Well, not really Colorado, but it got your attention! 
A few months back JP (Huntinhard) called me about an elk hunt in central Texas. A few calls to my financial advisor (bride) and it was on.
The date was set for yesterday. I had two mounts to deliver to Victoria, so afterwards I stoped at JP's house and we were off to Belton to meet up with Bryce Beaty (sp?, sorry Bryce). After arriving at the ranch, we discussed our time crunch and that due to the swirling winds that stalking with a bow was out of the question. It didn't take me long to get Bryce convinced that I wasn't competent with a rifle ... LOL
, he actually asked me if I really didn't know how to shoot a rifle! LMAO ... what a start!
Finding a small herd of elk, in a HIGH FENCE, turned out to be more difficult that it sounds. The first one got away because JP couldn't get his knees to stop shaking long enough to get a shot. We regrouped back at the ranch house and rehydrated. Man was it hot yesterday! The second trip out, I decided to take my bow and Bryce suggested that I sit at a protein feeder that the elk frequent every evening. As I sat there in that little sweat box that Double Bull calls a pop-up, I heard a shot ... the a few minutes later a second shot. I figured JP got one. Maybe 10 minutes later, Jason, the owner's son shows back up and tells me that they have 3 more bulls spotted and that if we get back quick, I might still be able to get a shot on one. When we rejoined Bryce, JP, and Shane, the bulls were still milling around about 250 yards from where we stood. What a majestic site!
This is the point where I totally fell of the horse ... as I shakeingly took JP's rifle in a last resistant effort to bag a bull elk. Bryce (on only 1 good foot) was more than anxious to go with me on a short stalk. When we got within 180 yards, the bulls moved behind some cover, out of our sight. Bryce assured me that he knew where they'd be hanging out and asked me how close I wanted to be for the shot. Still playing the "I can't shoot a rifle card", I told him, "Oh ... about 100 yards should be good"! I'll be ****ed if he didn't get us within 100 yards of the 3 bulls and set me up for a perfect shot!
My first rocky mountain elk, taken in almost Colorado ... Belton, Texas!
I know, I know ... this isn't a hike your butt off for a week, poop in the woods, go without a shower, week long elk hunt, but I had a blast. Bryce and his sidekick, Shane (Kill em all) are some of the nicest people you'd ever want to share a fire with. I know Bryce isn't a sponsor, and I might get a demerit for plugging his operation, but if you ever get the chance to hunt with him, DO IT!
Bryce and Shane, it was a pleasure meeting you, and thank you both for a very memorable hunt!
A few months back JP (Huntinhard) called me about an elk hunt in central Texas. A few calls to my financial advisor (bride) and it was on.
The date was set for yesterday. I had two mounts to deliver to Victoria, so afterwards I stoped at JP's house and we were off to Belton to meet up with Bryce Beaty (sp?, sorry Bryce). After arriving at the ranch, we discussed our time crunch and that due to the swirling winds that stalking with a bow was out of the question. It didn't take me long to get Bryce convinced that I wasn't competent with a rifle ... LOL
, he actually asked me if I really didn't know how to shoot a rifle! LMAO ... what a start!Finding a small herd of elk, in a HIGH FENCE, turned out to be more difficult that it sounds. The first one got away because JP couldn't get his knees to stop shaking long enough to get a shot. We regrouped back at the ranch house and rehydrated. Man was it hot yesterday! The second trip out, I decided to take my bow and Bryce suggested that I sit at a protein feeder that the elk frequent every evening. As I sat there in that little sweat box that Double Bull calls a pop-up, I heard a shot ... the a few minutes later a second shot. I figured JP got one. Maybe 10 minutes later, Jason, the owner's son shows back up and tells me that they have 3 more bulls spotted and that if we get back quick, I might still be able to get a shot on one. When we rejoined Bryce, JP, and Shane, the bulls were still milling around about 250 yards from where we stood. What a majestic site!
This is the point where I totally fell of the horse ... as I shakeingly took JP's rifle in a last resistant effort to bag a bull elk. Bryce (on only 1 good foot) was more than anxious to go with me on a short stalk. When we got within 180 yards, the bulls moved behind some cover, out of our sight. Bryce assured me that he knew where they'd be hanging out and asked me how close I wanted to be for the shot. Still playing the "I can't shoot a rifle card", I told him, "Oh ... about 100 yards should be good"! I'll be ****ed if he didn't get us within 100 yards of the 3 bulls and set me up for a perfect shot!
My first rocky mountain elk, taken in almost Colorado ... Belton, Texas!
I know, I know ... this isn't a hike your butt off for a week, poop in the woods, go without a shower, week long elk hunt, but I had a blast. Bryce and his sidekick, Shane (Kill em all) are some of the nicest people you'd ever want to share a fire with. I know Bryce isn't a sponsor, and I might get a demerit for plugging his operation, but if you ever get the chance to hunt with him, DO IT!
Bryce and Shane, it was a pleasure meeting you, and thank you both for a very memorable hunt!
Comment