Jim; just got back home from my CO muzzy deer hunt. My sister survived the experience, and taking her along actually made it easier for me since I had to slow way down for the hike in/out. I did see some deer, but the only 4x4 was at 400 yards and cresting the ridge to go to cover. Opening morning I was sitting at my chosen spot watching a nice slope with the thermals in my face. Shortly after first shooting light, two hunters came out of the trees on top and walked right down the middle of the slope ahead of them. They couldn't see the deer they pushed out, and they didn't have a clue as to what they were doing. No shooters in that bunch, but it could have worked out for me. On Day 2, those guys showed up at 10:00am and while one posted himself under a tree, the other guy walked back and forth mid-slope for much of the day.....for what purpose????? So, I walked an hour in the dark to get to the next slope where I did see the 4X4.
My 9 day hunt was cut to 4 days due to my sister's schedule. Next year, no compromises and I will be solo again, even if my wife isn't happy about it. I left the tracking on daily on the GPS, and hiked 22 miles, with a total vertical ascent of over 32,000 feet. I sure didn't expect to see anyone else in there.
