Evolution of a hunter.

[Dennis H]

It's day two of muzzleloader season as I type this from the mountains of Colorado. Its been a slow start with my first sighting coming just a few minutes ago. All reports say last winter took it's till on our deer herd and I suspect that's the cause. Had a doe with twins and a velveted fork horned yearling at about 10yards. She had done well as her twins were nearly as big as she was, only her disciplining of one of the fawns made it clear she was the adult. I have a buck and doe license in my pocket and they were all four legal animals, but I never raised my gun. The fork horn didn't interest me much as it's only day two of a nine day season and that young doe having two big healthy fawns is exactly what's needed for our herd to recover from the effects of last winter. Not too many years ago I would've dumped the buck and tried to reload and get the doe. I've got a bull elk tag I'm certain I'll fill next month so I know I'll have a freezer full at seasons end. Maybe a dry doe and an old buck will walk by, maybe I'm just gettin old.....

[RanchRoper]

Sounds like a sound decision.

[Sir Henry]

I bet in ten years the herd will be a lot stronger because of this past bad winter. I've been seeing hundreds of mule deer out here. Most open fields will have a few dozen feeding in the harvested wheat fields eating small spills.

[tractortad]

Maybe we should send some out west - we are getting overrun by whitetails here in the southern Shenandoah Valley - they are decimating all the young trees...

[JEBar]

Dennis H ....

I admire your evolution as a sportsman .... responsible hunters are critical in making sure our grandchildren will have the opportunity to hunt ....

[Dennis H]

Tag soup this year as far as deer go. Didn't see many more after that first encounter. No worries, pick up the hog tomorrow and that elk tag next month should get filled!

[JEBar]

Tag soup this year as far as deer go. Didn't see many more after that first encounter. No worries, pick up the hog tomorrow and that elk tag next month should get filled!

what rifles will you be using for hunting the hog and elk ?

[Dennis H]

The hog was a 4h project of a friend of mine, I suspect a 22lr. The elk will be laid to rest with a 45-70.

[Dennis H]

Tag soup for elk for the first time in 17yrs. Saw lots of cows calves and spikes just no 4pt or better bulls. Freezer should be pretty empty by next fall.

[JEBar]

Tag soup for elk for the first time in 17yrs. Saw lots of cows calves and spikes just no 4pt or better bulls. Freezer should be pretty empty by next fall.

hate it for you .... that said, I recall many, many, many days spent in the woods without filling a tag .... I don't recall spending many days spent in the woods that were good ones

[Dennis H]

Tag soup for elk for the first time in 17yrs. Saw lots of cows calves and spikes just no 4pt or better bulls. Freezer should be pretty empty by next fall.

hate it for you .... that said, I recall many, many, many days spent in the woods without filling a tag .... I don't recall spending many days spent in the woods that were good ones

They were all good JEBar! In the Colorado Rockies with my brother and niece, carrying guns, riding horses, living in a tent with a wood stove, eating out of a dutch oven, sitting around the campfire at night, good for the soul!

[JEBar]

They were all good JEBar! In the Colorado Rockies with my brother and niece, carrying guns, riding horses, living in a tent with a wood stove, eating out of a dutch oven, sitting around the campfire at night, good for the soul!

OUTSTANDING .... I'm truly happy to be able to say, understood ..