Not disappointed

Well, we didn't get anything this year for bow season.
My son and I had picked up cow elk tags, and the couple of days we were able
to hunt were a bust....but over-all, we still had a great time.

My sons and I got up at 4am, the oldest decided to go with us and play sherpa. After morning coffee and hot chocolate, a quick breakfast....we hit the road.

I am lucky in where I live here in Colorado... hunting areas are within an easy 30 minute to 1 hour drive.
We took the truck up middle mountain, thinking we could drop down from the road into the dark timber.
We got to the top with plenty of dark to spare.

After getting everything ready, making sure we had it all... we started down the canyon.
Three green LED head lights bobbing in the darkness on the mountain.

I got them down in the canyon where I wanted to be, surrounded by trees and overlooking a small creek at about 30 yards.
Lots of tracks in the area during my scouting....but the weather had been really warm this year too.

I split off my from youngest and sat him about 50 yards from me, wind in our faces.
I dropped down a small knoll and sat overlooking the creek as well... no more than a 40 yd shooting line.
I pulled out the bugle and cow call as we watched the sun come up through the trees.
A couple of bugles fly from my calls, a cow call mixed in....

Man... the woods seemed to come alive.
I had bugles from three directions. Loud and anxious they seemed to be.
I could feel my sons adrenilin from where I sat... ok, maybe it was mine.

We sat for almost 3.5 hrs.... nothing coming closer, no bulls, no cows.
I could get them to talk to me.... but they would not budge.

We hiked further into the canyon, we stalked noises and smells, we stalked tracks and scat....
Nothing...they stayed deep in the canyon and its a long way down.

Lunch was entertaining as we joked and laughed about things.
I think we might have even scared off animals from our laughing.
My youngest taught us about birds as we watched some eagles fly over.
My oldest told us about an article he read on clouds and wind currents in school.
I sat quietly and watched my sons get a little older.

I was not disappointed in my hunt this year.

Mike

Mike,
 
that is just awesome. Your story is the perfect example of family and shared time in the outdoors. Congrats on that day and many others I am sure!

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

NAHC-L, NRA

Thanks KW... I had a great time.
It's been fun watching them grow up... and realizing they won't need me
much longer.
My oldest had his first semi formal.... wearing one of Dad's suit jackets....of
course he had to add his own purple shirt and hot pink tie....but hey, I don't have
to wear it!

I think it was then that I realized "I" am getting older too!

LOL

M

  Sounds like you had a great hunt!  Thanks for sharing..

Jeff

Sounds like a good time was had by all.  Thanks for the post!
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve

Thank you for a great post. That's what it's all about, getting the younger generation involved and sharing the experiences with each other. Bagging game is secondary, just an added bonus to the sport. Enjoying the outdoors together and experiencing what the good lord put here for us is primary in my book. Great hunts are judged on the total experience and not just what you shoot.
Steve Albers

What everyone said!!!

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06