Colorado Hunting Report

Packed up

2009-09-12T11:29:00.000-07:00

Last night

2009-09-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

Fresh Elk Rub

2009-09-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

We are hunting in a good area that has lots of fresh sign. We found this Fresh Rub with all the ground scuffed up and the animal was in the area within a very few hours.

I love hunting and the beauty of the natural wilderness. I am always facinated by the raw power and effects of Elk rubs, you see trees pushed over, branches broken off and things show the big bulls dominate power.

A few years back when we were hunting in Montana, I was able to see the handy work of the Grizzly Bear and its Awesome Strength.

Those of us who love to hunt and stay in the outdoors, still remember to respect nature and its animals for what they have the potential to do in bad situations.

More later.

Elk hunting buddy

2009-09-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

Setup on good sign waiting for the elk to move by.

This area has excellent sign and I am going to setup on the edge of the Dark Timber and wait for the elk to move out to the feeding areas. It is possible to stalk dark timber when all the conditions are right but at this time things are very dry making it far too loud. I don't want to push the elk out of this area by making too much noise.

It is time to be patient and work the outside areas and look for bottlenecks or high traffic areas and see if we can take advantage of the geography of this area.

More Later.

Elk taking to the trail

2009-09-09T15:45:00.000-07:00

For those of you that don't know the story, this is a HUGE success story for Elk Hunter.

Several years ago Mike had to have a back operation because of a Bone Spur that was growing into his spine. After the operation, swelling near the spine caused a loss of most use with his legs. When I first visited him in the hospital after his surgery, he was in a wheelchair and the doctors said that he would probably regain the use of his legs shortly. (That didn't really happen) The first year after Mike did extensive Physical Therapy and was able to move very slowly with the use of a Walker. He went with us to Colorado but couldn't get out into the woods to hunt.

The following year Mike applied for the permits to allow him to use vehicles or quad runners to help get him into the woods for limited access. Unfortunately, most of the areas we found that you could use a quad to access weren't very promising. This was very discouraging and we worked very hard to scout for areas that would allow Mike to have a good chance for success.

The next year, we hunted Wyoming which was better suited to limited access for Mike because he could use his Rhino to get into many more places and so we were happy to see him have some success.

As time has progressed Mike went from being in the Chair to using a walker and the next year he was using crutches. Mike has continued to work hard to regain or build strength to be able to have more mobility.

This is a Great Day to see him moving down the trail again and I hope someday soon he can get back to his ALL TIME FAVORITE SPOT the Half-Way Point on "Elk Kill Mountain".

Good Luck Mike "Elk Hunter" and although most of us just take off into the woods without a 2nd thought, it is GREAT to see you back on the Trail Again!

From Me Personally and all the other HHS PRO Staff.

GREAT JOB!

Just got caught by an elk drawing back at 8 yards.

2009-09-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

We have been working this area for a couple days and we know the animals are in the area. We just moved in for the afternoon hunt and were getting setup to start calling, when I could hear noise coming from my left side. I grabbed my bow but before I could get back to full draw the elk moved out of the brush and were 8 yards away staring at me. I was busted and just froze because we had the wind in our favor. They crossed the path I was on and continued on, but I wasn't able to get a shot.

We always say that when you least expect them.... they show up! Well I have to agree, we just walked in to the area and while I was taking my backpack off I set my bow down 3 feet away and it was too late.

We are glad to be engaged with animals, now we just need to be patient and do the work to get an opportunity.

More Later

On the move

2009-09-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

Paul studies the Topo map to get a better idea what the best way to work this area will be considering the wind and terrain. There is fresh elk sign in the area and the team is about to spread out and start working this area. If you look closely you can see the GPS unit on the backpack which we use all the time, but sometimes it is easier to pull out a topo map to study the big picture so everyone can see. We love the new Color Display on the GPS which also has topo maps but it's a little small for a team meeting.

Back to hunting.... More Later!

Water for camp

2009-09-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

Just a quick stop at the river to pick up a little extra water for camp. This will be used to fill the shower system and for Misc cleaning and such. We have lots of 5 Gallon Jugs filled with Drinking water, but in order to save that for drinking we need to stop now and then to get extra water.

No Elk Tonight!

