Three generations went to the Gila for my grandsons hunt. We used the RV to tow the F-150 which had the Can Am in it. The New Mexico game warden did his part to satisfaction. We had the weather forecast and it was for a winter storm. We moved our camp spot up hill to get past some shaded spots that I knew would hold snow and ice.
Grandson and I scouted Friday and saw three herds of mostly cows. They usually had about 8 elk in them so we felt good about our chances. About 2:30 am Saturday it began to snow and snowed all day, all night, and most of sunday. Elk did not move except a few bulls. Local hunter saw three good bulls, one where we hunted and two at another place I knew about. Montana (grandson) and I found about 16 elk and caught up to them. I had fell behind and he called me on the little radio and said he could see 6 or 7 on the next ridge should he shoot? He didn't have a range finder but I ask for a range estimate and he replied about 650 yds. He said he could get closer so I told him to try that. You can guess how that worked out. I had caught up and ranged it at 500 yds, a shot he would make. Oh well the next day he was to walk up hill through what we were sure the herd of 16 were located. I got in position to wait for him and where I was located there was an active wolf and coyote population. Below me was a observation point so I get out of the FX4 and go about 50 yds and my right foot slipped forward while my left caught breaking the ankle off and I was sitting on that leg. Pain was bad and I was accessing my damage I could see I need a new alignment for the ankle. It was five above. I had dressed a little light knowing the walk back up hill would generate some heat. I knew I had to get back to the truck. First I tried using the 22-250 for a crutch as I walked on knees, then I tried hands and knees with gun strapped across my back. Finally I left the gun and went uphill in 8 inches of snow on my hands and knees. I managed to get in the truck and there was one tramadol in there so I took that. It was a big help. The little radios are useless but I finally made some kind of contact while Montana was out of a draw. I told him I HAD BROKEN my leg and needed him to come to me. He had some kind of useless Garmin ($650) that would work if he was on high ground. No answer, then my thoughts began to explore, did he hear me, did he go the wrong way. About 15 minutes he called and said I am on my way. An hour later he told me he was at a place I knew so I relaxed some. Twenty minutes later he makes it. His dad spent every day in camp so everything was pretty well organized. We had been snowed in but I felt like we could get out now so we headed the Truth or Consequences where I got it x-rayed and a splint put on. People were nice and helped in every way they could. We loaded up and headed for home, first on I25 then I40 About 30 miles before San Jon the inside dual blew. It was like new Yokohama which I replaced with another one at the bargain price of $458. without warranty. Tire blew a spot about one inch wide by 4 inch long. Rubber just missing. RV inverter is wired wrong and did really werid things. We had a comfortable camp. I can't recommend unit 16c there were not that many elk and no good deer were seen, plenty of wolf. We found 8 dead elk carcasses, don't now what that is about either. Tuesday will be the first day to visit with surgeon about what to do. I had been talking to Colorado Cowboy trying to get the nerve to have that ankle fixed so now is the time. Even without a shot it was a fun trip
Grandson and I scouted Friday and saw three herds of mostly cows. They usually had about 8 elk in them so we felt good about our chances. About 2:30 am Saturday it began to snow and snowed all day, all night, and most of sunday. Elk did not move except a few bulls. Local hunter saw three good bulls, one where we hunted and two at another place I knew about. Montana (grandson) and I found about 16 elk and caught up to them. I had fell behind and he called me on the little radio and said he could see 6 or 7 on the next ridge should he shoot? He didn't have a range finder but I ask for a range estimate and he replied about 650 yds. He said he could get closer so I told him to try that. You can guess how that worked out. I had caught up and ranged it at 500 yds, a shot he would make. Oh well the next day he was to walk up hill through what we were sure the herd of 16 were located. I got in position to wait for him and where I was located there was an active wolf and coyote population. Below me was a observation point so I get out of the FX4 and go about 50 yds and my right foot slipped forward while my left caught breaking the ankle off and I was sitting on that leg. Pain was bad and I was accessing my damage I could see I need a new alignment for the ankle. It was five above. I had dressed a little light knowing the walk back up hill would generate some heat. I knew I had to get back to the truck. First I tried using the 22-250 for a crutch as I walked on knees, then I tried hands and knees with gun strapped across my back. Finally I left the gun and went uphill in 8 inches of snow on my hands and knees. I managed to get in the truck and there was one tramadol in there so I took that. It was a big help. The little radios are useless but I finally made some kind of contact while Montana was out of a draw. I told him I HAD BROKEN my leg and needed him to come to me. He had some kind of useless Garmin ($650) that would work if he was on high ground. No answer, then my thoughts began to explore, did he hear me, did he go the wrong way. About 15 minutes he called and said I am on my way. An hour later he told me he was at a place I knew so I relaxed some. Twenty minutes later he makes it. His dad spent every day in camp so everything was pretty well organized. We had been snowed in but I felt like we could get out now so we headed the Truth or Consequences where I got it x-rayed and a splint put on. People were nice and helped in every way they could. We loaded up and headed for home, first on I25 then I40 About 30 miles before San Jon the inside dual blew. It was like new Yokohama which I replaced with another one at the bargain price of $458. without warranty. Tire blew a spot about one inch wide by 4 inch long. Rubber just missing. RV inverter is wired wrong and did really werid things. We had a comfortable camp. I can't recommend unit 16c there were not that many elk and no good deer were seen, plenty of wolf. We found 8 dead elk carcasses, don't now what that is about either. Tuesday will be the first day to visit with surgeon about what to do. I had been talking to Colorado Cowboy trying to get the nerve to have that ankle fixed so now is the time. Even without a shot it was a fun trip
