The elk camp memories

First off, let me say that, unfortunately, no elk were harmed during this adventure.

My Dad, brother in law (first time hunter) and myself signed up to hunt with Jim bryce outfitters
out of Delta, Colorado. Jim and Frankie were great people to meet upon walking in at their home
the morning we were heading up and Frankie makes a great cup of coffee for a chilled hunter.

My Dad and BIL came in from CA a couple of days early in order to acclimate....ok, it was eagerness on their part really.
Jim asked if we would be willing to go in a day early due to the snow falling and allowing him to bring in two smaller
groups versus one bigger one.

My Dad called me, I'm in Bayfield, CO, and asked if I could be there the next morning and go in early. I agreed and made a 5am drive over Red Mountain pass the next day. It was an un-eventful 4 hr drive due to snow, but I got there in time.
I made a quick stop for some extra long johns and a sweatshirt and we headed over to Jim's place. (See coffee remark above)

We met a couple of the guides and made small talk and big boasts as Jim loaded horses and food up for the trip in.
It was working out to be a good time in my opinion, already I could see that of the 4 hunters going up early, we were going
to be friends and have some fun.

We made a 2 hr ride into camp on horseback in the falling snow with some fantastic scenery to help us out. The couple of guides going up with us and Jim were friendly and talkative, ready to share info and stories and looking forward to hot coffee in camp.

The horses were calm and well broke and all the gear in great shape for our ride. It was uneventful other than Jim's warning that the snow made for dangerous conditions and we would need to keep just our toes in the stirups in case a horse slipped and fell.
Of course its good advice, but it does make you a tad on edge....LOL
Needless to say all went safe with our ride in.

We arrived in camp and met a couple of other guides and our camp cook....with fresh coffee ready for us.
The tents were in great shape and insulated with heaters in them. We had electric lights set up and running off
a generator. The food cooking in the cook tent made you hungry just walking by.
Each tent sleeps 6 hunters with cots and pads provided. We all picked out our bunks for the week and settled in.
At that point, the dinner call came and we all ran to eat. The food tasted even better than it smelled.

We all sat and talked for a while. Wishing for big bulls, telling tall tales, letting the guides give us advice and
tell us of their seasons successes and failures. It was memories in the making without any of us knowing it.

We had the pleasure to have a newly retired Special Forces veteran with us in our tent, disability from action.
He kept us entertained with his stories and jokes, laughing many times at his own expense and his disabilities from
an IED and a grenade. Kevin is one hell of a soldier and one hell of a nice guy. Loud and obnoxious and he fit in perfect with the rest of us in the tent.

The next morning, with a full day in camp to relax, my brother in law (Matt) and Kevin took a small hike just outside of camp.
They had the pleasure to pick up on two bulls, one probably pushing 340 and another one in the 300 range. It was a small excitable moment but it made the day of those two. Matt is a new hunter while this was Kevin's first trip to Colorado and elk hunting.
I enjoyed hearing them tell about the elk while I kept warm in the cook tent with the coffee pot in reach, talking with my dad and reliving old hunts from when I was a kid with him teaching me.
I don't get to hunt with my dad often, so it was more of a pleasure for me just being with him in camp than anything else.

That afternoon the rest of our hunters and guides arrived. It was a full camp with 12 hunters, 7 guides, and the cook.
Food was on, coffee was hot and stories were bei

mgoodman:
 
Thanks for sharing your story with us!  We appreciate it. 
 
Do you have any pics you can share? 
 
It sounds like you guys had a highly memorable and enjoyable adventure even though the weather and the elk didn't cooperate.
 
It's also nice to see that you chose one of the United Outfitters Association - FORAHUNT.com's outfitters for your hunt -- Jim Bryce Outfitting. 
 
I'm scheduled to bow hunt rutting bull elk with Jim and Frankie next fall.  It sounds like I will also have a great time in Colorado!
 
Best of luck to you on all of your future adventures!!
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve 

I do have pics coming...

We all shared email addys and I am expecting pics this week from all of the rest of the guys.
Once I get some in, I will share.

You will have a good time next bow season. I'm sure the Lukes or freddy can help you score a nice bull

Memories made and shared will always outweigh the trophys taken, or not. Great story "M" Glad everyone came out safe and ready to hunt another day.

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

That was a good story M thanks.

ORIGINAL: mgoodman

I do have pics coming...

We all shared email addys and I am expecting pics this week from all of the rest of the guys.
Once I get some in, I will share.

You will have a good time next bow season. I'm sure the Lukes or freddy can help you score a nice bull

 
Sounds good!
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve 

Thanks Mike,
enjoyable read. That is what it is all about.
 
 
Kent

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