Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Our clear skies and 70 degree temps have quickly turned into mid-30's and rain mixed with snow. Two inches of snow overnight, and they say the higher elevations had as much as a foot.
This change is very welcomed. Colder temps and the snow tend to drive the elk off the mountains and into the open meadows and juniper stands in the valley. However, we will need to wait until later in the day today to test this theory, as the whole valley is currently fogged-in. We will head back out once the weather clears...which is supposed to happen by early to mid-afternoon.
Stay tuned....
JLR
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
So That's What Clouds Look Like...
We saw clouds today. I know we are here to hunt and I am supposed to talk of seeing elk or deer, but we haven't seen many of either, so the big event of the day was the clouds.
As a matter-of-fact, we had'nt seen a cloud since Thursday....and temps have been unseasonably warm, with highs in the low 70's. The norm this time of year is mid 50's. These temps trigger unusual behavior with the elk. They already have their winter coats by now, so can't handle the heat and go up to the 10 -11,000 foot elevations to find cooler temps. The warm weather also causes them to not herd-up as is typical for them by now. Thus, finding elk has been extremely difficult.....kind of like finding a needle in haystack, and we haven't found any needles yet.
We tried hard yesterday, leaving the cabin at 6:30 and returning at about 7:00pm. We spent the day at 10,000 - 11,100 foot elevations on the Grand Mesa, a national forest just south of our lodge. The Mesa typifies Colorado elk hunting with its sprawling stands of aspen and juniper, mountain peaks white with snow, and open meadows waiting for elk. But, it was not to be, as all we say was a couple deer the whole day.
On the other hand, we have seen Mule Deer every day. I passed on a small buck last night. Tomorrow we might concentrate on deer just so we do not go home empty handed.
Other than the hunting, all is good. We are sharing our cabin with 4 guys from Virginia. Mike, Keith, Toby, and Chuck are all really good guys and ethical hunters. The cabin is good enough, although still under construction. The scenery is postcard perfect....we are in a valley that is nearly surrounded by mountains. It was an awesome site to watch the rain storms move across the mountain tops today while we sat on the opposite mountain watching it evolve. Rainbows touched the foothills, low-hanging clouds rolled over the mountain tops, and eventually we watched a fog start low in the valley and move up the hills until it completely enveloped the area. Can't see that stuff at home.
I should add that the luck, or lack thereof, that we are having is not unique to us. Our Virigina friends have been skunked thus far as well, and most other hunters we have talked to have experienced the same fate.
I will enter another post as soon as we have some noteworthy news....so hopefully tomorrow....
As a matter-of-fact, we had'nt seen a cloud since Thursday....and temps have been unseasonably warm, with highs in the low 70's. The norm this time of year is mid 50's. These temps trigger unusual behavior with the elk. They already have their winter coats by now, so can't handle the heat and go up to the 10 -11,000 foot elevations to find cooler temps. The warm weather also causes them to not herd-up as is typical for them by now. Thus, finding elk has been extremely difficult.....kind of like finding a needle in haystack, and we haven't found any needles yet.
We tried hard yesterday, leaving the cabin at 6:30 and returning at about 7:00pm. We spent the day at 10,000 - 11,100 foot elevations on the Grand Mesa, a national forest just south of our lodge. The Mesa typifies Colorado elk hunting with its sprawling stands of aspen and juniper, mountain peaks white with snow, and open meadows waiting for elk. But, it was not to be, as all we say was a couple deer the whole day.
On the other hand, we have seen Mule Deer every day. I passed on a small buck last night. Tomorrow we might concentrate on deer just so we do not go home empty handed.
Other than the hunting, all is good. We are sharing our cabin with 4 guys from Virginia. Mike, Keith, Toby, and Chuck are all really good guys and ethical hunters. The cabin is good enough, although still under construction. The scenery is postcard perfect....we are in a valley that is nearly surrounded by mountains. It was an awesome site to watch the rain storms move across the mountain tops today while we sat on the opposite mountain watching it evolve. Rainbows touched the foothills, low-hanging clouds rolled over the mountain tops, and eventually we watched a fog start low in the valley and move up the hills until it completely enveloped the area. Can't see that stuff at home.
I should add that the luck, or lack thereof, that we are having is not unique to us. Our Virigina friends have been skunked thus far as well, and most other hunters we have talked to have experienced the same fate.
I will enter another post as soon as we have some noteworthy news....so hopefully tomorrow....
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Here We Go Again!
I need to start doing these trips with young guys instead of old guys. It is day one of our Fall 2011 western big game hunting trip, and two hours ago we checked into the EconoLodge in Kearney, Nebraska. We secured an Econo Suite....2 queen size beds and a sofa bed. Guess who gets the sofa bed? I am sure it will be fine...my young back can handle it. The rooms are clean, sheets appear as though they have been washed recently, and no sign of mice or cockroaches. We're all good.
Very uneventful travels today. We covered nearly 690 miles from Oconomowoc to Kearney after Dad and I picked up Glenn at 7:15. A nice bonus of the day for me was that I was able to get alot of work accomplished....I had good cell phone coverage for 90% of the ride. This enabled me to tether my PC to my cell phone and get internet coverage, receive and send emails, and be on the phone for a good portion of the ride. I guess I will take one less vacation day! Tomorrow we have fewer than 600 to go to our final destination south of Mesa, Colorado.
Our targeted game on this trip are elk and mule deer, with Dad as the lone mule deer tag holder. We booked the trip through Jeff Miner at Cache Creek Outfitters. Two years ago, Dad and Glenn hunted through Jeff in the same area of Colorado. They had a good week, seeing alot of game, and took a nice 6x6 bull. With the significant experience gained from their trip, combined with my innate ability to quickly reacquire skills i have long-since used, we expect greater success this year (that's "code" for we really hope we do well!).
As with past hunts, I will provide daily updates of our endeavors...assuming we have internet access at our base-camp. Please feel free to comment on any or all posts....
be safe and be good.......
JLR
Very uneventful travels today. We covered nearly 690 miles from Oconomowoc to Kearney after Dad and I picked up Glenn at 7:15. A nice bonus of the day for me was that I was able to get alot of work accomplished....I had good cell phone coverage for 90% of the ride. This enabled me to tether my PC to my cell phone and get internet coverage, receive and send emails, and be on the phone for a good portion of the ride. I guess I will take one less vacation day! Tomorrow we have fewer than 600 to go to our final destination south of Mesa, Colorado.
Our targeted game on this trip are elk and mule deer, with Dad as the lone mule deer tag holder. We booked the trip through Jeff Miner at Cache Creek Outfitters. Two years ago, Dad and Glenn hunted through Jeff in the same area of Colorado. They had a good week, seeing alot of game, and took a nice 6x6 bull. With the significant experience gained from their trip, combined with my innate ability to quickly reacquire skills i have long-since used, we expect greater success this year (that's "code" for we really hope we do well!).
As with past hunts, I will provide daily updates of our endeavors...assuming we have internet access at our base-camp. Please feel free to comment on any or all posts....
be safe and be good.......
JLR
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