Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Rounding Up Gear

Last night I started rounding-up my gear for the trip.  Talk about a mess!  Seems like my hunting/camping stuff breaks camp during the summer and spreads out to a hundred locations...some in garage, some in storage shed, some in basement and a small contingent takes refuge in camper.  My favorite part is discovering the lost tote which has gear I forgot I even had.  We have developed a crude "gear list" (will post later) and I am taking stock of what items will need to be purchased and formulating a plan to have packages shipped in a manner as to not draw attention from my better-half.    

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Scouting Report

A few weeks ago Bill and his friend Dan set out on a scouting trip in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado (20 miles N. of Durango).  Dan has hunted the area the past couple of years and attempted to show the navigationally challenged Bill where to go this fall.  Time will tell if Bill was paying attention, they did locate a site for our camp which was being occupied by this elk calf.    

25 Days and Counting

Bill and I plan to meet in Great Bend, Kansas in 25 days and head west to Durango, Colorado to chase elk with our bows.  Before we are able to hear the echoing bugles in the valley, there is a lot of preparation!  We are both excited and overwhelmed about establishing our first elk camp and experiencing a fair-chase hunt of this nature.

Getting ready for a high-altitude adventure has caused both of us to pay frequent visits to the gym, needless to say I have found a deep level of resentment towards the elliptical machine and the evil setting called "mountain trail"!  We have also been expanding our shooting distances out to 50+ yards.  After loosing a few arrows we are well on our way.