5,000 feet so where did he winter? Did he make it through the cold? Why did he hold perfectly still and how in the hell did he sense I was there? At full draw I needed about 1 step to the side or 2 more seconds before release. How in the name of Zeus's !@#$-hole did he know to bolt? Will I get just one more chance?
I still managed to kill an elk last year but not that one. Every time I have a successful hunt the urge and desire to conjure up a repeat performance is only greater the next year. Like a crackhead I'm already starting to chase my next fix. The bike comes out tomorrow, time to start getting back into shape. Scouting for new areas starts Saturday with some snowshoes and a GPS. Google Earth has revealed some possibilities I need to check out. Like a crazed madman I am already spending about an hour a day studying maps, aerial photos, terrain, and topography.
One thing I am sure of, this may be the year I finally outsmart one of those massive monsters or it might be another year of the raghorn or the tag soup. If I don't manage to kill a monster, it won't be from lack of effort. Regardless, the Wapiti in that wilderness area I hunt -far from car, quad, or other hunters had better step up their game as they seem to have in each of the past several years. This year I will be more experienced, in better shape, a continually improving shot, and more determined if that is possible, and I have another year's kill and another year's confidence. *&^%$ I already can't wait. I know I am not the only one to already be feeling the tickle in my pickle to get after the elk again. For those of you who are like me, who feel that addictive craving year round that cannot be truly fulfilled, fully assuaged, or completely alleviated , ---- Good luck and happy prepping. In my opinion, it's time to start getting ready to get after it.
