Hey guys, I've been creeping around for a little while now so I thought I had might as well introduce myself and start posting.
My name is Matt, I'm 26 and last spring I moved from Iowa to Fort Collins, CO thus starting my western big game and bowhunting career.
I didn't have any desire to bowhunt or really even deer hunt in Iowa, but I had always dreamed of hunting bugling bull elk in the mountains. After a lifetime of ski and vacation trips west, I knew the mountains were the place for me but I just hadn't been able to make the move. I shot a few whitetail does in Iowa's late season but never gave it much thought, it was mostly something to do after the waterfowl seasons closed. I've burned a lot of boot soles chasing turkeys in 5 states too.
So when I was offered a seasonal job here last spring I jumped at the chance and bought my bow the next week. I decided I would swallow the non-resident price tag and learn how to backpack hunt elk. I had about $1,000 worth of gear to buy plus my tag, so I put all I had into it. After a couple warm-up spring turkeys (no ground blind), and a summer of hiking, shooting, lifting, etc., a few scouting trips, and 14 days afield (12 solo) I came home with my first ever bull elk- a little 4x4!
This year, I'm in the CO draw for pronghorns and plan on going OTC elk with a buddy from Iowa and a local friend. I'm also in for points on deer, sheep, goat, and moose. Next year, I plan on starting to build points in other states.
The bug bit me pretty hard and I look forward to getting to know some of you!
My name is Matt, I'm 26 and last spring I moved from Iowa to Fort Collins, CO thus starting my western big game and bowhunting career.
I didn't have any desire to bowhunt or really even deer hunt in Iowa, but I had always dreamed of hunting bugling bull elk in the mountains. After a lifetime of ski and vacation trips west, I knew the mountains were the place for me but I just hadn't been able to make the move. I shot a few whitetail does in Iowa's late season but never gave it much thought, it was mostly something to do after the waterfowl seasons closed. I've burned a lot of boot soles chasing turkeys in 5 states too.
So when I was offered a seasonal job here last spring I jumped at the chance and bought my bow the next week. I decided I would swallow the non-resident price tag and learn how to backpack hunt elk. I had about $1,000 worth of gear to buy plus my tag, so I put all I had into it. After a couple warm-up spring turkeys (no ground blind), and a summer of hiking, shooting, lifting, etc., a few scouting trips, and 14 days afield (12 solo) I came home with my first ever bull elk- a little 4x4!
This year, I'm in the CO draw for pronghorns and plan on going OTC elk with a buddy from Iowa and a local friend. I'm also in for points on deer, sheep, goat, and moose. Next year, I plan on starting to build points in other states.
The bug bit me pretty hard and I look forward to getting to know some of you!
