It is that time of year again, almost magical. The mountains are growing cool, as we swelter in the heat of late summer on the plains, and in the foothills near Denver. My health and a few other things will prevent me from taking up stick and string this year, yet again. My dreams though, can be realized somewhat through my friends. Some new, and some old.
David is a new friend, and new to Bow hunting. It is his third season and he has yet to so much as see a mountain Mule Deer, much less an Elk. Mike and I have taken pity on him, and have told him about the things and places that we spent years, and literally thousands of dollars learning about, often in vain. The failures are every bit as important as the successes. You learn from those things. Much like learning to walk where you learn from falling down.
Few things will get your blood pumping like the scream of a Bull Elk echoing through the valleys in challenge to any and all to take the cows from him. I coached David to only “Cow Call.” Bugling has been so widespread that very few Bulls will respond to them. I firmly believe that a Bull can indeed tell the difference between a fake, and the real thing.
Mike coached him about the proper selection of pointy things, ruling out the expanding gadgets, and recommending Titans . I agreed, although Phantoms are my choice for tipping darts that will be used for serious business.
Scent control is a real issue for those that want to get close to wildlife, be they hunter or photographer. I believe that no scent is the best scent, Mike likes attractants and cover scents. We both have about the same degree of success so that issue is still up in the air.
Where to actually hunt is perhaps the most important thing in having a good time. Yes, there are special draw license areas, but they are tough to get, and take several years to do so. Mike will be taking David up in an area that can be hunted with over the counter tags in Game Management Unit 16.
Yes, David has been bitten by the bug! Oh, and that success thing? It has nothing to do with whether you make a kill. It has everything to do with becoming a part of nature.
Conservative Libertarian Outpost 