Deer and some feathery friends

We have been hunting a few times over the past few weeks. We started with the Pheasant opener but we were a little disappointed. Turns out a great deal of the corn out where we hunt had yet to be cut.  

After the slow start to the pheasant opener we went back down for the deer opener. We went to a spot we always hunt birds and see deer, and sure enough we were able to find a few white tails. We put in for doe tags simply because we want the meat for the freezer. Next year I might put in for a buck tag just to say I did it. For now a doe is perfectly fine for us. 

We managed to push a few white tail right to dad and he got one almost right off the bat.

The rest of opening day was slow to say the least. we did manage to find a few more deer but just could not get into position for them so we decided to switch to birds. I limited out in less than 45 minutes. Dad got in on the action too with a bagged bird. We actually hit several more, but not well enough to knock them down.

I had to head home the very next day for a work event. I went back down a week later to try to find my deer and some more birds. Finding the birds was super easy.

The next day we got up a little earlier and decided to take a look at a different place. As we crested a ridge, in the distance I noticed several deer in a field to our west. Of course they took off when we saw them. We decided to try to find where they went, but could not get into where they ran to due to it being private property. We decided to head back up to the winter wheat field we saw these deer. 

Pops had me do some glassing and we could see nothing. He then told me to walk up over this small rise with my rifle to take a look. I told him I would take my bino's and glass. The second I walked up this small rise 3 deer got up within 10 yards of me and took off. I was able to get my rifle and took aim. The first shot I missed as she was running away from us. Right before I took my second shot the deer did a little bound and I dropped her as she had all 4 feet off the ground. She was dead the second I hit her. We got to her and I snapped a quick picture. You can see Dad's new black lab pup deciding to get in on the photo.

Once we got her all cleaned up and packed away we went after birds again. It turned out that was easy as well. We saw what we think was close to 100 pheasants get up. I was able to get 2 of them. As I ran to pick up my first bird I kicked up, easily, another dozen or so birds. Had I taken my time I could have limited out in roughly 10 minutes.

We are more than likely heading back out after the holidays for another antelope and even more birds. I really hope the plains gets some snow or rain, they could use the moisture.

Home on the Range!!!

It's been a week since I went Elk hunting. I probably should have went fishing, but, Pop's talked me into Antelope hunting. Which I am glad I took the bait because Juice (my brother, thats his nickname) flew out from Vegas to join us.

I was introduced to this section of the Plains last year during the Pheasant hunt. It's not bad out here. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and you always have to find the good in the bad. I find the uniquiness of the Plains of Colorado pretty awesome.

We were fortunate enough to have all 3 of us harvest a Speed Goat. It was awesome having Juice out there. He just started to get into hunting and came out to take some notes. He did harvest some doves, but wanted to jot a few things down when it came to Goat hunting.

Sometimes its pretty impressive how close you can get to these Antelope. Other times they tend to keep their distance.

Tom (pictured above) and I were able to get our Goats at the beginning of the day. Tom always has a TON of wisdom to pass onto Juice and I and we try to take advantage of it as often as possible. After Tom's help I was able to harvest my first ever Antelope. The shot looks pretty bad, and I will admit, I took 8 shots with my rifle that did not even come close. Turns out the front mount of my scope was severely loose. Tom handed me his rifle and I put this girl down.

After Goat hunting we decided to go take a quick look for Elk some where. Once we stopped looking around we were back out into the Prairies. 

We had so much fun out here that even Molly (Dad's Silver Lab) tried to hide her head under the bed in order to get some sleep.

More Elk soon. Deer season is soon, and my favorite season of the year is almost upon us, Pheasant!!!

My first elk hunt

I had the opportunity to go Elk hunt in Utah. Now I have hunted Elk before, but I was 17 and thought I knew everything that needed to be known. Well, I was wrong. My first Elk hunt I had was more like my buddy Jeff and I walking around and talking about what was happening in school at the time.

