Finally giving the update of this trip. I was originally supposed to go with 3 other guys on an archery hunt to CO. Long story short they all bailed. So I made solo trek from NH to CO. I flew into Albuquerque on an early am flight and after a brief stop in Durango for a few things I headed up and out into the Uncompahgre Wilderness. I got to the trail head at dark and decided to hike a couple hours in before camping. I had enough sitting for one day and wanted to stretch the legs. I hit the sack at 10 pm, and at 3 am woke up with a headache. Lesson #1 altitude sucks. I got up and made breakfast things cleared in my head and I started up the drainage at first light. I spent the next two days checking things out taking pictures, calling and looking for game. Crazy how big that country is.
At the end of day 2 I had not seen or heard any elk in the drainage I was in. I had a friend tell me before I left I would be better off to truck camp and just hike into an area everyday to check things out. So I hiked out and set up camp near a Reservoir. This proved to be a good move. I started to see more animals.
So on the 3rd morning I walked into a lone cow which I thought was weird. Thought heavily about putting an arrow into her before I decided to pass. On the 4th day I followed some cow paths up into the higher terrain, Lesson #2 cow paths are good. I would follow those paths right thru some thick timber and then boom you are right out into a nice high park. Followed a small group of elk around for the day but was unable to get close enough for a shot. 5th day I was going to sleep in until I heard a bull bugle early. Nothing gets you out of bed faster than a bull bugling. Hunted the morning in an area with some lower elevation.
Enter the Balbas brothers, on the way back to camp I stopped on the side of the road and chatted with Jacob for about an hour. He was currently waiting for his brother to get to the mountain. I left and hunted that night with no luck. Hunted the following morning and was hanging around camp eating lunch when this Jacob and his brother Lucas stop into camp. They asked what I was doing for the night hunt. I advised I was probably going to take some pics. I told them I had to drive back to the airport the following day. They would not have it. They told me they were going to call their wives and that I should be ready to go for the evening when they get back. They picked me up and drove to an area that was within site of my camp. Jacob gave me the run down on how they hunt the elk. Where they are located and how they usually go after them. We hiked straight up for about 3/4 mile thru the thick crap. They bugled and a bull answered. I told them my trip was made I would see them next year. We moved about 500 yards closer and they bugled again. Elk answered only much closer this time. They threw me into some bushes and everybody scattered. For a split second this is where the cop side of me thought your done for. Back to the hunt at hand. The back and forth bugling went on for about 10 mins. I saw Lucas move more right than up. Jacob had me come back to him and then reposition in front of a giant aspen. A few chuckles later Jacob advised that Lucas was at full draw. When I looked back he was telling me to go to full draw. I came to full draw as this 4x4 bull parked himself under a hemlock tree at 20 or so yards. He was slightly elevated and quartering but giving me the full chest. I shot for the front right chest pocket and as soon as I released the brown disappeared and a hoof appeared. I let out a sigh of relief. Lucas and Jacob both started to cow call. Jacob whispering, "Where did he go?" I advised he went down. He asked where and I told him right where I shot him. We walked up and I barely had time to set my bow down before Lucas mauled me with congratulations. I couldn't believe it. My arrow had passed thru heart, lungs, and lodged in the spine which was the result of a very short recovery. After some quick pics they left me to do the dirty work while they went to get packs. I've gutted moose and quartered them here in NH. Usually on a hangar at the processor and not on the ground. I watched a few YouTube videos on the gutless method. In a little under an hour I was able to break this elk down and bone out the front shoulders. I was able to do it all with my Havalon and another small folding knife.
When they returned we loaded the packs for the hike out. I asked if two trip would be necessary, they advised they have never made two trips. I took the head and rear quarter. Heaviest pack I've ever carried, military included.
That was that. I woke up the next morning dropped everything at Kinikin's in Montrose and drove back to Albuquerque. Kinikins is top notch by the way!!
Heavily addicted now. I will definitely be going back. The west is really different then New England. Some lessons learned.
#1 Elevation can make you it's bi#@! anytime it wants to.
#2 Cattle are still dumb but boy can they navigate the high country.
#3 Believe you can do it on your own. My biggest worry was getting this thing out of the woods. Even though I had help I was able to break it down and although it would have made for a long night I'm confident I could have gotten the job done.