2009-09-04T20:28:00.000-07:00

We had a great morning and we had plenty of Elk action but things died off for the evening hunt. We need to figure out the pattern the animals are using in this area so we can capitalize on the area.

More reports to follow and we are excited to have Glen and Keith joining the team so we can spread out and work the areas better.

North face elk bedding area

2009-09-04T06:47:00.000-07:00

Joe and I are going to check this area

Two elk down in the valley

2009-09-04T06:13:00.000-07:00

Moving up the mountain

2009-09-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

Two elk calling 300 yards in front of us.

Joe and I are on a bull right now

2009-09-04T05:30:00.000-07:00

Planning The Friday Morning Hunt

2009-09-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

Homework time - yes after having a great day in the field and a good dinner.... it's time to hit the maps and do our homework. We have started to get a handle on some elk but figuring out when and where to get into position for a shot is another story.

Paul & Joey study the TOPO and compare notes on the days events in hope of getting a shot tomorrow. Honestly this is a large part of the fun of hunting, making the plans for your next hunt!!!!

See Ya Out There!

Update - 18 Elk spotted NO SHOTS

2009-09-03T19:47:00.000-07:00

Paul found a group of elk 6 miles behind camp. Joe saw nine elk with one bull and no shot. Elk hunter saw a two cows and a bull but the were 326 yards out. Dennis saw two mule deer bucks and one doe.

Water hole behind camp

2009-09-03T16:11:00.000-07:00

We have managed to find a great water hole that the Elk in the area are using, we will monitor this and see if we can hunt on the IN / OUT routes for a opportunity on a nice bull.

More to report after the Friday Hunt.

Waiting for the elk to start calling

2009-09-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

Hunting a new area today. I saw a monster mule on my way up the mountain. We had some excitement this evening as Joey was able to Draw back on a 6 x 6 Bull but before he could get a good shot the wind changed and the game was over. We were able to find a good area that we believe will produce some animals. So the excitement begins as we have found our hunting spot for this trip.

More to follow as we begin to work this area.

4 x 4 Muley buck

2009-09-02T17:42:00.000-07:00

We aren't hunting for Mule deer but it always gets your blood flowing when you see a nice buck in the field. This buck was found in the same area as the Elk we found.

No elk today.

2009-09-01T15:59:00.000-07:00

Joey and Elk Hunter take a break and relax for a bit during the travel between Camp and potential hunting areas. Seen is the background "Blue Steel" Joey's truck that is also Known as the Wyoming Wrecker Service as he Pulled out more vehicles last year on the Wyoming 2008 hunt than any other.

The overall report for the day has No Elk, Sparse sign and TONS of Great Views from Sand Mountain and the surrounding area. GMU 214 has some EXCELLENT areas and like every other hunt when you start off with 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 achers of land.... is to get out there and find the animals.

We'll see what Day 3 Brings as the team is headed North of Camp for Day 3.

See You Out There

HHS Admin

Calling on the back side of sand mountain

2009-09-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

Paul Fielding give a quick call as the team is out searching for some activity.

Paul taking a break on the sand mountain hike

2009-09-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

Paul Fielding slowly working the trail system on Sand Mountain. The team is hunting in GMU 214 as they are checking out more Hot Spots that were part of the Pre-Trip Planning Sessions. Paul is one of our top Map Reading / Topo specialists. His long history of hunting combined with map reading skills and his instincts on where to find animals has been a valuable tool over the years for our team.

Each of our team members have their own special skills and abilities, which Paul clearly excells on predictive models and area selection for hunts.

We look forward to the team getting into some good sign.

HHS ADMIN

Den on the edge

2009-09-01T14:27:00.000-07:00

Dennis Resseguie is taking some time glassing the edge of black timber from this very good vantage point on Sand Mountain. The team is still searching for a good concentration of Elk and so far sign has been sparse. Lots of leg work to do....

Going up sand mountain

2009-09-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

Joe Witer shown taking a break on Sand Mountain. Time to glass for a while and just enjoy the view.

Hiking to sand mountain

2009-09-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

Dennis Resseguie and Joe Witer are members of the Hot Hunting Spots Pro Staff Team. They are shown here taking a break while hunting Sand Mountain.

Hunting GMU 214 Today

2009-09-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hunting in GMU 214.

We decided to check out the Sand Mountain area today. This is very beautiful country and we didn't find many elk but lots of great photos.