That all changed this past week. My brother in law invited us up to a piece of his family land in central Utah. The beauty around this place was breath taking. The drive up to this place was a little sureal because looking around I thought to myself that no Elk could live in this place.

Even when I got to the canyon I was supposed to be at, I thought for sure there would be very few, if any, Elk up there.

I was a little surprised my truck could pull my trailer 550 miles one way with zero issues.

Once we got to where we were supposed to be I set the trailer up as fast as I could.

The views here were out of this world. I never expected any trees what so ever here. Man alive was I wrong.

As you can tell it snowed while we were there. It turned the trails into mud soup. It was actually more miserable then duck hunting. Dad and I took it in stride and my brother in law worked his ass off to get us on some animals.

The weather did eventually clear up, if you could call it that, but the roads dried out enough for us not to shiver and for the side by sides to not throw mud everywhere.

We were able to see some Deer almost every where we went.

On our last day there James (my brother in law) once again busted his ass to find us an opportunity to shoot an Elk. He taught me so many things, I actually ask him more questions than he probably cares to hear. He was awesome, and still is for putting up with me texting him asking about things.

On the final day we were there James spotted some Elk several miles away. Once he showed me what to look for I was able to actually see a few of the things he could see, but there is no way I could even come close to the skill he possesses.  

James found what we were looking for, some Elk. He did something that amazes me. He had us stalk some Elk to around 400 or so yards. James was able to call one of the Elk over and get it close enough for me to take a shot. I propped up my rifle on his tripod and took aim. While I was looking down the scope James called this Elk to us. As it came into view in my scope he told me to dial down the zoom and use my cross hairs. I was nervous to say the least. The Elk came into view and I told James I was going to take the shot, James said to me "take it!" 

Now, because i scoped my eye when I was younger I have a terribly bad habit of closing my eye when I squeeze the trigger on my 300. This time I did not. I aimed right above the apex of this Elk's shoulder and squeezed the trigger and watched this Elk drop instantly. It was a quick, clean, ethical shot. I was so excited I wanted to sprint straight to this Elk, but James had me wait and see what the other few Elk did. I eventually went out and got to it.

I can not use words to describe the feeling I had. I was able to accomplish something I have wanted to do for a long number of years. It might not have been the biggest Elk out there, but it was my first. I could not have even come close to doing that without the help of my brother in law. 

James took time out of his week to allow me to hunt with my Dad and actually harvest an Elk, and he absolutely busted his ass the entire time doing it.

Dad was unable to bag an Elk this trip but we have a few more hunts scheduled for him to do so. The one picture I regret not taking was actually with James. He did all of the work getting us there and putting me on an Elk. I was able to snag on picture of him working hard for us.

He was able to provide me with a memory I will never forget and cherish forever!

Another Powell Trip!

I am going to keep this short, sweet, and to the point, which is fishing! We fished Powell again, my first time in a long number of years since we were living in Germany for a decent number of years. On to the pictures!

We stayed at a family friends, friends house boat, and it was awesome!

We started fishing as soon as we could and the lake was up a good number of feet, and is still rising!

Give it a few weeks and there will be a TON of new cover all over the lake

There were fish to be had all over the lake. No matter where we fished we were able to pick stuff up. I had never targeted, or caught a Stripper on the fly. This trip I decided to give it a go. An hour into day one I scratched that off my list.

Big fish of the trip went to me this time. Though is was a Golden Bone it still put one hell of a bend in my rod. We had an audience watching us as I tried to land this thing. I pounded the shore for bass and this guy hit like a Large Mouth and took at least 15 minutes to land.

We fished as far south as Iceberg Canyon and as far north as Good Hope Bay

We always seem to hit the time on the head when it comes to Bass fishing there

You can not beat the views at this place

Even from the lodge the views are something to behold

Even leaving, as hard as it is, the drive is awesome

Finally, the oddest catch of the trip, goes to my dad. He was ponding the bank looking for Crappie and Walleye when he thought he had a weird bump. He reeled in this prize, which he somehow still caught in the mouth

Another great trip, with great company!