#4 Bring a bigger tent. I used a solo tent. It was nice but tight.
#5 Don't put it off any longer just make a plan and go. You never know what will happen.
Well thank you guys for letting me ramble. Hope it all makes you want to get out and go. To the brothers I met thank you again for the hospitality it was definitely above and beyond.
Hopefully my pics attached! Cheers!
At the end of day 2 I had not seen or heard any elk in the drainage I was in. I had a friend tell me before I left I would be better off to truck camp and just hike into an area everyday to check things out. So I hiked out and set up camp near a Reservoir. This proved to be a good move. I started to see more animals.
So on the 3rd morning I walked into a lone cow which I thought was weird. Thought heavily about putting an arrow into her before I decided to pass. On the 4th day I followed some cow paths up into the higher terrain, Lesson #2 cow paths are good. I would follow those paths right thru some thick timber and then boom you are right out into a nice high park. Followed a small group of elk around for the day but was unable to get close enough for a shot. 5th day I was going to sleep in until I heard a bull bugle early. Nothing gets you out of bed faster than a bull bugling. Hunted the morning in an area with some lower elevation.
Enter the Balbas brothers, on the way back to camp I stopped on the side of the road and chatted with Jacob for about an hour. He was currently waiting for his brother to get to the mountain. I left and hunted that night with no luck. Hunted the following morning and was hanging around camp eating lunch when this Jacob and his brother Lucas stop into camp. They asked what I was doing for the night hunt. I advised I was probably going to take some pics. I told them I had to drive back to the airport the following day. They would not have it. They told me they were going to call their wives and that I should be ready to go for the evening when they get back. They picked me up and drove to an area that was within site of my camp. Jacob gave me the run down on how they hunt the elk. Where they are located and how they usually go after them. We hiked straight up for about 3/4 mile thru the thick crap. They bugled and a bull answered. I told them my trip was made I would see them next year. We moved about 500 yards closer and they bugled again. Elk answered only much closer this time. They threw me into some bushes and everybody scattered. For a split second this is where the cop side of me thought your done for. Back to the hunt at hand. The back and forth bugling went on for about 10 mins. I saw Lucas move more right than up. Jacob had me come back to him and then reposition in front of a giant aspen. A few chuckles later Jacob advised that Lucas was at full draw. When I looked back he was telling me to go to full draw. I came to full draw as this 4x4 bull parked himself under a hemlock tree at 20 or so yards. He was slightly elevated and quartering but giving me the full chest. I shot for the front right chest pocket and as soon as I released the brown disappeared and a hoof appeared. I let out a sigh of relief. Lucas and Jacob both started to cow call. Jacob whispering, "Where did he go?" I advised he went down. He asked where and I told him right where I shot him. We walked up and I barely had time to set my bow down before Lucas mauled me with congratulations. I couldn't believe it. My arrow had passed thru heart, lungs, and lodged in the spine which was the result of a very short recovery. After some quick pics they left me to do the dirty work while they went to get packs. I've gutted moose and quartered them here in NH. Usually on a hangar at the processor and not on the ground. I watched a few YouTube videos on the gutless method. In a little under an hour I was able to break this elk down and bone out the front shoulders. I was able to do it all with my Havalon and another small folding knife.
When they returned we loaded the packs for the hike out. I asked if two trip would be necessary, they advised they have never made two trips. I took the head and rear quarter. Heaviest pack I've ever carried, military included.
That was that. I woke up the next morning dropped everything at Kinikin's in Montrose and drove back to Albuquerque. Kinikins is top notch by the way!!
Heavily addicted now. I will definitely be going back. The west is really different then New England. Some lessons learned.
#1 Elevation can make you it's bi#@! anytime it wants to.
#2 Cattle are still dumb but boy can they navigate the high country.
#3 Believe you can do it on your own. My biggest worry was getting this thing out of the woods. Even though I had help I was able to break it down and although it would have made for a long night I'm confident I could have gotten the job done.
#4 Bring a bigger tent. I used a solo tent. It was nice but tight.
#5 Don't put it off any longer just make a plan and go. You never know what will happen.
Well thank you guys for letting me ramble. Hope it all makes you want to get out and go. To the brothers I met thank you again for the hospitality it was definitely above and beyond.
Hopefully my pics attached! Cheers!
